Perro De Presa Canario: Special Rare-Breed Edition : A Comprehensive Owner's Guide (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series) (Hardcover)

~ Manuel Curto Gracia (Author) "The Perro de Presa Canario is becoming quite fashionable as more and more people are attracted to this powerful and trustworthy breed..." (more)
Key Phrases: roundworm eggs, adult fleas, crate training, Presa Canario, Canary Islands, Grand Canary (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Introducing the Perro de Presa Canario, the mighty fighting dog of the Canary Islands, off the coast of Spain. This Special Rare-Breed Edition is the first and only book written in English on this exciting breed of dog, written by the world’s most famous Presa breeder and expert, Manuel Curtó Gracia from Tenerife. This informative, factual volume details the true history of the Presa Canario, as never before documented, told through first-hand accounts by old-time Presa dogmen from the islands. Additionally, the book discusses the breed characteristics, the official standard of the Spanish breed club, selecting a puppy, housebreaking and obedience training and health care.

In addition to an expert comprehensive text, this book presents over 135 color photographs of impressive Presas from around the world and other illustrations that prove to be as informative as they are attractive. For every dog fancier interested in this unique rare breed, this book promises to be an invaluable resource and the only volume of its kind dedicated to the Perro de Presa Canario breed.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 158 pages
• Publisher: Kennel Club Books (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593783310
• ISBN-13: 978-1593783310
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #522,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Accurate information for someone new to the breed, February 13, 2006

By	J. L Shorts "expensivewino13" (Yelm, Washington) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Withholding the Diane Whipple murder, most people do not know much about this breed of dog. Many people's thoughts towards the Presa is that this dog is more agressive towards people than most dogs its size. I find this viewpoint greatly debatable; Diana Whipple's murder opened up opinions based on one pair of Presa's that were never contained and raised to be over-agressive by a convicted felon set on breeding fighting dogs who gave his dogs to a married couple for holding who had little to no experience with dogs of this nature.

In Spain and throughout the Mediterrean region, one will find Presas who are bred specifically to be gentle towards children and obedient in nature, much like the Boerboel in South Africa. This book touches on the historical aspects of the dog and its health issues from a EUROPEAN standard, not ours, the American. Therefore, we might not be willing to believe what we are reading. This might be due to the fact that our dogs in this country are often overbred and wrongly so due to structural problems in our country's kennel club (after all, our nation's kennel club doesn't even demand physical performance as part of any breed's confirmation).

This book, in my opinion, gives an accurate approach to these dogs from where the book originated. If you are looking to buy a Presa, remember this fact. It is the owner who is most often responsible for the dog's ability to do damage.

As always, remember the author refers to the specimens that have been bred with love and raised with a firm, loving and experienced hand. I will always suggest reading anything Carl Semencic has to say about Presas as well, as he is one of the world's leading authorities on mastiff dogs, and his insight would greatly accompany this book.

If you are experienced in the history of Presas, this book might be a tad mundane. Otherwise, it's a nice, easy read with nice to know information and has pictures I enjoyed viewing. And remember as always, purchase a dog of this caliber from a European breeder or an American breeder or a rescue club who is recommended by the Presa society on the web as you will find on the Molosser Web Ring.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true fan`s choice, October 7, 2003

By	Trond Henrik Dahl (Oslo, Oslo Norway) - See all my reviews

Well, beeing one out of two (I think..) books on the Perro de Presa Canario its probably not a great selling argue to be "a true fan`s choice". Its better to say that this book gives something of everything. Training, behavior, health and training is just a few topics cowered in this great book. Also a long section about history gives a more in depth understanding of the temprament of the Presa. I surley injoied it tremendusly, and would recommend it to anyone interessted in educating themselves on this magnifisent breed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Presa Dog books , August 2, 2007

By	Nestor R. Mantilla - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A must read an a book that should be added to one home's library for those researching a possible family dog companion and guardian and or Dog Fanicer of Working Dog Breeds . In addition, beautiful photos of various Presas. Its author Manuel Curto Gracia is a breeder an expert from the Canary Islands who has played a part in introducing the Presa to Dog Lovers throughout the world .