Here is a little piece of : The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the world.

The canario has recently been reborn, although once near extension. The Canary Islands belonging to SPAIN were actually named for the fierce dogs found there, not for it's little yellow singing birds. From the latin "CANE" came the "Island of the dogs" These tough, smooth coated,livestock and farm dogs, called Bardino Majero, were probably simular to the Perro de pastor and the Cao de Castro Laboreiro and were present before Hispanic times.When English settlers came to the Archipelago in the 19th century, they brought mastiffs and old style Bulldogs which were crossed with these native dogs>
The results was the CANARY DOG.

I am writing this for people who assume a lot and not care to do a bit of research on the breed.There is more the this breed but I can't write it all.I have the pictures of all the island dogs , it would surprise you what they look like but then make sense of how they obtained the dark coats..

Angelique is correct w/her history...but IMO, it's HISTORY, and has little to do w/the modern, current APBT vs the modern, current CC or Presa. I'm not disputing genetic facts,here. My point in what I said to Katherine is that calling them a PB on steroids is really untrue and misleading. When I said they don't have anything to do w/each other, I meant it in the sense that they're not even as close as say, a DDR dog an an Am. show line dog...sure, I guess TECHNICALLY they're both "german" shepherds, but you see where I'm going...

Jenn you can't erase or ignore history, believe what you want to believe but remember that History in itself is the FULL background of today.Let's face it most breeds are mutts.Some mutts are better than others and have been made to a pure breed today.As the Presa.To say that a Presa or even Cane is a pit on Steroid is not too far of a statement.I am not demeaning the breeds ,I think they are good dogs.But look at the pits they are sooo mixed, some look like canes, some look like American Bull dogs ect...I think to say History is that, History , you are not looking at the facts and want your own ideas to play into what you want others to believe.
You can't ignore HISTORY

I wanted to add that Redstar Kennel, has beautiful Presas and I am sure that breeder cares/knows about the History of the breed.I think when you have an interest in a breed of dog ,you must look at the History of the Breed.Too many people don't and ask questions later when it all goes wrong.I would bet that 85% of dog buyers have NO CLUE about how and why the dog they own came about, and how many ,what kind of dogs it took to make the dog that lays on their couch next to their children. I think it's important to know.

 Quote: Angelique Cadogan

Jenn you can't erase or ignore history, believe what you want to believe but remember that History in itself is the FULL background of today.Let's face it most breeds are mutts.Some mutts are better than others and have been made to a pure breed today.As the Presa.To say that a Presa or even Cane is a pit on Steroid is not too far of a statement.I am not demeaning the breeds ,I think they are good dogs.But look at the pits they are sooo mixed, some look like canes, some look like American Bull dogs ect...I think to say History is that, History , you are not looking at the facts and want your own ideas to play into what you want others to believe.
You can't ignore HISTORY

Angelique, you're missing my point, or I don't understand yours. Saying one breed is another breed on steroids is over generalizing; judge individual bloodlines' temperament traits; look at close relatives, then go from there when deciding what animal is best for your situation. Generalization is dangerous.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

Angelique, you're missing my point, or I don't understand yours.

Not only do I agree with both of you; I believe I understand both of your points.

First off, I believe Katherine was trying to give a visual of the seriousness of the Presa and the need for a highly experienced handler. Using a PB (probably because it is the most recognizable of the mastiff type dogs) as an example is something most people could relate to. The comment of being on steroids differentiated the breeds in my mind. Just my interpretation.

Angelique didn't see it as far fetched since the two breeds origins are similar, both are said to share the English Matiff in their pedigree and both were originally bred to fight. I think she was responding to your comment that the two breeds have little to do with one another.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

Generalization is dangerous

I believe this is your point and I can not agree with you more. This is probably the #1 culprit behind breed bans and insurance rates and the bad reputation of the mastiff type dogs. Your advice to research and study the individual breed traits and close family members is so IMPORTANT and after that you will be able to make an educated decision on what dog is a good match for you.

And to the OP I am sorry this thread has been hijacked and I don't have any personal experience with a Presa, but you are doing the right thing in asking questions and researching the breed. Goodluck with your decision.

Sheila

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

..... you are doing the right thing in asking questions and researching the breed. Goodluck with your decision.

Sheila

Sheila, thank you for your post.

Jen, I agree with you, in fairness to Katherine I wanted to point out why her statement wasn't so far out. I want to OP to research further then what kennel is best, but to research the HISTORY of the breed to understand what this dog was made for.We can say " well that just History" but it matters because most breed still hold today what they were created for "a Specific purpose" and some have it in their blood and it's their for good.The questions that I am sure anyone has heard from the average pet owner that buy dogs cause their cute, or large or small, whatever, and then ask the questions of "why is our dog herding us around the house", or , "why is our dog so dog aggressive" ," why is our dog so full of energy 24/7"
All I am saying is that if you take a peak at the History of the breed you'll understand a little more about the dog you think you want to own , then if you like that make of dog go find the best breeder that breeds the best temperament and health.
I'm on the same page as you , I just think History is more important than you do , that's all.
I still like your Black GSD...LOl

I agree about history, and that's the reason I used the Am Shep vs. DDR analogy; sure, they historically have the same ancestry...they're all GSDs (supposedly :grin, but while their history is important, to me, it's not AS important as what the last several generations have been used/bred for, because these close ancestors are going to have the greatest effect on temperament. We were just talking on different planes.

Caleb still likes you, too.

Czech dogs are essentially the same as american gsd's but on speed... lol