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Cane Corso - Advice before I adopt / Breeder Suggestions / Introduction

Vantage

Well-Known Member
First time mastiff-forum member, first time Corso owner (to be), not first time dog owner. Hello Forums!I fell in love with the Cane Corso when I first saw one about four years ago. Since that time I have always wanted one, and knew I would one day. To be honest when I was younger, 16, I wanted a Corso because I thought they looked amazing. Now that I am older I really want the responsibility of caring for a pup, and creating "that" bond. I plan to do a LOT of obedience training, because who doesn't like a well manner pup? As well, I find it creates a much stronger bond between the two of you. I have done a lot of reading on this breed (and other breeds as well) so I think I know what I am in for. Although all dogs are different and don't always match what you have read about them.Question ONE:I was hoping some of you mastiff or corso owners could chime in and give me some suggestions on this breed. How is your pup? Things you wish you knew before you bought them, or things you learned after getting them? Troubles you had with your pup? Things you love about them?Question TWO:I was also hoping I could get some suggestions on a GREAT breeder? I am in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area. I do not mind driving 3-4 hours for a great pup! I'd rather not have him shipped but may consider if I really can not find one in my area. Every breeder I have found requires you to fill out a puppy application, and will only sell to owners they see fit. I have only found one breeder (that in my eyes) is amazing, temperament tested, health tested, and very well socialized. [Cane Corsos of Troy]. So I really hope they accept my application. Otherwise I may have to look down south (In the United States) Or elsewhere in Canada. I have great preference towards a black or blue pup. Maybe someone can suggestion a breeder?Extra Information:[What I am looking for in my pup]I want a dog with a strong, impressive presence. One that is protective of it's family, yet still has a very good temperament. A pup with strong working drive, that will still cuddle/sit with you at the end of the night. I plan of doing a lot of obedience training starting as soon as I get him (I want a male). And would like to get into protection training after he is older, if temperament and obedience is great!(I understand this would greatly increase my responsibility for him.)[A little background of my Family and I]My parents and I have been wanting to add a large breed dog to our family for quite some time now. We opted to wait since we were living in a town home, but will be moving to a large detached home with a big fenced yard in a matter of weeks! I will be responsible for taking care of the pup, and help out financially where I can, but my parents have agreed to cover the financial part of things. I am in my very early twenties, and dealing with a back injury (chronic problem). So obedience/training would be a big thing for me! I can not have an out of control 100+lb pup, but I do not worry about this as I am confident I can train him, and will be taking him to many obedience classes.We have a four year old male Yorkie who is well trained, and knows all basic commands (sit, down, stay, stand, leave it, no, fetch, responds to commands in a second language, we can shave him/bath him/cut his nails without any fuss). I am currently working on the heel command with him. He lives inside and we often joke that he has a better life than some peoples kids lol. (He will sleep beside us in our bed, usually hide his head under our blanket. Is very well groomed. Will curl up on our sofa inside a blanket in the cold. Eats our home cooked food (eggs, rice, meat/fish, etc.) Brushes his teeth every night.)
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
I apologize for the wall of text. I had everything broken into nice organized paragraphs..... It also will not allow me to edit it.-.-
 

Hiraeth

Well-Known Member
So, I do not have a Corso or a Mastiff. I will not answer breed specific questions in order to allow more experienced owners to chime in on those.

Generally, though, there are a few things to think about here. The biggest thing to think about is this - Toronto, Ontario has an active and very harsh Pit Bull ban. Now, I am aware that a Cane Corso is NOT a Pit Bull. But most people out there aren't. You will face calls to the police if your dog isn't muzzled in public OR on non-enclosed property, and general discrimination everywhere you go. It's up to you whether you want to shoulder that burden, but I'd *really* advise that you think carefully about your choice. ONE incident with another person claiming that your dog was aggressive, and because of the appearance of your dog, it will be immediately seen as the aggressor in EVERY situation. That adds a lot of stress to the burden of owning what is already not a super 'easy' breed.

You're talking about training as if it's going to turn your dog into a perfect, well-mannered dog from the beginning. It's not. Puppies are puppies. They roughhouse, they run around, they ignore your commands, they're sometimes difficult. And you are absolutely going to have a 100+ lb unruly adolescent dog, because almost all adolescent dogs are unruly. I have a very well trained (he knows 20+ commands and we train actively for about an hour a day) and well behaved 120 lb. 7.5 month old Great Dane. Doesn't stop him from launching himself at my head when he's in his puppy zoomie mode and his brain goes somewhere else.

If you have chronic back problems, young, large/giant breed puppies are probably not a good choice for you. I used to have chronic sciatica, so believe me, I know a bit about back pain. Having a puppy requires a lot of movement. Picking up toys, taking away something they might be chewing on that you don't want them to have, cleaning up accidents, playing, training. This all requires leaning over, standing up and in general quite high levels of activity. How will you walk your dog 30 minutes twice a day if he ends up pulling on the leash (as most adolescent dogs do)?

I don't want to crush your dream. I also don't want to set you up for having a puppy you can't take care of by ignoring these issues. I think an older dog (1.5-2 years) from a reputable breeder would be a far better choice for your situation, and potentially a breed that cannot so easily be discriminated against with Ontario's ridiculous BSL laws in mind.
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
I appreciate the bluntness of your answer. I do not want sugar coated answers, but information I can really think about before taking on such a huge responsibility. I'm not actually in the "hustle and bustle" of downtown Toronto, more around the suburbs of Mississauga area. I have never taken my dog out without a leash, unless there was a closed/fenced area for him. I was at a club where someone brought a very well behaved corso, who was just standing beside him ignoring the ten+ other people in the room. I pet him and he didn't seem to mind or move a muscle. Granted he was an older pup and was well trained.
I understand it takes hours on top of hours, months on top of months to have a dog that will actually listen to you. You can train them in your home or at a training class, but everything is out the window the *first time you try it in a park or store. These are things I understand I will have to consistently work on. Consistently being the key thing here. There is where I want my pup to be; [video=youtube;rCS4GJ7FrTA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCS4GJ7FrTA[/video] ...I have contacted this trainer (in the video) and will be taking my pup to him if I do end up getting one. Again I do know that this is something that is not achieved over night. And I do find puppies still have that puppy mentality and don't really understand the household and all the rules until they have been with you a good couple years... they still have that puppy trait in them.
As for the pulling on a leash, that is one of my major concerns. I figured if I started teaching early (2-3 months) along with the help of a real knowledgable trainer (posted above), that I would have good control of the puppy by the age of 6-8months. My mom would also help with a second walk of the day if needed. She is a bodybuilder (of 5+years). I do have back troubles, but was also seriously into bodybuilding for 4+ years with a WBFF trainer so I'm not exactly a toothpick. However I'm sure a full grown Corso could take just about anyone off their feet if they so chose to.
As for the little things, I know puppies are like babies. You must get on your hands and knees and see every little thing they can possibly get in their mouth. I would be crate training him, but accidents are inevitable with pups, you just have to deal with it when it happens and make sure you are watching them more closely next time. As for other scenarios where the pup is poking somewhere he should't, or decides he want to chew on your shoe laces, you have to get up and address that problem. (This is just one reason I want a pup, to have more responsibly and other things to do.)
I also read that Corsi have delicate hips/bones as a puppy and should not be climbing stairs or jumping up and down from beds and sofa, which is another thing I must keep in mind.
Again thank you @Hiraeth for the honest response. I want and need these type of answers so I can really go over and think about all the responsibilities that comes with such a breed. I thought I'd add, I am not exactly new to large breed dogs either, as I grew up with a lab/golden mixed pup, and my best friend has a King Shepard that I'll play tug-o-war, fetch and soccer with regularly.
 

Hiraeth

Well-Known Member
It's good that you're already in contact with a trainer to prepare. Just a side note - the dog in the video is a high drive, working Malinois. And yes, the dog is amazing. If you expect that kind of result out of a CC, you're probably going to be disappointed. CCs are intelligent and trainable, yes, albeit generally a bit stubborn. They cannot be compared to the drive and willingness to work of a field line Malinois. There's a reason Malinois are the foremost IPO dogs in the world. They're BRED for work like that. The CC you will be getting should be pet bred, which means that breeders have worked over generations to slightly reduce drive, stranger wariness and DA tendencies in order to produce a more suitable home companion. You can definitely work with a CC to do some amazing things. But you will probably not get the responsiveness, quickness and overall drive the Mal in that video displays.

You're right about stairs and jumping. No giant/large breed should jump off of furniture at a young age, or run up and down stairs at excessive speeds. Teaching him to go up and down stairs slowly and carefully at a young age is a good exercise, though.

Question - you say your parents are going to provide the financial backing for this puppy? Do they realize how much a well bred CC puppy costs and the importance of buying one from a good breeder who researches and breeds for good temperament? A poorly bred CC with temperament issues would be an absolute disaster for your situation. You definitely need to set yourself up for success by doing the research and buying from someone with titles on their dogs.

The breeder you posted about concerns me for the following reasons:

1. The dogs aren't conformation or sport titled, looks like they're just breeding the dogs for the sake of breeding and profit. Many of the dogs looked to be outside of the standard (they're too large).

2. While it looks like they're health testing, the OFA papers posted for the dogs are preliminary exams, as they were done before the dogs were two years old. They're not actual OFA tests and are not certified results.

3. Puppies shouldn't be priced based on color and show quality. Each puppy took the same amount of money, resources and time to produce. Therefore each puppy in the litter should be the same price whether it's going to a show home or not.

4. They charge you to socialize the puppy? Uh uh, turn around and run the other way. Puppy socialization is not an "extra". Every good breeder should socialize each puppy regardless of whether they're being paid to or not.

There are some very knowledgeable CC people on this forum who can point you in a better direction. BlackShadowCaneCorso is one, I believe. I hope they chime in here soon :)
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
Thanks again for taking your time to write that :). Sorry to hear about your sciatica. One suggestion, much like little children do, if you have to get anything that requires you to bend at your hips to reach, do not bend over, but squat. :p I find this way you are much less likely to aggravate your back.The dog in that video is very impressive. You don't see a dog pay that much attention/ have that great of focus on the handler very often! I have to agree with you there, on that being a working dog breed!I appreciate you pointing out those things about that breeder. Some of those things seem a little "tricky" if you are not very knowledgeable on some of the more specific facts. Like your suggestion of their exams being preliminary ones. I do agree some of their dogs appear to be larger than what you would want in this breed. ...Part of the reason I came here, to get some more practical and knowledgable advice. Hopefully some Corso owners could chip in some information as well soon :). I really want a pup from a GREAT breeder, as he will be part of my family, I would want a healthy pup with good genetics and bloodline.We (my parents and I) are aware this is not a cheap breed. I'm expecting to pay something between $2-3.5K. We will only be feeding him high quality food, and also cook from him as we do with our Yorkie from time to time. I will be covering the costs of training and obedience, also expecting to pay a couple grand overtime. I also understand that there are some breeders out there that have working bloodline pups that have not been as bred down to "pet" quality?
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
ugh, this time the < p > (without spaces) didn't separate the paragraphs? -.- ... I don't like walls of text :(.
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
I just thought I'd add, I read the "contract" of a couple other breeders in my area (1-3hour drive range) and some of the contracts just had me thinking WHAT?! NO WAY! This is ridiculous. I had browsed black-shadows site before and it seemed pretty nice. I just read there contract and it seemed very reasonable to me! Goes to show you how wack some breeders can be lol.
 

Hiraeth

Well-Known Member
I use < br >< br > (minus the spaces) to break paragraphs.

Other CC people would have to chime in on working line versus pet quality. From what I know of working line Shepherds, those dogs need a job. Constantly. Not just a few training sessions a day. They're really for people who have extensive amounts of free time to train and who have a specific task in mind. Working dogs do not have great off switches. If you want a household companion, a 'pet quality' puppy from someone who DOES something with their dogs is the way to go. Find a breeder who does trials, or rally, or obedience, or something. That will tell you that they're producing dogs who have a work drive, but not an obsessive work compulsion like a lot of hardcore working lines.

Breeders can be very tricky about trying to appear reputable. Definitely, if you have ANY reservations, post on this site and ask, or PM a knowledgeable member and ask :)
 

irina

Well-Known Member
I have a cc. He is going to be 3 in July. We have been going to obedience classes and doing training every day since day one. He has his beginner rally obedience title, working on advanced. He likes to work. However, he was found not suitable for schutzhund, not enough drive and focus. He is very well trained, but is not 100% reliable. He could still lunge at a cat jumping out of the bushes and forget that is supposed to be in a heal. There are very few corsos in schutzhund and protection work for a good reason. They do not have enough drive and desire to work, they are too independent and stubborn. Had it not been such a pain I would have posted a video of Ajax working at 6 months. Pretty good focus, but will never be as good as a Malinois. Oh yeah, and mine is still an excitable puppy, still waiting for him to mature and calm down.
 

irina

Well-Known Member
Also I don't think that there is really such thing as working line cc, since they don't really work these days, unless you import from Italy. Cooking for a dog is not such a great idea either. Feed high quality kibble or raw if you can afford it.
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
That is a real cute Corso yah got there! Did you purchase him from a breeder? Also was he/she spayed/neutered?(If so, at what age?) As well, did you have to "sign a contract" for him?

See I know I can get a "pure bred" corso off Kijiji any day I want, for around a thousand, but health and temperament play a huge role in the pup I get imo. I would not want a pup from someone who just threw two Corsi together for money, or worse had an "accidental" litter. Nothing wrong with that, everyone needs a home... but I want the best for my family (as well as the pup, It would really hurt me to see him hurting!).

One thing that seems to bother me is the contracts some of these breeders are forcing you to sign. Specifically that fact they require you to spay/neuter the pup (some by as early as 6months..WHAT?!) Or that they will microchip it but with the BREEDERS address and information.. again I would not be comfortable with that.. if they randomly decide, hey that is not your pup anymore it's mine, after he's been with me for 3-4 years.. that would be heartbreaking!!!! Or where they say you will have to be a co-owner with them? Uhmm no? The way our Yorkie is treated is the way our Corso will be treated... nothing but the best! Some contracts require you to show certificates of obedience training which is totally fine with me, as I look forward to training him and look forward to taking him to Cl@$$es...with an S! For the entirety of his life. Sure if he's trained he's trained, but it doesn't hurt to throw him in another class and touch up on it, learn new things, and continue to test him in different ways/environments!

I'm pretty fixated on the Cane Corso breed. Not just for its look but its characteristics! The fact that they need consistent work, training, that you must show you are the alpha, that they are protective of family by nature are just some of the traits that won me over. There are other impressive, protective, strong breeds like the King Shepard (my close friend has), Dogo Argentino (someone I know has one as well), Rottweilers and other mastiff breeds, but there is just something about a Corso that really appeals to me. The only other breed that came close was a Husky, but after understanding they are not as affectionate, and wouldn't always be down to cuddle or sit with you, like a Corso would, I knew the Corso was THE one.
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
By cooking, I mean we give him some plain rice, boiled eggs, meat and fish from time to time. The majority of the time he eats his natural, organic, top shelf kibble. If I was to get a large breed dog, when older, then I would not mind buying bulk raw chicken for him, or other types of meats.
 

irina

Well-Known Member
He was purchased from a breeder on Vancouver island. His sister just had a litter. He was not and still is not neutered. We did have sign a contract, and co-owned him until he was two, then ownership transferred to me. You will have sign a contract with any good breeder. Good giant breed breeder will actually require you NOT to neuter before 2 years old. We were supposed to neuter at 2 as per contract, but the breeder said she trusts me and knows I will not breed him without contacting her first, so we could leave him intact if we wanted to. He is microchipped with both our and the breeder's information on file. This simply shows that the breeder cares about each and every pup. The breeder cannot all of a sudden decide that it is their dog all of a sudden with no cause. This is what the contract is for. It is protecting both sides. It makes sure that you treat the dog properly and it also protects your rights and spells out the health guarantee as well as recause for any other issues that might come up. It is a legally binding document. The dog is your property and nobody can simply take it away from you unless you breached the terms of the contract. There is no problem with co-ownership. In fact it is kind of a compliment to your dog, since usually show and breeding potential pups would be co-owned. Pet quality simply means that the dog has an appearance flaw or less than perfect proportions and would never be a conformation champion. Most breeders would choose the best dog for you, rather than you choosing one. I remember being put off by that at first. A good breeder would almost never choose based on your color preference.
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
Oh thats nice of the breeder! Sounds like you two have a good relationship. So you got your pup local i presume? Thats nice, I would prefer local as well, as I really do not want to ship a pup and put any unnecessary stress on him. But if I really can not find one then I may consider... Heck I might even end up driving down to the states or something instead! Looks like I have a lot more research to do towards co-ownership, finding a good breeder, as well as checking information on the contract is agreeable. I seriously do not want to neuter my boy, as I find it changes their temperament and drive. Definitely will not do it before 18months! Maybe I can talk something into the contract where I am not required to neuter, but am still obliged to not breed with him.

Well the search continues! I am still hoping others with post some breeder suggestions. Also some more information of their baby and any other information they may find relevant, as to caring for the pup, and any other things I should consider before bringing one home! :)
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
Thanks @Harry Great community out here! :)

And once again, thanks @Hiraeth, for pointing out that "tests" from the breeder I listed were only preliminary consultations. I went to the official OFA site and tried back tracking the registration numbers (from the consultation), but nothing comes up, which tells me that is as far as they went with it :(. (Quite unfortunate actually). I also backtracked - went through the OFA site, filtered through "excellent" hip scores of pups they have actually tested, and found various breeders which seem MUCH, MUCH more reputable. Granted they all seem to be spread out through the United States :S. So much more researching and searching to do for a GREAT breeder to be found. It would be really nice to find a breeder in Ontario, or Canada even... but as of this very moment, looks like a road trip may be necessary! ha.

Also open to more suggestions from current owners! :)

And yes, I don't post very much (I think I should start though!), but I spent a long time browsing other sections and some of yah guys have some veerrryyy cute Corsi pictures posted up! A lot seem to show how loving and affection they are! +++
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
the last sentence got cut out?..
+++ ... This is what makes me want this breed that much more! How they lay upside down in your laps, with you guys on your sofa
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
wtf? ... The best of both worlds! You have the strong presence, dominate, protective, stubborn nature which makes you work and train with them that much more! But they still have that extra loving affectionate side to them!
 

BlackShadowCaneCorso

Super Moderator
Staff member
Sorry for the delay in replying the kids and other half are keeping me busy. If you need me for something the fastest way is to email me as I don't get on here every day :) Hiraeth laid it out pretty well as far as what to look for an evaluating breeders. We have an abundance of "breeders" (and I use that term very loosely) breeding their dogs up here with little to no knowledge of the breed or ensuring that they are at the very least not damaging it. Temperaments can range from overly aggressive (not desired) to sketchy as hell (also not desired) to somewhere in between. Even in one kennel you can find those that are aloof and those that are more social, it depends entirely on the individual dog. Like people each dog is an individual and while breeding we try to get as close to particular goal in mind for that pairing it doesn't always work out that way. Shipping can seem like a big thing but limiting yourself based on location isn't a great idea at this point with this breed. Importing from the US isn't difficult if you choose to go that route (not so easy to import from Canada to the US but that is a different story). In Canada there are very few breeders that are health testing, breeding for correct temperament and correctness as well as doing something with their dogs, especially when you look at the number of pups you can find for sale in most areas. Most reputable breeders will not sell/guarantee a colour as they are breeding for a quality, temperament and health and consider these more important than the colour. If they have more than one puppy that meets those specifications than they will at that time likely not have an issue with allowing a choice based on colour preference. Also as was said most breeders will match you with a pup, they have observed and taken notes of the puppies for 8 weeks and hopefully been talking to you based off your application to ensure they can provide what you are looking for. I don't know any responsible breeders that will sell dogs outright unless on a spay/neuter contract, although most now with the newer research showing that it is better to wait until later, will not require spaying/neutering until the dog is mature. If the dog stays intact most will remain as a co-own and the micro-chip usually carries both owner and breeders name so that both are notified if the dogs are picked up. Most contracts will require you to do at least one (likely more than that) obedience class to ensure you are on your way to building a great bond with your pup. As was said there are not a lot of CC that are titled in IPO because the temperament of the dogs aren't always suited to it, there are exceptions to the rule but your best bet is to find those that are working their dogs and look for those with those lines or recommendations from them as to who is doing what with their dogs. There is a breeder/dog trainer (potentially in your area, not overly familiar with how close she is to TO) named Jill Beach, BeachCastle K9 foundation that I am sure would not mind letting you come out and meet her dog (s) and she is working towards titles with her CC as well in IPO. I don't know what her plans are for the future but she might know of some in the area that can help you with your search or recommend someone in the US based on her connections. Dogs advertised on Kijiji as "purebred" but without papers are not considered Purebred by law, and they are not supposed to be advertising them as such as the animal pedigree acts says if it is purebred it must come with papers. We are a pretty small community up here for breeders and most tend to know of it not know individual breeders themselves but the corso community isn't always fun to deal with. If there is anything I can help with let me know and I will do the best I can.