Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Important things you should know about owning a Cane Corso
Cane Corso have been a growing breed with popularity. You need to keep in mind this is a working breed and beed essential training and desensitzing in order to be a successful loyal companion. Do NOT choose this breed because their badas looking, are gaining popularity or their loyalty.
Cane Corso are not for everybody, and this article needs to be read carefully. This breed is not for first time dog owners so research and finding a proper reputable breeder is a must. This article isn't to deter you but to educate you to figure out if this breed is the proper match.
DON'T BUY A CANE CORSO!
Interested in buying a Cane Coso? Well, I think you should also hear, before it's too late, that the Corso is not the perfect breed for everyone. Think long and hard before buying or adopting one. You will be committing yourself for up to 15 years.
DON'T buy a Corso if you are attracted to the breed chiefly by its appearance. Behavior, temperament, and trainability are what you actually live with. Be sure that the Cane Corso personality truly suits your own personality and lifestyle.
DON'T buy a Corso if you are unwilling to share your house and your life with your dog. Corsi are family-oriented house-dogs; they do not make good “outdoor” dogs. (Actually few dogs are happy if "exiled” from house and family.)
DON'T buy a Corso if you don't intend to educate (train) your dog. Basic obedience training is a MUST if your Corso is to be a pleasant and well-mannered housemate and you yourself must do it (with help in class) ; no one can do it for you.
DON'T buy a Corso if you lack leadership (self-assertive) personality. Corsi are NOT submissive natured ; they tend to take advantage of wishy-washy non-alpha owners. You must be self-assured, consistent, and calmly firm.
DON'T buy a Corso if you don't value laid-back companionship and calm affection. Corsi are loving , but not highly demonstrative of their affections.
DON'T buy a Corso if you are fastidious about the neatness of your home. Corsi tend to track a lot of dirt into the house, more than almost any other breed.
DON'T buy a Corso if you are fastidious about unpleasant odors. Corsi have a fair amount of “doggy” body odor and they fart more than most breeds.
DON'T buy a Corso if you dislike daily physical exercise. Corsi need exercise.
DON'T buy a Corso if you believe that dogs should run "free". No dog can run free and unsupervised, neither in urban nor rural setting. Corso being herding dogs, will chase livestock, for which crime the stock’s owner will kill the dog.
DON'T buy a Corso if you can't afford to buy, feed, and provide health care for one. Corsi are one of the more expensive breeds in all these respects. (Actually, no dog is cheap to keep; all can run up horrendous vet bills.)
DON’T buy a Corso if you want the “Latest Greatest Ferocious Killer Attack Dog.”; but also DON’T buy a Corso if you want a totally unaggressive and unprotective dog. The mere presence and formidable aura of a Corso will intimidate and deter 95% of burglars, muggers, and rapists. Attack training may improve your chances against some of the remaining 5%, but it exposes you to tremendous potential liability and it demands many hundreds of hours of highly skilled training. If poorly done, it can create a dangerous dog.
DON’T buy a Corso if you are not willing to commit yourself for the dog’s entire lifetime. Every dog deserves lifetime loyalty from his owners. A Corso dumped into a Pound or Shelter has almost no chance of escaping death. Almost all disagreements and problems can be solved through counseling and training of owner and dog. If you must place your Corso, do so only through your breeder.
In Conclusion if all the preceding “bad news” about Corsi hasn’t turned you away from the breed, then by all means DO GET A CORSO ! They are every bit as wonderful as you have heard!
by Pam Green, copyright 1992, 2007
