Presa Canario Grooming

The Perro de Presa Canario has a short, flat coat that's harsh to the touch--which makes overall Presa Canario grooming pretty easy. These big dogs' coats shed a fair amount for most of the year, and more heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons, so consistent brushing will be necessary to minimize the amount of shed hairs. Otherwise, though, grooming a Presa isn't at all time-consuming.

Brush your Presa once or twice a week with a bristle brush or grooming glove. To brush: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush or glove, moving in the direction of hair growth. (During shedding season, daily brushing is best; many owners also use de-shedding tools during these periods to help the shedding process along.)

For the Presa Canario, bathing will only be necessary every three months or so--unless, of course, the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is in order. For your Presa bath, be sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans has a different pH and can irritate the dog's skin. Also take the time to completely rinse the shampoo from the coat; leftover soap residue will cause further skin irritation.

And this breed's coat is too short to sport any hairstyle other than its natural one--so no Presa Canario haircuts are required.

Though it's easy for owners to learn all aspects of Presa Canario grooming themselves, it's a good idea to take the dog to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Presa Canario at home.

In addition to its coat, a Presa Canarion will need to be maintained in the following areas:

• Teeth: Just like a human's, Presa Canario teeth need regular brushing to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, and to minimize that Presa Canario bad breath! Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a standard toothbrush--but be sure to use canine toothpaste, as the kind made for humans can make dogs sick if they swallow it.
• Ears: If your Presa's ears aren't cleaned periodically, they'll collect dirt, grass, and other debris, and even get infected--which could lead to hearing loss. Clean the dog's ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution (available at pet stores or online). Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and always use cotton balls (never Q-Tips!) to wipe out any excess solution.
• Nails: Presa Canario nails will click on hard surfaces if they get too long--which means it's time for a trim. Use standard clippers to cut the dog's nails as close to the toes as possible. Take care not to cut them too close, though, as doing so will cut into the nail's quick (the blood vessel running through it), making the nail bleed and be painful.
• Paw Pads: Your Presa's paw pads can get dry, cracked, and tender, in part because they bear the brunt of the dog's considerable weight. The issue is worse if the dog walks a lot on hot asphalt or snow and ice. Apply canine paw pad moisturizer (again, available at pet stores or online) to the pads weekly to keep them soft, moist, and healthy.