How much does a Presa Canario Cost?

Originating from Spain and also known as the Perro de Presa Canario, Canary Dog, or Canary Mastiff, the Presa Canario is a large dog breed introduced to Canary Island by Spanish conquerors, hundreds of years ago. They are the ideal working dog and can grow up to 26 inches tall and weigh between 83 and 130 pounds and can live up to 11 years.

Thanks to their large size, strength, and aggressive behavior, Presa Canarios make excellent guard dogs. They have an extremely protective nature and outstanding athleticism. While the Presa Canario isn’t your typical cuddly family dog, it is a highly dependable guard dog that will keep your family and property safe.

It’s no surprise to learn that owning a member of this majestic can be quite costly. Let’s take a quick look at how much a Presa Canario costs.

Puppy Price (Buying from a Breeder)

The Presa Canario is considered a rare dog breed, and as such, you won’t find many of them at your local dog park compared to other common breeds such as Beagles, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and the German Shepherd.

That is not to say that there aren’t Presa Canario dog breeders across the country, they are just a little harder to find. That, in itself, makes the price for a purebred Presa Canario puppy quite high.

These hyper-alert, powerful, courageous, and extremely hard-working dogs are not that easy to find or buy. If you are dealing with a regular breeder, you can expect to pay anything from $1,200 to $3,000 for a Presa Canario puppy.

If, however, you want to buy a female puppy with breeding rights, the price goes up and you can expect to pay between $3,500 and $7,000, or even more, depending on the breeder in question. The price can go over $8,000 if you are dealing with breeders who only work with top-breed lines and dogs of superior pedigree.

In many cases, you won’t always find a puppy who is ready to go home with you, but you will be expected to pay a hefty deposit to the breeder for “booking” purposes. In such cases, the breeder will find you Presa Canarios of the highest possible pedigree, breed them, and finally sell you one or more of the resulting puppies, depending on your budget.

Some of the main reasons why these dogs cost so much are that they come from the Molosser family. Dogs from this family are known for their larger sizes and commendable guard dog instincts, as well as other unique qualities. The most superior bloodlines of Presa Canarios are imported from Spain, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Romania.

Dogs from these superior bloodlines can be paired to create a healthier dog with less disease risks and an optimal temperament as well as appearance. Your Presa Canario breeder will provide you with pet health check certificates for the puppy you buy.

Additional Expenses

Even though the initial cost of buying a Presa Canario puppy can be hefty, that’s not all you need to budget for when looking to own one of these majestic creatures. Some additional expenses come with owning any dog and taking good care of it, and the Presa Canario breed is no exception to this rule. Here are some initial expenses you need to keep in mind:

• Dog food: Your breeder should be able to offer you the right information when it comes to the kind of dog food your new puppy requires. A large pack of dog kibble for your Presa Canario should cost you anything between $80 and $100.
• Feeding bowls: You will need to buy your dog a pair of feeding bowls. Since the Presa Canario is a large dog, even as a puppy, you are advised to buy plus-size bowls. The best option would be to go for stainless steel bowls that are not only longer lasting but also easier to clean than their plastic counterparts. A pair should cost you around $20.
• Dog crate: Crate training is essential for all dog breeds. For your Presa Canario, nothing but a large and sturdy crate will do. This should cost you at least $60.
• Dog bed: To prevent conditions such as hip dysplasia, you need to give your dog a comfortable bed with ample padding. For your Presa Canario, nothing but a large, high-quality bed will do, and that will cost you another $60 or so.
• Miscellaneous: Of course, there are other expenses such as dog leashes, shampoo, brushes, chew toys, and poop scoopers, all of which cost anything between $10 and $30 each, depending on the brand and type you pick.

Adult Price (Buying from a Shelter)

If you aren’t keen on buying a puppy, there are many other ways to own a Presa Canario. One of the best and most affordable options is to adopt one from a shelter. This will cost you considerably less than buying a puppy.

Rescuing a Presa Canario from a shelter should cost you anything between $200 and $500. In some rare cases, you will find dogs that cost between $100 and $150.

The best thing about rescuing a Presa Canario from a shelter is that many of these dogs are already neutered or sprayed. In many cases, these dogs also have their shots, which means that you won’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on these additional health care services.

Rescuing a Presa Canario from a shelter is the cheaper option and can save you thousands of dollars initially, but keep in mind that you are responsible for your dog’s routine care which starts by collecting all the necessary breed info. Regular care requires you to groom your dog to avoid hair loss and skin infections, as well as to watch for dental disease, heart disease, and other serious health concerns.

How Much Does a Presa Canario Cost?

The cost of owning a Presa Canario varies wildly depending on the pedigree of the dog in question. That being said, you should be prepared to spend thousands of dollars on your dog over its lifetime if you are buying a puppy. The cheaper option would be to get a rescue dog from a shelter. Rescue dogs are more affordable in terms of the initial cost, but the additional expenses listed above will still apply.

Finally, it should be noted that some states regulate the ownership of some dog breeds, and being a large, aggressive dog breed, the Presa Canario often makes this list. These special permits often cost anything between $100 and $500.