heapha Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Hi My husband and I lost our beautiful Rotti x Mastiff earlier this year. We had rescued him as an 8 year old and he got to the very impressive age of 16 but nerve deterioration in his spine was causing his back legs to be unpredictable and we had to make the decision to send him off peacefully. We are now living with my mother - likely for another 6-12 months and she has said no pets at all, but I am looking to the future and want to have all my research done so that I know what I am looking for. I really like big dogs, and have been looking at the Cane Corso as a possibily, I would like to get a pure breed this time but I don't want to be showing them (pet only) I would want them desexed (responsible pet ownership). My questions are 1. Does anyone have experience with the corso? I know they are a rarish breed in Australia and want to know how well they generally go with children and what sort of energy levels can generally be expected. 2. Is it possible to rescue, either through shelter, rehoming or ex breeding stock - I wouldn't want to take a potentially good breeding pup out of the line by desexing, particularly of a growing breed. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I met one at the park the other day and it was a big beautiful gentle puppy I think around 11 months old. I believe they are quite rare and these people got it from a breeder due to it having a bad elbow Probably not something I would like to have to contend with with such a giant breed, but hopefully it will be a candidate for a successful corrective surgery later on??. Based on this I would say that there is probably a significant waiting list. I am sure there will be some great help from others here that know the breed well. Best of luck with your search :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristineX Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Duke and I ran into one while waiting for a class - 9 month old male, totally ignoring his owner, came over. Lessons learnt: 1. Even at 9 months, they are ultra dominate to other dogs (judging by this one) 2. Tenacious - 15 minutes after the dumb owner had finally caught his dog - it was off leash again. Duke and I now waiting in the car - corso had to be peeled off my car by dumb owner as it was attempting to get in and get to Duke. I think they are really nice dogs, but you do need to be able to maintain control at all times. The dog above went for every single dog that came into that park. Owner was completely clueless. Training from the moment you get your dog is therefore highly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I've met a couple and while I am not about to invite them home to play with mine (toy breeds and elderly) :laugh: :laugh:, both were really lovely dog. One was an adult from Big Dog Rescue a few years ago, so obviously they do turn up in rescue and one was a pup in the vet's waiting room. ChristineX, poor puppy you met. Result of a very bad owner and the sort of person who should never be allowed within 100 miles of such a breed. Heapha, I guess it is a case of doing your homework and finding a breeder who breeds for temperament and good canine citizenship. The loss of your Rotti x must have been very hard, but what a wonderful age he reached for such large breeds. You obviously have the touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I see one at the dog park when I go, big black young male, and he is the opposite, other dogs try and take him on and he walks away, very stable dog. He is very focused on his owner, not really interested in other dogs at all, he also owns a Johnson bulldog ,and they get on fine,and he has kids, he said he did a lot of research before he got him. I can always ask where he got him from, but I don't go very often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsd114 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 My husband was very interested in these and we visited a breeder and were very impressed with the temperament of the dogs. My husband wants a Anatolian Shepherd and I want to get another GSD, so this was a compromise and we still might go this way but I hope to get my way and get a working GSD... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Someone in our area has just bred a litter. When I first met the guy he told me all about his two CC's. The bitch, he said had a lovely temperament, but his male was extremely agressive with both people & other animals & was an escape artist to boot. Next I see him advertising a litter of puppies in the shop window....go figure it takes all types Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Corsos are still rare yes, but speak to a good breeder. Start with Itacor.com.au for a dog, and ask their advice. If you are not used to a headstrong dog dont get a corso. If you're a soft nature, can't put your foot down and wont enforce basic rules, a Corso is not for you. I would also not desex the dog if at all especially if you're aiming for a male. Some lines are good guard dogs, some are not so ask around for what you are specifically after in a temperament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazydoglady99 Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Yeah.. having owned one - not sure I'd get another.. Lots of breeders have breed specific info on their websites, might be helpful to google some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave73 Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Im the husband of gsd114 and we visited itacor and was super impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash1 Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 (edited) We have what I believe to be a Cane Corso. I say believe to be, because he is ex-rescue, so I'll never be 100% sure, but he most certainly looks as though he is and he fits the breed profile. Apparently they do pop up in rescue from time to time, so not outside the realms of possibility. He's still only young (just over a year old), but he is the calmest, most placid dog we have ever owned. Absolutely nothing phases him, he's good around people, other dogs, and our cats and/or livestock/poultry. He is a great guard dog in that he has a lovely deep rumbling bark, not at all aggressive, just lets you know there is something you should be aware of. He is headstrong, and does need a firm hand to manage, but only in terms of enforcing that, yes, you DO actually want him to do what you've just asked, you're not just asking him to have a think about it and get back to you. This is especially the case when asking him to move his big hairy backside and COME HERE PLEASE! If I could be sure that all other Cane Corso were the same, the would be my forever breed, he's one of the best dogs we've ever had. But unfortunately despite breeding, as all dogs are individuals, we may have just got pretty lucky. Edited October 31, 2014 by ash1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heapha Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 "I would also not desex the dog if at all especially if you're aiming for a male. " Sorry out of interest why would you not desex (male or female)? Thanks for all the feedback people. It is important I think to make sure that the breed I pick will suit me and I it. I am not a soft touch with dogs, but having said that my husband is, he was always the omega - but it seemed to be fine because I was the alpha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 "I would also not desex the dog if at all especially if you're aiming for a male. "Sorry out of interest why would you not desex (male or female)? The Corso is a slow maturing, heavy boned dog. I would never desex a growing mastiff breed at least until it finished growing if you're insistent on it. Frankly I'm not a fan of desexing full stop in the interest of long term development and animal health. If you cant stand seasons then get a male because at least during the growth period there is no hormonal bitch to deal with moping around the place... and males are usually a bit more laid back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Im the husband of gsd114 and we visited itacor and was super impressed. His was the first Kennel I thought of seeing that the OP is based in NSW. When Frank(Of Itacor) first was bringing in Cane Corsos, he had mentoring from very experienced Neo owners. He's very open with regards his dogs and what they are or do, imo. I know of rescues he has helped too. Cane Corsos demand an Alpha owner, one they can respect. It would be suitable to have had experience with other dominant breeds too. They need firm consistent training AND their interest has to be held. In return, you get loyal & loving AND mischievous all in a large bundle. They can be lazy couch potatoes, then hoon around as frisky as a terrier. Family is their centre of their life. Left alone, they make GREAT damage. Like getting any dog, research is key. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 "I would also not desex the dog if at all especially if you're aiming for a male. "Sorry out of interest why would you not desex (male or female)? The Corso is a slow maturing, heavy boned dog. I would never desex a growing mastiff breed at least until it finished growing if you're insistent on it. Frankly I'm not a fan of desexing full stop in the interest of long term development and animal health. If you cant stand seasons then get a male because at least during the growth period there is no hormonal bitch to deal with moping around the place... and males are usually a bit more laid back. Nekhbet's advice is spot on. Friends in Italy have 4 entire males, all of different ages. Their old show dog is The Lord. His nature is so lovely, he tolerates puppies playing with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heapha Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 My reasons for desexing are that I have no interest in showing or breeding my dogs. I have helped out in shelters and feel quite strongly that unless you intend on breeding (responsibly) that dogs left entire can cause for more unwanted puppies. Are you saying that it is unhealthy to desex a mastiff breed until it is at full maturity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I have helped out in shelters and feel quite strongly that unless you intend on breeding (responsibly) that dogs left entire can cause for more unwanted puppies. Not to be rude but an entire dog doesnt magically bud off and produce puppies. Unless you let your dog roam or lend it out to mate how is it going to cause unwanted puppies? I have 6 dogs, 3 are entire and until I'm ready to breed I don't have accidents. I have never had an accident and I have had entire dogs most of my life. Responsible owners stop unwanted puppies, not forced desexing. The hormones produced by the sex organs are actually growth hormones during the dogs developmental phase. They contribute to the development of the skeleton, muscles, connective tissue and organs. Large and giant breeds take a long time to grow due to the massive size proportionate to birth size they have to achieve. Most breeders I know of any dog bigger then shin height recommend leaving the desexing until later, or vasectomise a male (bitches can have ovaries left in but uterus/cervix removed) Most people think only of males as needing their hormones but bitches can also suffer incontinence due to early speying (I have a couple of clients who were never told this by their vet until after their house and dogs started to be covered in urine patches) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsd114 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 We advised a couple we know to go to Itacor a few weeks ago as he is interested in a female Corso. He spoke to the breeder and was told that any pet pup was to be desexed before leaving at 8 weeks or he could get a un desexed pup but the price was then out of his reach unfortunately. He is still thinking of going for it as the pups he said were amazing but has had advise from a few vets that a dog of that size desexing that young may be detrimental to its health especially with incontinence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper21 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I owned a Corso and never will again. I've met some nice ones, and there was a period where a tonne of them were turning up in rescue but I don't think that's the case now. There was a very dodgy breeder in Western Sydney that was pumping dysplastic pups out - I think he's shut down now. While every dog is an individual, I've found Corso's to be super smart and very easily trainable. However they have a very high pain tolerance and tend to be able to ignore corrections, especially when they're in drive. They are commonly dog aggressive, and make great guard dogs (simply because of their size and formidable bark). My own Corso male was a rescue at 15 months, and I was his 7th home. He was very dog and animal aggressive. Tolerant of strangers and affectionate with me and my family. He thrived with regular clicker/marker training and a strict management regime. Super, super smart dog. He had a crazy high prey drive, which I don't think is typical of the breed or of Mastiffs in general. When he wanted to get to another dog or animal, there was no correction under the sun that could get to him. He went from 1 to 10 in a split second and had a bad habit of redirecting onto me. He could have been a phenomenal dog with the right upbringing and a great dog sport candidate. Although I've met more laid back ones, they're still not a dog for everyone and I would strongly recommend you hire a trainer. I agree re. early desexing. If you're a competent dog owner then you can manage an intact dog. It's not worth the developmental risk, in my opinion, to desex before 3 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsd114 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 They are very dog savvy. He really wants one and when we went many moons ago they were beautiful dogs but we didnt get that far to ask about taking one home hence the reason why we didnt know about the desexing at 8 weeks or the extra money for a intact pup. He is going to speak to a couple of specialist vets during the week that have a good knowledge on this stuff and have read all the research and most of all understand the text. As they said to us last night there is conflicting views and alot is just on forums which is mostly just peoples opinions from people that arent vets or specialists within the field. Will be interesting what they find out re EAD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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