Welcome to perro presa
FAQ
Who is a Presa Canario Best Suited For?
They are best suited for:
-Experienced dog owners
-Confident, consistent handlers
-Homes that understand structure, leadership, and boundaries.
They are not ideal for:
-First-time dog owners
-Passive or inconsistent households
-Homes looking for a highly social, easygoing dog
Without proper leadership and training, this breed can become difficult to manage. With the right owner, they are extremely loyal, stable, and dependable.
What is the life expectancy of a Presa Canario?
The average life expectancy of a Presa Canario is 9–12 years.
Longevity is influenced by several factors, including:
-Genetics and quality of breeding
-Proper nutrition and growth management
-Maintaining a healthy body condition
-Appropriate exercise and overall care
Well-bred, properly managed dogs often live at the upper end of this range, remaining active and sound well into maturity.
How important is training and socialization?
It is essential—non-negotiable.
Owners should plan for:
-Early and ongoing socialization (people, environments, controlled exposure)
-Structured obedience training from a young age
-Clear rules and consistency in the home
This breed does not do well with a “figure it out as you go” approach. Lack of structure is one of the most common reasons these dogs develop behavioral issues.
Presa’s need consistent exposure to various neutral and positive stimuli regularly especially during fear periods. This teaches the dog that the world is safe and results in a neutral adult.
How are your puppies raised?
Puppies are raised in a hands-on, structured environment with daily human interaction.
Early development includes:
-Exposure to household sounds and routines
-Handling and basic confidence-building exercises
-Introduction to new environments and stimuli
Our goal is to produce puppies that are stable, curious, and adaptable.
Do you ship puppies?
Yes, transportation can be arranged within Canada. Transportation is at the buyers expense.
Options may include:
-Ground transport or meeting half-way within Ontario
-Flight (where appropriate)
All arrangements prioritize the safety and well-being of the puppy.
At what age do puppies go home?
Puppies leave between 8 weeks of age. This allows:
-Proper early development
-Initial socialization
-A smoother transition into the new home
What do you require from buyers?
We expect our buyers to:
-Understand the responsibilities of owning a guardian breed
-Commit to training and structure
-Provide a stable, permanent home
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a puppy.
This ensures commitment and allows us to plan placements responsibly. Deposits are only accepted after an application or conversation to confirm the home is a good fit.
Where are you located?
We are located in northeastern Ontario, Canada. While we are a more remote, rural kennel, we regularly work with clients across Canada and can assist in coordinating safe and reliable transportation for our puppies.
What do you feed your puppies?
All of our puppies are weaned onto Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food. This formula is specifically designed for large and giant breed puppies and provides the correct balance of nutrients needed for proper growth.
Proper calcium and phosphorus levels are especially important in large breeds like the Presa Canario, as excessive or imbalanced intake can contribute to developmental orthopedic issues. Feeding a large-breed-specific formula helps support controlled, steady growth rather than rapid growth, which is ideal for joint and bone development.
We recommend keeping your puppy on a high-quality large breed puppy formula for the first 12–18 months before transitioning to an appropriate adult food.
What is the best age to spay or neuter?
We recommend delaying spaying or neutering until 18–24 months of age.
Growth plates in large breed dogs are regulated in part by sex hormones. Removing these hormones too early can delay growth plate closure, which may increase the risk of:
-Joint instability
-Hip and elbow issues
-Ligament injuries (such as ACL tears)
-Overall structural imbalance
Allowing your dog to fully mature before altering helps support proper skeletal development, muscle mass, and long-term soundness.
As always, we recommend discussing timing with your veterinarian, especially if there are specific behavioral or medical considerations.