Presa Canario vs Posavac Hound - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Canary Mastiff, the Presa Canario hails from the Canary Islands. He was originally bred for guarding livestock.

This isn’t a new breed by any means, and it is believed that the dog dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The roots of the dog can be traced back to the Iberian Presa, a medium sized mastiff breed. A number of other Hispanic breeds have contributed to the formation of the Presa Canario, such as the Presa Espanol.

Its numbers have dropped over the years, but in the 1970s, reputable breeders bred Presa Canarios, a courageous, territorial dog.

Because of its aggressive tendencies, the dog has been banned from quite a few countries. It is found in the USA but not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

The Posavac Hound originates from Croatia and is believed to have descended from the Molossian.

The name Posavac Houndare or Posavac Hound was a name bandied about and the name was officially recognized in 1969 by the Federation Cynologique Internationale.

The dog was categorized as a Scent hound. The breed is unrecognised by any of the UK or US Kennel Clubs.

The Presa Canario is a large Molosser-type dog breed originally bred for working livestock.He stands at between 56 to 65cm in height and weighs between 38 and 60kg. He has a thick, muscular body with a black mask over the broad head.

The ears were always cropped which just added to his aggressive appearance. When left they are high set and floppy, being of medium length. The coat is short and coarse and he is a low shedder. The coat comes in colors such as fawn, tan, or brindle.

Temperament:

Strong willed, confident and determined, the Presa Canario may well have an intimidating look.He looks both powerful and even a bit aggressive, but with training and socialization, the highly intelligent Presa Canario is actually a calm, docile dog, totally loyal and loving with his human family.

These dogs are suspicious of strangers and this makes them excellent watchdogs. For new dog owners, the Presa Canario isn’t a good first choice as he is strong-willed and can be aggressive when in the wrong hands. There are however, always exceptions, but he isn't considered to be a good choice of dog when there are children in the home.

Although the Posavac Hound is a rare dog breed, people who have owned the dog say it should be far better known as it is a gem of a dog.

The Possie as he is fondly referred to as, is a solidly built dog resembling the Beagle. He stands at between 43 - 59 cm and weighs 16 - 20 kg.

He has long, floppy ears and a kind, gentle expression on his face. The coat is short and smooth, being slightly longer on the stomach and around the back of the legs. The coat color is a wheaten, cream shade. He has bright brown eyes and a long tail, often with a white tip.

Temperament:

The Posavac may look gentle, but in character he is happy and enthusiastic. He makes the most wonderfully faithful, loving dog. He likes to be busy too, game for all kinds of activities but he is intelligent as well. He responds well to training and socialization.

People who have owned this dog say he has a truly amazing temperament, being eager to please his human owner. You’ll find him getting along well with children and other pets in the home.

The Presa Canario is a formidable looking dog and has received quite a lot of negative media attention for being aggressive and dangerous. And yet non-aggressive owners who have brought the dog up properly tell of how well mannered and calm their dogs are.

The dog is confident and powerful and can be loyal and loving while also being well adjusted. Just like children are the fruit of their parents upbringing, so dogs turn out much the same as the kind of owners that reared them, and in the right hands, this big dog can be loyal quiet, loving and trustworthy.

People who have kept the Posavac as a pet say he has wonderful features which make him a sought after canine friend.

He has always been a working dog and he is confident and assured, independent, social and friendly. He makes a great friend of children and gets on well with other pets in the house.

He thrives on activities and doesn't want to be left to just lie around ignored. He becomes frustrated and destructive. It wont be the dogs fault but the owners. If you're looking for a lively, friendly, loving dog, you’ll find the Posavac a great addition to your home.

These are large dogs so they are susceptible to hip- or joint dysplasia and canine leishmaniasis.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a skeletal condition, found more often in large dogs. The ball and socket don’t fit properly, grinding as opposed to sliding smoothly. This eventually leads to loss of function of the joint.

There are a few factors that lead to the development of hip dysplasia in dogs, but it is also hereditary. That is why it is so important to provide your dog with the correct nutrition – one that is specially formulated for large breeds.

Canine Leishmaniasis:

This is a deadly disease caused by a protozoan parasite found in dogs, mostly in rural areas, and in quite a few areas of the world.

The parasite is transmitted by a sand fly. The clinical signs of dogs with this disease include weakness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, anorexia, weight loss and diarrhea with blood in the stools.

Treatment will require the administration of a special drug. Prognosis for a pet diagnosed with Leishmaniasis is unfortunately not very hopeful.

You won’t find many health disorders linked to this lovely dog. He can reach 11 – 14 years of age fairly easily if well taken care of. Of course, his floppy ears pose a bit of a problem.

It is quite difficult to keep the inside of the ears dry and clean, and this means dirt, wax and moisture can cause bacteria and ear infections.

Because he is also a deep chested dog, he can be prone to bloat. Bloat is when gas collects in the stomach and it twists. You will notice your pet’s abdomen swollen and hard. He will require immediate veterinary attention.

The Presa Canario will require being brushed twice a week to rid him of loose hair although he isn’t a heavy shedder.

Keep his nails trimmed.

Check inside his ears for signs of redness and the possibility of an ear infection.

When you brush him, check him over for any unusual lumps.

Make sure the dog is neutered or spayed if you don’t want puppies.

Get your vet to the vet if he shows signs of illness.

Make sure his vaccines are up to date to prevent some deadly canine diseases.

Ensure he has a nice comfortable, dry, warm place to sleep.

Ensure he has a top quality diet to enhance longevity and health. Commercially manufactured dog foods are a convenient means to feed your pet, and there are some excellent brands. Avoid the ones with low quality ingredients that don’t have the right balances of vitamins and minerals.

High quality dry kibble can become exciting when you add in some home-made food. Dogs thrive on simplicity, so boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be 100% sufficient for him. Chop this food up and add it into the dry kibble twice a week as a tasty treat.

Also, your pet will thrive on a bit of raw meat added in from time to time. Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Make sure that your large pet gets a good quota of daily exercise outdoors. Lots of hectic ball- and rope games will keep him happy and keep him slim. Take him for a walk every day.

Exercise:

Your Posavac Hound is going to need lots of exercise. He’s used to being a working dog and being kept busy. A good walk will delight him, but it won’t be enough. If you go cycling or riding on a horse, you can count him in to run alongside you. He will also plunge into the swimming pool with you.

While he can adapt to life in the city, he is essentially a country living dog, loving to get outside and be active.

Grooming:

Because of the short, smooth coat, and being an average shedder, the Posavac will only require a brush twice a week, so he is fairly low maintenance in terms of grooming.

Check for signs of an ear infection – redness inside the ear and your pet scratching at his ear can be signs,

Trim his nails.

Check inside his mouth for teeth problems. Bad teeth can create a host of problems.

Diet:

Provide your dog with an excellent diet. It needs to be nutritious food if you’re going with a commercially manufactured dog food. High quality dry kibble can be excellet for your pet, but break the monotony by mixing in some home made food occasionally. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, swee pototatoes, carrots and spinach, al chopped up and mixed in twice week with the drykibble can be awaited twice a week with yur pet. Raw meat added in sometimes can also contibute to your pets health. Feeding a dog doesnt have to be complicated. Dos thrive on consistency and simplicity and this diet will have him healthy ad hapy Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.