Presa Canario Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips

Perro De Presa Canarios running in the garden.
Marko Marcello/Shutterstock.com

Written by Asia Mayfield

Published: February 24, 2024

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Calm, confident, and ready to act, the Presa Canario is the ultimate guard dog. But don’t be fooled by the tough exterior. This breed oozes love around family. If you’re ready to bring a new dog home or want to get to know your current pup, this guide has all the information you need about Presa Canario progression and lifestyle. 

Presa Canario Summary

The Perro de Presa Canario, often shortened to Presa Canario, came from Spain’s Canary Islands and was formally used to herd cattle. Farmers focused on making the breed alert, reactive, and highly intelligent. These traits also attracted dog fighters who abused the Presa Canario’s natural obedience and prey drive. 

Today, most Presa Canarios are house pets rather than working dogs. With ample training and socialization, they shine as loyal, playful, and affectionate family members. 

Presa Canario laying in the shade

Exercise is vital with the Presa Canario.

Presa Canario Growth and Weight Chart by Age

Presa Canarios are large, active dogs with a lot of bulk. Predicting exactly how big your puppy will grow is impossible, but Presa Canario progression often follows a pattern. Use the chart below to estimate your dog’s size at each stage of their life.

AgeAverage Female Weight Average Male Weight
Newborn 3 – 16 ounces3 – 16 ounces
1 month 5 – 8 lbs 5 – 10 lbs
2 months9 – 16 lbs 10 – 18 lbs
4 months 37 lbs – 48 lbs40 – 52 lbs
6 months 58 lbs – 72 lbs65 – 80 lbs
8 months 71 lbs – 90 lbs80 – 100 lbs
10 months 78 lbs – 100 lbs85 – 110 lbs
12 months 80 lbs – 105 lbs 95 to 115 lbs
18 months85 – 105 pounds100 to 115 pounds

When Will My Presa Canario Stop Growing? 

Like other breeds, Presa Canario puppies grow rapidly in size. Pups might weigh as little as three ounces at birth and still hit 30 pounds by two months. They gain weight every day for the first few months of their lives. Your Presa Canario will reach its final weight at around 12 to 18 months old.

The first month sees the fastest growth. Preas Canarios should ideally still feed on colostrum-rich milk during this time, so your puppy won’t live with you yet. Breeders usually introduce puppy food by six weeks old. Two weeks later, the Presa Canario will be two months old and ready to leave its mother and come home! 

Feel free to feed your pooch kibble or wet food. You can even whip up vet-approved meals yourself. Presa Canarios are big, powerful dogs with appetites to match. You should feed them around 1.5 cups of food a day at two months old, split into multiple feedings. By six months, they’ll need three cups of food. A full-sized Presa Canario might eat five cups of food per day.

If your puppy isn’t growing at the rate you expected, speak with a vet. It’s also a good idea to bring your furry friend to the vet for a puppy check-up and vaccinations when they’re two months and 12 months old.  

How Big Will My Presa Canario Be When It’s Fully Grown?

Presa Canarios stand 22–26 inches high and weigh 80 to 115 pounds. Females are typically smaller than males, but there are plenty of outliers. Factors like genetics and diet will also affect your pup’s final size. A well-fed Presa Canario with large parents might grow to 140 pounds.

When Should My Presa Canario Be Spayed or Neutered?

Presa Canario puppies can be spayed or neutered as young as a few months old. Female dogs, in particular, are often spayed before their first heat. 

However, many vets recommend waiting until your Presa Canario is at least one year old because evidence shows it might be better for their growth. Delayed neutering may also help male Presa Canario’s behavior.

Ultimately, Presa Canario progression is highly individual, so your vet will have the best answer on when to spay or neuter your dog.

When Should My Presa Canario Be House Broken? 

Presa Canarios are intelligent, easily trained dogs. You can start house training when they’re eight to twelve weeks old. Some puppy helplessness has faded at that age, and they’re eager to learn. 

Start slow, especially if your puppy is just eight weeks old. Too much training at once might overwhelm them. Adopting a feeding and walking schedule is a good idea, too, so they’ll go to the bathroom around the same time.

And be patient! Accidents happen, and your pup is bound to have a couple. However, you might be able to limit the number by keeping a close eye on them in the house. Don’t let your puppy wander freely until you’re confident they’re housebroken.

When Should My Presa Canario Stop Eating Puppy Food?

Your Presa Canario isn’t an adult dog until they’re eighteen months old, but they can start eating adult food much earlier. Most Presa Canarios can give up puppy food at nine months. Health conditions can interfere with this timeline, so getting clarification from your vet is a good idea. 

Young puppies and adult dogs have distinct protein and fat needs. Feeding your two-month-old puppy adult food might affect their health. Presa Canario progression can also be harmed by sticking with the puppy diet for too long.

When Will My Presa Canario Start Losing Teeth?

Is your Presa Canario pup chewing on everything in sight? They might be teething. Presa Canarios start losing teeth at around 12 weeks old, and the process continues for weeks or months. In most cases, all of their adult teeth will come in before they’re six months old.

Teething is often very painful, and it can also trigger behavioral problems. 

You can make it easier on your dog by providing plenty of toys to chew on and gently correcting unwanted behaviors as soon as they crop up.

When Should I Start Training My Presa Canario?

Presa Canarios come from a long line of working dogs. They’re happy to have a task and often love their training sessions. You can start training your Presa Canario the moment you take them home.

You will need to be firm, however. Presa Canarios respond to consistent, clear commands. Early socialization is equally important. Presa Canarios are prone to distrusting strangers and need healthy exposure to overcome this. 

What Cues Should I Teach My Presa Canario First?

When you own a Presa Canario, training is mandatory. Untrained, your dog is liable to be jumpy and aggressive toward strangers. 

First, start with basic obedience. Teach these cues: stay, sit, and come. Knowing these simple commands will help your Presa Canario with its more difficult social training. With this breed, you’ll also need to try to eliminate: 

  • Jumping on people 
  • Growling or barking at strangers 
  • Pulling on the leash. 

Fortunately, Presa Canarios have sweet, docile natures and can be trained to keep that attitude around strangers.

If you’re interested in agility training, waiting until they’re at least one year old is best. 

When Will My Presa Canario Calm Down?

The Presa Canario starts as a rambunctious puppy and matures into a calm yet active dog. As guard dogs, they were bred for their ability to remain alert and focused. By two years old, you may see a decrease in off-the-wall energy. However, they aren’t lap dogs and still need at least two hours of daily exercise. That requirement will likely persist until the dog enters old age.

The Presa Canario’s behavior problems can usually be prevented or managed with ample training.  

Common Health Issues Your Presa Canario Might Experience

Unfortunately, the Presa Canario breed is susceptible to certain health issues, including:

Pictures of Presa Canario as Puppies

The Presa Canario often weighs 12 pounds by two months old.

Pictures of Presa Canario at 6 Months

Perro De Presa Canarios puppy sitting outdoors on green grass.

Presa Canario dogs come in many shades.

Pictures of Presa Canario Fully Grown

A brindle and white Perro De Presa Canarios dog with cropped ears sitting outdoors by a rustic wooden fence.

An adult Presa Canario might weigh 115 pounds.

Other Dog Breeds Similar to Presa Canario

Cane Corso

Mastiff

Rottweiler

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About the Author

Asia Mayfield

Asia Mayfield is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering cats and dogs. Asia regularly volunteers at the local animal shelter. As a resident of Nevada, Asia enjoys hiking, reading, and playing with her cats.

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