Canary Mastiff

The Canary Mastiff originates from the islands of Tenerife and Grand Canary. It is the result of crosses between the Majorero, a prehispanic indigenous cattle dog from the Canaries, and molosser dogs imported to the archipelago. Many documents attest to the historical presence of a Canary Mastiff from the 16th and 17th centuries. Municipal records refer to this dog used as a guard dog and protector of cattle and for livestock management near butchers. It was also reportedly selected as a hunting dog to force and take wild pigs. However, according to The World Encyclopedia of Dogs, the Canary Mastiff is an ancient fighting dog, resulting from crosses between the Bardino, a small and very aggressive dog from the island of Fuerteventura, the Mastiff and indigenous molosser dogs. In 1946, dog fighting was banned and the breed's numbers decreased drastically. The action of a few breeders and the Assessor of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Canaries saved the breed. In France, the Canary Mastiff is still relatively unknown. In 2012, with 390 registrations in the French Stud Book (LOF), the Canary Mastiff represented the 17th most popular breed in Group 2 'Pinscher and Schnauzer Dogs - Molossers - Mountain and Swiss Cattle Dogs'.

The Canary Mastiff is described in the International Cynological Federation standard as gifted for guarding and conducting cattle, of balanced temperament, self-confident, peaceful, very attached to its master, sometimes wary of strangers. According to The World Encyclopedia of Dogs, it is an impetuous and courageous dog, almost insensitive to pain, quarrelsome with other dogs but docile, affectionate and very attached to its master. The Canary Mastiff requires firm and gentle training. It should be socialized very young and its aggressiveness should in no way be stimulated. Males are known to cohabitate with difficulty. Regular sports activities and daily outings are necessary to maintain its mental and physical health. Barking is deep and profound.

The Canary Mastiff is a medium-sized molosser type dog with a rustic appearance. Well proportioned, the body is longilineal, i.e., longer than the height at the withers. The morphology of females is generally more longilineal than that of males. The croup is slightly higher than the withers, the flanks are not very marked. Thick at the root, the tail tapers to the tip. It does not exceed the hock. In action, it is carried in the shape of a saber while at rest it is hanging, straight with a slight curve at the extremity. The massive brachycephalic head has a compact appearance. The cranio-facial lines are parallel or slightly convergent. The zygomatic arches are very marked, with very developed temporal and masseter muscles covered with loose skin. Slightly oval, the medium to large eyes are well separated and dark brown to medium, in keeping with the coat color. Attached slightly above the eye line, the medium-sized ears hang naturally on each side of the head. If legislation allows ear cropping, they are erect. The coat is short, rustic, well laid down, fairly hard to the touch, without undercoat. The coat is either brindle, from dark very warm to light gray or blonde, or fawn to sand colored. White markings are as minimal as possible and located on the chest, neck, front feet and rear toes. The black mask on the face does not exceed the height of the eyes.

Growth is very long: the Canary Mastiff only reaches its adult conformation at thirty months. It is prone to stomach torsion.