Toy Bulldog vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

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 Toy Bulldog hails from England, but it is now extinct.

It is believed that the reason for this is that there were different breeding groups working in different directions. One of the groups wanted a smaller dog and there was also an attempt to cross French Bulldogs with Bulldogs to decrease their weight, but this breed was also not developed.

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.

The Toy Bulldog was a medium sized dog standing at between 25 to 35cm in height and weighing between 11 and 18kg.

The coat of the dog was short and smooth and came in colors such as white and fawn, red or brindle. He had quite a bit of soft skin around the face and neck.

He was a small dog with a large body, short legs, broad muzzle, small ears and a docked tail.

The coat was glossy and short and they had soft skin and hair around the neck and head. They come in a variety of different colors ranging from pale yellow, light fawn to solid red.

Temperament:

The Toy Bulldog was a loyal and affectionate dog towards his human family It’s a pity he became extinct because he was amusing and entertaining, a great friend and companion.

They were calm dogs and didn’t require a lot of space and would have adapted well to life in the city or the countryside.

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.

The Toy Bulldog was friendly, docile, calm and gentle although tending to be a little bit stubborn.

He no doubt made a wonderful pet and would have been ideal for single people, families as well as older people. He would have made a splendid pet, and would have been an indoor kind of pet.

Not particularly high in energy, he would have enjoyed some exercise just to ensure he didn’t put on weight. He’s extinct now, but there are other popular bull dog breeds, and something of him lives on in these modern bulldogs.

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.

It is believed that that these dogs were healthy in their day but were no doubt prone to some canine illness issues just like any other dogs.

They would likely have battled with eye issues such as cherry eye, as well as joint problems.

Cherry Eye:

Cherry eye in dogs may not mean your dog’s life is in danger, but left untreated it can cause bigger eye problems later on.

Unlike a human being, a dog has 3 eyelids, with the 3rd one giving added protection to the dog’s eyes. It’s job is to keep dirt from entering the eyes.

There is a gland in the 3rd eyelid which can move out of place and then it bulges. This is what cherry eye is. The eye becomes irritated and the gland produces discharge. It is best to get your dog to the vet who has the skills and know-how to push the gland back into place.

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.

Diet:

The Toy Bulldog would have needed healthy, quality food to remain healthy. It is believed he became extinct in the early 1900s. Maybe there weren't commercially manufactured dog foods then. Their owners possibly tossed them scraps from the table.

Any dog would have to receive a good quota of vitamins and minerals in their food to stay healthy. If the dog was around today, you would read on the packaging label to see what to give him and definitely include some tasty home-made food too.

Nothing spicy and exotic – just plain, boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes and spinach. Simple foods like this ensure a dog remains free of stomach ailments.

Every dog requires a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

The Toy Bulldog with his short coat would have been easy to groom. He would have required a brush twice a week.

He would have needed a little bit of exercise, preferably a longish walk.

You had to be careful with a dog like this. He didn’t tolerate the heat well. He was not suited for running or jogging and could have developed heat stroke and weakness with his excessive panting. All the huffing and puffing and sweating would have irritated his skin as well.

He would have needed a warm, dry place to sleep indoors. If he went outside, he would have required shade and sunshine to lie in.