We decided to create this page to assist puppy buyers in their search for a Cane Corso - to find out if a Cane Corso is indeed the right breed for them and also some advice on what to watch out for in your puppy search. These guidelines are simply our personal opinion and based upon our experience, and also represents the standards that we set for ourselves in our breeding program.

THE CANE CORSO IS NOT THE RIGHT BREED FOR ME BECAUSE:

• I think the puppies are just so cute...they won't get too big, will they?
• I want to impress people by how tough my dog looks.
• These dogs are smart, right? Good, 'cause I don't have the time to train them.
• I want a strict guard dog to protect my business/home (I already have a family dog).
• I don't believe dogs should be in the house, especially the big dogs!
• I'm a neat freak and cannot stand pet hair and/or slobber on my clothes or furniture!
• I want a dog that's friendly towards everyone,  like a Lab (but I like the "look" of the Corso)
• I'm single right now, but if I find a significant other who doesn't like my dog...well, you know, of course the dog's gotta go! -OR- We don't have kids right now, but once we do, we won't have time for the dog anymore...oh, but we'll try to find a good home for him/her.
• This puppy cost me $2000, so I hope it doesn't get sick 'cause I don't have the money for vet bills. What's the cheapest food out there?

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE ME WHEN LOOKING FOR A PUPPY?

• Begin by doing extensive internet research. Visit all links on CaneCorsoLinks.com and take the time to browse the bulletin boards (at least you can view other people's opinions!) Bookmark websites with Cane Corsos that fit what you're looking for. Believe me, you'll find no shortage of breeder websites with Cane Corsos of all sizes and colors...you'll just have to weed out the ones that don't fit your needs! Personally, here are some "red flags" to watch out for:
  • breeders that do not provide a sample contract to review before you send them money
  • breeders that do not provide the pedigrees of both parents before you send them money
  • breeders that do not provide a clear deposit refund policy in writing before you send them money
  • breeders that do not ask you a lot of questions prior to even considering selling you a puppy
  • breeders that ask for deposits months before a breeding even takes place (well, it's really up to you how long you want your money to be in limbo!)
  • breeders who are only concerned with "what color" you want and don't ask about "what temperament" you want
  • breeders that advertise their dogs "on sale" or those that "discount" their dogs to pressure you into buying
  • breeders that will not show you ownership papers on the dogs they portray as their own (it has been discovered recently that breeders are misrepresenting themselves to the public by listing dogs on their website as "imports" who they do not even own!)
  • breeders that do not display their dogs' birthdates and litter history (this could be a sign that they bred the dog earlier than 2 years of age or that they "overbreed" the dog)
  • breeders who do not display their dogs' hip scores (this is usually one of the things that prudent buyers want to see when looking at prospective litters)
• All dogs in the breeding program should:
  • have passing official hip scores (proof is necessary - please do NOT take anyone's word for it!)  *PLEASE INSIST ON AN OFFICIAL OFA HIP SCORE* (click here for an online search)
  • have sound temperaments (dogs in the US and Canada should have at least a CGC title...TT, TDI, CD and other titles are a plus, of course).
  • be involved in showing and/or working to prove their breeding stock - some breeders say they don't show, don't work, don't x-ray their dogs - they just BREED them!
• Additionally, all breeders should:
  • belong to a breed club (please note that you don't have to have your dogs registered to be a member of the club; we belong to the ICCF as a members, even though our dogs are registered with FCI/ENCI/FCPR). This also gives you an avenue of recourse should you encounter any future problems with the breeder, since you could file a grievance against the breeder with the breed club he/she belongs to. If the breeder does not belong to any breed club, you must choose an alternate form of recourse.
  • have a written contract/guarantee that includes a provision that if for some reason you were no longer able to keep the dog, that they would take the dog back (or approve of its new owner, if applicable). BY NO MEANS SHOULD THE BREEDER ALLOW THIS PUP TO GO TO RESCUE OR A SHELTER. This is called "irresponsible breeding" when a breeder is not able to take on full responsibility for the life of all puppies he/she breeds, and we should not support such breeders by buying their puppies.
• Here is a List Of Questions To Ask A Breeder that you can use when interviewing.