Libro Razas Españolas

Canary Islands Mastiff (Dogo Canario - Antiguo Presa Canario) The existence of catchdogs in Canary Islands dates back to time immemorial. The breed that had, with all probability, a biggest influence in the birth and evolution of the Canary Islands Mastiff was the Majorero or Bardino, famous by its rusticity and incorruptible character. Canary Islands have always been a passageway for travellers and merchants and the arrival of many of them with their own dogs favoured the cross with local dogs. It is of a great importance the British influence and the use of breeds like Mastiff, Old English Bulldog and the Spanish Alano, trying to improve potency, strength and character for the use in dogfights. When this cruel sport was forbidden, the Canary Islands Mastiff lost popularity among the islanders. In the last third of 20th century, it started an excellent recovery and selection process that culminated with the official recognition of the breed by the F.C.I. in 2011, on the occasion of the celebration of the Centenaries of the R.S.C.E. and F.C.I., being nowadays one of the most popular Spanish breeds internationally. Las razas caninas españolas - Spanish canine breeds 137