Cane Corso

The lack of consistency continues to be a major problem in the Cane Corso. We believe the lack of education and the misunderstanding of breed traits is a significant factor. Therefore, the Breed Education department of the CCAA has put together some points that may help judges and the fancy sort out problem areas.

CORRECT MUZZLE LENGTH: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!

The standard calls for a 1:3 ratio, yes. But this measurement is often misinterpreted as the “Midpoint.” That is incorrect. The 1:3 is a boundary measurement put in place to guard against excessively short muzzles. If the muzzle is shorter than 1:3, it changes expression, causes the convergence to be extreme, and is associated with excessive undershot, round/bulging eyes, and pinched nares. In a nutshell, a muzzle that is too short fundamentally changes the head type; and this head type, however popular or common, is not correct. This concept is clear when we review our breed history. During the recovery, many examples of Corso farm dogs were measured and cataloged. As a result, a dog named Basir was determined to have the ideal muzzle. His muzzle measured 38% of his overall head length. That is 5% longer than the boundary in the standard. So, as you evaluate muzzle length, remember history; 33 to nearly 40% is correct Corso type. Anything shorter will typically lack correct breed head type.

ANTERIOR FACE OF THE MUZZLE IS FLAT: NOTHING SHOULD BE STICKING OUT!

There is always a lot of talk about which bite is correct for the Corso. Almost always, a muzzle with the correct front will accompany a functional bite. Here’s the trick: when viewed from the side, the line from the nose down to the chin is perpendicular. The definition is critical here. Perpendicular lines are defined as two lines that meet or intersect each other at right angles (90°). So, the nose appears as the top “corner” for the front of the muzzle, and the horizontal line of the bridge of the muzzle. The chin is the bottom “corner” for the muzzle front and the horizontal jawline. The nose should not stick out over the chin, and the chin should not jut out beyond the point of the nose; neither is prominent.

SLIGHT CONVERGENCE: NO DOME FOREHEADS OR SKI SLOPES, PLEASE.

The parameters defining the space between the stop and occiput (little bump at the back of the skull between the ears) may be one of the breed’s most misunderstood. Over the years, and with the shortening of the muzzle, we have seen a radical change in the shape and incline of the forehead. A change that has made correct convergence uncommon. We must retrain our eyes. When viewed from the side, the skull gradually flows back from the pronounced brow and slightly inclines toward the back skull. The forehead does not ascend directly up from the brow. The forehead’s side profile should not bulge or be rounded, like a football helmet. If the slope of the forehead is steep and is at an angle suitable for skiing, this is a clear sign of outside breed influence. Note: no convergence will exhibit parallel planes, which is also unacceptable.

WELL-DEFINED STOP. PUT YOUR THUMB IN IT.

Corso eyes are wide-set. They have a pronounced brow that serves as a protection for the slightly inset eye. From the side, the stop looks kind of like a step from the horizontal muzzle bridge to the forehead that slopes gradually back from the brow. When viewed from the front, there is a distinct depression between the wide-set eyes. This well-defined depression should be wide and deep enough for your thumb to easily rest down into it.

DISTINCTLY RECTANGULAR IN PROPORTION. IF YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE TOO SQUARE…IT IS!

Correct length of body is a critical component to function in the breed. When the front and rear assembly are put together correctly, the Corso is capable of extended reach and drive, allowing it to cover ground most efficiently. Short-backed Corso often take shorter steps or are forced to turn their bodies sideways to move correctly. Ten percent body length is a boundary measurement to protect the breed from becoming too “square.” Most Corso that travel in an elongated trot are longer and certainly fall within the parameters of correct breed type.

ELBOWS SIT DIRECTLY UNDER THE WITHERS. SHORT UPPER ARMS BELONG TO A T-REX, NOT A CORSO.

The correct configuration of the Corso’s front end is exceedingly essential. The weight of the large head, powerful neck, and muscular chest account for over 60% of the total mass of the dog. That mass bears down on the front, and if that weight is not evenly distributed, injury is likely, and performance is affected. Short upper arms and straight shoulders are becoming commonplace in our breed. This poor structure places tremendous strain on elbows and shoulders and pasterns. It restricts reach and often creates a pinched, narrow chest.
Corso shoulders are well laid back, the upper arm is of comparable length to the scapula, and that elbow sits directly beneath those withers. When viewed from the side, the correct front assembly creates a vertical, even line of weight distribution from the withers down to the elbow, down the leg, pastern, and rests squarely on the pads of the foot, not the toes!

BALANCED REARS—ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL.

Just as the front end of the Corso should be built to distribute weight evenly, the muscular rear is configured for correct weight placement and is capable of powerful drive and quick direction changes. This is accomplished when the bones, the pelvis, both thighs, and hocks are of similar length, creating moderate angulation. We often see long thighs and short hocks in the Corso. This incorrect framework places a tremendous amount of weight on the knee. A correct, moderate hock bears the brunt of quick direction change. Moderate angulation, along with a moderate pelvis tilt and balanced rear, is critical to the breed’s ability to function. Properly built, the massive rear end is less susceptible to knee and hip injuries.

ELONGATED TROT/EXTENDED REACH AND DRIVE—HIGH HEADED, PRANCING PONIES NEED NOT APPLY.

Envision rippling muscle and substance, covering significant ground with an effortless, elongated trot. He carries his massive head down and forward as he glides; topline rigid and level. He takes long, clean strides, utilizing his energy efficiently. His movement is smooth, aerodynamic, and almost surprising considering his mass. Short, delicate steps and head held high may be flashy, but it’s not correct for a Corso.

SIZE AND SUBSTANCE.

The Corso is a perfect blend of bone, substance, stark muscle definition, and athletic ability. Static, he gives the impression of mass and power. In motion, he moves with efficiency. He is never sloppy or cumbersome. When asked what size a Corso should be, the answer should be something like this: “Athletic enough to run tirelessly after large, formidable game; substantial enough to dispatch it once he arrives.” There is nothing about the breed that says fine bone or sloppy couch potato.

HIS PRESENCE—A NOTE TO JUDGES.

Powerful and imposing? Truly distinct characteristics of a Cane Corso stacked and waiting for examination. A judge that wishes to see the dog at his full potential should remember the least amount of intrusion by a stranger accomplishes this best. Here are a few helpful tips:

Always approach from the front, avoiding imposing stares into the dog’s eyes. A judge should not expect a mature Corso to be a “wag and greet” kind of dog. An obedient, stoic participant is more than acceptable from this Guardian breed. However, stoic should not be confused with “asleep at the wheel.” A Corso should be alert and watchful at all times. His expression should be distinctly intelligent. Fearfulness or aggression is not acceptable. Greet the handler first and ask them to show the bite when the time comes. Limit extensive, heavy-handed exams. If a puppy seems apprehensive, make it fun. The Corso is very sensitive to his surroundings and is quick to pick up on unsettling situations. Anyone who is apprehensive about the breed should not judge them.

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The Cane Corso: Our Courageous & Great Hearted Friend

The Cane Corso will become completely devoted and attached to your family. They can show their affections in a variety of ways. Some find it necessary to be in your lap every waking moment and are exuberant in demonstrating their affections. They may lean on your leg, put their head in your lap and paw at the bathroom door to be with you. Some are more reserved in nature, yet always remain close to their people. They are sensitive to their favorite people and are very loyal with their attention. Your Cane Corso will intuitively respond to your mood. When you are joyful, grief-stricken or angry, they will vigilantly respond to you with devotion, affection and love.

Cane Corsos thrive on companionship. They want to be wherever you are. Although they will tolerate being crated or kenneled for a period of time, they need human contact to remain well rounded. A Cane Corso needs socialization and lots of it! If your Cane Corso doesn’t get proper socialization and attention prepare for an unruly, unhappy puppy! If lack of socialization continues through adulthood prepare for unsociable or fearful behaviors. An adult that is exiled from the family is bound to be miserable. If you have other obligations, a demanding occupation or if you don’t prefer to have your dog’s constant companionship, than a Cane Corso may not be a good fit for you.

Interesting Cane Corso Breed Facts

The Cane Corso is a dog breed having its origin in Italy. They were bred to protect the farms and livestock from thieves, predators and vermin. The Corso is very versatile and can perform an eclectic job portfolio including, but not limited to:

• Guarding
• Catching
• Herding
• Hunting
• Police/Military
• Bomb and Drug Detection
• Search and Rescue
• Schutzhund/IPO/Protection Sports Therapy
• Agility
• Obedience
• Dock Diving
• Lure Coursing

Words that describe a Cane Corso: Intelligent, Strong, Brave, Devoted, Vigilant, Discerning, Courageous, Loyal and Goofy! Need I say more?

The movement can be described in two words, Effortless Power!

In the United States, as per our breed standard, all bites are acceptable; scissors, level or slightly undershot. However it is important to look for incisors that are in a straight line and bottom divergent canines. This directly correlates with a wide square muzzle.

The base of the tail should be very thick and wide. This breed trait usually goes along with heavy bone, which is desired.

In the AKC Working Group, the Cane Corso is one of few breeds with numerous colors and the eye color should correspond to coat color.

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Cane Corso Performance

My path to participating in performance events with my Cane Corso started in 2007. The Cane Corso had recently been accepted into the AKC in performance events and eventually in conformation as FSS and then into the working group. At that time our breeder had asked me to show our dog in conformation and I was looking for something more for us to do together; something more fun. Although he showed for me in conformation, it was not his most favorite thing to do. I had seen agility on TV and thought that it looked like it might be fun. My husband and I had gotten our first Corso in 1998 but until we got our boy in 2006, we really hadn’t been exposed to the world of dog showing and performance.

I contacted a couple of different places in my area but unfortunately was turned down, one specifically because of ‘not taking a breed like that.’ At that time we were still a new breed and unfortunately had the reputation for an aggressive nature that was unpredictable and not easily trained. Luckily a trainer was recommended to us and she agreed to take us on after an evaluation. When we showed that my boy could pass the CGC we were allowed to start training for agility.

From the beginning it was clear that my boy Machiavelli was naturally athletic. He had a great natural jump, good balance and he was smart. We trained for over a year before we decided he was ready for competition. I had made a good group of friends who were so helpful in getting us set and ready to go. I learned so much with him and he had to suffer from a lot of “handler errors” but he never gave up on me. Much of what I learned with him I could put into practice with my current dogs and also could advise others of what I had gone through and what solutions had worked for me.

We did have challenges. This breed is a guardian breed and as such that meant that some of what I would ask of him went against his natural protective nature. Working at a distance was one of those things. Now many dogs are challenged with working away from their handler but when you have a dog where it goes against their nature, you have to work extra hard. Also for the first couple of years, if we showed to a new judge he would go over and check them out. It got to the point when it was a new judge I would tell them that he was going to come and see them. He only did it the first time we would show to someone and only in the first few years. Again his protective instinct came out. He wasn’t aggressive; he instinctively just needed to see them while we were out running the course.

It took us a few years but he eventually became the first Cane Corso to qualify for the AKC Agility Invitational at Eukanuba.

I also found that slowly as we competed and qualified we were eventually accepted and even sought out to ask questions about the breed and working with the breed. Rescues who had them would ask questions on what was ‘normal’ for the breed. Without really even meaning to, my husband and I became breed ambassadors just because we were out and doing something with our Cane Corso. People saw that they were not all the aggressive, unpredictable dogs that they had read about. They became recognized for the incredible athletes that they are.

All it took was me starting agility and seeing that the people I trained with were also doing other performance events for me to want to do even more with my Cane Corsos. The next Corso we got, Lucretia, is a conformation bronze grand champion and was also the first female Cane Corso to get a CA when lure coursing was opened to all breeds. She has also qualified for the AKC Agility Invitational this year. She has obedience titles, a herding instinct certificate and is even working on a RAT title in Barn Hunt. She is a great example of how versatile the breed is and that a conformation title should not exclude also being able to work.

In my opinion the breed should be able to do anything we ask of them. They are meant to be a working dog, highly intelligent, athletic and trainable. Throughout history they were an all purpose utility dog who could protect their owner their owner’s property and also hunt with their owners. They are more than just a guard dog, though they are very good at that.

In my opinion the breed should be able to do anything we ask of them. They are meant to be a working dog, highly intelligent, athletic and trainable.

The more people who have seen Corsos, in performance events, the more people have been getting out there with their Corsos to try performance events because of their versatile nature. There are many who think that the only true Corso is one that only does Schutzhund/Protection work. I politely disagree with them as evidenced by the multiple venues that my Corsos and others have competed in and excelled at. There are now Corsos participating and titling in Agility, Barn Hunt, Dock Diving, Nosework, Obedience, Shutzhund, Therapy Work, Tracking and weight pulling. They have their CGC, CGCA and ATTS titles. There are Corsos who still work on farms and also compete in various performance events.

There are many who think that the only true Corso is one that only does Schutzhund/Protection work. I politely disagree with them as evidenced by the multiple venues that my Corsos and others have competed in and excelled at.

At this time my husband and I have three Corsos competing in various performance events. All are conformation grand champions and all have qualified in performance events. There are also still a few events that we want to try. We have done some training in tracking and nosework and have a girl who loves the water that we will eventually try in dock diving. This same girl we think might also love weight pulling. The key to doing any performance work with your Corso is to get out there and do it. Find a supportive group to train with and stick with it. If a trainer tells you that all Corsos are bad or impossible to train, find another trainer to evaluate your dog. If you find that your dog does not seem to enjoy what you are doing, try something else. There is no one thing that these dogs are good at.

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Judging the Cane Corso: Knowledge & Criticalities

Judging for all breeds of dog is a very sensitive topic, in the Cane Corso even more so, therefore this requires a large premise.

Different Standard

The breed standard is the description of the somatic characteristics of a breed. In earlier times there was complete liberty to describe the ethnic characteristics of a breed. In more recent times there exist two schools of thought with regard to standards; synthetic or analytical evaluation. The first focuses on more than synthetic regulation and leaves greater discretion to the evaluating judge. In this type of standard many adjectives and adverbs are used (moderately, somewhat, a little). The analytical type offers a detailed standard, constructed with precise dog measurements (measurements, relationships between different parts, degrees, etc.). It is quite evident that the analytical standard is based more on evidence and scientific rigor. On a practical level it requires much more effort in its application.

With time, international dog experts decided to adopt outlines for preparing standards that were more adapted for the purpose of consulting (one imagines for judges). This decision, understandable from an organizational perspective, has created many practical problems in its implementation, especially for the revision of the existing standard.

In this context, it is not surprising that the major adaptations have been based on standards put together in an analytical way. Bad practical implementation then followed this controversial decision. Indeed, the changes have not been made by the writer of the original standard, but by others. Therefore, with the necessity to sum up, cut and translate, often they have created authentic zootechnical havoc. The Cane Corso breed is a good example of this.

The first iteration of the Cane Corso standard was officially recognized in Italy in 1987. The author was Dr. Antonio Morsiani, a world renowned student of canine zoology. The document consisted of 19 typed pages. Now the FCI and AKC standards have only 3 pages respectively.

Unfortunately, there are also some additions, generally not for the better. For example, in the AKC standard it is indicated there is a tolerance for up to two missing teeth, without the indication which teeth (the importance of the teeth is not the same and the missing of some teeth cannot be absolutely accepted). I think that the tolerance of missing teeth must be only for P1, P2 and M3 (which presents itself only in the lower jaw).

In the interest of intellectual honesty, I want to be precise that in any case the biggest responsibility of the Cane Corso’s problems come from the country of origin, where some serious errors were made. For example, the pressure for premature international recognition, the lack of solid base of breeding and/or a zootechnical program. However, it is impossible to breed and/or to judge correctly without a correct and precise standard.

Continuing on the topic of the standard, I can say that the use of a synthetic standard is always dangerous because it leads to subjective judgments. This may be a problem for every breed, even in those that are more fixed in type and selection. In the case of the Cane Corso it can become a true disaster. This is one of the most important clarifications because after 20 years the Cane Corso has so few homogeneous examples.

Now let us identify some of the most important aspects that define type in Cane Corso. They are derived from the original breed standard and from the general principles of classical canine zoology.

General Appearance

Cane Corso is a trotter. Therefore, he needs to have a rectangular construction, 11% longer than the height at the withers. Here is an important footnote. In the AKC standard it states “to measure the height at the shoulder, from the highest point of the shoulder to the ground.” This is very strange because all animals are measured from height of the withers to the ground. The AKC standard also indicates the measure of the head with regard to its rapport with the measure of height at the withers. In the FCI, the measure of height is indicated traditionally at the withers. I think it’s useful to explain that this diction is also not precise, because the measurements are from a reference point to a reference point and the withers are not a point, but it is a region. In fact the correct measure must be made from the 4 vertebra of the withers to the ground tangent the elbow.

Size: medium-large size Molossus Dog. This is on the basis of Pierre Megnin classifications. In fact, the Cane Corso belongs with breeds marked by sexual dimorphism, in which the subjects exhibit two “size ranges”–medium size in females and large in males.

Another important (and current) part is the evaluation with respect to the habitus (habitus=meaning general constitution, especially bodily build) using the basis of the Duerst classification (see Fig. 1), the Cane Corso must have muscular a habitus, he would be the intermediate type between respiratory (Greyhound) and digestive (Neapolitan Mastiff). Morsiani, regarding this part notes “with an almost imperceptible tendency to the respiratory habitus” Why did Morsiani feel the need to specify this, when he wrote “imperceptible”? The meaning can only be: if an example of Cane Corso, may move a bit from the central desired position in the muscular habitus, the tendency cannot be in the direction of digestive habitus. This topic is bit complex, but it’s important that it is explained well, because it is one of the inherent problems of the breed. To do so I am forced into a digression of canine zoognostic. Essentially the increase in the mass can be obtained in two ways: with the change of classification or with the change of the habitus.

We find a good example of different classification in the Schnauzer breed. They have three formats or classifications; miniature, standard and giant (Riesenschnauzer), in this situation we are in front of an enlargement (like a photo). The range in the size fixed in the standard follows this approach. Completely different is the case of change to habitus, the mass increases, and the consequences result in changes in the construction of the dog. One of the biggest mistakes committed by the breeder (and often not penalized by the judges) is to use this wrong way to increase the bone structure and the mass. They not only create the hyper-type (incorrect over typey Cane Corsos, see Fig. 2), but in this manner they also warp other characteristic of breed. In the end I have serious doubts whether to consider them poor examples of a Cane Corso or another breed entirely).

In fact, the brilliant insights of Duerst were recently borne out by studies of constitutionalists. Digestive situations connected to Habitus can occur, penalizing from a functional point of view the endocrine system to which the subjects are hypooxidative and hypo-thyroid. These situations have the consequence of less capability to utilize the muscular energy and less reactivity—vivacity. In fact Morsiani also there refers to normal build (“or slightly hyper-oxidative”).

The increase in mass, which seems the fancy of many Cane Corso lovers, has other drawbacks related to the functional nature of a working dog.

In animal mechanics; canines included, there are passive organs of movement (skeleton and viscera) and active ones (muscles). Since the latter are linked to the external body; as size increases, their growth in proportion to body weight is lower. This means that dogs of a smaller size (in proportion) are faster and have more resistance than larger breeds.

There is a brilliant demonstration of this by Professor Giuseppe Solaro in his book (see Fig. 3). For those that are not convinced, here is another clarifying example in the case of attack of a man or another animal-the force of impact, the kinetic energy (Ec) expressed in kilogram-meters causes the subject to be influenced more by the speed than the weight.

This is calculated using the formula for kinetic energy Ec:

• Ec = ½W x S² x 9,81
• Ec = kinetic energy, S = speed in m/ sec, W = weight in kg,
• 9.81 = conversion coefficient J (Joule) to kgm (kilogram-meter)

With reference to the formula we can deduce that a subject weighing 50kg launched at a speed of 40 km/h (equal to m/s 11,111) will have an impact force equal to 314 Kgm (kilogram-meters), whereas a subject with a weight of 40 kg and a speed of 50 km (equal to m/s 13.890) will have a higher impact force; equal to 393 Kgm. The extreme example would be that of the bullet, its devastating strength comes from its impact velocity; its weight is in fact a few grams.

Another penalty coming from the increase in mass is the greater difficulty in heat dispersion, as shown efficiently by a study of Mr. Coppinger (see Fig. 4). Therefore, big dogs have less resistance to work, especially during warm days.

In conclusion it is important to pay close attention to the correct construction of the dog, as the Cane Corso is a wonderful example of balance between strength and agility, which leads to a functional beauty that expresses harmony of form and the optimum capability of work.

Additionally, the section of the AKC standard that pertains to body that I find would not be an accurate description is the following: “Depth of the ribcage is equal to half the total height of the dog, descending slightly below the elbow”. In the original Italian standard it is “descending at the elbow”. This difference in writing might seem very small but it is dangerous because it leaves an opening for a dog with heavy construction to be able to hide the fault of a short arm.

Head

A sensitive topic is the head. This is especially so in Europe where, with the goal to obtain the undershot bite, they produce dogs that far exceed the “slightly undershot” bite indicated in the breed standard, trespassing into hyper-type. Normally in these cases the problem is not only the dentition, but we find grave difference in other regions. Generally there is an accentuated convergence of the axes of the skull and the muzzle. In this case it also changes the position of the eyes from a sub-frontal to frontal position. The consequence of this change is also seen in the shape of the eyes, because in frontal position they become round. This scenario leads to the muzzle often being too short and nose backlog.

English is not my first language, however reading the AKC standard, “the depth of muzzle is more than 50 percent of the length of the muzzle” I can understand incorrectly that depth could be few more of the half of muzzle. I think it may be better to write “the depth of the muzzle is 50% greater of the length of the muzzle (one time and half).” It is just the case to remember that the measure of the depth of the muzzle is an axis from the top line of the muzzle to the inferior referral points the commissure of the lips. See Fig. 5.

Another important characteristic of the Cane Corso is the alignment of the incisors, these teeth must be in a straight line, and the canines are meant to be far apart. Mr. Morsiani put in evidence of this situation and gave us the indication that in the males the distance of the canines at the top must be at minimum 5, 5-5, 7 cm (about 2, 16-2, 44 inches). This type of dentition is useful, the lateral sides of the muzzle are parallel, therefore more width of the jaw, more bone, more muscle, more power to the bite.

Referring to the parallelism of the lateral side of the muzzle, it is very important to note that in the AKC standard it is not indicated, while another section states, “The top and bottom muzzle planes are parallel.” I sincerely don’t understand this description, because it is impossible. The lower profile is determined by the lips and them having a rounded form that remount in the direction of the nose. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding during the translation from Italian language.

Construction

As I said earlier, the Cane Corso is a trotter. Zoognostic science describes the different characteristics of a trotter as compared to a galloper and they must be made clear. In addition to a rectangular construction, they have good angulation, good angle of the metacarpal, oval feet. All these parts are connected. When we read of moderate angulation the meaning is for it to be not so extreme like the German Shepherd (that is considered the prototype of the trotter). The angle of the metacarpal and the oval shape of the feet it is very important, because they act as shock absorbers during movement (see Fig. 6). Looking at the picture you can understand exactly how wrong the description of the Corso’s feet in the standard is “Feet—Round with well-arched toes (catlike)”; this probably happened because round feet may be considered more elegant, but it’s contrary at the principles of zoognostic science and in fact the Cane Corso does not have the same feet as a galloper like a Doberman. To pretend the Cane Corso (trotter) has round feet is like having an off-road car with slick tires!

An aspect of the breed that judges should pay attention to would be the topline. The AKC standard states “Highest part of shoulder blade slightly rising above the strong, level back”. I don’t think this is the best description, and it doesn’t address the breed’s profile, the top line is the outline of the dog from the withers to the tail set (following the spine). The original standard states “upper line dorsal region straight, slightly convex at loin, the withers are clearly highest of the dorsal plane and the croup. Slightly convex at loin”. It must not be confused with convexity of the entire top line; this is of value, because it acts as a bridge between the front and back, it should be short, a slight camber gives further strength. The observation of the top line is also important because it may be a sign of other faults. For example if we note that the topline line doesn’t go up to the withers, but the rear is higher, probably we will have subjects with limited angulation (see Fig. 7).

If the dog has correct angulation, then it is likely that the subject will have short arms (see Fig. 8).

Eye

Another aspect that is very important in the judging of the breed is the knowledge of particular situations in relation to the eyes. Dogs have the capability to reflect light onto the retina, by means of the so-called “tapetum lucidum”, in this way amplifying the rays of light. For this it’s important to pay attention to backlight, otherwise the eyes will seem lighter. For the judges it’s important, during the judgment, to remember that the human eye is subject to optical illusion (in truth the illusions are not due to the eye, as it acts like a camera in fixing the images, but by our brain during the image’s processing). This is important during the evaluation of the dimension, in fact a white mass appears to be 20% larger than the equivalent in black. This can lead to errors in the evaluation in the Cane Corso breed with coats of different tones. The same for the brindle dogs, because vertical lines tend to stretch the vision, while horizontal ones widen it.

Presentation

The last topic that I want to address is presentation. In the past, there were a lot of dogs presented at the shows without any ring training. This was not good and made it difficult for the judges to judge dogs that were without composure. Today, especially in the important shows, this problem was been solved, but perhaps it is exceeded in the opposite direction, because the dogs are now too much manipulated during the presentation. This is not good, with the training it’s possible to present the dog in an unnatural manner to hide the fault. I think that the judges must look at the dogs like they are presented and after (moving the position) revise them in a natural position.

I understand the important role of the handler, especially in a vast country like the US. They permit the participation of an important number of dogs that otherwise, because of the problem of the distance (and costs) would stay at home. This said, I want to always remember that the dog is judged, not the presentation itself.

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Hello Cane Corso

The question most often asked about the majestic Cane Corso is how to pronounce the breed name. Cane Corso is pronounced Kah-Nay Kor-So. Sometimes the breed name is shortened to Corso as well. The Cane Corso hails from Southern Italy. Before 1988, the Cane Corso was only found on rural farms and was considered an extremely rare breed of dog. The dogs were used as all-purpose farm dogs, a drover, herder and protector of livestock and the farmer’s home. In addition to farm work, the Corso was also used to hunt difficult game, such a wild boar and bears.

Cane Corso and the US

The first litter of Cane Corsos was brought to the United States by Michael Sottile, Sr. in 1988. Sottile, Sr. brought another litter to the US a few years later, it was a repeat breeding of the first litter. This was the start of the Cane Corso in America. Since then, many American breeders have brought Cane Corsos from Italy and other parts of the world into the US breeding pool. An official breed club was formed in 1993, as well as a registry, in order to serve as a Parent Breed Club and start documenting the dogs in the US. In 2003 the club’s membership voted to seek AKC recognition. By 2007, Cane Corsos were approved to compete in the AKC Miscellaneous Class and the breed received full recognition in the Working group in July 2010.

Performance and the Cane Corso

As evidenced by its original uses on the farm, the Cane Corso is a versatile and intelligent working dog. They are the smallest of the Mastiff breeds and some would argue, the most athletic. In addition to possessing a typical temperament that shows endless devotion to their people, the Cane Corso is easily trained to do many tasks. Cane Corsos thrive when they are allowed to problem solve. These traits make for excellent competitors in Obedience, Rally, Agility, Tracking, Barn Hunt, Carting, Weight Pull and Protection Sports.

While the number of Cane Corsos competing in Conformation events continues to increase, the number of Cane Corsos titling in AKC performance Events and non-AKC performance events is also increasing. In 2016 more than 80 AKC performance event titles were awarded to Cane Corsos. Compare the 2016 number to the number of AKC performance titles awarded in 2011 where only 42 titles were awarded to Cane Corsos. We have doubled the number of Corsos competing and titling in Performance events.

The Cane Corso Association of America, AKC’s parent breed club, offers many Club titles to members whose Cane Corsos have titled in Performance events both non-AKC and AKC events.

Each year the number of Club titles awarded is steadily increasing as well.

But What Are They Really Like?

As puppies, Cane Corsos are full of energy and love to explore new things. Like mentioned earlier, they thrive when they are learning and as puppies when trained with a solid foundation of reward-based training, they do tend to retain all that they’ve learned rather well. Young Cane Corsos do require extensive socialization to new people, places and things. You cannot over-socialize this breed! Once a Corso reaches sexual maturity they may behave like teenagers–unruly, headstrong and defiant. If their foundation in training and socialization is solid and they have thoroughly bonded to their people, they will comply with their owners’ requests, eventually. It is this period of time where the notion of needing an experienced and confident owner takes precedence.

Are They Friendly?

As a breed, the Cane Corso tends to only want to socialize with people it knows. While some Corsos are very outgoing and friendly with new people, this is not typical for the breed. The Cane Corso should never be aggressive unless provoked, instead they tend to just ignore a new person. I try to describe them as a dog that likes to play hard to get. If a stranger ignores them while chatting with their owner, after a minute or two, the Corso will gently nudge the strangers’ hand to be petted. However, if the stranger wants to go right up to them and start petting, a Corso will typically just turn her head away and act disinterested.

Cane Corsos feel the same way about new people as they do about new dogs. They prefer to ignore dogs that aren’t in their immediate pack. Generally speaking, the Cane Corso is not suited to dog park or doggy daycare types of places.

As its historical use implies, the Cane Corso still makes an excellent guard dog. They will bark at a fence to alert that there may be intruders, even if it is just the mailman. They notice when something is different in their home and they will investigate it thoroughly, like a new car parked in the driveway or new furniture in the house.

The breed does love children. They tend to have a natural instinct to be calm and gentle with children and the elderly. This trait is what can make them exceptional therapy dogs. Many Cane Corsos have been successful participants in the Reading with Rover Program. Reading with Rover is a program that some schools offer where children can read books to the dogs to help improve their reading skills.

All in all, the Corso makes a wonderful companion for someone who has training experience and enjoys including their dog in all their daily activities. This stunning and imposing breed of dog is a big teddy bear with its people but can be a fierce protector if called upon to dispel a threat. They are truly a jack-of-all-trades breed!

The post Hello Cane Corso appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Judging the Cane Corso

Since the Cane Corso first appeared in the AKC show rings in July of 2010 we have seen a dramatic increase in the popularity and subsequent recognition of this magnificent breed. The breed has gone from relative obscurity to Rock Star-like status seemingly overnight. Obviously, there are some upsides to this sudden rise in popularity but for those of us that know and love this breed it’s also clearly a valid reason for concern.

An example I typically cite when new people call me with interest about the breed is this:

Many years ago when we first started out no matter where we would go the mere presence of these dogs with their impressive physiques and imposing looks would literally stop traffic in an effort to get a closer look. Today, the same can be said with the main difference being that back then no one knew what breed of dog they were. Now the first thing we hear is “That’s a Kane Corso” (wrong pronunciation) the 2nd thing we hear is that they know someone that has one and the 3rd thing we hear is “Do you want to breed that dog?”

The reason I’m mentioning any of this in an article about judging the Cane Corso is with this huge interest increase it is more important than ever for those who love this breed to preserve the best examples of breed type, characteristics, health and temperament that we possibly can. So for those particular judges in the AKC whose job it is to now accurately judge the Cane Corso—as if their job is not difficult enough—clearly looks to get more challenging in the future as a result of this popularity explosion.

Again; as the breed quickly made its presence felt in the summer of 2010, it was clear that the judges were at best apprehensive when given the assignment to judge this breed.

This was expected and after all understandable, given the varying accounts and differing descriptions of who and what these dogs were bred for and are capable of. In that first year all of us that had seen this breed evolved to this point worked diligently to present the best examples of the breed in conformation but even more importantly in temperament. This was in a concerted effort to put our judges at ease and allow them to begin to judge our dogs without feeling apprehensive based on knowledge (or possibly the lack thereof), or fearful based on the esthetic qualities of the breed – there’s no other way to explain it—the Cane Corso has presence.

To that end and for all things considered, I believe the judges have done a pretty good job when given the challenging assignment of judging the Cane Corso over their first three years in the AKC.

With that being said, I think it is fair to say the future of our breed and its ultimate destiny in the years to come will rely heavily on what we see in and around the AKC show rings throughout the country.

Obviously, it would be impossible in this short article to address every aspect of the Cane Corso standard so what I will attempt to do here is touch upon some of the areas that I think are of critical importance when judging the Cane Corso.

Gait/Movement

I like to refer to this description as basically “balance” and “soundness”. We must always remember the Cane Corso is a working dog bred for a purpose—first and foremost they should exhibit the clear ability to move soundly and effortlessly as any working dog should.

For me a sound dog is of critical importance when judging the Cane Corso.

The movement should be powerful with an almost effortless appearance. The reach and drive should be strong and impressive while the feet converge towards a center line of gravity in a seemingly single track and must never cross over in the front or the back.

Side gait in the “Around” moment should show a level topline with minimal bounce and roll with the head held slightly above level and the tail flowing at a natural angle and not tucked up against its rear.

In my opinion, more important than the side gait is the “Down and Back”. It is critical to sound movement. In the “Down” movement the feet should not splay outward and both the feet and hock should closely resemble the up and down motion of piston rods in a motor as the dog moves away. The hocks should move solidly and deliberately with the feet with no giggle, wobble, or movement from side to side. In the “Back” movement the front feet should also not splay outward or be thrown from the shoulder, elbow or wrist. The front legs and feet should appear to work in unison with the rear with minimal distraction of any kind.

Head Type

With regard to head type, I would like to make it clear that I am against referring to or classifying the Cane Corso as a quote “Head Breed”. I think this leads to too much attention being given to the head; however, I believe proper head type is another critical area when judging the Cane Corso.

When I look at correct head type I also take several things into consideration that are obviously part of the head.

In this area I will touch upon a few of the most important, namely:

Head:

The head should also be large with the total length being approximately ⅓ the height of the dog at the withers. The planes of the skull and muzzle should be slightly convergent and never parallel. The skin should be firm and smooth and void of excessive wrinkling. The skull viewed from the front is wide and should not have a round appearance in the area between the ears. We seem to be seeing more and more of these round skulls in the ring and it is simply not correct. The stop should NOT be a right angle, but should be pronounced and flow into the convergence of the skull.

Eyes:

The eyes should be of medium size with a clear almond shape, never bulging or big and round. The rims should be tight-fitting with minimal haw visible. Placement of the eyes is also a very important part of the head piece. The eyes should set slightly above the bridge of the muzzle thus allowing for a clean line of sight without turning its head from side to side. When viewing from the front, correct eye placement should be set at 15 degrees for females and 10 degrees for males as shown in the diagram above.

Nose:

The nose is another area I concentrate on. The nose should be large with open nostrils. We are seeing too much of what I call “Boxer nose” (a nose more commonly seen on a boxer) with closed nostrils showing up in the rings these days as opposed to the correct larger Molossoid nose with open nostrils. The pigment should be that of the overall pigment of the dog. Dogs that have grey pigment should have a grey nose dogs with black pigment should have a black nose and so on. The nose should be seen as an extension of the muzzle’s topline and should not protrude beyond nor should it recede the front plane of the muzzle.

Muzzle:

One of the most important aspects of the head should be its square muzzle. The muzzle should be wide and deep, the width should be almost equal to its length which should be NOT less than 1/3 the total length of the head. Correct muzzle depth should be more than 50% of the length of the muzzle. As viewed from the front the muzzle should also be as wide and as deep and should appear as a trapezoid. The downward view of the muzzle should closely resemble a square. The muzzle should never be narrow or pointy. LIPS: Lips should be firm, thick and hang moderately without excessive dewlap. When viewed from the front they should form an upside-down U as opposed to the upside-down V. Again, the pigment should be that of the rest of the dog.

Bite:

Slightly undershot (not more than ¼ inch) is preferred, however, a scissor bite is acceptable if the parameters of the under jaw allow for proper expression and muzzle stop. Dentition should be complete with no more than 2 missing teeth.

Angulation

Every breeder has his or her “gotta have” or “absolutely hate” areas when it comes to our dogs. For me, one of those areas is angulation or more importantly the complete lack thereof.

To my earlier point—these are working dogs bred to do a job. The Cane Corso needs to have some kind of angulation not only to avoid injuries such as ACLs and hock issues but it is also needed to perform even the simplest of tasks be it working, hiking, moving in the ring, or out on the trial field. For me personally, having a dog that is straight in the rear gives off the impression of half a dog and it almost always has a negative effect on the topline.

Examples of Cane Corsos that not only have no angulation and are straight in the stifle can be seen in any show ring across the country on any given weekend.

The standard calls for “moderate” angulation. My preference is slightly more moderate than anything less than moderate.

I believe the overall structure of the Cane Corso has to include a solid, powerful rear. Speaking as an experienced breeder who has an ethical conscience, we must strive to keep the balance correct by always being mindful of proper angulation and strong rears. I can see this as being an area that if not closely watched by judges in the ring we could even begin seeing less of it moving forward.

Many breeders in Europe feel that in America, we like too much angulation and most of us here feel that the dogs in Europe lack in this area as well as the rear area overall.

Again, I think it is critical not only in the development of the breed but also in judging these dogs for many years in the future. Something I am always looking to maintain and continue to build upon is a solid rear with balanced and proper angulation. Above are examples of angulation both good and bad and a diagram of the proper way to measure correct, moderate angulation.

The post Judging the Cane Corso appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Where did you grow up? Do you come from a doggie family, and if not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin?

Alexia Rodriguez: I grew up in Catonsville, Maryland, in the 1980s and ‘90s. My mom was a single mother who had never owned dogs. Around age 11 or 12, I began to really want a dog. My mom made me go to the library and start reading about dog breeds. She had minimal, yet strict, parameters for any potential dog. It had to be small, and couldn’t be a barker.

She was especially insistent that we find a breed of dog called a Japanese Chin. In the books we read, it said they were small and didn’t bark. My mother also knew this was an extremely rare breed, so she figured we would never find one in the newspaper. In 1988, the only way we knew to find a dog was to look at the classified listings or go to a pet store. After what felt like an eternity of studying dog breed books and scouring the newspaper each Sunday, we happened to go to a pet store at the mall. Lo and behold, there sat a black-and-white Japanese Chin puppy! My mother didn’t have much money and I remember her putting the purchase on a credit card. I was absolutely ecstatic! We named him Ureshi Mitsu and he was my life.

A few months after buying him, a flyer circulated at school for a “fun match dog show.” I remember the flyer said, “ALL AKC REGISTERED BREEDS ALLOWED.” I was so excited because my Japanese Chin was AKC registered and I could hardly wait to go to the show and do something with my dog. We arrived at the fun match and I had no idea what class to enter, but the one that said “Junior Showmanship” sounded appropriate so that’s what we entered. I placed fourth in a class of five and I was hooked!

Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their influence.

Alexia Rodriguez: My early mentors growing up were George and Sherrie Howes of Hiswill Hounds, Chad Howard of Chaseland, and Faith Milton of Huang Kung Japanese Chin. As an adult, I’ve been lucky enough to have many mentors and like-minded individuals who I can collaborate with on breeding plans, talk openly about temperament and structure, and ask for feedback on challenges that come up. I feel very fortunate to have surrounded myself with a small group of breeders who share a similar vision for the future of our breeds.

The Potrero Cane Corsos and Lowchen are widely known, highly successful and well respected. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to?

Alexia Rodriguez: With the Corsos, if you want to make lasting improvements in the breed, you have to have what I call a “healthy appetite for risk and an even healthier dose of optimism.” The Corso has a lot of challenges when making choices for breeding. Temperament, health, and working ability are the top three things I always consider when putting two dogs together. Temperament has ALWAYS been and always will be my NUMBER 1 factor in any breeding decision. For me, no amount of perfect conformation traits, titles, or wins will warrant using a dog with a poor temperament in my breeding program. This goes for the Lowchen as well.

In Lowchen, when I was planning my first few litters, I relied heavily on my mentor, Gillian Robertson, to guide me with regard to choosing which pedigrees to move forward with. Gillian was instrumental in helping me define what I wanted, offering me history on the dogs in each pedigree, and helping me choose those early puppies to move forward with.

Now I feel I have established a type that I prefer and is prominent when you see one of my Lowchen. The tough part in Lowchen is getting enough dogs to outcross to and keep the type strong and consistent. By partnering with fellow Lowchen breeder Jennie Chen, she and I have managed to help make this happen. I jokingly call her “my enabler.”

How many dogs do you typically house? Tell us about your current facilities and how the dogs are maintained.

Alexia Rodriguez: In addition to breeding, I am also a professional dog trainer. We have about 10 to 15 dogs on the property at any time.

We have four Corsos that are permanent residents and four Lowchen that are also permanent residents. We also have a pet Frenchie as well as a Malinois for sporty things. We have two big dogs that live in the house full-time, along with the “littles.” Everyone else is in our kennel. I have outdoor runs on concrete for daytime use, but at night or when we aren’t home, everyone is crated in a temperature-controlled building. We also have acreage and live in a very rural area. I am able to let the dogs run our property and go on hikes in our locality. It’s important to me that I give each dog individual attention every day, either by training them or exercising them with a run. I feel fortunate to be able to make my living as a professional dog trainer, which allows me this flexibility in my daily routine.

Please comment positively on the present condition of both your breeds, and what trends might bear watching.

Alexia Rodriguez: Cane Corso: I was asked to judge the CCAA Top 20 event in Houston, in July 2023. I was pleasantly surprised that the dogs and bitches were of correct size and substance, with pleasing headpieces and seemingly stable temperaments. In the past, the trend had been to promote dogs that were oversized. Now I see the trend going back to producing a more functional animal, which is a major, positive shift. I’m also seeing more Corsos competing in performance as well as conformation. This is a wonderful trend for our Working breed.

Lowchen: At our National in June 2023, in Vallejo, California, the competition was truly stunning. You could have made a case for most class animals to win points. The Best of Breed class was exceptional. I believe the depth of quality has increased tremendously since I started.

I also see a major uptick in popularity of the breed, at least on social media. With the very few breeders we have and the small litter sizes, I don’t feel limited popularity is a bad thing. We need people to want Lowchen as companions just as much as we need folks to want them as competition dogs.

The sport has changed greatly since you first began as a breeder-exhibitor. What are your thoughts on the current state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?

Alexia Rodriguez: I think that in order to attract and keep new folks, we’ve all got to relax. Relax our dress code, relax our emotions, relax our judgment, and relax our complaining on social media.

If we look at the shows that attract the most exhibitors and spectators, I notice that the kennel clubs that make the experience fun, with casual dress and a theme that everyone can take part in, are some of the most well-attended and talked-about dog shows. Being a West Coast person, I obviously look at Woofstock as an example.

Another improvement could be making entering a dog show easier to do online. Have you ever coached a new owner through entering their dog in a show? It’s daunting and very confusing, unless you have someone walk you through it step by step. I think that superintendents need to update their online systems with responsive website design as it relates to the entire system. I feel this is more urgent than updating with real-time results.

While I, too, value longstanding dog show traditions and the prestige of our most famous dog shows, we need to understand that for the regular person, those types of shows can feel intimidating and not a realistic hobby. We need to market our hobby as an inclusive and fun place for a family to attend, and hopefully participate in together.

I love the idea of having special attractions like agility tryouts or obedience tryouts which offer same-day entry. We need to market these events in our community more effectively. Perhaps school flyers with details for an upcoming, local dog show would be a great way to get more spectators out to attend.

Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?

Alexia Rodriguez: In 10 or 20 years, I hope that I’m able to continue to produce quality dogs that excel in whatever venue they are placed in. I also hope to dabble in a Sporting breed down the road. I absolutely love the pointing breeds and really want to immerse myself in hunting dog training at some point.

I also hope that the new generation of people I’m helping now will continue to breed and produce great dogs.

In Cane Corsos, I hope that we are able to find a genetic marker for epilepsy in my lifetime. In Lowchen, I hope we are able to continue to expand the breed’s popularity as a companion, and attract more experienced breeders who can continue the breed on its current path.

The post Alexia Rodriguez | Potrero Cane Corsos and Lowchen appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Interview with Dr. Ayalla Ruvio, Breeder of Black Pearl Cane Corso

Where do I live? What is your occupation? How many years in dogs?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: I am a marketing professor at the Broad College of Business, Michigan State University. GO GREEN! My family and I are originally from Israel, and today we live in Williamston, which is a beautiful small town in Michigan. I have been a breeder for over 15 years. I had my first Cane Corsos, “Puma” and “Zarina,” in Israel before we moved to the US in 2008. We got them from Lazar Gerassi (Gerassi Corso) and brought them with us when we moved. Zarina was our foundation female, a true Corso and an amazing dog. She was my soulmate, and I miss her every day.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: Our kennel name is Black Pearl Cane Corso. We normally have between 6-7 dogs living with us. Unfortunately, in the past six months, we lost two of them to old age (11.5 years old).

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: Without a doubt, “Royal” (Black Pearl Guardiano Dei Reali) is our most notable winner. But, what makes him special is not all the titles that he has in any possible sport. Rather, he was my daughter’s first true show dog. They grow up together in the show ring and reached highs that I never imagined they could. Some of their remarkable achievements include winning Select Dog twice at Westminster (when Lihi was 16 and 17 years old), being ranked Top 5 in the country and No. 1 Lifetime as an owner-handler. Royal also volunteers as a Therapy Dog and he is a blood doner at MSU.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: Black Pearl Chai was one of the most influential dams in my breeding. She has produced a long list of Therapy Dogs. Drexel University Therapy Dogs are all related to her. As for a sire, I don’t really have one that stands out. Over the years, we’ve produced great males with solid structure and temperament.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: We do not have a “facility.” Our dogs live with us, and our puppies are whelped in our home and raised by my family and my dogs. They learn early how to behave in a pack and how to be great family dogs. Socialization and exposure to different activities are key for ensuring a stable temperament. We also crate-train them before sending them home. One notable thing that I will mention about raising our puppies is that they grow up with tons of stuffed animals. Softness is extremely important to puppies. When we send them to their new homes, each family gets the puppy’s most favorite stuffed animal to take with her. It helps the puppy to transition to its new home, and it is not unusual for our puppies to cherish these toys for years to come. They do not destroy them.

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: We normally sell all of our puppies as pets. Our only requirement of our owners is that they will love their puppy as much as we love our dogs. We match our puppies with our owners based on their lifestyle, activities, other pets they may have, and other factors like these. That said, we do evaluate our puppies when they are eight weeks old in terms of conformation. This gives us an indication of the overall characteristics of each puppy. Since our puppies grow up in our home, we know their temperaments and drive at a very young age.

Do I compete in Performance Events? In Parent Club Tests & Trials?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: We compete with our dogs in a wide range of sports, including Obedience, Rally, Fast CAT, Lure Coursing, IGP, and others. Most of them are AKC events. Others are local events.

Is “performance” part of my decision-making when it comes to breeding?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: A good Performance Dog should have a sound conformation and a stable temperament. Conformation and temperament, along with overall health, are the factors that we make breeding decisions on. A Performance Dog does not necessarily mean a good producer, or even a good Performance producer. But, if you, as a breeder, focus on good conformation and solid temperament, you will have a good foundation for Performance Dogs. Drive and ability will show up naturally in some of the puppies in every litter.

Are there any health-related concerns in my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: Like any large size breed, Cane Corsos are susceptible to join issues such as hip or elbow dysplasia. Unfortunately, epilepsy is another health concern that many breeders struggle with, as well as heart issues. Like other mastiffs, Corso can have eye problems such as entropion or ectropion. Finally, Dental-Skeletal-Retinal Anomaly (DSRA) is a hereditary disease that results in dental irregularities, skeletal abnormalities, and progressive vision loss that is specific to the breed.

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: Cane Corso can be wonderful family dogs if socialized and trained properly. This is not a breed for everyone. Those who own this breed must have the time and the commitment to make these amazing dogs truly exceptional. Anything short of that—get an easier breed.

What is the biggest misconception about my breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: Cane Corsos do not play like other dogs. They play ruff, while crashing into each other. They are also very vocal and talkative. Taken together, they may appear aggressive to those who are unfamiliar with the breed when, in fact, they are just having fun. Corso style fun!

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: A Cane Corso should be a Working breed. If a dog cannot even run around the ring, that’s not a Corso.

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: Breeding is a marathon, not a sprint. Take the time to learn about the breed, its history, its lines, and its Breed Standard. Learn how to pronounce the name of the breed correctly. And, remember that with every mistake you make, a living creature will suffer from or pay the price for it.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Working Dog?

Dr. Ayalla Ruvio: Sending your dogs out to the yard, a total of 500-pounds of pure muscle and looks that can intimidate people from miles away… then you see them all grazing like cows… oh well!

Are you looking for a Cane Corso puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Cane Corso dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

Cane Corso Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the majestic Cane Corso dog breed with articles and information in our Cane Corso Dog Breed Magazine.

The post Black Pearl Cane Corso | Ayalla Ruvio appeared first on Showsight Magazine.