The Perro de Presa Canario, its true origin

        MANUEL CURTÓ GRACIA 

       LA LAGUNA - TENERIFE 1991 

LETTER FROM CLEMENTE REYES SANTANA

Dear Mr. Curtó:

 First of all,  I want to introduce myself like a fan of the Perro de Presa Canario, and as such, concerned  about the situation of the breed in our days; and also interesting  in the origins of this canine breed.

I confess  that I admire the interest whith which you  follows this breed, specially since it took  so long  for this animals like something exotic and undefined.

I  had occasion to read some of your articles, regretting not be published in newspapers from  Las Palmas to access them  for their  interest. . I think we are of one mind in many ways but especially in the absurd change of image that is wanted to give to this breed and that threatens causing that any resemblance with the reality is purely coincidental
It is unfortunate that the clubs that seek  to recover these animals (this breed) is  embroiling in experiments and crossings of dubious origin. On a brief visit to Tenerife I met the secretary, and I believe that also brain (Manuel Martín Bethencourt) of the official club, and after  numerous photographies shown of his animals and to exchange views, , I must say that I disagree whit his theories at all. Even if I failed to  understand if  what this club tries is to create a dog for decoration, or conversely tries to adapt the standard to the dog that are obtaining with those strange crossings. On the other hand the representative of Gran Canaria, despite having show great interest in maintaining the character is moving away from most typical specimens and are now focusing  in very recent animals reason why I fear that they move away from primitive dog.
During many years I have discussed  in continued contradictions regarding  the Presa Canario breed, and I think  that the most valid alternative is to focus in the units of most antiquity and purity and to forget crosses with other breeds  which provide only major selection problems.
In this line some friends and me, took the persistence to maintain what I consider the older blood line of Gran Canaria that is preserved, and is the one of Juan Santana, in Arucas. So,  I stay out  of exhibitions, where there is to bear all a range of improvised cynophilers  and  charming judges that know everything, to the point to rewarding  a  first generation Bullmastiff  cross and  to a second generation  Neapolitan Mastiff cross. So I just  work with the animals that I consider more typical, and while, to investigate some obscure points of the origin of this breed. That  is why  I  would like  to know your opinion on some aspects which I will expose you.
I know two theories about  the origin the Presa Canario. One, reflected in the notes of Pepito Ojeda, R.I.P. (to whom I assume  had access the club of Tenerife), which  relates the majorero dog to the English Bulldog, in a 50%, and another one, defended by Manuel Sanz Timón, that made descend him of the presas imported from the Spanish peninsula. I would like your opinion on this issue
Secondly I´d like  your opinion about the line of Juanito Santana, who as indicate before as before, awakens in me a great interest, and somehow despite  certain defects, I consider it almost ideal.
I have seen many  dog fights  in my life, and my experience confirms the difficulty of a boquino dog (prognato-undershot bite) to maintain the prey, nevertheless Mr. Sanz Timón has reiterated to me recently that the prognatismo helps the function to catch. Was talking maybe this man about the capture of head of cattle or is perhaps an incongruence of so respectable cynophiler? The limited literature on the Presa Canario breed makes it difficult to reconstruct its history. During certain time I have collected some photographies and data from old dogs to which I owe much of  what I know about them.

To not weary you more I am going to finish, but not before I tell  you that it would please me to share soon, some data on this subject.
Waiting for your news, a warm greeting


Clemente Reyes Santana
Galdar, 29 of December of 1985

"Gilda", extraordinary female of Presa Canario (Gáldar, Gran Canaria)
with her owner, Clemente Reyes Santana