Buffy's Pack

06/02/2023

This is Cane Corso Vasia....real proof of Roman warrior blood. Vasia served in the war as a scout dog. He had to bite off his own paw because got into a trap just in front of the enemy's trench... Because of his situation so close to the enemy Ukrainian soldiers couldn't get to him. But Vasia took the situation under control and came back to his people. 🥲🥲🥲 unbelievable loyalty
and bravery...

11/11/2022

Hello, guys! Here is a short post to invite you to my new about , which must be already on my Youtube channel . I had some fun with and virtually made some unique species 😀😏. There will be a series of such shorts, so stay tuned :)

05/10/2022

Hey, guys! I’m back))) I remember how sometimes not easy to be a responsible Cane Corso owner. There are so many things one needs to think about! Bringing a new puppy into your home is a huge responsibility. You have to make sure everything is ready for the puppy, and that you're prepared for the challenges of owning a dog. Check out my 10 simple tips for preparing your home and life for a Cane Corso puppy. I hope these tips will help make the transition smoother for both you and your new velvety friend. As usually, the direct link is in the bio 😊

23/09/2022

https://youtube.com/shorts/ae4jQ1nGOns?feature=share ☺️☺️having a winter mood already...like those kids)) Check it out, guys)

Watch these Cane Corso playing in the snow and having a blast! I guess all Corsi adore snow... 😍🥰🤩Disclaimer: This video features...

22/09/2022

https://youtu.be/QFJON_UqoV0 Can't imagine it with the Corsi I saw....even our Buffy wouldn't stand it with our cat...🤯😲😍 Amazing dogs...🥰

La nostra Vendetta mentre allatta i suoi cuccioli insieme al suo amico, un simpaticissimo cucciolo di gatto!

17/09/2022

Hi everyone! I’ve just posted a new video on my channel and wanted to let you know about it 😊. This video is called “How to choose a high-quality Cane Corso puppy” and it will be very helpful for those who are going to buy a Cane Corso, but are totally at sea on where to start and what to do. I also made it in a somewhat new format, hope you’ll like it! 😊
https://youtu.be/vqOkrNfegA0

15/09/2022

Hello, Friends! As I mentioned above it is very important to choose Cane Corsi with an emphasis on temperament. Many temperament tests go within a certain training program which evaluates dogs for a certain job. But how one can evaluate a temperament of a little puppy? First of all, it’s made by a simple observation, which a responsible and experienced breeder must conduct (or a buyer if there is such a possibility). Secondly, it is an actual test performed by a professional behaviourist or dog trainer. This test is usually done at the age of 7-8 weeks. The most common or famous test for puppies is the Volhard puppy aptitude test (PAT). This test must be performed by a stranger (puppies never met with) in an unfamiliar environment. By the way, the Volhard test must be performed exactly on the 49th day of a puppy's life, as the authors claim, performing a day before or a day after, will influence the accuracy of the test. Overall, if you see that your potential puppy's breeder performs this test for their puppies, it may be another contributing factor in his favour. If you want to know more about the Volhard test click here https://bit.ly/Volhardtest At this, I will leave you to your thoughts…which I encourage you to share in the comments below 😉

13/09/2022

Hey, guys! While getting ready for the next article for my blog I stumbled upon a new question. Who are the best, when choosing a reputable breeder, - a professional breeder or a so-called hobby breeder? In general, as I see it, a professional breeder has many dogs and has a clearly outlined breeding program, with certain goals to achieve. They have enough knowledge and/or resources to find or grow the appropriate dogs for breeding with the most predictable results. Their dogs and their kennel have a reputation one can trust and their dogs get all the required care. And, last, but not least, professional breeders make a living with their occupation. Hobby breeders, on the other hand, are those who are less dependent on the financial success of their endeavours, because they attend to a job/business elsewhere. Hobby breeders usually don’t have a lot of dogs and don’t have many litters to offer. They breed their dogs occasionally, depending on some set of rules or even a breeding program. If you’ll do your research, you may find excellent dogs produced by hobby breeders. But, honestly, I doubt, that having a quite hectic life, they can pay enough attention to all areas of this occupation. Personally, I tend to trust more to professional breeders, because those people put effort solely into one field for years and must have a lot of knowledge, experience and resources to do the job right. Some claim that hobby breeders put into their hobbies more heart than professional ones…but I think the time proves otherwise. It is hard to work with something for decades with your heart elsewhere because love is the most potent fuel. When one does this mistake, sooner or later we will see some horrible revelations about abuse or malnutrition or whatever. Surely, life offers more tints than my musings, so there are always places for exceptions. What do you think? Would be interesting to hear you in the comments below 😊

06/09/2022

Hi, guys! I do often hear (and expressed the same opinion) that Cane Corso must have work to do (to not be a “lap dog” 😏). After all, Cane Corso is a working breed, bred to be a catch dog and a guardian. But, here is a catch 😋. We no longer (at least not many of us) drive cattle with dogs or participate in a hunting sport. It seems like the only work for an average family Cane Corso is to guard its property and its family. This task purebred Cane Corso does naturally and instinctively, even without any training. I saw it in our Buffy: she actively guarded our little homestead and was alert and cautious towards strangers while we were outside (she has no special training, just basic obedience commands and some good manners). When the owner understands this innate nature of a Cane Corso, it’s a good starting point in the correct training of your Cane Corso. On the basic level, it means that the owner must have a clear set of rules of when and where to encourage his dog’s guarding instinct and when to correct it. Ok, I hope you find my musings interesting and helpful 😊 Share your impressions in the comments below! I also invite you to my Buy me a coffee page (tap the link in the bio), where you can consume information about Cane Corso in a comfortable audio format 😊 in exchange for a cup of coffee which is the perfect fuel for our project 😉 Thank you! Have a splendid day!

05/09/2022

Hey, everybody) Felt like this kid sometimes? 😃😃

31/08/2022

Hello, guys! Today I heard the phrase from the Cane Corso owner sound something like “I’d like my 🐕 acting like a lap dog again”. The dog has behavioural problems due to a complex of reasons. And, no wonder. When one sees Cane Corso as a lap dog, one eventually will get a problem on their hands. It seems that people more often than not see Cane Corso as a beautiful object or attribute, a sign of their status or complement to their image as a person. In the worst-case scenario, a Cane Corso is a home toy, one to be pampered, play with, and showcase to aghast friends. I know for sure that people nowadays chose Cane Corso by looks, not by their temperament. For example, I heard and saw from the breeders in the US and (same in Ukraine) that breeders have a hard time selling brindle Cane Corsi because they are not popular... When I do search for a brindle puppy in Ukraine I need to list through hundreds of blue ones, a bit less of black ones and so on, until come to a few quite grown-up brindle puppies. It’s easy to see what puppies are popular, and even easier to see the quality of breeders whose breeding program is based solely on the market demand. I’m sure there are responsible breeders too, who worry about the Cane Corsi’s future, as well as those before them whose work we can appreciate through the quality dogs that are still around us. So, please, don’t choose Cane Corso by looks and run away from breeders who describe their puppies as dolls. They are living creatures, each with its unique traits. Responsible breeders must be able to see the potential of each puppy, perform evaluation tests and choose to whom they sell puppies. Today’s post is a bit emotional, sorry, but I’ll be happy to know if it will help you. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

26/08/2022

Hi, Cane Corso fans! I thought you’ll be interested to know the answer to the question “should one deep freeze meat before feeding”? After some research, I found out this. It is true, that deep freezing may kill some bacteria and parasites. But… meat must be frozen at as low temperatures as -18 to -20C, for as long as 2 weeks, to make it work. Another reason to freeze your dog’s food is more of a practical matter. On the one hand, it is usually cheaper to buy meat in bulks and on the other, after you bring home a mountain of meats of any kind, you’ll need to store it safely. By the way, it is more convenient to distribute different meat types into portions before getting it frozen. But, I suppose, you’ve heard about it) So, to offer your Cane Corso pet safely prepared RAW food, you’ll need to have at least two weeks of storage full with food beforehand. It requires some work to do, but our dogs are worth it, aren’t they? I hope this little piece of information will help you and your Cane Corso pet! Thank you and see you soon!

25/08/2022

Hey, folks! Let’s talk about raw bones vs boiled ones in your dog’s diet. I guess every dog owner knows it, but for those who don’t, today’s post is about why raw bones are safer than boiled ones. I invited the great AI mind to answer this question for you 😊 Here it is: "There are a lot of benefits to feeding your dog raw bones, and one of the most important is that they are much safer than boiled bones. When bones are boiled, they become fragile and can easily splinter, which can cause serious injury or even death if your dog swallows them. Raw bones, on the other hand, are much less likely to splinter and are good for your dog's teeth. Another benefit of raw bones is that they are a great source of nutrition. They are packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for your dog's health. Boiled bones, on the other hand, lose a lot of their nutritional value when they are cooked. So, if you're looking for a safe and nutritious way to feed your dog, make sure to give them raw bones instead of boiled bones. Your dog will thank you for it!" See, even AI knows about raw bones in a dog’s diet, and now you too 😊 That’s all for today. Thank you for reading my page! I shall think about the next one… Meanwhile, check out my Youtube channel (tap it on the link in the bio) to know more about Cane Corsi and appreciate their gorgeous looks!

24/08/2022

Hello, friends! I guess we may call this week raw-bone-week 😊😊😊 So, let’s continue… If your Cane Corso, for some reason, can’t eat bones or you want to make the bone part calculations easier, there is an option called bone powder. It has much fewer benefits than the whole bones, but it is easier to measure, it has zero potential for choking hazards and your dog’s feeding area will be cleaner. It is advisable to choose bone powder which is not made with chemicals, acids, bleaches or under high temperatures. I accidentally found this Better Bones powder from Four Leaf Rover and it seemed to me ideal. Check it out, if it’s in your region, I think it’s worth it (no ads intended). Another option to feed bones with precautions is to grind them to the mince. Anyway, I think chewing meaty bones for your dog is the very best option, which has so many benefits (see my earlier post), your dog’s happy eyes would be proof of it. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!

23/08/2022

Hi, guys! One of the things I often considered vitally important for our dogs' health is a proper level of calcium/phosphorus in their diet. As we know these elements dogs on a raw diet get from the bone part. I’ve made some research and found that the bone part for an adult must be around 10%, while for puppies it varies from 15 to 25%. So, as you see, the bone part in the diet of puppies is much higher, than those of adult dogs, which is understandable since puppies need more building material for growth, hence more calcium and phosphorus. To calculate bone part in the diet one must know what percentage of a bone part is in a certain type of meat. This information you may find online (https://bit.ly/3wkdIDK) and make further calculations (for example here https://bit.ly/3QJ3PYH). But bear in mind, that for such large breed dogs as Cane Corso better not feed whole chicken meat, since it’s too high in fat and calcium. The rule of thumbs is to keep your Cane Corso lean and energetic. But if you see your dog chewing pebbles, bricks or other minerals, it is a hint that his diet needs an adjustment. It is not recommended to give Cane Corso, whether adult or growing pup, calcium supplements unless your vet adviser prescribed it. And last, but not least, keep an eye on your dog’s p**p. Too firm, white p**p may indicate that there are too many bones in the diet, while loose stool suggests adding more bones (or limit\change the secreting organ part; btw, the spleen may cause the loose stool). Share your thoughts about this topic in the comments below! I also invite you to my Buy me a coffee page (choose podcasts on the link in the bio), where you can consume information about Cane Corso in a comfortable audio format 😊 and will help our project to grow as fast as our pups do😉 Thank you! Have a splendid day!

22/08/2022

Hello, guys! 😀 Today let’s see what types of meat are the best for your pup and not only. For puppies up to 4 weeks old, the best meat types are chicken, fish or turkey. Turkey is an especially valuable type of meat with a healthy ratio of fatty acids, easy to digest and is a good source of protein, which is essential for your puppy’s growth and development. Of course, such little pups would eat those meats as a mince. Puppies older than 4-5 weeks can be fed with red types of meat, which are beef, duck, pork, lamb and organ meats. Until after 6 weeks of age they will be able to eat those meats cut into reasonable pieces. Teaching the dog to chew their food is a good way to start and it begins very early. Puppies at the age of 6-8 weeks must be familiar with various types of meat (and not only meat). There is a lot to this theme yet, but won’t be a nerd today🤓 Thank you for your time! Don’t forget to check out all 3 sides of the Buffy’s Pack project (link in the bio)!

18/08/2022

Hey, folks! Let’s talk about puppies' important life phases. Cane Corso isn’t different in this instance and goes through various life stages just like any other dog breed. They will experience different things for the first time. One of these is the fear phase, which typically occurs around 8-10 weeks of age. This is when your pup may start to be afraid of things they weren't before, like the sound of the vacuum cleaner or lawn mower. It is very important to introduce those new sounds/scents to your pup gradually, but consistently. One way to do this is to help them socialize with other dogs and people. If they're afraid of something, don't force them to confront it; instead, help them approach it bit by bit. With time and patience, your pup will get through this phase and be back to its normal, playful self in no time. Until the next fear phase. Which we will talk about some time later 😊
Thank you for your time!

16/08/2022

Hello, friends! I often wondered why Cane Corso treats their kind, other Cane Corsi, so much better than other breeds. I’m sure you saw this attitude. I read that there are several reasons why Cane Corsi may be more tolerant towards their breed. For one, they simply remembered their breed sights, smells, and sounds. Additionally, the Cane Corso breed, as well as other breeds, tend to share similar physical and behavioural traits, which can make them more comfortable and familiar with one another. Moreover, dogs, not only recognise their breed, but they can distinguish their mother, father or siblings, provided they have grown up together long enough (2-4 months). Whatever the reason, now I know that it’s not only my imagination or common dog’s humanization. I think dogs are much more smarter than we used to think and there are things to discover. For example, I read that scientists recently find out that spiders are able to see dreams (sorry, for the off top) … If spiders can see dreams…what dogs are able to? As I said, more to discover, and it’s great 😊 P.S. You may start to discover the Cane Corso breed by visiting the Buffy's Pack project link in the bio :)

15/08/2022

Hello, guys! It’s been a while since my last post, but once I find out a bit more about my brain work (special 🤗s to those struggling with ), I’ve started to accept such peculiarities of mine. Hope you will too 🥺. Anyway, I don’t lose hope that someday I will find that system which will help me to do all I’ve planned…in time 😊 But, today, I caught myself on the thought that perhaps dogs for me, especially Buffy, were not only friends and companions but a remedy too. I always felt calmer, happier and more confident with the dogs around me. Besides, taking care of Buffy, was that anchor that kept my life in order. I have other anchors these days, which are yoga and jogging, but it’s not exactly the same. I suppose having a dog for people with ADHD may be very helpful, but consult with your doctor before taking this responsible step. And last, but not least, I think that not all Cane Corso dogs could be a good companion dog for people with ADHD and it’s especially important to choose a dog by temperament, instead of looks. Hmm…I thought to write about a completely different topic...but...you know...peculiarities… Anyway, thank you for your time!

22/07/2022

Hey, guys! New short on my channel)) https://youtube.com/shorts/7LbO9hBfrz8?feature=share Check it out!

Reliable data from ATTS (American Temperament Test Society) about Cane Corso and Neapolitan Mastiff. Ch...

22/07/2022

Hello, friends! Did you know that some Cane Corso live longer than others? Moreover, there is one specific characteristic that may add your Cane Corso to the list of long-lived dogs and this is coat colour. According to one study, “the longest living group is formed by black brindle-coloured dogs with a median of 10.30 years”. Second place by longevity possesses Cane Corso with a brindle coat (10.13 years) and the third place took grey brindle dogs (9.84 years). I think this is quite interesting information. I love brindle Cane Corsi, you’ll never mix them up with other dogs. For some reason, they are not very popular and quite undeservedly. What do you think? What Corso coat colour do you like the most? Perhaps colour it’s the last thing you notice?)
Photo: HAIGA Bastion Gwiazd - Cane Corso Italiano by ankusia is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

18/07/2022

Hello, everyone! I’ve come across these guys recently,
guys make an amazing job in training dogs from puppies to high-level bodyguard dogs. Here is an interesting article from their blog https://bit.ly/CaneCorsovsPresaCanario …It feels like there is only practical knowledge. Have a good reading! ;) Thanks!

Photographer: Sgt Steve Blake
Image 45153756.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk Shared under CC BY-NC 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/)

14/07/2022

Hi, Cane Corso fans! It is the last hours of Prime Day at Amazon this year…and my first try to raise your awareness about it 😉 Check out this link https://bit.ly/CaneCorsogifts with a bunch of carefully selected products that may benefit you and your Cane Corso! Thank you and see you soon!

11/07/2022

Hello, guys! Today let’s look into the topic of the best activity for a Cane Corso. What is the most accessible, risk-free and simple way to give your dog some exercise? I guess there can’t be a second opinion that walking is the one. No matter how old your dog is or how fit is its owner, everyone can (and must) arrange a walk with their pet. Regular walking with Cane Corso dog (as well as other dog breeds) except obvious health benefits, provides mental stimulation, socialisation, an opportunity to train your dog and strengthens the bond between the dog and the owner. Healthy adult Cane Corso needs at least 2 hours per day walk. We used to divide this time into two, mornings for a bit shorter walk (30-40 mins) and evenings for a bit longer (1-2 hours). Once a week I tried to bring Buffy somewhere she could run freely. Buffy adored walks and she knew we going out a long time before I took her leash)) Walks made her Italian temper quite obvious, so to calm her down, each time before the walk I gave her a few commands to switch her attention to me instead of that exciting world outside. Of course, walking with the pup is another story. In this case, you must measure the level of activity and external stimuli according to the puppy’s age and personality. Okay, that's it for today). Thank you for your time! Please, check out all 3 sides of the Buffy’s Pack project (link in the bio)!
Photo: Cane Corso by Katherine Mihailova. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/) No changes made.

06/07/2022

Hello, guys! Today let’s dive into the topic of feeding RAW once again. We all know that a balanced RAW diet for our big friends must consist of bones. Bones are important as a source of calcium, zinc, selenium and magnesium, glucosamine and chondroitin, vitamin K2, Manganese, Phosphorus, Anti-oxidants, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and some amino acids. It is not only a rich source of nutrients (in the most digestible form) but also a thousand-years-known way to keep dog’s teeth clean and sparkly. Besides, let’s not forget how happy and calm it makes a dog when it's busy with the tasty bone. It is worth mentioning that a decent amount of the bone part in the dog’s diet (around 10% of the meal to be exact), adds more fibre to the digested food, which helps to get a firmer stool and no problems with the a**l gland emptying (which may be an issue with a soft kibble food). By the way, clean teeth are not only tartar build-up free because of bone chewing, but it helps to not let bad bacteria into the system. While chewing a bone after the meal dog enriches their digestion with saliva enzymes. See? So many benefits (and no need for teeth brushing 😊). There are few yet nuances about feeding bones one need to know, but let this one sink in. Thank you for your time! Don’t forget to check out all 3 sides of the Buffy’s Pack project (link in the bio)!



Photo of the pup: Cane Corso by Olga Martschitsch is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

04/07/2022

Hello, guys! First of all, Happy Independence Day! As I mentioned in my earlier posts, my constant dilemma with my Cane Corso kid was what to feed her, RAW food or kibble. But it never occurred to me that I may choose both, till this day. What confused me initially is the assertion that kibble, because of the higher carbohydrates don’t stimulate the dog’s stomach to produce enough acid and therefore it can not pre-digest protein from the raw meat. The thing is pepsin, the enzyme that digests protein can be activated only with stomach acids, which should have quite a low pH. But the very assumption that carbohydrates cause the stomach acids to go to alkaloid levels is not correct. The level of pH in the stomach is regulated according to the food content. For example, subtle “sensors” detect the calcium (bones) in the food content and signalise to increase acid production. The acid level decreases as the food goes all the way through the digestive system and there are a whole lot of other enzymes and processes that get involved to effectively digest the food and get the nutrients. So, it is safe to combine kibble and RAW food in one meal. The only exception may be for dogs with sensitive stomachs, for whom any change in the diet may cause disruption. Yet another nuance one must keep in mind is that dogs can’t produce enough enzymes (amylase) in the long run to digest starch and protein in grains effectively which may contribute to allergies and immune problems. So, if the dog gets high in carbohydrates food for a long time it may compromise its health. Of course, consult your vet if you have any doubts about your dog’s diet.

01/07/2022

Hey, friends! Did you ever hear that pure-bred Cane Corso is treating people like gods? When I'd taken Buffy from her breeder she said to me that the harshest punishment for this dog breed can be a light flip with a newspaper. Cane Corsi so much worship their owners and respect people generally, that rude attitude towards them will be a traumatising experience. This respect for humans I could also see at the vet. No matter what procedures Buffy went through, it looked like she knew that they meant well 😊 Did I teach her to behave well at the vet? No. The only way of teaching was our routine visits from her early puppyhood. So, I strongly recommend utilizing this way of socialising your Cane Corso, it’d make your life together so much easier.

30/06/2022

Hey, dears! I guess many dog owners will agree with me here, that each breed has its specific disposition and it is on the walks that we may see one. When we lived in the city with Buffy, we used to take a walk on the long boulevard with the nice green alley in the centre. All dog owners from the area walked their dogs there day and night. Over the years, I learned which dogs are potentially troublesome to walk by. No offence to the owners of these breeds, I know that there are many well-behaved exceptions. So, our red-flagged breeds were Dachshunds and Beagles. Each time we passed by they were barking mad) or tried to lunge. Most of the time Buffy walked proudly by, but sometimes not. Cane Corso, as a highly protective dog, would rarely ignore such behaviour if the owner is too close and may try to correct the offender. I tried to balance the situation by, on the one hand, avoiding the conflict, and on the other, not oppressing Buffy’s protectiveness too much, because after all, it was her main job. Therefore, if we couldn’t change the route, I secured her movement for a bit with the chain slip collar (by placing it closer to the ears), ignored her agitation and commanded her heel until the horizon was clear again. It was enough to divert her attention to me and not scare passers-by. This story is not a trainer’s advice, just a little story from our life and my half-intuitive, half-book-learned way to grow a good dog. Thank you for your time and share your thoughts in the comments below!

29/06/2022

Hey, guys! Did you ever notice that your dog posing when you photographed it? I had a strong suspicion that Buffy did. More often than not, she made that proud posture, had that far-looking sight and froze just enough to make a good shot. I guess she knew she looked stunning)) Perhaps, it's just my imagination...what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments :)

28/06/2022

Hey, friends! I wonder have any of you been to Ukraine? One of the uncomfortable bequests from the soviet times which our country got is this “overtired” public transport service. Slowly, but surely we are getting better, but still, there are some old vehicles yet and it is often too overcrowded, noisy and jumpy. I’d spare Buffy from this challenge, but back then we had to use it from time to time. Besides this was an excellent opportunity to apply positive reinforcement training combined with socialization. But, honestly, she behaved perfectly, from day one, - no jumps, no growling, not even pulling on the leash, no tries to get rid of the muzzle. She came in, find the place she chose (sometimes I had to correct her here and seat her comfortably for people around because like many big dogs she wasn’t aware of her size) and seated there quietly. I suppose, nowadays, people mostly use their private transport when travelling with dogs. But, I think, it could be a very good way to diversify your dog’s socialisation, the more different places/vehicles/noises she senses, the better. Anyway, I suggest, a few precautions to be taken before getting into transport. Make sure that your dog had some time to run and do her toilet business, she’s not thirsty (better take some water with you, especially in the summertime) or too tired. Better avoid such trips, if there is no conditioner in the transport and the weather too hot. Keep a calm and confident attitude as a leader and enjoy your time together. Don’t forget to take on the muzzle, if muzzle-free dogs are not allowed in public places in your country. Acquaint your Cane Corso with this side of life gradually and from puppyhood. Have a nice trip with your Cane Corso pet! Cya!