Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - I just met my first Canary Dog..Should I be leary? [ ]

There is a dog in my Apartment community that is massive. When you look at it, you first think...Boxer! Then no, you think Pit! Then no, you think mastiff! But that isn't right either! I just knew he was over 100 lbs of intimidation!

Well, his owner was walking him when i was walking my old girl, this morning. He had the dog off the leash and when he saw me staring at him and his dog, he walked over and grabbed the leash. I asked him as politely as possible..."doesn't it worry you to have him off the leash?" He confided that it did not worry him. Thats when I started asking (at a safe distance) questions about the dog. "He's a Canary Dog from the Canary Islands." the young man said. The dog is (now) neutered, and about 1 1/2 years old. He is over 100 lbs (and when he pulled the young man had a tug o war for a sec trying to pull the dog back) He told me the dog is a big baby and actually submissive towards other dogs. Now, this might be true, all of it. But coming back in and reading about the canary dogs, they are serious business. Just in what I know about dogs from experience, a lot of male dogs normally start getting dominate or territorial around 1 or 2 years and then really have to be reigned in for a while. T

This is what I found...
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/canarydog.htm

Description:
The Canary Dog has a powerful, square head that is nearly as wide as it is long. The muzzle is broad. The chest is deep and broad. The rump is slightly raised. This breed has thick skin, dense bones and powerful muscles and a massive head with a large jaw. The ears are usually cropped. Colors include fawn and various brindles, white markings are sometimes seen.

Temperament:
The Canary Dog requires a very dominate owner who understands the alpha nature in canines. No member of the family can be uncomfortable around the dog. Canaries make outstanding guard dogs. Just their appearance is a deterrent not to mention their ability to confront any intruder. In the wrong hands this dog can be dangerous, but with the right owner it can make a nice, devoted companion. This is not a breed for first time dog owners.

Origin:
The Canary Dog ancestry probably includes the now extinct naive and indigenous Bardine Marjero, crossed with imported English Mastiffs. It was developed in the Canary Islands in the 1800's specifically for dog fighting. At one time dog fighting was a common and popular entertainment in most European countries, and breeds were developed specially for their tenacity and endurance. In some countries, such as Ireland, fighters were staged in open fields, but more often, as was the case in the Canary Islands, fighting took place in rings or pits. WIth the outlawing of dogfighting on the island and the introduction of foreign dogs such as the German Shepherd Dog, by the 1960's the breed was nearly extinct. It was revived by the American veterinarian Dr. Carl Semencic.

a few more links on this dog.

http://www.takingthelead.co.uk/2/Breeds/canary_dog.htm

These dogs are very handsome, but phew...are they big and muscular!!! Like Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 1:35 pm Post subject:

I get nervous whenever I see anyone who doesn't seem to have a grip on their dogs, so to speak - I don't care if it's a GSD, boxer, or whatever - it makes me nervous if I see someone who doesn't seem to have control of their dogs, whether they are off the leash or if the dog just isn't responsive. I guess because when I take my mutties out in public, they are leashed, and I am always aware of what they are doing. I have witnessed a girl walking a St. Bernard...well, no, the St. was walking her! That makes me nervous, because they are still animals with minds of their own - and if the owner can't control them on leash, it's just as bad as if they are off leash. So I base my opinion of certain breeds on who's handing them - not what breed they are, if that makes sense!

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 1:49 pm Post subject:

Well...I know when I was 15 I had a big ole yellow lab. I had him in a field behind our condo, walking him on the leash. I weighed about 105 at the time, and he weighed about....105 at the time *laugh* We were walking and he was figuring out where he was going to do his business when out of NO WHERE two dark red Chow Chows came Blazing past us. So Freelance (the lab) Took OFF! Me in my brilliance figured I would just SIT DOWN and that would stop him! Guess what!!!! He pulled me across the field on my --I have a Potty Mouth--!!! The leash in both my hands, between my legs, my legs up over my head on either side! I went across small bushes and little baby cedar trees! I'm sure it was quite funny to watch! Point is, what if he had been an aggressive breed, I had been 25 rather than 15, and he took off?!?! (even with that said, now a days, you can't be sure that labs aren't aggressive with all the back Yard Breeding Sad

)

It's so hard to NOT judge an aggressive breed when it's the owners irresponsibility with the dogs that make the threat so real.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 1:53 pm Post subject:

When working in at the humane society I came in contact with a Canary dog being one of the few at the shelter with extra large dog experience I was demeamed his care taker. He came to us as a stray and very under nourished, he was very sweet to everyone and mild mannered will in his unhealthy state. I spent every day with him trying to get him healthy again and trying to judge his actual temperment. When he was well on the way to recovery he showed his true self while I was working with him one of the other shelter employees aproached, one that he had seen and accepted hugs and pets from before, And he went into protect mode and would have attacked if I had not had him restrained. It was not the dogs fault as we did not know his history, or how he had been treated. I am not saying they are bad by breed but I would definately aire on the side of caution and be very careful, especially if the owner does not have good comand of his dog.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 3:08 pm Post subject:

Is a Canary dog the same as a presa canario? I believe that the woman killed by dogs in San Francisco a few years ago was killed by presas that had been schutzhund trained. There's probably someone else on here who knows much better than I do.

If this is a bully breed, then I wouldn't worry so much about the dog hurting people but possibly hurting other dogs. Like another poster said, these dogs need very strong handling as they are both strong and driven and could really hurt anyone or anything that they wanted to hurt.

If it were me, I would avoid walking my dogs if I saw this dog off-leash outside. If he were on-leash, then I wouldn't be concerned. Maybe I'm too cautious, but even in my own neighborhood I don't take my dogs out on leash if I see another dog out off-leash, just to avoid conflicts.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 3:25 pm Post subject:

Phew...the more posts that come the more worried I am. I guess I need to talk to the management and explain to them about the breed. I don't think it's responsible at all that he lets the dog off the leash even if he is just a few feet away from it. If a dog wants to dart off...you have to have that leash in your hand! Otherwise, the dog will be in china before you know it! We have a few other Einsteins in this community who feel it's alright to have their dog off the leash if they are with them...but the dogs aren't big enough to be murderous. Not that i'm condoning it. I get irritated at them just as well. These dogs run up to me and my Old girl. I can't explain to them enough that she's old and could get irritated and snap and hurt these little ones. Heck, I have people walking their dogs....walk their dogs right up to me and Timber. I'll be blocking and standing between their dog and timbers MOUTH. Timber is VERY well behaved but you just DON"T know. And I don't want my old girl in the middle of some drama because people are dumb! I think with most dogs she would be fine if the dog is allowed to approach slowly and with both dog handlers having tight rein over them. HOw many of us have seen dogs get in a fight and a tangle of dog leashes and tangled frantic dog owners. Maybe i'm just over cautious. I just know that dogs aren't human and can't be trusted to keep their fangs to themselves at all times under all different circumstances. You just never know when they will be rubbed wrong.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 3:37 pm Post subject:

Just a side note- Hb1... I feel exactly the same way. Not that I think either of my dogs would EVER bite, but you don't know. I hate taking Munky out (for a walk, or to petsmart, etc.etc.) because since she is still a puppy (and quite adorable if I may say so myself Very Happy

) EVERYONE wants to come up and see her, children, adults, all the other dogs... etc.etc. And everyone assumes that since she is a lab shes friendly blah blah, and she is, very friendly. But she is terrified of people. So when people walk up and try to pet her she gets scared and I have to walk away. Because I guess the dog cowering in my arms is just 'cute' to them. Evil or Very Mad

I just hate when people corner dogs that are scared and then when they get bit try and blame it on the dog!!!!! -sigh- (done ranting!!)

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 4:48 pm Post subject:

wow they are beautiful dogs!!! i've never seen one before.. wow they are BIG!! LOL

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:02 pm Post subject:

Canary dogs and Presa Canarios are the same breed. Ill tell you about the San Francisco incident. I was there.

My uncle lives out in San Francisco... actually, Marin Country (other side of the bridge), but while I was out there a few years back, I made friends with a girl who lived a block and a half away from the apartment complex. I believe it was called "Pacific Heights Apartment Complex". Anyways, we were about to take her two Jap. Spitz's for a walk, and the we saw all these police cars and emergency vehicles outside the complex, so we went to see what happened. Guys, let me tell you that this is one of the few things that I will never forget. I saw two animal control officers come outside with two VERY large animals, named Bane and Hera, Bane- thrashing around violently. He was so violent and disturbed, that they just put him to sleep... right there, in the middle of the street. They couldnt even get near him. We were ontop of the hill, and it was so sad to see all these people crowding these animals. They were so scared. Crying or Very sad

Meanwhile, the stupid owner screaming at the officers to not put the dog to sleep, she had to be restrained.

Here is the story from Online:

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Tessa. But I have to ask, what method did they euthanize the dog on-site?

I don't think that most presas will attack people. From what I remember on the news a few weeks after the attacks, these dogs had been schutzhund (did I spell it right?) trained and were known locally as being very viscious.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:37 pm Post subject:

He was on two different control sticks, each with an animal control officer, and some other officer took a metal rod with a needle on the end, and stuck him in the rear end. I think it may have been anestetic/tranquilizer, but when he was knocked out, I assume they proceded with the euthanasia. It was really sad to see. Crying or Very sad

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:42 pm Post subject:

I really shouldn't have asked that question because you were much too young to have seen that. I'm sorry.

Thanks, though, for providing the info about that situation.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:57 pm Post subject:

I'd suggest he have ALL dogs on leash when in the apartment community/complex, regardless of breed. What city are you in? What are the leash laws, if any?

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject:

I am against any sort of breed specific fear/legislation/restrictions etc but I have to admit that these dogs make me nervous. My fear is that ultimately they will replace pit bulls as the dog of the week for various thug types and then we will really have a problem.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:27 pm Post subject:

We DO have a leash law here. The property management, after 1.25 years, finally took unfortunate steps with another neighbor of mine. Her small dog was always on a leash! But there was never a human on the other side. It was really ridiculous. It was a good dog, good around kids. Just irresponsible owner. The dog would chase cars at the bus stop in the morning, dragging the collar behind. Finally a week ago it was spotted limping by another neighbor. She called the office because she was worried about the dog. The office had left letter after letter, message after message, and the owner didn't GET IT! I do have to say I feel that the office could have been stronger with her. In the end, when the dog was hurt, they collected the dog and had animal control come pick it up. She contacted a lost pet site and put two and two together. (but not after trying to make trouble for the complex) I have spoken to the management and expressed my feelings before today. Explaining how I did not think it fair that I should have to worry about dogs running up on mine when I had a leash on mine. I have control over my dog and none over these other loose dogs. The management just seems to poo poo my complaints away. I feel a bit of a threat with this large dog tho. If it decides that i'm dangerous to it or to it's master...what will it do? If it decides that my old girl is staring it down, what actions will it take? Not to mention all the children in this community. Uggh. I'm not the confrontational type. I'm not the type to pester and poke and needle. In fact I need a lot of THAT to get me to do it myself! I was bitten once as a child and properly attacked once as a child. The thought of it happening again to me, or anyone else here is horrifying. I guess it's why I am so careful with my own dogs. As much as I trust them, I still expect the unexpected reaction. I get irritated with the idea that people can just go Willy Nilly and get a breed that originated as this one did...and not be educated. There is a thread about a rescued Pit Bull and plenty of opposing opinions on that thread. My line of thinking is more education, and covering all the bases whether you perceive them needing to be covered or not, with breeds that have the potential to massivly damage another dog or human. ***If I am under educated with this opinion...insert education here*** If this Canary were a 125 lb choco-Lab who was skittish would I be this worried? NOPE. But I know that the odds are that the lab can't do as much Damage as what I have read of the Canary Dog. Is there more potential for a...say...Chow Chow to attack than this Canary dog? Could be, but again...I feel my chances of walking away, or Timber walking away are fantastically increased with the Chow Chow as opposed to the Canary dog. DO I want any of these dogs off the leash? NOPE. I don't' know what to do about this apartment community letting things slide. I don't' know what to do about under educated neighbors and their Large or Small dogs. I'm not ready for a Jerry Springer or Pet Court situation...I just don't' know! Moving right now is not an option. Man, I guess this has turned out to be a Vent Thread...

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