The Presa Canario dog is an imposing dog with an ancient and noble lineage. Also called the Perro de Presa Canario, the “canary dog of prey,” this dog is relatively rare.
The Rottweiler, on the other hand, is incredibly popular and common as a companion canine. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Rottweiler is the eighth most popular purebred dog breed in the United States – out of 195 breeds!
So what is the Presa Canario Rottweiler dog like? If you decide to add this dog to your family, what can you expect? In this article, learn everything you need to know about the Presa Canario Rottweiler mix dog.
Meet the Presa Canario Rottweiler Mix
The best way to learn all about the Presa Canario Rottweiler mix is to first learn about each purebred parent dog.
The more you know about each parent dog’s history, the better prepared you will be to decide if this is the right companion canine for you.
Perro de Presa Canario history
The Perro de Presa Canario dog is a molossoid breed. The term “molossoid” refers to the ancient Greek Molossoid tribe. These dogs were well known for their large size and strong guarding, hunting, and herding abilities.
The ancient molossoid dogs included both hunting mastiffs and livestock guarding dogs. The modern Perro de Presa Canario has elements of each lineage and makes both an excellent hunting companion and guard dog and also a wondering working and herding dog.
What gives this distinctive dog its breed name? It is thought they take their breed name from predecessors living in the Canary Islands in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Before 1970;s, the Presa Canario had almost become functionally extinct – these dogs were that rare.
In 1982, a group of devoted breeders started working together to keep the breed line going. Today, there are Presa Canario dog clubs around the world and this dog is slowly making a comeback.
This excellent, in-depth video shares much more history and insight into this lesser-known, ancient dog breed.
Rottweiler history
The Rottweiler, or “Rottie” as fans call this breed, is incredibly popular all over the world.
The Rottweiler dog can trace their breed history all the way back to the time of the Roman legions. These dogs originally earned their keep as livestock guarding and herding dogs for Roman armies.
It is thought these dogs got their breed name from the little town of Rottweil, Germany, where they became popular as guard dogs.
Later, Rottweilers became sought after as guide dogs for the blind, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, police and military dogs, and, of course, companion canines.
This is an excellent and accurate video to give you more insight into the Rottweiler breed and history from a long-time Rottweiler owner.
Presa Canario Rottweiler Height, Weight, Size
By now you have probably gotten a sense that the Presa Canario Rottweiler dog is a sizable pup.
However, they are not enormous. You can think of them more like medium to large dogs. Actual adult height, weight, and size can vary depending on each puppy’s parents and what generation your Presa Canario Rottweiler puppy is bred from (F1, F1b, F2, etc.)
The best way to guesstimate how big and tall a Presa Canario Rottweiler puppy will be is to learn about the averages for each parent dog breed.
The Presa Canario can weigh between 84 and 110 pounds on average and stand 22 to 26 inches tall (paw pad to shoulder) in adulthood.
Male dogs tend to be slightly heavier and taller than female dogs.
The Rottweiler can weigh between 95 and 135 pounds on average and stand 22 to 27 inches tall (paw pad to shoulder) in adulthood.
Here again, male dogs tend to be slightly heavier and taller than female dogs.
So what this tells us is that the Presa Canario Rottweiler mix dog will likely weigh between 84 and 135 pounds and stand 22 to 27 inches tall in adulthood, with males being slightly heavier and taller than females.
Presa Canario Rottweiler Longevity and Health
Modern purebred Rottweiler dogs can have some health concerns, including canine cancer. One excellent way to strengthen the breed line is to mix two breed lines together. This is called hybrid dog breeding or cross-breeding.
In any crossbreeding program, it is important to choose the right purebred dog breed to get a healthy pup.
The Presa Canario Rottweiler mix is an ideal choice for a number of reasons, including that the Presa Canario dog does not have a genetic history of developing canine cancer.
This makes including Rottweilers in cross-breeding programs beneficial to strengthen this breed’s overall health and longevity.
Because the Presa Canario dog is much rarer and less commonly bred, this dog has maintained a fairly clean health record overall according to the American Kennel Club.
This is not to say there are no concerns, but here a crossbreeding program can prove beneficial for both dog breeds involved in the program. So let’s take a closer look at the longevity and health of each parent dog breed and then at the Presa Canario Rottweiler.
Presa Canario health and longevity
According to the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), the Presa Canario has only a few major health concerns. CHIC compiles data from breeders who voluntarily report health issues for the overall well-being of the breed itself.
The Presa Canario can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia as many larger breed dogs do.
The Presa Canario Club of America (PCCA) reports that these additional health concerns may also affect Presa Canario dogs:
- Demodectic mange.
- Canine epilepsy.
- Eye entropion.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Panosteitis (literally “growing pains”).
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).
- Patellar luxation (“trick knee”).
- Cervical spondylolisthesis (Wobbler’s Syndrome).
- ACL rupture.
The Presa Canario dog has an average lifespan of between nine and 11 years.
Rottweiler health and longevity
The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) registry reports that the following genetic health issues can occur with Rottweiler dogs:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Juvenile laryngeal paralysis & polyneuropathy (JLPP).
- Eye issues.
- Cardiac issues.
In addition, the Rottweiler Club of the UK states that Rottweiler dogs can also suffer from these issues:
- Eye entropion and ectropion.
- Aortic stenosis.
- ACL rupture.
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).
- Coldwater tail.
- Wet eczema.
- Canine cancer.
It is this last that is notably absent from the Presa Canario’s health inventory and one reason why hybrid breeding programs are so important for the future health and longevity of Rottweiler dogs.
The Rottweiler dog has an average lifespan of between nine and 10 years.
From this information about each parent dog’s genetic history, you can see that your Presa Canario Rottweiler mix dog is likely to live from nine to 11 years.
Careful pre-screening and genetic testing of parent dogs can help to minimize the risk of your puppy inheriting any genetic conditions such as dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye, and heart issues.
There is still much to learn about canine cancer. According to the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), researchers do not yet have any reliable genetic test to pre-screen parent dogs prior to breeding.
Presa Canario Rottweiler Personality and Temperament
The Presa Canario dog and the Rottweiler dog have some striking similarities in personality and temperament.
Of course, it is smart to remember that your own Presa Canario Rottweiler dog’s personality and temperament can vary depending on each parent dog and the type of breeding program your pup comes from.
The Presa Canario dog is known to be extremely loyal to and protective of its family. These dogs have been bred and trained for centuries to guard people and livestock. They are incredibly diligent in both areas.
Because of this, the Presa Canario has a natural wariness towards strangers. This includes people and animals unknown to your dog.
Overall, the Presa Canario is calm and self-contained – that is, unless this dog perceives a need to guard or defend. This is a very intelligent dog that knows its own strength and is confident to use it.
The Rottweiler didn’t get to be the eighth most popular purebred dog in America by accident. These dogs can make great companion canines for families with people of all ages.
Rotties are strong, confident, courageous, and loyal. With you and your family, your Rottweiler will likely be playful and extremely affectionate.
But this dog also has a natural wariness when it comes to strange people and animals. Like the Presa Canario, the Rottweiler can make a formidable guard dog and watchdog.
The Presa Canario Rottweiler can be a fantastic family dog. These dogs can be counted on to protect their family at all costs.
As working dogs, they are tireless and will fearlessly protect livestock against predators three times their size. At home, they will be utterly devoted and attentive.
Presa Canario Rottweiler Training and Exercise Needs
Because both the Presa Canario and the Rottweiler are strong, powerful dogs, they do need proper training and socialization and sufficient exercise to stay healthy and trim.
The Presa Canario is a true working dog. These dogs have been bred to do their job under any condition.
These dogs will stay calm and docile with you and your family as long as they get enough daily play, exercise, and enrichment. They do very well in canine agility, search and rescue training, rally and obedience training.
The Rottweiler is also a true working dog and they love to play and run and jump and stay active.
Rottweilers are athletes and excel in sports like tracking, herding, obedience, and many other activities. They do need plenty of exercises to avoid putting on weight.
With this mix breed dog, you have two parent dogs with similar temperaments and a strong need for early and ongoing socialization and training. This will help your pup learn quickly to distinguish between friend and foe.
These dogs will need plenty of daily play and exercise to stay trim, healthy, and happy.
Presa Canario Rottweiler Coat, Shedding and Grooming Needs
Both of these dogs have similar grooming needs, although the Presa Canario’s coat is easier to care for overall.
The Presa Canario has a short, double-layer, “wash and wears” coat. Weekly brushing and nail trims and bathing as needed is all your dog should require. You can also expect seasonal shedding.
Rottweilers have dense, medium-length, double-layer coats that can shed profusely with the seasons. They need weekly brushing and baths as well as nail trims.
Since both parent dogs have similar coat types and grooming needs, coat care and grooming will be easy. However, you may want to have a vacuum cleaner on hand for the seasonal sheds!
Is the Presa Canario Rottweiler Mix Dog for You?
With early and ongoing socialization and training and plenty of daily play and exercise, this mix breed dog can be a great family companion.
You will always feel safe with your Presa Canario Rottweiler dog at your side.
Just remember, this is a dog that needs to be with you. If you are looking for a true companion canine, consider the Presa Canario Rottweiler dog.
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