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The Club

You will find that joining the PCCA club will deepen your relationship with your Presa Canario in many ways.  Not only does the Club work tirelessly to provide protection and preservation of the breed, we work on promoting education, information, and building a wider Presa Canario Community here in the United States and abroad.  The PCCA provides information and facilitates discussions about conformation (showing), training, working and performance, breeding, and hereditary health issues.  The PCCA also provides judging seminars and training to train PCCA event judges, providing a judging list of individuals qualified to provide Presa Canario expert judging at events.  The Club hosts many events throughout the year providing opportunities to earn Championship points, Working and Performance titles, meet and socialize with Presa Canario enthusiasts just like you, and gain valuable breed specific education.

Club members agree to our Code of Ethics, approved by the Club's Officers.  The Code of Ethics promote the benefits and well-being of the Presa Canario breed.  

 

No ONE individual controls this club, all members have an equal vote.  Leaders are elected by members, maintaining a defined check and balance process.

Breed Standard

The Club supports development of the breed standard recognized by the breed country of origin and supports that standard as the official breed standard of the Presa Canario.

Health + Knowledge

Researching health issues of the Presa Canario with the goal of limiting or eliminating the genetic risk to the breed, promoting breed education, and continuing to share breed knowledge of over 100 years of combined breed experience among members.

Our Mission
Mission
"A club for all members, by all members."

Club History

The PCCA was founded in 1997. The original mission statement was "a club for all members, by all members". It was formed to counteract the breed clubs that were currently in existence that were formed by one kennel, mostly for their customers, and run and dominated by them. 

 

So, our first belief was, and still remains based in a democratic club.

Our second belief is based in supporting the country of origin's official standard...i.e. the RSCE's 89 standard, and the CEPC as the official recognized breed club for Spain.

Our third belief is based in health and knowledge.

 

In the early days, most breeders did not even acknowledge that HD was a factor, much less a problem. And no one tested for it to prove their inaccurate delusions.

The founder of the club, and first president, Tracy Hennings had dog #2 and 3 for the breed on the OFA list. Dog #2's father was the first. (there was no PH then)

  • We were the first club to reach out to the CEPC for a relationship, in 1997; and the FCPR in 2000.

  • We were the first club to bring over a breed specialist, and the CEPC president, to examine existing US dogs, and guide us.

  • We were the first, and only, US club to be named a CEPC affiliate.

  • We were the first US club to send a delegate to a Monografica, to foster club relations and breeder relationships.

  • We were the first club to hold OPEN ENTRY events (first our national specialties from 1997 on, our regional specialties, and then the Monograficas: By Open Entry I mean you did not have to be a member of our club to enter) which continue to this day.

  • First breed club to bring over FCI judges to judge our shows

  • First breed club to combine show and working events into one weekend.

  • First breed club to have a breed specific TT

  • First breed club to offer and recognize the European TAN test

  • First breed club to offer the Iron Dog Triathlon events.

  • First breed club to cultivate community relationships, by partnering with the Cane Corso Preservation Society, to host the Molosserstock series of dog shows, open to all FCI group 2 rare breeds. The MS series was also the first show to offer the opportunity for written critiques to ALL competing breeds, as well as use ONLY FCI judges.

  • First breed club to heavily educate about hip dysplasia and advocate health testing for all breeding stock.

  • Only club to maintain public records of current working titles, passing health results and conformation rating results.

  • Most (show) international winning Presa Canario to date, owned and campaigned by PCCA members. (Ch Tor)

  • Most winning ARBA Presa Canario to date,(CH Jazz), owned and campaigned by PCCA members

  • First SCH II Presa bred by, and owned by PCCA members. (Aurra del Darkforce)

  • First UKC CH bred and owned by PCCA members. (Truehearts Chata del Darkforce)

  • First (I think, if not, then one of the first- Riggs?) UKC sporting dog titled dog owned and bred by PCCA members.

  • Highest known PennHIP scored dog, owned by a PCCA member (IPKs Kong)

  • Two of our BOD went on to form the Working Dogo Canario Alliance.

  • One member, and past president, has gone on to become the only American breed specialist judge for FCPR, and an FCPR judge

 

The Founding Years.

The Presa Canario Club of America was started by an early American breeder named Tom Metzger. Tom had a small kennel going, and ran the club for a few years, primarily for his dogs registration. After a devastating fire costing him his house and several dogs, he decided to pass it on to someone else to carry on.

Tom passed it on to Tracy Hennings, who he knew through the local Presa Canario community. Tracy was mildly active in the early 90's Presa Canario show scene under the kennel name of Darkforce Kennels, and decided to take the club in a different direction. After viewing for herself the varieties in type being shown as Presa Canarios, ranging from mostly white dogs that looked like American Bulldogs, to 170 lb brindle mastiffs, to blue dogs resembling pit bulls, Tracy felt there was the need for a club that promoted the Canarian breed, not the breed made up in each breeder's backyard. There was also the need for a club that acknowledged that Hip Dysplasia was a problem in the breed, rather then pretending it didn't exist, or only existed in the "badly bred" lines.

The internet was beginning to take off then, and reach out further to bring more people together. So Tracy put up an ad seeking interested parties on the only Presa Canario forum at the time, Presa Canario on the Web, which was run by Canarian Elias Rodriguez Ventura from Gran Canaria. Through this internet forum, she attracted two supporting members, Carla and Steven Walker who helped establish and promote the club in its formative years. Through PCotW forum, and with the help of Elias Rodriguez Ventura, the club was then able to get in touch with the Spanish breed club, Club Espanol del Presa Canario, and it's president Antonio Gomez Rodriguez. Antonio was intrigued by this little club that was dedicating itself to what the breed really should be, not just capitalizing on the dogs being bred.

In the meantime, the club made it's first priorities to separate the correct Presa Canario type dogs, from the "pseudopresas"; to spread the word about Hip Dysplasia and hip testing; and to begin to show the Presa Canario as a working breed, rather then just the show dog and home guardian/companion it was shown as up to this point.

After much discussion, a show was organized. Letters were mailed and emails sent out to every Presa Canario breeder whose information could be found personally inviting them to the show. The first PCCA specialty was held in Ohio. We were the first club or organization EVER to bring over a expert breed judge from the Canary Islands...Judge Augustin Melo Lopez of Ancor Warrior kennels, and CEPRC licensed Presa judge. Judge Melo Lopez was accompanied by CEPRC President Antonio Gomez Ramirez. The two of them would evaluate the American dogs presented to them, and discern the intent of this fledgling club, and decide it's fate in the breed.

People came from all over the USA to exhibit their dogs. Unfortunately, some went home unhappy, after being told their dogs weren't enough to be called Presa Canario. PCCA president Tracy was one of these people. She had two dogs from American bred lines, that were rejected by the judges, and one dog was approved. Instead of simply raging against the judgment, proclaiming the judges inexperienced (as some would later do to justify continuing to breed their rejected dogs), Tracy matched actions to words and altered the rejected dogs, and started her breeding program over.

After the approval process, which was called "Conformacion and Registro" in the Canary Islands at the time, there was a show held for the approved dogs. When that was done, Irina and Alex Vyatkin, early PCCA members and Presa breeder/trainers, put on an exhibition of obedience and protection training for those assembled.

By the end of the weekend, CEPRC President Gomez and Judge Melo were very pleased overall with what they had observed from this bunch of Presa Canario fanciers, and decided to make this fledgling club the first, and only, American delegation to the Club Espanol del Presa Canario.

Moving On...and continuing to break new ground.

With their new international acceptance by the FCI in 2000, and the support of the Spanish parent breed club, the club continued on their mission to spread the word about correct type, health screening and temperament testing. Each year, at least one specialty was held, combining a conformation show and temperament testing, or a working event as more dogs were trained in PP. The conformation shows were always judged by a Canarian or Spanish breed expert.
Along the way, members were lost and added, mainly due to personality conflicts or directional disagreements. Presa owners have to be a certain type of person to hang on in this breed, and quite often, like their dogs, that means they don't always play well with others.

When the breed was accepted by FCI, and the name was changed, the PCCA followed the lead of the CEPRC, and accepted the Dogo moniker, becoming the Dogo Canario Club of America. This enabled the breed, and our club members greater access to world events through the FCI. The FCI club in Puerto Rico allowed registration of US born dogs, and through DCCA member Luis Ortiz, our club was granted special privileges to continue to register un-papered dogs who met breed type requirements, regardless of their kennel affiliation or pedigree. If they demonstrated enough Presa Canario type to approved qualified judges, they were accepted into the FCI registries. We were the only Presa Canario club to have been granted this special arrangement.

In 2005, current club president Carla Walker and club member / WDCA co-founder Randy Green had an idea. The first few specialties the club held were open to all comers. After a few years of this, only dogs who had Spanish papers, or had passed "Conformacion or Registro" were allowed to show. Carla and Randy decided to open up the events again, and make it BIGGER and BETTER then had ever been seen in the USA before! They decided to call this show the "American Monographica" named after the big club shows held yearly in Spain and the Canary Islands. Again, all clubs and breeders that could be found were invited to participate. If you called your dog a Presa Canario, you were welcome to show, regardless of club affiliation, kennel, registry or pedigree. In the end, new CEDC president Ricardo Oramas Miranda was the presiding judge, and the Working Dogo Canario Alliance provided the working events and temperament testing. Close to 100 dogs participated in the two day event, making it the largest Presa Canarios gathering ever. The second year the Monographica was held, beat the first year's numbers, and holds the record to this day for most participating Presa Canarios at an event.


For the Future...

The PCCA is constantly striving to continue it's efforts towards betterment of the breed. We walk a fine line between education and estrangement. Unfortunately we still continue to see problems in the breed that we saw when it all began. Although the breed as a whole has moved towards a better uniform "type", the number of "breeders" have skyrocketed, many of them simply looking to make some money. Although public awareness has been raised about Hip Dysplasia, and several breeders screen for it, the ones that do simply aren't enough. Novice owners turned on to the breed, fall short in their research, stopping at the closest located "bargain" rather then investing possibly more for a better dog, and then ending up disappointed in various ways.
We continue working towards a more uniform, healthy, stable Presa Canario through conformation events, working venues and above all education.

Club History

Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

 

This Code of Ethics is established to set a standard of acceptable behavior for Presa Canario Club of America members. The code is designed to protect the integrity of the club and to enhance the public image of our breed. Failure to abide by this code may result in disciplinary action by the Presa Canario Club of America. This includes violations by members that aid or abet non-members in violations of this code.

I will maintain the highest standard of care for my dog, including quality food, water, proper shelter from heat or cold; active companionship, appropriate exercise, socialization and professional veterinary care whenever necessary.

I will not abuse nor knowingly allow the abuse of my dog. I will not involve my dogs in illegal activities or those detrimental to the breed and it’s reputation.

I will consider only the betterment of the breed and the breed standard of perfection when breeding a bitch or allowing breeding with my stud dog, being conscientious of controlling and eliminating inherited problems.

A breeder and stud dog owner shall plan each breeding with the paramount intention of protecting the breed, and only when the parties involved agree the breeder is in a position and has the knowledge to give proper care to both the bitch and offspring.

I will maintain breed purity and shall not plan a mating with my bitch or allow a breeding to my stud dog to any dog of any other breed.

I shall not knowingly allow puppies to be sold to parties with the intentions of crossbreeding.

I will not allow a bitch to be bred prior to her reaching eighteen (18) months of age, nor shall any bitch be bred after her eighth (8*) birthday. A bitch will not be bred more than once in any (12) month period unless she does not whelp a litter, the litter is stillborn, consists of a single (1) pup, or as part of a veterinarian's recommendation for treatment of pyometra. Any other reason would need to be stated in writing, along with a licensed veterinarian's certification of good health, to be received by the Recording Secretary at least fourteen (14) days prior to the breeding for the Board's approval. I will not use or allow use of my male for breeding before his fifteenth (15) month.

I will not produce more than eight (8) litters in any twenty-four (24) month period per household nor will I permit my stud dog to be used in a program, which would exceed eight (8) litters per twenty-four (24) month period per household. I will not purposely evade these guidelines by putting my dogs in the name of friends or other family members.

I will not knowingly sell or provide a dog for resale, gift or prize or to a broker/agent or pet store for resale. I will not engage in the brokering of puppies, (selling or buying), EXCEPT in a case that would prevent a potential rescue situation. ALL SUCH CASES MUST be documented by letter to the PCCA Recording Secretary. I shall require any breeder using the services of my dog to agree to the same in a written contract.

I will not make misleading or false claims to persons making general inquires of my dogs or of the breed in general. I will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages with integrity and honesty. I will not knowingly sell a puppy or dog that is suffering from illness or that has a defect of health without disclosure of said defect. Defect shall be defined as any condition that would not be severely detrimental to the dog’s quality of life. Said dog shall be sold with an agreement by both parties that such defect has been disclosed.

I will not release or deliver a puppy before the age of eight (8) weeks.

I will show good sportsmanship at all times and in all matters relating to Presa Canario. I will maintain the highest degree of honesty and integrity. I will not knowingly make a misstatement of fact in any serious discussion of my dogs or the dogs of any other Presa Canario owner. When advertising my dogs in any media (magazines, internet websites, mail, email, etc.) I will not make false or misleading statements. I will only use a picture of another owner's dog with the owner's express permission and I will clearly identify that dog and the legal owner in the ad

I will screen potential owners and only sell a dog only to a buyer whom I believe to be interested in the protection of the breed and who would agree in writing to provide the highest quality of care for said dog, including quality food, water, proper shelter from heat or cold; active companionship, appropriate exercise, socialization and professional veterinary care whenever necessary. I will not knowingly sell/place a dog for illegal activities or those detrimental to the breed and its reputation.

I will take back any dog bred/sold by me who has been displaced. If I am unable to do so, I will assist the PCCA or a regional rescue in the placement of said dog. I will cover the costs incurred for the rescue not to exceed $300.00.

Code of Ethics

Club Officers

JASON Baum - President 
 
CARLOS Ramos - Vice President 
 
WAYNE Webber - Treasurer 
 
Board of Directors:
EWA Ziemska
RICHARD Deberry  
SAM Tossie
JOSE Rivera
FACUNDO Prats


EPIPHANY Ramos - Secretary 
 
Club Officers

Join the PCCA Today!

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