What causes cherry eye in my Cane Corso?

Big Dog | January 22nd, 2010

Cherry Eye is when the third eyelid of the dog gets inflamed and pops out like a little cherry under the eye. For the Cane Corso, it is a frequent occurrence. There is no definite cause of cherry eye however it is said that the tissue that holds the eyelid in its proper place is weak. Many other breeds aside from the Cane Corso get cherry eye because of their genetic make-up. Owners may wonder if the dog is in any pain. Don’t worry, as horrid as it looks it is more or a hindrance in vision and tear production than pain.

There are several ways to treat cherry eye: One is removal of the cherry eye itself. This will guarantee it complete absence however removal of the tear duct comes along with it. This treatment will render the eyes function of tears to low or no production which will result in dryness of the eye and can lead to blindness.  The other is pulling back the cherry eye and stitching it to the connecting tissue of the eyelids. Although, it saves the tear duct, it may be temporary as if it comes back again, surgery will have to take place and removal of the gland will be the only option.

How to buy a European Cane Corso Dog?

Big Dog | December 18th, 2009

cane corsoCane Corsos are loyal and protective dogs that make terrific guard dogs for their intimidating and posing appearance. One may think of them as vicious dogs but they aren’t in reality. Proper socialization is needed for them to be excellent house pets and companions. If you are seeking for quality Cane Corso, it’s best to educate yourself with the breed standard. A breed standard dictates how a Cane Corso should physically look like as well as give a picture of its disposition and temperament. Only Cane Corsos from reputable, quality breeders will make sure that their dogs meet or reflect the standard. Here are some of the trademark traits: Cane Corsos are gentle with a robust and powerful build. They weigh an average of 80 to 100 pounds and stand between 22 to 24 inches. Coats are short, dense and shiny but not soft with colors of blue, black,red, chestnut or fawn. Muzzles are of square shape and jaws are wide and strong. But one ability of this dog stands out: they can sense or detect if a threat is real or not. Cane Corsos are a very sensitive breed despite their intimidating appearance. They feel sad and will even sulk when scolded or reprimanded by their owners. Read the rest of this entry »

Cane Corso Puppy Photo

Big Dog | December 5th, 2009

Cane Corso Puppy Photo

He’s got a good stand here. This Cane Corso pup will be a strong and a good guard in the future.

Cane Corso Puppy

Big Dog | November 24th, 2009

Look at the face of this Cane Corso puppy. It is like he is just about to say something…

Are Cane Corsos dangerous dogs?

Ann | November 8th, 2009

Appearances do not necessary dictate the actions or nature of a dog. A large dog doesn’t automatically make them fearless or aggressive nor does the tiny size make them ignorable and non-threatening. It is more on the lack of information that people are inclined to believe first impressions. Take the Cane Corso for example. These dogs are huge dogs that take up space and have an intimidating build.

Cane Corso

They do have a natural aggressiveness and are strong willed. However these do not make them outright dangerous. Two factors contribute to a breed’s mode: its genetic make-up and training. Of course, what is inherent in the Cane Corso will always be there. But proper socialization and training at a young age will give them an understanding on how they should act being with human. Although instincts may try to take over, proper instillation of norms will somehow keep them grounded.

How vicious is a Cane Corso

Ann | October 23rd, 2009

Viciousness is a term that denotes brutality, cruelty or violence. This is a trait that is not actually preferred by owners, especially families, to be exhibited by their canine companions. The Cane Corso’s reputation for not being a breed for everyone is not due to any vicious aspect. It is due to the large breed’s tendency to shed, drool, snore, chew on furniture, and a seemingly unending attack of flatulence.

However, the breed shouldn’t be counted out of its other exemplary abilities. Their tough and robust exteriors make them intimidating guard dogs and efficient hunters of big game. They are also known for their sensitivity and become sad when scolded by their owners.

Cane Corso

Having an instinct to protect their families, they are wary of strangers but will not be aggressive towards them. Cane Corsos are able to detect if the threat is real or not. If their families are indeed threatened then they become fearless defenders. Viciousness is more of a reaction while the Cane Corsos act only when they have to.

How Our Best Friends Break Our Hearts - One Dog At A Time

Big Dog | April 23rd, 2009

All our dogs have the ability to break our hearts. Whether you share your life with a CANE CORSO or a Labrador Retriever, the bond you form with your dog can be one of the closest and most powerful you will ever experience.

Saving the Strays of Helmand

If you want proof of just how extraordinary the relationsip between man and his best friend can be then you really must read a stunning new book called One Dog At A Time. It has been written by a British Marine and dog lover called Pen Farthing and tells of his time serving in the violent Helmand Province of Afghanistan.

While dodging the bullets and mortars, Sergeant Farthing witnessed the cruel and barbaric Afghan tradition of dog fighting. Rather than standing by as many would have done, he risked his life by breaking up the fighting and freeing the dogs. One of them, a big, battle-scarred mastiff he christened Nowzad after the town he was stationed in, found his way into the Marine compound where he befriended his liberator. As Farthing’’s tour of duty continued, he and Nowzad became inseparable buddies. The tough British soldier and the powerful dog formed an odd couple in the middle of the war zone. They were soon joined by other dogs who were drawn to the sanctuary the Marine compound provided. At one point, one dog pushed her litter of newborn pups through the wall of the compound so that they could be safe from the Taliban bombs and general cruelty of the Afghans towards the dog.

By the end of his time in Afghanistan, Farthing had more than a dozen dogs and puppies living in his makeshift sanctuary. As he prepared to leave, he was faced with the heartbreaking prospect of leaving them all behind.

We won’t spoil the ending of this powerful book, but suffice it to say that two of the dogs he rescued are now living with Pen Farthing in England. He has also set up a fantastic charity to rescue other abused dogs in Afghanistan. His work is truly inspirational and is winning the admiration and support of dog lovers everywhere. Part of the proceeds from the book will go towards his charity.

If you only buy and read one dog book this year, make it One Dog At A Time.

Cane Corso Dog Training

Big Dog | March 9th, 2009

Dogs have become such an important part of our society, that the need for them to fit in well with other human beings and not pose a threat or a disturbance is critical to their long term acceptance by our neighbors and others around us. Not all people are dog lovers and to make sure that they’re not inconvenienced by our pets, training is essential.

Also, dog training is an integral part of a working dog’s life for them to be able to assist humans in activities like hunting and police work. Training dogs is a specialized skill since the key difficulty lies in how to communicate efficiently with them.

All training of dogs is a repetition of the basic principle of reward and punishment in various forms and combinations. Communication of these signals is the key to proper training. One very important thing to remember is consistency of signals. The reliability of the training depends on how well a dog is able to be sure of what your signals mean.

It must also be mentioned that different dog breeds take to training differently. Dogs like the iconic German Shepherd are very easily trained due to their high intelligence. Another important factor is the emotional state of the dog. A dog that is frightened, anxious, or insecure doesn’t train well and this reflects the importance of factors like proper socialization of puppies.

A lot of studies have shown that proper puppy socialization goes a long way towards ensuring a good temperament and receptivity towards training. Lots of handling, petting and generally being around humans in their everyday life goes a long way towards making a dog well behaved and easy to train.

Training Cane Corso puppies should not begin too early however, as there is evidence to show that before a certain age, the brains of puppies are not significantly developed enough to process complex learning.

Professional dog trainers are best when it comes to training your dog as they will ensure that the proper habits are set for life, including how to behave around strangers. For the safety of your dog, it is your duty as an owner to ensure that he or she is well trained.

Struggling with house training?

Leerburg’s 165 pages Housetraining eBook addressing the following issues might help:

1 Why Accept the Crate First?
2 Why is not Peeing or Pooping in the House the Second Thing to Learn?
3 Why is Pack Structure Important?
4 Why is Being Calm in the House Part of House Training?
5 The Benefits of Crate Training
6 Kinds of Crates
7 Puppies and Dog Crates
8 Owner’s Attitude About Crates
9 Getting the Dog into the Crate
10 Size, Locations, and How Many Crates?
11 How Long in the Crate?
12 Teach Pee Break Vs. Play
13 When Accidents Happen
14 Feeding in the Crate
15 Exercise and House Training
16 How to Take a Dog Out of the Crate
17 When to Stop Using the Leash
18 Teaching Puppy To Ring a Bell on the Door
19 When to Stop Using the Crate
20 The Umbilical Cord Method
21 A Four Week Training Program to House Train Your Adult Dog
22 Marking In Your House
23 When to leave an adult dog home alone and loose in the house
24 Difference Between Walks and Elimination Periods Outside
25 Dog Doors are a BAD Idea!
26 Obedience Training goes along with House Training in Adult Dogs
27 Old Wives Tails on House Training Dogs
28 Using Crates as Punishment
29 Crate Aggression in Adult Dogs
30 Hard to Train Dogs
31 Emails on House Training Problems

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Cane Corso versus Rottweiler for protection

Big Dog | January 21st, 2009

The Cane Corso is not a very well known breed amongst the general public. They are primarily watch and protections dogs who were almost extinct before the 1980s. Their natural inclination towards being guard dogs has naturally brought them into sharp focus along with the Rottweiler who is portrayed as the stereotypical guard dog.

Cane Corso

The most prominent characteristic of the Cane Corso is their aloofness towards strangers. In fact, this is a fine line. The perfect Corso must not be aggressive unless provoked. According to the Cane Corso Coalition, Americal Cane Corsos do not usually have the proper temperament.

Rottweilers are easy to train and you will find more breeders who will vouch for their temperament. With regard to the Cane Corso on the other hand, experts recommend that you get your puppy direct from Italy or Europe where their temperament is more stable. It will mostly come down to preference if you’re sure of the temperament of the dog you are getting.

Alternative Names for a Cane Corso…

D Dog Fan | April 7th, 2008

Did you know the Cane Corso can boast with a number of names?

These include:

-Cane di Macellaio
-Italian Corso Dog
-Italian Mastiff
-Sicilian Branchiero
-Italian Molosso

Cane Corso