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First Presa Canario National Specialty Part 1
by Fred Lanting
Copyright May, 2003 -
First Presa Canario National Specialty by Fred Lanting
First Presa Canario National Specialty
Report by Fred Lanting
The first national specialty show of the reorganized Presa club in America known as the United Perro de Presa Canario Club was held on the grounds of Purina Farms near St. Louis, MO. This organization supplanted the strife-torn and somewhat disorganized predecessor club, with improved communications and management, using mostly the same members. It is affiliated with the UKC, the all-breed registry devoted to the total dog and a fun, family-oriented show and working trials atmosphere.
This molossoid breed gets its name from its action of seizing predators and cranky bulls, and from the Canary Islands where it was perfected from stock originating on the Iberian peninsula of Spain and Portugal. “Presa” means to grab or seize. The FCI, probably bowing to some anti-biting movement common to Europe as well as the U.S., decided to re-name it “Dogo Canario”. It is descended from an older type of Presa Canario now extinct, and from the Perro de Ganado Majorero, a cattle dog native to the Canary Islands, both with very strong temperament. The breed has undergone a recent reconstruction and the present examples are impressive and useful. Further back in its history, it shares some common ancestry with the Spanish and Portugese mastiffs and bulldogs, as well as with the Fila Brasileiro, which latter stems mostly from the Bloodhound and Spanish/Portugese Mastiffs. “Fila” in Portuguese also means “seize” or “grab”. In spite of the ancestry and reconstruction efforts, some authorities assert that “the actual Presa of today has almost nothing in common with the "ancient" Presa that is mentioned in some law acts of the 16th Century, and that it is even more important to stress that the Presa Canario is a different breed from the Dogo Canario, recently recognized by the F.C.I.”
In the 1970s, Manuel Curtò and a small number of enthusiasts and breeders started to rebuild the breed, with the help of such crosses. They included the Ganado, what remained of the Presa of the first decades of the 20th century, and other molossers breeds. Up to that period there were two difference types of Presa Canario: one very large type with a strong character was from Gran Canaria Island, and was a result of the crosses with the Neapolitan Mastiff and (in smaller part) with Old English Mastiffs and Great Dane; coming from Tenerife was the more agile Presa Canario despite being the result of the native crosses with Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs, Great Danes, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, “Pit Bulls” and Dogue de Bordeaux.
The key molders of the Presa in the Islands tell us that the official FCI Standard of the Dogo Canario does not specify a maximum weight which, for the Presa is set at 57 Kg. to prevent the proliferation of overly-heavy dogs, unable to work. Another difference is that of the coat color; the solid black one is admitted in the Presa Canario while it is not for the Dogo Canario. They draw an analogy with the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, but that is not quite accurate in my view. I judge both, and many AmStaffs are dual-registered as APBTs. Presa people feel that even if the Presa Canario and the Dogo Canario originated from the same type of dog, they are now effectively different breeds.
One of the characteristics the Fila and Presa share is the high-in-the-rear topline. Both are required to have the iliac crest of the pelvis higher than the withers or shoulder blade, or at least not lower than the shoulder. By the way, those islands off the coast of Spanish Sahara, Africa get their name not from the little yellow bird, but from the Latin word for dog, Cane. You may have heard of a somewhat similar Italian breed called the Cane Corso. The songbird’s name is derived from the islands, not the other way around.
The custom was to crop the ears so that there would be less for a fighting enemy to latch onto, and most Presas are still cropped. But there was an excellent female at this show with uncropped ears, showing the typical semi-rose shape that comes from the deep antiquity of the breed’s development from prototype Greyhounds and Bulldogs.
It was my pleasure and honor to substitute for a judge from the breed’s homeland, who had to cancel late in the planning stage. It was my job to conduct the “Critiques”, which is like a breed survey in miniature, without the measurements that are taken in many foreign breed surveys. I dictated comments on each dog’s character, gait, and anatomy to a scribe (who, forgive me, had to write fast), and these data are archived by the club. I hope some day they use the same system that the SV does, which has been described as “See everything, say everything”. This would be helpful in refining the Standard in the future. I also was asked for input into the Standard’s wording, which had been awkwardly translated from the Spanish. Thanks to my SV training, experience in teaching anatomy, and background as a college professor, I was able to give some guidance to the process. It will be interesting to see how the breed develops in the U.S. compared to in the islands.
Presas are very utilitarian, performing the functions of family companion and playmate for the children, managing stock, guarding flocks and herds from predators and poachers, and protecting persons and property. Presas should be willing to grab a cantankerous bull by the nose and keep it subdued until the owner can hobble or control it. The same with wild and semi-feral boars. Since canaries aren’t much in the way of predators on goats, sheep, and cattle, the job of fighting carnivores on “the islands” is merely honorary. However, the capacity and willingness to do so is present, as ably demonstrated by a bitch named Isis. Unfortunately, she was not entered in the critiques or the conformation show, but I did see her admirable performance in the ATT temperament test and her demeanor while just walking around. I was later sent a picture of her and her kennel-mate, Gotti, with a kitten-killer coyote he had chased down and dispatched. Sam Nelson owns these two farm dogs, both good examples of breed purity and utility.
The Presa club says, “All Presas used for breeding programs should be temperament tested, and certified to be free of hip dysplasia.” The ATT test is, in my mind, a poor one, or at least poorly envisioned and practiced. I have seen innumerable dogs get a passing grade that you and I would never want to own or trust around people; many are spooky fear-biters. (There were none at the Presa specialty, and it is very unusual in this rather gentle breed.) I have also seen dogs (as Isis did) unjustly fail the test yet demonstrate the confidence and willingness to protect their owners, and the next or preceding moment show the calm nerves and sociability you want when walking in crowds or meeting neutral or friendly “strangers”.
Much better would be something like the German BH (a combination of traffic sureness, safety with people, unconcern with distractions like other dogs, bikes, noises, etc.) or even the more demanding Schutzhund test. Even the “Good Citizen” type evaluation should give the judge/evaluator a good look at character, if he is willing to observe and penalize bad nature. Isis, by the way, was a perfect, gentle lady up to the point of threats such as suspicious rattling noises, weird stranger attacking, and perceived attack by a person opening an umbrella much closer than is supposed to happen in the test. The owner was told she was too aggressive, which points out the fallacies of expecting guard dogs to behave like Beagles, Shelties, and Goldens. The test needs to be reformed or discarded, especially if clubs like the UPPCC require passing it in order to be granted club sanction for breeding!
General info on The Sieger Show Experience with tour guide Fred Lanting
The SV Bundessieger-Zuchtschau (BSZS or Sieger Show) in Germany is generally held in the last week of August or first week in September at a different location each year, depending on stadiums available. (The cost of stadium for this one-weekend event, and the competition with soccer/football events that sign contracts for many per year, determine the choice.) For the past 20 years or so, I have offered my non-profit 6-7-day guided tour of the show and sightseeing, including visits to kennels and training clubs. Get an SV judge's perspective of the bloodlines and procedures, along with experienced introductions to Germany's culture and beauty. My groups come from all parts of the globe, so even just the companionship is like a world-travel experience. We usually arrive on the Wednesday or Thursday before the show, and return the following Wednesday.
Looking for a great dog-related experience combined with seeing a different part of the world? Whatever your breed or activity in dogs, the annual Lanting guided show-and-sightseeing tour could be the experience of a lifetime. Read my annual “Impressions” articles on various websites for an idea of what we've seen in recent years. Tours centered on other countries’ Sieger Shows, the BSP, and world Schutzhund trials are also available if enough people sign up.
None of "my people" have ever been sorry, and all have wished they had done it earlier! You will see the best of the breed, meet important GSD people, sometimes see another country or two, and have the over-all greatest dog show experience of your life. I also include, if you decide to join us, a variety of travel tips. I offer an SV conformation judge's perspective of the show (I also have AKC, UKC, and foreign judging experience). One year, when a travel-agency tour leader again deserted his group, they came to where my group was sitting and asked me questions. References available from previous tour participants. Testimonials are numerous. I hope you will join us and recommend this tour to your friends and acquaintances. As a judge with much experience in Schutzhund training and competition, and being very familiar with Western Europe, I am able to give the best tour possible. People going it on their own cannot see the important parts of the country (sometimes we tour adjacent countries, too), and paying for your rental car is more than chipping in to pay for the van and my expenses. Read my "Impressions" on various websites for an idea of what we've seen in recent years.
There will be 3 long days of the big show, and about 3 to 4 days of sightseeing and visits. Please let me know as soon as you can, with a $400 (US) deposit, so I can start putting my notification list together and finalize (hold) hotel reservations for you. There is a lot of work involved in putting together such a tour! I will make the hotel plans based on your deposits, & arrange the visits and van(s). Easy, fun, educational and, for most --- the unique trip of a lifetime. You will not be any younger next year, and if you don't make the decision to get out there and smell the roses NOW, while you think of it, you're more likely than not to lose the opportunity and desire. Join the group! Tell others about it, too. Fred
Contact me at Mr.GSD[at]netscape.com and tell your friends and Internet contacts.
Postal mail: 3565 Parches Cove, Union Grove, AL 35175-8422 USA
Editor’s Note: A well-respected and frequent GSD specialty and all-breed judge for many clubs around the world, with KC and other-country credentials, Mr. Lanting since 1966 has lectured on Gait-and-Structure, Canine Orthopedic Disorders, and other topics, and has judged in about 30 countries, including the prestigious FCI Asian Shows hosted by Japan Kennel Club and the KC of India, the Scottish Kennel Club, and many National Specialties in the USA and elsewhere. He has been described by a former OFA director as the world’s leading non-veterinarian authority on hip dysplasia. A dog breeder since 1945, a GSD owner since 1947, and a show judge since 1979, he has lectured at numerous veterinary schools in the USA and abroad. He is the author of “must read” books for the dog owner (see below for ordering info). Curriculum Vitae available upon request.
Announcing the new “Canine HD and Other Orthopedics Disorders” book: The expanded revision is a comprehensive (nearly 600-page), amply illustrated, annotated, monumental work that is suitable as a coffee-table book, a reference work for breeders and veterinarians, and a study adjunct for veterinary students. It is equally valuable for the owner of any breed. It covers every aspect of HD and other orthopedic, bone, or spinal disorders, and includes genetics, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and the role of environment. Your autographed copy will be mailed from the USA as soon as the appropriate amount is received and is processed. Pricing: US $68, plus $5 postage in the U.S., or ask about mail overseas. Combine orders with “The Total German Shepherd Dog” by the same author ($50 plus postage). 17 of the 20 chapters are suitable for owners of any breed.
