[Seamoth]

The Presa Canario was originally bred for fighting and guarding

That explains it. Anyone who gets a fighting dog is getting a time bomb. I, for the life of me, will never, ever understand why people can accept that shepherding, swimming, pointing, and hunting can be part of a dog's genetic makeup but fighting isn't.

It does takes a stimulus (just like a person with alcoholic genes isn't tempted by alcoholic till he drinks it for the first time) but it is a disaster waiting to happen.

[stephenjohnbanker]

2006 Darwin candidate?

[beezdotcom]

I, for the life of me, will never, ever understand why people can accept that shepherding, swimming, pointing, and hunting can be part of a dog's genetic makeup but fighting isn't.

A most salient point, that seems to be overlooked by defenders of various breeds. If people want one of those dogs, they should at LEAST acknowledge this point.

[Hildy]

It does takes a stimulus (just like a person with alcoholic genes isn't tempted by alcoholic till he drinks it for the first time) but it is a disaster waiting to happen.

That was an excellent analogy.

[Katya]

dogs that have been bred to fight....fight other animals. The most important trait in such a dog, if brought up to fight...would be to NEVER attack a human hand, otherwise the dogs could not be separated or trained. Dog fighting happens to be an awful sport...but that does not speak to a propensity to attack humans. This breed is actually known in it's home country to be a laid back and very calm animal. As with every breed that is adopted by the criminal element in this country...and thus vilified by the press it will be ill-trained and proclaimed the newest dog hazard. How many breeds since the 1970's have been assigned this moniker? From German shepards, to dobermans, American Pit bull breeds , rottweilers and now the presa's. Wait till they discover chows and mastiffs, or Bernese mountain dogs or St Bernards...all these dogs can have an awful bite, and kill you.