Is it Presa Canario or Dogo Canario?–confused?
The GreJon perspective on the name: The Presa Canario/Dogo Canario debate started with the FCI-mandated name change in 2001. Substituting the word Dogo and eliminating the word Presa (which can be translated as gripping) was seen as more politically correct. In essence, this did absolutely nothing to change the dog–only made an attempt to hide its working heritage. FCI recognition was seen as the Holy Grail for legitimacy, instead of a potpourri of dogs claiming to be Presa Canario. With the FCI recognition, there were also some minor modifications to the standard, mainly the elimination of black as an acceptable color and lowering the allowed percentage of white markings. This wasnt the first modification to the standard, but coupled with the name change, it further exacerbated the debate between the Presa/Dogo camps. As a member of the IAPC Board of Directors, I was originally very upset with the name change. In my mind and heart they will always be Presa Canario, and they are one a
