Psychology aspects and character.
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History of origin Recovery and breeding Character Standard |
The racial standard model is an embodiment of strength, severity, bellicosity and fearless spirit. In fact, this is one of those rare dogs, the appearance of which embodies inner values of its character. It’s enough to look at it to be clear, who we are dealing with. Presence of such organic interconnection alongside such an impressive appearance is necessary and in no way is it allowed to forget about predestination of the Canarian, that first of all the Presa is a dog with a strong hold, it is an excellent guardian (guardian par excellence), requiring realisation of its instincts. Perro de Presa Canario’s character indeed deserves special attention: as a rule it is dog of balanced, calm type of higher nervous activity. At the first glance this dog is phlegmatic, but it is very active at work, which reveals the impulsiveness of its behavior.It has Perro de Ganado Majorero to thank for its special temperament. But one should not identify impulsiveness with unpredictability.An experienced owner is always sure of his dog’s actions because he knows that if it is possible and desirable it is not a problem to prevent it from being provoked to attack. Forcible grounds are needed for the Presa to start offensive actions.
Besides the function of guard and defense Presa is gifted for the conduction of herding cattle. Also it is good companion and essential member of the human family. In English-speaking literature it is characterised as a “despite its size and power, very comfort in house”. Perro de Presa is very pliant and obedient in interaction with the master, very tender and devoted to family dog. Presa is a reliable guard, which combines love to children with high security qualities. Acts in a very intelligent and calm manner in house. This explaines its “convenience”. However, the dog must be provided with sufficient and constant physical loads to keep it in top condition. Silent, but at the same time curious and very observant, it clearly defines its family, territory and surroundings for itself. And it is not easy to join the list of its trustworthy people-to put it mildly the Presa is not famous for trusting strangers, but those lucky people who win its favour enjoy it’s most warm feelings and emotions.
The Perro de Presa Canario is a calm dog, doesn´t enjoy the troubles. This lying or sitting down observing everything in their environment, and while nobody disturbs to you is observing everything the once that happens, it peacefully doesn´t escape detail of what happens to their surroundings. Nothing prefixes to its work: he could be enjoying the happiest moment in company of his master, delighting with a great food, or playing with the rest of congener that live together with him, if he considers that somebody or something puts his territory in danger he leaves everything at once in order to defend that with the most forceful form and effectiveness. Although they try to bribe it with any trick, either food, threats, good words, what ever, he won´t allow anybody franks his territory, unless his owner orders to him to stop in the guard.
It keeps welcome visitors under strong observation, expressing a tolerant attitude towards them.
The Presa Canario is a very tame dog with the family. Concerning the relationship with the children, it is interesting to see the care with which the dog “supports” the children games, he never shows aggressiveness with them. However he may not be a “baby-sitter dog”, that’s why it is necessary to teach the children how to treat and respect the dog for preventing any unfortunate inconveniences.
In terms of care, food and enviroment, this dog is very unpretentious. It´s modesty in terms of quantity and quality of food combines with minimum energy expenses. The dog doesn´t require any special care and attention by master and he will not follow their owner where he wants that it goes. About their relationship with the owner, it would tell that the dog is “hanging” of their master, he constantly observes you without missing detail of your movements, but he doesn´t need a command in order to make a quick decision in what seems to be a hopeless situation.
A genetic echo of its ancient ancestors and the breeding direction on Gran Canaria presupposes its exhibition of a tendency to dogfight in particular. At present this quality is not an obligatory criterion, which is making breed type.
From its fighing ancestors it inherited a special insensitivity to physical pain: all minor medical procedures performed on the dog leave it indifferent; and aggression towards its own kind (it always tries to dominate) as well as towards other species of animals.
The Perro Canario is very powerful ( in the sence of physical strength it could be compared with fast-moving tank; loves to throw down) and brave dog, with a rough and independent character, however very obedient to its master, and, of course, it is up to master himself to train the dog in a proper manner. Training of this dog requires not only physical, but as well, mental strengh: owner should be very persistent trainer, to demand the execution of all commands, not to let any pampering, in overall, one has to be a strict teacher, who doesn´t humiliate dog´s dignity, but make dog feel respect to him, in this case he will get an irreplaceable and a perfect friend.
Canary dog doesn´t have any strong social instincts, which sometimes creates a paradox situation, when very aggressive towards strangers and other animals, these dogs are well disciplined and never attempt to dominate it´s master. This paradox is explained by the fact, that aspiration towards leadership in a pack and aggression directed outsides are controlled by different hereditary mechanisms. Nevertheless when it finds weak points in its master’s character, the Presa starts demonstrating its independence to the extent, as a result-the master looses control over the dog and this may lead to unfortunate circumstances with respect to the surrounding people.
So, now you see, that Presa is a dog that needs obedience training and a firm hand early on. It is not a dog for the inexperienced. Training would be the right thing for the Presa for many reasons.First of all, by training a dog can show his real characteristics and temperament, besides a trained Presa will be more “safe”, in the sence that he will have a better relationship with the owner and therefore will be more under his control.
In the puppy age, this shows mainly as passive-defensive reaction, which with ages develops into active one. The development of dog´s reaction depends much on the enviroment, training and care of the dog. This breed needs a lot of socialisation, more contact with other animals from a very young age (of course, if you don´t keep dog for fight), a lot of time spent together with other dogs and people.
Upon reaching the age of two years, the dog’s massive skeleton stops gradually its formation; only after this period it is possible to evaluate the right proportions of its head. The growth is an essential period in the life of the dog, and for that it is right to pay attention to the alimenation and to the education of the puppy. The specialists give advice to start the basic training (obedience) of the Presa at 8-9 months, and then, at 12 months (or even more) the Presa will be ready for a more binding training, as guard, manstopper and attack-dog.
In Spain and the United States of America, where this breed is mostly based, those working kennnels, which really improve the breed signs of Perro de Presa Canario, along with thoroughbred breeding make obligatory character testing of pedigree sires.Thus in Spain there is an dog’s social behaviour degree test-B.H. and also there are special systems of training: I.P.O., R.C.I., SHC.H or C.E.A.C. Persecution, guarding and protection instincts must be expressed very evidently; an aggreressive reaction to a gunshot is allowed, a dog may pay attention to the source of noise, best of all,staying indifferent and in no case betraying cowardice; it must be eager to work, it must be activ, brave and demonstrate a strength of character. Supersensitive and delicate individuals as well as those trying to dominate their master are disqualified. The following tests are popular in America: temperament test-TT and a test to check if a dog is suitable for breeding, its conformity with the breed-BST (breeding suitability test). TT includes control of general obedience, degree of social behaviour, protection and reaction to a shot being fired; if a dog passes it successfully it may have a claim to the BST. If both tests are passed without any problems, a representative of the breed receives a special certificate OFA or PennHip and it is registered in the PCCA stud book (American Club of Presa Canario) as BST-suitable for breeding.