From the XV
century to the present time, the Presa Canario dog it was
called always thus, Dog of Presa, and Canario
to reproduce in the Canary Islands. Without doubt, these
dogs were brought to the Canary Islands from Spain for
the service of butcheries, that is, to grip the bovine
cattle at the moment of their sacrifice in the municipal
slaughter houses, and for the guard of the properties of
their masters. In Spain them was used also as gripping
dogs in the bullfighting celebrations of the time, and in
the big game. In the hunting of the wild boar he
did not have rival.
The Royal Central Society of Promotion of the Canine
Breeds of Spain after certain reckon, estimates, doubts,
etc. in 1988 recognizes the Presa Canario dog like native
breed of the Canary Islands.
Now the FCI, which is the one who must grant him the
international recognition, is not in agreement with the
denomination Presa Canario and proposes the one of Dogo
Canario. But why the FCI does not accept the denomination
Presa Canario?, I have asked by phone to a member of the
Royal Society of Promotion of the Canine Breeds of Spain
first, and to the President of the Spanish Club of the Presa
Canario later. The FCI does not accept the denominanation
Presa Canario because the word "PRESA" is
associated to the fight of dogs, or something similar, had answered me
in the Royall Spanish Canine Society. The
president of the CEPRC replied me in the same
terms. And what are you going to do?, I asked to the
president of the C.E.P.P.C. Then we have not made
anything specific yetl, we have thought about Perro
Basto (Coarse Dog), Bardino Canario, etc. and in the
denomination that suggests us the FCI, Dogo Canario.
So? But still we do not know, we have consulted with the
Cabildo Insular, the Council (of the Canary Islands)...
And when is going to be the Recognition by the FCI? It
could be at the end of the 98, but most probable is than
they recognize it in 1999; until then we will decide what
new name is going to have the Presa Canario
Well, the Presa Canario dog in last centuries at no
moment was used for the fight, is no a single historical
reference, data, something that induces us to think about
it. It is sure then, that the denomination
"Presa" to this dog comes by the
function that fulfilled, that was not another one than to
grip cattle in the municipal slaughter houses, the
bullfighting enclosures and the hunting (wild boars
mainly).
The fights of dogs in the Canary Islands were actuality
by years 1910 or 1920, and finished in the decade of the
40's. From the 70 the liking to this canine breed in all
Canary Islands appears again, and by the spreading we
have made in newspapers and specialized magazines very
many they are the fans who arise in the rest of Spain and
abroad, which they buy dogs, or by the pleasure to have
them, or to breed.
Considering the exposed thing more above, I do not
understand the attitude of the FCI against the
traditional denomination of our dog of Presa (of
grip not of fight) - fights have been organized in
multitude of countries through the time with an enormous
diversity of breeds that nothing they have to do with
this canary molosser, nor with his denomination,
therefore, to associate "PRESA" with FIGHT, in
respect to the matter that occupies us, I consider one
complete incongruity by the people who manage the FCI (or
ignorance on the subject). I insist, dog of presa was
synonymous of bull dog, and never was associated with
fight dog. In the United Kingdom they exist the Bull dog,
the Bull Mastiff, the Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire
Bull Terrier, all dogs that in the past loosen to the
bovine cattle for amusement of the public. It would not
seem to me sensible that for that reason the FCI forced
that country to change the name of those canine breeds,
that mean, to omit the word BULL of them.
In the United Kingdom similar spectacles are prohibited,
just like the dogs fights, very popular in the past. In
Spain the dogs fights are prohibited, just like in
Holland, Germany, France, Italy, etc. If somebody in
these countries, like in many others, fight dogs, is to
the margin of the Law. The problem is based in which with
certain frequency the dogs fighters are not persecuted
with the sufficient zeal, on the other hand is clear that
they use any type of dog more fit for the fight (American
Pitbull Terrier, Bullterrier, Staffordshire Bullterrier,
American Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa Inu in Japan, where
the dogs fights are regulated being legal), than the
Presa Canario, that nobody (no breeders) selects for the
fight.
The Presa Canario is breed and select thinking about he
must act as dog of guard and defense, and, in addition,
has to coexist with human beings, young and adult.
By the exposed preceding reasons, we are totally against
with the change of name of our molosser (Presa Canario)
by the FCI.
