Thinking about a Cane Corso

[jjguitarranch]

Considering getting a dog for the family to enjoy and also act as an extra level of protection. A dog owner I spoke to at a local park recommended the Cane Corso breed for it's loyalty and intelligence. Did some internet research and seems like a match on paper.

The family is visiting two excellent breeders this weekend to interact with the dogs...

Considering this will be our first dog we are looking to a professional trainer to help with the dog and train us

I know there are many dog lovers on the forum. Please share your experiences, good and bad, with the Cane Corso breed.

[smiert spionam]

First dog? No.

Are you joking?

[The Last Rebel]

Originally Posted by smiert spionam

First dog? No.

Are you joking?

Yeah....

How about a golden or a lab? You know, normal first dog. Not a huge, muscular guard dog. Especially considering you've never owned one before. It's not a good idea to get a highly protective dog when you've never owned a dog period.

[Midnight Lady]

Until last night I had never heard of this breed, but we caught most of the Canadian International Dog Show last night and there was a very attractive Cane Corso that made it to the final round.

During the chat about the breeds, the word was that this is NOT a dog for first time dog owners. I would reconsider and look for something that is easy to train and good with family for a first timer.

All dogs will protect you.

[mge80]

As a professional trainer/behaviorist, I would caution you HIGHLY about taking on an animal such as this as a first time dog owner.

And I would EXPECT (and if they didn't, I would be highly suspect of them) these breeders that you are visiting (you did say they were "excellent", well...this would be the first test of that) would do everything in their power to discourage you. They should point out every single negative aspect of the breed and every single negative aspect of owning one before they eve remotely got into serious consideration of placing one with you.

Dogs don't get matched "on paper", by the way. They get matched by talking with people who are highly experienced with the breed(s). Actual owners, breeders, trainers, other dog professionals.

I guess you are at least attempting to do some due diligence, but follow it all the way through. Do not leap before you look...long and hard. And I would look at MANY options and not simply focus on a Cane.

[Jetrow]

Originally Posted by jjguitarranch

Considering getting a dog for the family to enjoy and also act as an extra level of protection. A dog owner I spoke to at a local park recommended the Cane Corso breed for it's loyalty and intelligence. Did some internet research and seems like a match on paper.

The family is visiting two excellent breeders this weekend to interact with the dogs...

Considering this will be our first dog we are looking to a professional trainer to help with the dog and train us

I know there are many dog lovers on the forum. Please share your experiences, good and bad, with the Cane Corso breed.

When it comes to adding a level of protection for the home and the kiddies when they are out and about there is really only one choice for the first time pet/weapon owner.




Just because it's brain is tiny doesn't mean it can't be seriously violent in a sophisticated way.

[Blanket Jackson]

Great dogs. I have a buddy that has 5 of them. But as a first dog? Hell no. There are some breeds that are much better suited for a first dog. Owning a dog can be like having a big 2 or 3 year old kid that can't speak and never grows up .... self willed, mischievous, curious, needs attention and some action, but also sincere, loving, and protective. A better dog to start with may be a beagle, a golden, a lab, or a plotthound

[smiert spionam]

To add a little more texture to my first response:

I am not an expert. I've owned big dogs for many years, and I think I get things right more often than not, and I try to pay attention to real behaviorists who know what they're talking about, and avoid simplistic dominance-oriented training.

Right now, my dog is a 90-pound Weimaraner (after a very long life with another Weim and a dobie). I like dogs that are big, smart, engaged, social, and emotionally responsive. My dog is all of those things. She's also a huge handful. She's every bit as powerful as a GSD or other big working dog.

The other day, we had a small party that included three children -- 3, 4, and 6. Great kids, very sweet, good manners, not mean or antagonistic. My dog was only present for about an hour with the kids (we have no children, so kids are definitely a novelty in our house). She was generally amiable, but kept showing signs of nervousness. She would approach the kids, but would turn away and often circle under the table when they pursued her. Her body language wasn't dramatic, but it was more defensive/anxious than playful/exuberant. I hovered close by, tried to guide the kids through how to interact with a big dog, and periodically separated them to make sure things stayed friendly and relaxed. Overall a success, though this is clearly something I need to work on more with her. But when the kids were gone, I was relieved.

Afterward, my wife (who is newer to dog ownership -- this was her first puppy) recognized my anxiety about the situation, but didn't see anything about the dog's behavior that warranted it. She saw a dog that clearly wanted to be in the same room with the kids, let them touch her, and was milling around with a grin on her face. I saw a curious but anxious dog, with a nervous half-pant, that wasn't sure if it should be nervous or territorial with the strange little mini-humans that had invaded her world. I felt she needed my help to stay confident and relaxed. Maybe I was wrong; I think I was right.

Again, I'm not an expert, and I can't claim to know exactly how to handle each situation. My dog is not perfect. What was very clear to me, though, is that the ability to read a dog (even your own) takes many, many years, and is still subject to error.

By bringing a dog like a Cane Corso into your home, you run two major risks:

First, it's an animal with immense physical power that has been bred specifically for aggressiveness and defensive behavior. It has both the means and the inclination toward violence. Yes, it's bred for controlled aggression, but in less-than-perfect circumstances with unclear training, that control can easily be lost.

Second, you have very little cushion of good will between your dog and the public. That means more, and more intense, fear reactions from well-intentioned strangers -- which exponentially increases the chances that your dog will react badly. Ever notice how in nearly every interaction, a person discovers exactly the dog they expect to find? Someone who approaches a 150-pound Rottie with playful enthusiasm and confidence makes a friend for life; someone who panics when they meet a miniature Schnauzer will find their worst expectations realized. With a Cane, you will get much more of the latter than the former. You will also have less latitude if there is any sort of incident -- a prosecutor would eat you alive if you ever landed in court.

Any medium to large dog can be a fairly formidable deterrent force. A lab will do all of the basic things that most people want in a home defense companion -- alert on intruders, look out for the family, etc. They're also just as good as a Cane at psych warfare -- they will leave immense turds in your yard that instantly say: big dog lives here.

If you need a Cane Corso for home defense, you are either in the wrong neighborhood or the wrong line of work.

Sorry to go on so long.

[AaeCee]

Originally Posted by smiert spionam

First dog? No.

Are you joking?

This!

Like getting an F-1 car for your first car, or a Howitzer for your first firearm.

We've owned many dogs, from a Doberman to a Chiuaua and a bunch in between.....do not go with a Corso.

[tjmicsak]

Originally Posted by smiert spionam

To add a little more texture to my first response:

I am not an expert. I've owned big dogs for many years, and I think I get things right more often than not, and I try to pay attention to real behaviorists who know what they're talking about, and avoid simplistic dominance-oriented training.

Right now, my dog is a 90-pound Weimaraner (after a very long life with another Weim and a dobie). I like dogs that are big, smart, engaged, social, and emotionally responsive. My dog is all of those things. She's also a huge handful. She's every bit as powerful as a GSD or other big working dog.

The other day, we had a small party that included three children -- 3, 4, and 6. Great kids, very sweet, good manners, not mean or antagonistic. My dog was only present for about an hour with the kids (we have no children, so kids are definitely a novelty in our house). She was generally amiable, but kept showing signs of nervousness. She would approach the kids, but would turn away and often circle under the table when they pursued her. Her body language wasn't dramatic, but it was more defensive/anxious than playful/exuberant. I hovered close by, tried to guide the kids through how to interact with a big dog, and periodically separated them to make sure things stayed friendly and relaxed. Overall a success, though this is clearly something I need to work on more with her. But when the kids were gone, I was relieved.

Afterward, my wife (who is newer to dog ownership -- this was her first puppy) recognized my anxiety about the situation, but didn't see anything about the dog's behavior that warranted it. She saw a dog that clearly wanted to be in the same room with the kids, let them touch her, and was milling around with a grin on her face. I saw a curious but anxious dog, with a nervous half-pant, that wasn't sure if it should be nervous or territorial with the strange little mini-humans that had invaded her world. I felt she needed my help to stay confident and relaxed. Maybe I was wrong; I think I was right.

Again, I'm not an expert, and I can't claim to know exactly how to handle each situation. My dog is not perfect. What was very clear to me, though, is that the ability to read a dog (even your own) takes many, many years, and is still subject to error.

By bringing a dog like a Cane Corso into your home, you run two major risks:

First, it's an animal with immense physical power that has been bred specifically for aggressiveness and defensive behavior. It has both the means and the inclination toward violence. Yes, it's bred for controlled aggression, but in less-than-perfect circumstances with unclear training, that control can easily be lost.

Second, you have very little cushion of good will between your dog and the public. That means more, and more intense, fear reactions from well-intentioned strangers -- which exponentially increases the chances that your dog will react badly. Ever notice how in nearly every interaction, a person discovers exactly the dog they expect to find? Someone who approaches a 150-pound Rottie with playful enthusiasm and confidence makes a friend for life; someone who panics when they meet a miniature Schnauzer will find their worst expectations realized. With a Cane, you will get much more of the latter than the former. You will also have less latitude if there is any sort of incident -- a prosecutor would eat you alive if you ever landed in court.

Any medium to large dog can be a fairly formidable deterrent force. A lab will do all of the basic things that most people want in a home defense companion -- alert on intruders, look out for the family, etc. They're also just as good as a Cane at psych warfare -- they will leave immense turds in your yard that instantly say: big dog lives here.

If you need a Cane Corso for home defense, you are either in the wrong neighborhood or the wrong line of work.

Sorry to go on so long.

Best post so far with a huge amount of thoughtful information. You see, here is an example of an owner who knows the dog, can read the body language, and is aware of how to manage it. Others, in this case the wife, had no connection on that level.

I would agree with a black lab. They are all enthusiasm and great friendly dogs, but are one of the most in need of activity or they will get restless and wound up like a small child. They need alot of excercise to get that high energy level in check. If you want a more menacing appearance, a chocolate or brindle lab works well too. For some reason the off color dogs just seem to impose that factor. I think it makes them seem unusual so strangers are not quite as comfortable around them.

[urizen]

If no one has yet said this, it would be good for you to check what the ramifications may be with your home insurance company. For several breeds, especially those who are "protective", even some who don't come close to the profile of a Cane Corso, there can be massive premium hikes and/or liability limitations, and even outright refusal to insure (and cancellation).

[urizen]

Originally Posted by tjmicsak

... If you want a more menacing appearance, a chocolate or brindle lab works well too. For some reason the off color dogs just seem to impose that factor. I think it makes them seem unusual so strangers are not quite as comfortable around them.

That's an observation that is both interesting and seemingly very true; the brindling seems to project a "wild card", "what-the'heck is that breed?" response, and the brindling seems to be associated in the popular imagination with more "bad rep" breeds and/or close-to-ferally-aggressive dogs.

[urizen]

Originally Posted by smiert spionam

...Ever notice how in nearly every interaction, a person discovers exactly the dog they expect to find? Someone who approaches a 150-pound Rottie with playful enthusiasm and confidence makes a friend for life; someone who panics when they meet a miniature Schnauzer will find their worst expectations realized.

Any medium to large dog can be a fairly formidable deterrent force. A lab will do all of the basic things that most people want in a home defense companion -- alert on intruders, look out for the family, etc. They're also just as good as a Cane at psych warfare -- they will leave immense turds in your yard that instantly say: big dog lives here.

Your original post was great, but I especially liked the succinct perceptivity of, "Ever notice how in nearly every interaction, a person discovers exactly the dog they expect to find?", and the observation that. "...they will leave immense turds in your yard that instantly say: big dog lives here," proof that Lab lovers are willing to put up with a lot of shit.

[RSRD]

Another trainer/behavioralist whose worked with over 700 dogs. If this is your first family dog you I stongly advise you to at least take one trip to a shelter or rescue organization and let your kids help pick out your dog. They will have a much better bond with the dog or puppy right out of the gate. You could also take them on petfinder.com and do a search there. Let the kids and wife have input on your decision. Owning a dog can have so many potential problems, especially with highly protective or highly energetic dogs, do yourself a favor and start the process out with everyone involved and not only will you have a much more rewarding experience, your new family member will already have established a bond which is a great starting block in good behavior.

Remember, even purebred dogs have their own rescue groups. Even if you have to have a puppy, chances are they will have a few. Not sure where you are located but if you need help feel free to drop me a line.

Here's the link to petfinder:
http://www.petfinder.com

[jjguitarranch]

Thanks for all the feedback, especially smiert spionam's follow-up... Very wise. Went to visit a breeder way out in PA. Recommended by two other Corso breeders as the guy on the east coast. My first experience in a kennel with that many dogs. My wife said it was like swimming with sharks... The dogs loved my son and were very sweet and well behaved. Got to admit, I really had no idea how intimidating this breed is until I got to spend time with them. We're visiting another breeder tomorrow.