[2]: 587 The Presa Canario derives from the Bardino Majorero, which was formerly distributed throughout the Canary Islands.

[6] In December 2018, at the request of the Real Sociedad Canina de España, the name was changed to Presa Canario.

[1] The previous standard, dated 2018, specified heavier weights, particularly for dogs (50–65 kg), and slightly lower minimum heights.

In countries where ear-cropping is banned, the ears are close fitting to the head; they hang down and should be pendant or "rose"-shaped.

Seen from the front, the upper and lower lips come together to form an inverted V. The flews are slightly divergent.