Last Updated on January 24, 2023 by Becky Roberts
Both the Presa Canario (and the Cane Corso) are dreamy, big-hearted pups. They have a poor reputation due to their size and power as well as their heritage. Both are from the Molosser Line and share traits common to other bully breeds.
They love their family members and show loyalty and affection. The Cane Corso will serve as his master’s guard and will not let strangers come near you unless you indicate otherwise. Although the Presa is less intense than the Cane Corso, he will still alert you to any immediate danger.
Both are generally healthy and require intense obedience and socialization training. The Presa is more demanding because if he doesn’t get his training right, he can be irritable and will attempt to take over the entire household.
Breed History
These Mediterranean Mastiffs differ from other mastiffs , and although they were both born in different parts, their lives are almost identical.
Presa Canario
The Presa Canario’s journey began in the Canary Islands where he was used as a guard dog, for herding cattle and exterminating wild dogs that threatened his flock.
The Presa Canario almost became extinct in the 1940s due to dogfighting and the introduction of other guarding dogs to the island such as the Dobermann and the German Shepherd. However, fanciers of the breed pulled together, and in the 1970s began an intense breeding program. Although they have seen a significant increase in their numbers, they still strive to be recognized by the major Kennel Clubs.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso’s journey began in Italy, and it is believed that his forefathers were of Roman descent. Original Cane Corsos were used to fight enemy lines with flaming oil buckets strapped on their backs. They were larger than the dog that we know today. After the Roman conquests and wars, his duties included farmhand, estate guardian as well as being a faithful family companion.
This guy is a master of all trades, and a jack-of-all trades! During the World Wars he almost became extinct, but thanks to an Italian Doctor in the 1970s an intense breeding program saved these pups.
Today they are popular family dogs and are currently ranked the 32nd most popular dog in America by the American Kennel Club. The Cane Corso is often confused with the South African mastiff, or Boerboel, and the American Pitbull Terrier.
Appearance
The Presa Canario and the Cane Corso are both bred from Mastiff-type dogs, and as such these guys are quite similar in appearance.
The average length of the Presa Canario is one inch shorter than that of the Cane Corso. The Presa stands between 24 and 26 inches, whereas the Cane Corso stands ever so slightly taller between 24 and 27 inches.
What the Presa might have lost in height he certainly makes up for in weight; the Presa weighs between 110 and 130 pounds, whereas the Cane Corso weighs much less at 99 to 110 pounds. Many people mistake the Cane Corso for an English Mastiff, mostly due to their coloring and head shape.
The Presa is stockier looking thanks to his extra muscle weight, but they look equally as impressive. The Presa is available in six colors while the Cane Corso has seven. They are all different, except for the fawn.
The Presa has a black mask which does not cover his eyes. His nose, lips and eye rims also remain black, despite the many colors. Both have short straight hair, but the Cane Corso has denser fur that is more rough to the touch.
To keep with their traditional look, the Cane Corso and Presa have their ears cut . This is to ensure that they are not in any way injured when hunting wild boar or fighting stray dog. If left in their natural state, their ears can drop down alongside their cheeks.
Temperament
Both the Cane Corso and Presa Canario are similar in temperament, but they are very different. They are both intelligent dogs who are very loyal and eager to please their master. Both are confident and need to be accompanied by a strong leader.
Both are protective work dogs ,, and will therefore naturally assume the role of family protector. The Cane Corso’s name derives from the Latin word ‘Cohors‘ which translates to ‘guardian’, and this is the perfect description of what this guy is. He is suspicious of strangers and will not let them near his master unless he addresses them directly.
With that being said, he is more sociable than the Presa Canario, and he is very affectionate with his family and those that his masters welcome into the pack. The Presa Canario is very affectionate with his immediate family, but more distant from strangers and outsiders.
The Presa Canario is not suitable for families with young children or pets. He has a higher predator drive .. He will get socialized with the children if he is brought into a home as a puppy. It is not recommended to bring him in a home with small children.
The Cane Corso is friendly and gentle around children, making him a wonderful family pet. To prevent any mishaps, children under the age of 3 years should be closely supervised.
Exercise
Both the Presa Canario and the Cane Corso are described as medium energy dogs, and they both require 60 minutes of exercise a day.
The Cane Corso requires more intense exercise that the Presa Canario. Interactive games like fetching frisbee and tug-of war will give this dog the mental and physical stimulation he needs.
Both make great running partners , but only once they’re fully grown and have developed their bones, you can take them jogging!
Because of their sheer size and power these guys need to be entertained, otherwise, they can become bored and destructive, and that path will be comparable to that of a Hurricane! They will likely swallow a treat-toy whole, so it is best if you are at home for the majority of the time to keep them entertained with interactive exercise or long walks.
As both of these guys often find themselves on the dangerous dog breeds list, be sure to check out your local dog laws, as you may be required to leash and muzzle them when walking or exercising them in public areas.
Training
The Cane Corso and Presa Canario are both intelligent and confident dogs. They both need a dominant leader to keep them on track. They will take advantage of you if they feel they can. If they do, they will eagerly accept the position of pack leader. Do not allow this to happen if you want to keep your happy family!
Early socialization is key for both of these guys; they must learn how to be well-mannered pups with all humans and animals alike, and to be comfortable and calm in a variety of situations. This will ensure a happy and more peaceful future. Both breeds respond well to positive reinforcement training.
Obedience training is also important, and instilling discipline into your household is essential. Do not give any treats or food to these dogs. It is crucial to make sure that everyone in the family is aware of the rules and remains consistent.
This is more important for Presa Canario because he is more stubborn than Cane Corso. Never allow him into a position of leadership as he can become uncontrollable, and on occasion aggressive. You should never allow him to play tug-of war with you. He may not view this as a chance to win, and it could be a competition for the position of pack leader. His whole ,lifetime will see him continue training and he is even more demanding than the Cane Corso.
Health
The Cane Corso and Presa Canario are healthy canines . They are less likely to have major health problems than the average dog.
As both breeds are large dogs, they are known to suffer from Elbow and Hip Dysplasia, this is an abnormal formation of the joints which can cause mobility issues and crippling arthritis.
Both are susceptible to Gastric Torsion .. This happens when the dog eats large meals either before or after exercise and then their stomach twists. You may notice excessive panting and retching, but no vomiting. This can be life-threatening and you should immediately take your pet to the vet.
Further to the joint dysplasia issues, Osteochondritis dissecans and Panosteitis are commonly found in Presa Canarios more so than Cane Corsos as they are slightly shorter and weigh much more, and this puts extra pressure on their rapidly growing bodies and joints. Panosteitis is sometimes referred to as growing pains, and they generally stop once the dog is fully grown.
The Cane Corso must also be examined for cardiac health problems, such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy. It is characterised by weakening of the heart due to thin walls.
Nutrition
The Cane Corso and the Presa Canario eat the same amount of food per day. This is 3 cup .. It is essential to provide high-quality food for their health. High-quality kibble specially formulated for their massive size is recommended from puppyhood and into adulthood.
Both breeds have a particular liking for snacks, and as such, it is important that you keep an eye on their treat intake. Although treats are great for training, they should not be given too often. This will not only make them overweight, but will also cause further damage to their already-weighted joints.
Grooming
The Cane Corso and Presa Canario are both easy to care for and groom. Because of their short hair, they are light shedding so you don’t have to bathe them often. They can be bathed every two months as they don’t have strong canine smells. If you do bathe them more than this, you run the risk of damaging their natural coat oils and this can cause skin irritation.
Contrary to the Cane Corso’s Presa Canario, the Presa Canario does not have an underneath coat. However, both can shed light throughout the year but more in Spring. A brush 2 to 3 times per week will maintain their health, remove any dead hair, and encourage hair growth. To reduce the amount of hair on your couch, brush them every day during shedding season.
Both are prime suspects for drooling, particularly the Cane Corso, so if there is a chance you can’t tolerate slobber marks on your outfit then you should consider another pup.
Puppy Price
The Presa Canario puppy from a reputable breeder will cost on average, between $1,500 and $2,000. This is slightly more expensive on average than the Cane Corso, which is priced anywhere between $1,500 and $1,800. Because there are fewer breeders, they are more in demand and are therefore more expensive.
You can expect to pay more if you need a working sample of any breed. They will have been raised and trained differently from general puppies, and it is likely they will have been bred from a particular bloodline.
It is crucial that you buy from a reputable breeder because the puppy’s temperament will determine how they behave in the first few weeks.
Final Thoughts
The Cane Corso and Presa Canario are both very similar in appearance and temperament. However, there are a few differences such as their weight or price.
They can be both social and protective. The Cane Corso is more suitable for a family pet. However, the Presa is more capable and independent for estate protector duties.
They are not for novice dog owners as they require intense training and a firm master. If you are up for the challenge, it can be very rewarding.
