Is a presa canario the right dog for me?

[CJL]

Reposting this question because I didn't give enough information the last time. I have previous experiences with large dogs. I had a Newfoundland dog who died last year and a Doberman who died 3 years ago. All my dogs were very well trained. I seen a page on
Facebook that breeds presa canarios and I fell in love with those type
of dogs. I heard the dogs can be dangerous and I am looking for more information from someone who has one or who's been around one. I can't go to a breeder and ask because they are very hard to find where I am living and this why I'm posting the question online. I have a house with a very big backyard. I also have a 6 month old daughter and a shih tzu puppy that I bought for her. (I take care of him.) I'm good at handling large dogs I just want to know if my daughter and my shih tzu will be safe if I get one. Just looking for more information. My daughters and my shih tzus safety come first. Although people say a
Doberman is a dangerous dog but I've had no problem with mine. I don't know much about the dog and I am just looking for more information before I go ahead and buy one.

[Verulam 2]

If your daughter is only 6 months, then I'd wait. If you already have a dog, there's surely no rush. For me, unless the dog is there first, having a puppy with any child of under 5 years, isn't good news mainly because little toddlers don't always realise that a puppy isn't another toy. Without knowing how hands-on you are!

Personally, I'd get the existing puppy to a year, at least (leaving aside the age of your daughter) and then perhaps think about another dog. The two breeds are so different too - good idea?

Here is a link - http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/canecorsoitaliano.htm I'd recommend you find an experienced reputable breeder and go see the adults. Most puppies are appealing, but that only lasts such a short time in the overall life of a dog - so it's the adults you must concentrate on.

[Jojo]

You obviously did not like your last 2 answers.
Or..not what you wanted to hear?
You do not buy a dog based on looks alone.
Size is not the issue here.Temperament is the main issue.
A Great Dane is a large dog but usually has a non aggressive temperament and is easy to handle by a novice owner.
p/c`s are a different kettle of fish and need strong minded and very confident handlers. I posted you a website that described the characteristics of the p/c which i doubt you even read.
A Doberman is NOT a dangerous dog. I have never heard anyone say that.
Its your choice but you SHOULD visit a breeder of p/c`s to get the best information and advice however far you have to travel After all if you do go ahead and get one, you WILL need to find a good breeder.
Not ALL advice on a dog board is good or bona fida and some advice can be more detrimental than helpful when its about choosing a breed of dog. End of.

Read it>>>>http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/perro-de-presa-canario

[GreyhoundAdopter]

If the voice in your head is questioning this breed - there is good reason to be cautious about a Presa Canario around your tiny daughter and your puppy ... and any of the little friends that will come to play in the future at your house.

I very much doubt if a Presa breeder would even sell you a puppy/dog with there being a baby or small child in the household.

No one can assure you that your baby daughter or her puppy would be safe around any dog. The question is - WHY would you want to bring such a strong dog with the ability to inflict great bodily harm around your daughter in the first place?
With the hundreds of dog breeds out there, there are many much more suitable to be a family pet.

How do you find more time to do everything with a six month baby and a puppy now to train? You would have to be a glutton for punishment to want to add a new dog on to all of this - LOL !!!!

Your daughter deserves your spare time - she'll only be little once .... It would be SO HARD to be able to fit in the all the hours necessary to exercise, train ... etc a Presa.

[⋆ Claire M⋆]

They're as dangerous as you bring them up to be.

Your experience with Newfoundlands isn't really helpful - because, although they are large, they're not really a ''guard'' breed, although the size of them might deter someone. They just don't have that sort of intensity. However, your experience with Dobermans might be helpful - those two breeds are very different, but they're both breeds that require a confident & responsible owner, and if you managed that with a Dobe, I'm sure you can with a Presa Canario.

Presa Canario's are mastiffs - therefore, if not raised properly, they do have the tendency to become dominant & in turn, potentially dangerous due to their size and strength alone. You'll have to make sure you properly socialize a Presa Canario with other dogs (all shapes & sizes) to avoid any problems - and you'll also have to socialize well with other people, children of all ages... You should do this from young puppyhood (8 weeks+). It might also be a good idea to enroll in obedience classes, too. Exercise is important - as with any breed, without exercise, problems are inevitably going to occur.

I'd, personally, wait until your child is a little bit older. With such a young child, I doubt you'll have enough time to focus primarily on the dogs training and socialization, and you can't be sloppy with that kind of thing - socialization at a young age, is basically what shapes a dog and shapes how it will behave around other dogs/animals and people. So, you really do need lots of time, if you're going to be raising a dog. I would never, ever, decide to raise a baby & a dog at the same time... Nightmare! Raising a puppy is hard enough, sometimes, so I think it'd be pretty stressful attempting to do this all at once. Also, a young dog/puppy is going to be bouncy, and a dog the size of a Presa, jumping on a baby, would probably hurt, don't you think?

Give it some time - the more time the better. That also gives you time to do lots of research on the breed & decide whether it really is the one for you. It also gives you time to raise your daughter without having the hassle of raising a puppy simultaneously! :-)

[Nekkid Truth!]

a Doberman is a very easy dog compared to a presa.

No, I do not think a presa is right for you. A breed like this takes more than just experience owning a few large breeds. A breed like this is probably better left in the hands of someone who has very extensive experience handling large protective breeds.. and/or an experience trainer.

Not a breed I'd consider either when there is a young child in the home.