Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Boerboel |  Presa Canario |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | The breed developed on South African farms from the seventeenth century onwards, where settlers' dogs, including mastiff and bulldog types brought from Europe, were selected for the ability to guard homesteads and livestock against predators and intruders. The name comes from the Afrikaans for farmer's dog. Formal breeding programmes in the twentieth century stabilised the type, and the breed was recognised by the Kennel Union of Southern Africa in the 1980s. It has since spread internationally as a guard and family dog, though it remains a specialist breed. | The breed developed in the Canary Islands, particularly Gran Canaria and Tenerife, from mastiff and bulldog types brought by Spanish settlers, crossed with local working dogs. It was used to catch and hold cattle, guard property and, regrettably, fight. The breed nearly vanished in the mid twentieth century and was rebuilt by Spanish enthusiasts from the 1970s, gaining formal recognition in Spain and later internationally. Its working past shapes everything about the modern dog: power, confidence and seriousness. |
| Group | Working | Working |
| Size | Giant | Giant |
| Coat | Short, dense and smooth with a slight sheen; fawn, red, brown or brindle, often with a black mask. | Short, coarse and close-lying; brindle in all shades, fawn or sandy, often with a dark mask and always with a serious expression. |
| Weight | 50 to 90 kg | 38 to 60 kg |
| Height | 59 to 70 cm | 56 to 66 cm |
| Lifespan | 9 to 12 yrs | 9 to 12 yrs |
| Exercise need | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Affection | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Grooming needs | 3/10 | 2/10 |
| Barking | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Good with children | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/10 | 3/10 |
| Trainability | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Prey drive | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Copes alone | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Drool | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Shedding | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Flat fit | 2/10 | 2/10 |
| Running cost | €275 / month | €246 / month |
Boerboel verdict
The South African farm guardian: calm, confident and seriously powerful
Get one if
- · Experienced owners of large or guardian breeds who want a serious, steady dog
- · Households with a house, secure garden and space for a giant breed
- · Families prepared to socialise and train consistently from puppyhood onwards
Think again if
- · First-time dog owners, without exception
- · Flats or homes without secure, strong fencing
- · Anyone who cannot commit to ongoing socialisation and training
Presa Canario verdict
The Canary Islands catch dog: powerful, discerning and strictly for experts
Get one if
- · Highly experienced owners of powerful guardian breeds
- · Rural or semi-rural homes with space and strong, secure fencing
- · People committed to lifelong socialisation, training and public control
Think again if
- · First-time owners, without exception
- · Anyone in a region where the breed is banned or restricted
- · Homes without secure, high fencing