Presa Canario vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison

Hawaiian Poi Dog is originated from Indonesia but Presa Canario is originated from Spain. Hawaiian Poi Dog may grow 27 cm / 10 inches shorter than Presa Canario. Hawaiian Poi Dog may weigh 45 kg / 99 pounds lesser than Presa Canario. Hawaiian Poi Dog may live 3 years less than Presa Canario. Hawaiian Poi Dog may have less litter size than Presa Canario. Both Hawaiian Poi Dog and Presa Canario requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
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Indonesia
Spain
Height Male:
36 - 38 cm
14 - 15 inches
56 - 65 cm
22 - 26 inches
Height Female:
34 - 36 cm
13 - 15 inches
56 - 65 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 15 kg
15 - 34 pounds
38 - 60 kg
83 - 133 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 13 kg
13 - 29 pounds
38 - 60 kg
83 - 133 pounds
Life Span:
5 - 8 Years
9 - 11 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
7 - 9
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Native Hawaiian Dog, and Hawaiian Islanders’ Dog., Poi Dog, Ilio, Hawaiian Dog
Canary Mastiff
Colors Available:
any color with white markings, brown mostly
Fawn and brindle
Coat:
short and fine
Short and coarse
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Playful, Stubborn
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

The Hawaiian Poi Dog was a descendent of the dogs brought to the Islands by the Polynesian. These Polynesian dogs were themselves descendants of the kuri dog of New Zealand. These kuri dogs were originally from Indonesia. The Hawaiian Poi dog is now extinct but at one time was considered the spiritual protector of Hawaiian children and also used as food by hungry Native Hawaiians.

The dog was called poi which was the word for a food staple mad from the root of Taro and used to put weight on the dogs before they were eaten. Meat was not fed to the dogs because it was too scarce. There was no large mammals to hunt and so the breed was never given a standard. The Poi dog seen by European explorers were short legged, pot bellied canines that lived with the hogs in the towns. Because of what they ate, the dogs were not highly intelligent but were stubborn and hard to train. Because the dogs were not suited for much beyond food and a spiritual charm, they became extinct when the traditional religion was no longer practiced and eating dogs was no longer acceptable. The breed pretty much disappeared by the early 20th century. Very few images of the dogs remain except for ancient petroglyphs.

There was an attempt by the Honolulu Zoo in the late 1960’s to redevelop the breed using local dogs to determine a standard. Then the local dogs were bred as close to the standard as possible. In the third generation one dog was born with the traits of a Poi dog. There was not much more success with this and then the Polynesian ship travel between Tahiti and Hawaii was recreated and a dog taken along.

Today’s mixed breed dogs in Hawaii are called Poi dogs but also have the stubbornness, unique appearance and ability to eat anything it is given like the original Poi. The dogs are small, and should not be confused with the original Poi dogs.

presa canarioKnown also as the Canary Mastiff, the Presa Canario hails from the Canary Islands. He was originally bred for guarding livestock.

This isn’t a new breed by any means, and it is believed that the dog dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The roots of the dog can be traced back to the Iberian Presa, a medium sized mastiff breed. A number of other Hispanic breeds have contributed to the formation of the Presa Canario, such as the Presa Espanol.

Its numbers have dropped over the years, but in the 1970s, reputable breeders bred Presa Canarios, a courageous, territorial dog.

Because of its aggressive tendencies, the dog has been banned from quite a few countries. It is found in the USA but not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Description

As previously mentioned the Poi dog is somewhat unusual in size and shape due to what they ate. They looked somewhat like the native dogs of Polynesia and New Zealand. They have short legs, long bodies, somewhat obese and a very flat head. He had a short smooth coat, in any color or any pattern. They were however mostly brown and they might or might not have white markings.

presa canario puppy - descriptionThe Presa Canario is a large Molosser-type dog breed originally bred for working livestock.He stands at between 56 to 65cm in height and weighs between 38 and 60kg. He has a thick, muscular body with a black mask over the broad head.

The ears were always cropped which just added to his aggressive appearance. When left they are high set and floppy, being of medium length. The coat is short and coarse and he is a low shedder. The coat comes in colors such as fawn, tan, or brindle.

Temperament:

Strong willed, confident and determined, the Presa Canario may well have an intimidating look.He looks both powerful and even a bit aggressive, but with training and socialization, the highly intelligent Presa Canario is actually a calm, docile dog, totally loyal and loving with his human family.

These dogs are suspicious of strangers and this makes them excellent watchdogs. For new dog owners, the Presa Canario isn’t a good first choice as he is strong-willed and can be aggressive when in the wrong hands. There are however, always exceptions, but he isn't considered to be a good choice of dog when there are children in the home.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

The Hawaiian Poi dog was very friendly and good with children

Special talents

The Poi was considered a good luck charm and a spiritual protector of children

Adaptability

Given what they faced in life, the Poi dog was very adaptable, living anywhere on the islands and eating anything it could find.

Learning ability

Due to their poor diet, the Hawaiian Poi dog was seriously lacking in intelligence and learning ability.

presa canario dog - characteristicsThe Presa Canario is a formidable looking dog and has received quite a lot of negative media attention for being aggressive and dangerous. And yet non-aggressive owners who have brought the dog up properly tell of how well mannered and calm their dogs are.

The dog is confident and powerful and can be loyal and loving while also being well adjusted. Just like children are the fruit of their parents upbringing, so dogs turn out much the same as the kind of owners that reared them, and in the right hands, this big dog can be loyal quiet, loving and trustworthy.

Health Problems

Probably due to its diet, the Poi dog had several problems to their health. Their poor diet led to a sluggishness both in movement and intelligence. Its development was hampered by a lack of protein. Malnutrition and serious over inbreeding caused a weakness and poor oral hygiene. Due to this lack of teeth and chewing the bones in the dogs heads became flat. The Poi had breathing issues and overall lethargy.

presa canario puppies - health problemsThese are large dogs so they are susceptible to hip- or joint dysplasia and canine leishmaniasis.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a skeletal condition, found more often in large dogs. The ball and socket don’t fit properly, grinding as opposed to sliding smoothly. This eventually leads to loss of function of the joint.

There are a few factors that lead to the development of hip dysplasia in dogs, but it is also hereditary. That is why it is so important to provide your dog with the correct nutrition – one that is specially formulated for large breeds.

Canine Leishmaniasis:

This is a deadly disease caused by a protozoan parasite found in dogs, mostly in rural areas, and in quite a few areas of the world.

The parasite is transmitted by a sand fly. The clinical signs of dogs with this disease include weakness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, anorexia, weight loss and diarrhea with blood in the stools.

Treatment will require the administration of a special drug. Prognosis for a pet diagnosed with Leishmaniasis is unfortunately not very hopeful.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

With meat being rare in Hawaii, none was available for the dogs. They were fed Poi – from the Taro plant roots. Puppies were fed 2-3 times a day.

Feeding the adult

The adult dog was fed once or twice a day the same as Poi puppies were fed.

Points for Good Health

The Hawaiian Poi dog basically has not good health points.

Games and Exercises

The Poi dog did not need and did not get much exercise, leading to its demise.

presa canario dogs - caringThe Presa Canario will require being brushed twice a week to rid him of loose hair although he isn’t a heavy shedder.

Keep his nails trimmed.

Check inside his ears for signs of redness and the possibility of an ear infection.

When you brush him, check him over for any unusual lumps.

Make sure the dog is neutered or spayed if you don’t want puppies.

Get your vet to the vet if he shows signs of illness.

Make sure his vaccines are up to date to prevent some deadly canine diseases.

Ensure he has a nice comfortable, dry, warm place to sleep.

Ensure he has a top quality diet to enhance longevity and health. Commercially manufactured dog foods are a convenient means to feed your pet, and there are some excellent brands. Avoid the ones with low quality ingredients that don’t have the right balances of vitamins and minerals.

High quality dry kibble can become exciting when you add in some home-made food. Dogs thrive on simplicity, so boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be 100% sufficient for him. Chop this food up and add it into the dry kibble twice a week as a tasty treat.

Also, your pet will thrive on a bit of raw meat added in from time to time. Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Make sure that your large pet gets a good quota of daily exercise outdoors. Lots of hectic ball- and rope games will keep him happy and keep him slim. Take him for a walk every day.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Presa Canario vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Presa Canario vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Presa Canario vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Presa Canario vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Presa Canario vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Presa Canario vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Presa Canario vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Presa Canario vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Presa Canario vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Presa Canario vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Presa Canario vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Presa Canario vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Presa Canario vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Presa Canario vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Presa Canario vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Presa Canario vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Presa Canario vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Presa Canario vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Presa Canario vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Presa Canario vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Presa Canario vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Presa Canario vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Presa Canario vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison