THE NOBLE CANARIO

As the name tells us, the Podenco Canario is from the Canary islands in Spain. It is probably the FCI-approved podencoid that is the least known outside Spain. The Canario is a hunting dog just like its cousins. Their main prey is rabbits but other small mammals may also be hunted. They are probably the podencoid with the most developed/evolved sense of smell. They can detect a rabbit hiding several meters underground.

The variety of Podenco Canario that has been acknowledged by RSCE (Spanish Kennel Club) and FCI is the type which has been hunting in areas that are characterized by a harsh and hostile volcanic terrain. There are several different varieties of Podencos Canarios depending on what kind of terrain they are hunting in. These varieties are not acknowledged by RSCE or FCI. 

On the volcanic parts of the Canary Islands the landscape is harsh, stony with cracks, hollows and rocks where the rabbits hide out. It is in this kind of environment that the Canario makes use of its excellent nose and also its sight and superb hearing. With the help of their characteristic big ears they can track their prey under the surface. 

Primarily the canario is a scent dog. He shall scan the area methodically with his nose for the prey. On the Canarias they are often used together with ferrets during the hunt. When the dogs have found and marked where the rabbit is hiding out it is time for the ferrets to get to work. The ferret who is wearing a small bell around its neck is sent in to the whole or the crack to chase out the prey. If the rabbit chooses to take another way out the dogs can track the rabbit with the help of the sound from the ferrets bell and by their scent. When the rabbit comes out, the dogs stands ready and catch it. The canario tracks, kills and retrieves the prey to the hunter. Hunting with armour is also used. But the most common is that the dog is performing all the stages of the hunt and the owner is just a bystander. On the Canarias it is most common to hunt with up to five dogs at a time. The way of hunting may differ a bit on the Spanish mainland.

The Kelb tal-Fenek (Pharaohound) and the Podenco Canario are very similar to each other. Even breders of Pharaons have a difficult time seeing that my canario is not a Pharao. But if you know, it is easier to spot the differences. The Canario is of medium size. They are supposed to be between 53-64 cm plus or minus 2 cm. Unfortunately the breed has started to increase in height. The reason for that we can discuss in a separate article. The canario should be slightly longer than it is high. With long legs, slim and elegant. Extremely agile and swift in the body. Allowed colors are different shades of red and white and combinations of those two. 

One thing that differentiates them from other podencoids are their big paws. Their toes are very long and flexible. Many incorrectly thinks it is something wrong with their toes. But they have gained their characteristic look to be able to run and grab on to the lose and sharp stones that is covering the ground on for example Lanzarote. Their pads are thicker and better adjusted to this type of terrain. The paws of an "ordinary" dog would quickly get hurt and damaged in this harsh environment. They have a long tail that helps them to balance on narrow rocks and stonewalls. 

The skin and the fur is much finer and shorter than on the other podencoids, so that they can more easily get rid of the body heat. Since they are hunting in open terrain they don't need the extra fur for protection. Thick fur makes it more difficult to get rid of the extra heat from the skin and the dog may be more sucseptible to death from heat stroke. So the Canario is not suited for hunting in woods or thick bushes since they can get skin damage more easily than other podencoids. On the Canarias there are other podenco varieties that are used for hunting in the woods but they are not acknowledged by the RSCE.

Their personalities are very soft, careful, affectionate and loyal to their families. These traits make them very suitable for families with children. But you need to keep a watchful eye on them when you are visited by other children. The fact that they love their own children doesn't necessarily means that they like other children. They may be less well-suited to life in a family with very small children. When the podencoids play, they like to paddle with their long legs. Bigger children though may have a lot of fun together with these dogs.  

They can be a bit reserved with strangers.  This is a trait that you must respect, and not force contact upon them. The instinct to guard differs greatly between different individuals. The way they guard is through barking an alarm when a stranger approaches. They like to hear their own voices, very often and loudly, but they will never attack a human. 

They can be a bit nervy and overexcited. As a hunter these are very good qualities to have. It means that you are always alert and ready to action when the prey appears. But as companion dogs it is a trait that can evolve into a problem if we do not respect it. Since they are so alert and ready to read every single signal we are sending, they are easily hurt. It is very easy to loose their trust, but very hard to regain it. So here it is extremely important that we train them with kind methods. A canario who is trained with harsh leash wrenches and physical punishments is going to be a scared and subdued dog who will not learn anything. A proud and happy canario is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see. On the other hand, a scared and subdued canario is one of the most pitiful sights ever seen in the dog world.

They fear nothing when they are hunting. Nothing can stop their rampage. They are dogs with great energy and enthusiasm. Especially in the young dog this trait is very strong. If they don’t get an outlet for all of the energy that they have inside them, they will find an outlet for it themselves, and not always in a way that we humans would expect. The Canario is very imaginative so they can easily keep one occupied for many years with their ever-changing mischiefs. They can easily keep running from sunrise to sunset without the slightest sign of fatigue. But once you come indoors with a satisfied dog he will happily roll up into a little pretzel not bigger than a pillow. A satisfied canario makes no fuss indoors.

When we leave our home with our dogs on a leash, it's just a regular walk for us. But it's not for our dogs. As soon as we leave our doorstep we are giving the signal to our dogs that the hunt has begun. It is a genetic condition that they bring with them from time immemorial. When the flock moves from home, it is to look for food or partner. It is therefore futile for me to get angry and upset at any of my dogs when they throw the leash straight up into the air and catch a bird. They don’t do it because they are naughty or evil. It is only a genetic conditioned reflex with them. When the prey shows up they react to it on a split of a second. They do not have time to stop and ask themselves do mom / dad think this is ok. This way of being is so deeply associated with being a podenco. In their countries of origin the podencoids entire life is waiting. Waiting for its owner to come with food and waiting for him to take them out hunting. This is something that future owners have to understand, know and respect. If we do, then our future life can only be a positive experience for both parties.

The canario is a breed for those of you who live close to a big dog park or a sheep pasture so that they can run freely now and then. You must love to take long walks in the forest and in the countryside, without feeling sorry that your dog has to be on a leash. Many people can have their dogs off-leash but even more can’t. Their hunting instincts are so strong so it is our duty to protect the wildlife against our dogs.

It is a dog who is not suited to be alone. A canario must be together with its pack, may it be humans or other dogs. But they thrives best in a pack consisting of several other dogs. You must be imaginative to find ways to train your dog without falling back on old harsh training methods. If you want a dog who covers you in soft declarations of love (if you deserve them) then this is the perfect dog for you. It is the dog of contrasts: fair, lovely and graceful creature at home, and the ultimate killing machine as soon as you leave the house. In other words, it is not a dog for those wanting to compete in obedience. But if you want an equal and respectful relationship with your dog, and can be confident, clear and consistent, then you've finally found the right dog for you. Then, this is the perfect dog!

     La Podenquera!

* Note that a breed presentation is only a general description. A breed consists of numerous individuals, where each one is unique.

* A big thank you to Steve Hooker and Michelle for proof-reading the english text.