Question:I just got this new pup, he is 5 weeks old. Is there any information you can give me about this breed that I should be aware of? Maybe something special I should do for him? I have had a Bull Mastiff in the past but it has been ages since I had a pup.
Thanks!
Answers:
My experience with Cane Corsos comes from supporting people active in their rescue. I love this breed, but I've also seen what they can become in the wrong hands.
With the right diet & exercise, these dogs can be real dynamos. On YouTube, there are clips of CC's in a variety of scenarios, including watch & protection dog exercises. This with my personal experience, affirm both their ability to learn and their supreme athletic capability.
Given their size, I recommend you socialize with other dogs & people, as soon as is safe. (i.e. talk w/your vet about shots) If you feel reluctance or hesitance in meeting strangers, they will know. So approach those you feel comfortable with. (even using a second person to hold your dog as you introduce yourself)
Avoid any and all advice related to training protection. Of the few people I've met who attempt such training, a small fraction are competent. (to be truthful, I can count such competent advocates on one hand) Better by far would be a two pronged approach: Give your pup every reason to trust you; Carefully introduce your pup to new stimuli in a manner that does not provoke anxiety.
A number of CCs I've met have been initially wary of strangers. There are techniques to show acceptance to dogs. Let your dog loose, approach the new thing (e.g. person wearing baseball cap, horse, helium balloon, ...), and reach back for your dog. (He will come on his own accord) Later, you can use shaking hands in full view of your dog to show acceptance. Avoid holding your leash taut. I'd recommend avoiding picking your dog up, but that's a temptation more for Pug & Chihuahua owners.
Expose your dog to as many different types of places as possible. Strip malls & college campuses are good places to expand a young dog's experiences. Coffee shops are good places, but in some yuppie preservations (read up-scale Real Estate developments), the traffic can be a little intimidating.
Whatever you do, train your Cane Corso. In the right hands, this is an EXCELLENT breed. Few people are good with dogs, and fewer yet train well. A small percentage of them are up to the responsibility of big dogs like this. But for them, there are few finer dogs than a Cane Corso.
Best of luck.
for one you got the puppy at way to young of an age 6 weeks should be the youngest you get the puppy. You should make sure that this puppy isnt bitting to much because the pup didnt have the time to be with his littermate so he could learn how hard to bite and what hurts and what doesnt hurt. I have also heard that with Cane Corso dogs they can be kind of aggresive but that is only if they have the wrong owners so when the puppy is say 10 weeks or older of age start training with the basic sit and down commands. That will help shape him for a better future. As long as potty training that is another major biggy when it comes to puppies. So many animals are put into pounds becuase they arnt potty trained.. i dont know if you know how to potty train a puppy but i suggest that you watch him carefully and only give him food and water after you eat and after he eats then take him outside giving him the command that you want to tell him to go outside... i would also suggest going on akc.org or googling the breed online.
First of all congrats on your new puppy. I hope that the information that I have provided below helps you.
General Appearance
The Cane Corso is an ancient Italian breed, medium-large sized molossoid. Sturdy, with a strong skeleton, muscular and athletic. It moves with considerable ease and elegance. It has always been a property watchdog and hunter of difficult game such as the wild boar.
Size, Proportion, Substance
A muscular, balanced, large boned dog, rectangular in proportion. The length of the dog, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of buttock, is 11% percent greater than the height of the dog measured from the highest point of the shoulder to the ground. Height: Dogs: 25 to 27.5 inches, Bitches: 23.5 to 26 inches. Weight: Proportionate to height.
Temperament
The Cane Corso should be a confident dog, very devoted to its family, and not pose a threat to strangers welcomed into the home. He is easily trained and generally naturally protective of children. Since the breed is very smart and active, it is advised that owners find activities to stimulate the dog. If not, they may turn to your possessions in their boredom. They also often suffer from separation anxiety. A dog that is aggressive may be unstable but more probably is under-socialised. Early and consistent socialisation is a requirement for this breed. A well trained and socialised Corso is not only a good ambassador for the breed, but for canines in general.
History
The Cane Corso is a recently recovered breed, and its history will probably always be shrouded in mystery and differing opinions. The breed was originally to be found mostly in the south of Italy, Puglia, and also similar dogs were found throughout Sicily. It was a farm dog, used for big game hunting, guarding, and many other purposes throughout its history. Recovered from near extinction through the efforts of a group of enthusiasts in the 1980's, now the Corso is becoming a very popular breed globally.
Probably derived from the same root stock as the Neapolitan mastiff, the Roman war dog "Canis Pugnax", where the Neo went for power and weight, the Corso favoured agilty, speed and stamina.
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