Brief Historical Summary
A molosser-type dog originating from the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, in the Canary Archipelago. It emerged as the result of crossbreeding between the “majorero,” a pre-Hispanic herding dog native to the islands, and molosser-type dogs that arrived in the archipelago.
These crosses produced an ethnic grouping of mastiff-type dogs, medium-sized, brindle or fawn in color,
often with white markings, with a robust morphology typical of a molosser but also possessing agility and
drive—strong in temperament, rustic, active in character, and loyal.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, its population increased considerably, with numerous references to it in historical texts following the conquest—especially in the “Cedularios del Cabildo”—which describe the functions it performed, essentially as a guardian and as a caretaker of cattle, as well as the service it provided to butchers to subdue livestock.
General Appearance
Molosser-type dog of medium size, well-proportioned (eumetric), with a straight profile and a black mask. Rustic and well balanced.
It is a mesomorphic dog whose body length is greater than its height at the withers, with a slightly more pronounced longilinear character in females.
Temperament / Behavior
Its appearance is calm, with an attentive gaze. It is especially well suited for guarding duties and has traditionally been used for handling and driving cattle.
Its temperament is balanced and marked by great self-confidence. Its bark is deep and powerful. Within the family it is gentle and noble, showing strong attachment to its owner, while remaining wary of strangers.
family it is gentle and noble, showing strong attachment to its owner, while remaining wary of strangers.
It conveys an expression of great confidence—noble and somewhat reserved. When alert, its attitude is very firm and its gaze vigilant.
Head
The head is massive, brachycephalic in type, solid in appearance, and covered with loose, slack skin. Its shape tends toward a slightly elongated cube.
The proportion between the skull and the muzzle is 60-40%. The width of the skull is three-fifths of the total length of the head.
Cranial Region
Skull: Slightly convex in both the anteroposterior and transverse directions, although the
frontal bone tends to be flat. Its width is very similar to its length. The zygomatic arches are very pronounced, with strong development of the temporal and masseter muscles, but without protrusions. The
occipital crest is barely perceptible.
Naso-frontal depression (stop): Defined but not abrupt. The median groove between the
frontal sinuses is well marked and occupies approximately two-thirds of the skull. The craniofacial lines
are parallel or slightly convergent.
Facial Region
Nose: Broad and strongly pigmented in black. It is set on the same line as the nasal
bridge. The upper tip is slightly set back in relation to the start of the lips. The nostrils are large,
allowing easy breathing.
Facial Features
Muzzle: Shorter than the skull, normally about 40% of the total head length. Its width is two-thirds that of the skull. Very broad at the base, tapering slightly toward the nose. The nasal bridge is flat and straight in profile, without any convexity.
Lips: The upper lips are hanging but not excessive and, when seen from the front, form an
inverted V at their junction. The lips (flews) are slightly divergent. The interior of the lips is dark in color.
Jaws / Teeth: Scissor bite. A level bite is permitted but not desirable due to the dental
wear it causes. Slight prognathism may be accepted. The canines show wide transverse spacing. The teeth are
broad, with very strong implantation, large molars, small incisors, well-developed canines, and correct alignment.
Eyes: Slightly oval, medium to large in size, well spaced, set in a short axis, neither sunken nor protruding. The eyelids are black-pigmented and well fitted, never drooping. Eye color ranges from dark to medium brown, in accordance with coat color. Never light.
Ears: Medium-sized, well separated, with short, fine hair. They hang naturally on both sides of the head; when folded, they form a rose ear. Their insertion starts slightly above the extension of the eye. Very high-set and closely spaced ears are atypical. In countries where cropping is permitted, the ears are carried erect.
Neck
Slightly shorter than the total length of the head. The lower edge shows loose skin, contributing to the formation of a slight dewlap. Solid, straight, tending toward a cylindrical shape, and very muscular.
Body
Longilinear, broad, and deep. Its length exceeds the height at the withers by 18-20%, with this difference being more pronounced in females. The flanks are slightly defined.
Topline: Straight, without deformities, supported by well-developed musculature that is not overly visible. It rises slightly from the withers to the croup. It must never be saddle-backed or roached.
Croup: Medium length, broad, and rounded. It should not be long, as this would limit movement. Females generally have a broader croup.
Chest: Very broad, with well-marked pectoral muscles. Its depth should reach at least to the elbows, both in profile and from the front. The thoracic circumference is normally equal to the height at the withers plus 45%. Ribs well sprung.
Underline: Slightly tucked up in an ascending line,but never dropped.
Tail
Thick at the base, tapering toward the tip, and should not extend beyond the hock. Medium set. In action it is raised in a sabre shape, without curling or being carried over the back. At rest it hangs straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Limbs
Forequarters
Shoulders: Well laid back.
Upper arms: Well angulated, oblique, with forearms perfectly straight, vertical, with
broad bones and good musculature.
Elbows: Neither close to the ribcage nor turned outward. The distance from the elbow to the ground normally represents 50% of total height in males and slightly less in females.
Metacarpals: Very strong and slightly sloping.
Feet: Cat-like feet with rounded toes, not too close together. Pads are very well developed and black. Nails are dark; white nails are undesirable, though they may appear depending on coat color.
Hindquarters
Strong and parallel, without deviations.
Thighs: Long and very muscular. Angulations are moderate, neither excessive nor insufficient.
Hocks: Always low set.
Feet: Slightly longer than the forefeet, with similar characteristics.
Movement
In movement, it should cover plenty of ground, showing agility and elasticity. The stride is long. The tail is carried low, and the head is held only slightly above the topline. When alert, the head is carried erect and the tail raised.
Skin
Thick and elastic. Loose on the neck and surrounding areas. When alert, several symmetrical wrinkles form on the head, centered along the median groove between the frontal sinuses.
Coat
Hair: Short, rustic, close-lying, without undercoat (though it may occasionally appear on the neck and thighs), slightly harsh to the touch. Very short and fine on the ears, slightly longer on the withers and along the crest of the thighs.
Color: Brindle in all shades, from very warm dark tones to very light gray or blond. Fawn in all shades up to sandy. White may appear on the chest, base of the neck or throat, forefeet, and rear toes, and should be as limited as possible. The mask is always black and must not extend above the eyes.
Size and Weight
Height at the withers:
Males: 60-65 cm
Females: 56-61 cm
For very typical specimens, a deviation of up to 1 cm above or below the limits is permitted.
Minimum weight:
Males: 50 kg
Females: 40 kg
Faults
Any deviation from the foregoing points is considered a fault, the seriousness of which is proportional to the degree of deviation from the standard.
Minor Faults
- Excessive wrinkles in the craniofacial region that do not alter expression.
- Level bite.
Serious Faults
- Head not respecting the established proportions.
- Strongly convergent craniofacial lines (excessive stop).
- Mask extending above eye level.
- Feet turning inward or outward.
- Excessively pendulous, retracted, or protruding lips.
- Same height at croup and withers.
- Excessive dewlap.
- Drooping eyelids.
- Roman (arched) nasal bridge.
- Very poor or excessive angulations.
- Dropped underline.
- Shallow chest.
- High tail set; thin tail.
- Light bone structure.
Very Serious Faults
- Triangular, narrow, non-cuboid head.
- Curled or very thin tail, uniform in thickness, or deformed.
- Excessively small or excessively large size.
- Swaybacked or roached topline.
- Poor forechest.
- Weak forehead.
- Flat ribs.
- Absence of craniofacial wrinkles (tight, inelastic skin).
- Light (yellow) eyes; eyes too close together, oblique, protruding, or sunken.
- Excessive prognathism.
- Missing teeth (except P1).
- Very high-set ears.
- Round or domed skull.
- Divergent craniofacial lines.
- Sleek, fine coat.
- Poor mask.
- Long, weak, insufficiently massive neck.
Disqualifying Faults
- Aggressive or fearful dog.
- Unbalanced temperament.
- Total depigmentation of the nose or inner lips.
- Total absence of mask.
- Undesirable white markings.
- Undershot jaw (enognathism).
- Croup lower than the withers; descending topline.
- Blue eyes or eyes of different colors.
- Docked tail.
- Monorchid or cryptorchid specimens.
- Poorly developed chest.
Any dog showing clear signs of physical or behavioral abnormalities must be disqualified.
Note: Males must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.