New Presa, New Here, have a question...

[Wonderland]

Hello, I recently purchased a Presa pup as a future livestock guardian for my farm/kennel, as we have been hearing coyotes screaming in the woods behind the property this year. I am not new to dogs, as I have been breeding and showing (primarily Amstaffs) for a very long time. But this is my first Presa...

I am interested in possibly showing this boy if he matures nicely. So far he looks good. The one question I have is in regards to the breed standard and disqualifications. The standard says "A black mask extending beyond the eyes" is a disqualification...

This male is a color we would call "Sable" in the Amstaff world, though the breeder referred to him as a Silver Fawn. As you can see in the photo, the shading on his head does continue past his eyes, though it is not a solid mask past the eyes. Does this still count as a DQ? It would be tragic if it were, because this is my favorite color of Presa, by far....

That question asked, I will say I am THOROUGHLY impressed by this boy. I think this is probably the easiest and smartest pup I have ever worked with, at least at the same level as imported GSD's I have had. He is always stuck to me and the kids like glue, uses his dog door to go out and potty, and already sits in the middle of the flock of chickens without trying to harm a single one... FABULOUS DOG.....

Here is his photo. 3 months old. His name is Gandalf...

 

[LizB]

Gorgeous pup, and congratulations! I would not worry about the mask at this time, at his young age. I can't speak for Presas, but the BM in my avatar had a mask like yours has when he was little, covering almost his entire head. His head grew, but the mask didn't (or it faded out), and it settled in nicely. I'm sure if this feature is pointed out specifically as a fault then it must occur at times in adults, but I wouldn't be concerned just yet, and, besides, he's still a stunner!

 

[QY10]

Congrats on the new pup! He is gorgeous.

 

[alejandro]

Your pup looks wonderfull and you're lucky if he's not interest in chasing the
chicks, mine will chase a leaf blowing in the wind, presas are not LSG, they will prefer to
chase and grip, so you may have to teach him to restrain. As for the mask, it might dilute as he grows, my past presa had a big white pacht in the chest that turn into a small spot with time, my present one was a very yellowish fawn but she's getting darker every day. Anyway he's gorgeous.

 

[ruthcatrin]

He's lovely!

I'll ditto LizB, I've got personal experience with facial markings changing quite a bit as the dog matures, even in the span of 16 to 20 weeks there was signifigant difference in the facial markings if my Tibetan Mastiff.

 

[Wonderland]

Your pup looks wonderfull and you're lucky if he's not interest in chasing the
chicks, mine will chase a leaf blowing in the wind, presas are not LSG, they will prefer to
chase and grip, so you may have to teach him to restrain. As for the mask, it might dilute as he grows, my past presa had a big white pacht in the chest that turn into a small spot with time, my present one was a very yellowish fawn but she's getting darker every day. Anyway he's gorgeous.

I respectfully disagree with the sentiment about Presa not being LSG. When doing my research into which breed I would purchase to protect my property from Coyotes, the Presa was indeed listed as being herders and protectors of Cattle in their native islands....

My secondary consideration when choosing my guard was that the dog have a very strong "stay home" instinct. Many LGD's will wander if the property does not have a solid perimeter fence. The Presa was the one that the most owners reported as having the least tendency to wander when allowed outside alone. My dog has to be able to patrol the entire farm and kennel areas, and not be confined to one area alone.

This boy, so far, is the embodiment of those traits I was looking for. Maybe I just got extremely lucky in choosing him, but he has been here for two months now and he has no desire to chase the animals, bother the dogs in their kennels, or wander. Yet he already sits outside with us at night, attentively surveying the property and growling at things we can't even hear.... We adore him

Thanks for the compliments everyone

 

[ruthcatrin]

Presa's aren't among the dogs classified as Livestock Guardians. That doesn't mean they aren't guardians, or that they won't guard your property and livestock, but they are not LGDs.

 

[LizB]

For proof, here's a pic showing Major's black mask that is almost exactly like your Gandalf.

 

[alejandro]

All dogs are diferent of course, but what i mean it's that they are not LSG in the sense that they should not be left alone with the herd like other breeds, they are use to guard property and animals but not on open feilds without supervisión but mostly to guard the perymether of the farms. Of course i'm no expert and all dogs have diferent insticts so if he serve your pourpose then wonderfull, rigth. Besides with him around those coyotes wont see your property as a nice place to visit.

 

[chauncey]

great looking pup. i think you picked the perfect dog to guard your livestock. that is what this dog was bred to do on the canary islands as history has recorded it. hope it will guard and attack anything wild or intruding. your livestock will be fine, i have 2 cats and a chinchilla. they definately don't like anything strange in they're surroundings. the high mask probably is dq to show but hope he grows it down lower for you. love mine, they are extremely smart, powerfull, and always want to be around and guard the owners they grow up with and come to know.