30/07/2021
Les compartimos las respuestas del dr. Paolo Breber, experto y responsable del renacimiento de la raza, a las preguntas hechas por entusiastas de la raza. De las cosas que el mas enfatiza es la mordida de tijera que deben tener y el perfil que NO debe parecerse al del bóxer. Los labios nunca deben de sobresalir de la nariz. Tampoco son perros con piel colgante, arrugas ni gigantes. Reproducir perros cruces de bóxer no solo es irresponsable sino también un claro detrimento a la raza. Un criador responsable conoce bien los estándares y no reproduce perros que no los cumpla. Todos los perros son hermosos pero si somos amantes de una raza en particular procuramos reproducir para mejorarla y reconocemos que solo los individuos extraordinarios deben de ser utilizados en reproducción.
Answers to your questions from Dr. Breber (the world renowned CC expert) are back!!! There were some good questions. We would like to thank Dr. Breber for taking the time to help educate others about the true traditional Cane Corso.
The following responses to your questions are directly from Dr. Paolo Breber. ENJOY!
Q: If Basir, the dog that many people go by as the standard was not up to your standard, then what kind of dog was he? Half Corso/mutt? How did he differ?
“No, I liked Basir then, he was a good early specimen but he had a slight undershot bite, a feature I didn’t want included in the kennel club standard.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: Do you think it’s possible to have an actual standard if the farmers were just indeed breeding dogs that could work and not breeding for looks?
“The standard I recommend is the following.
The CC is a mastiff, its essential physical characteristics are:
Scissors bite
Profile of forehead parallel to the profile of the muzzle
Anterior profile of mouth should not supersede the nose
Thick and close fitting skin
Short and double coat
Suggested height at withers: males 60-65 cm; females 50-55 cm (this can be discussed)
Pronounced sexual dimorphism.
Function and temperament.
The CC is a catch dog i.e. it has a holding bite
Very strong empathy with the owner and his family.
Low-strung and relaxed temperament
Natural bodyguard, very obedient
Historically it was used as a catch dog in controlling swine and cattle, and in the hunting of large game. It was used as a bodyguard by gamekeepers, night watchmen, and anyone who risked violence from other men.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: I'm really interested in seeing any pictures Dr. Breber might be willing to share of the process of bringing the breed back.
“The breed is already back but we have to clean those that show the Boxer influence. See the picture of the heads of traditional CCs I include here. Photos below actually show some of the original farm dogs at the time I discovered the breed.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
(Pics posted below)
Q: Please ask Dr.Breber. what should the consumer look for in a CC? As in:
Qualities that will help consumers evaluate the breeding, the health and the temperament of a CC.
“If the dog is of the old-type there should be no problem with health and temperament. Health and temperament are ruined if you begin to breed for what show judges like and reward.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: How much weight should a consumer give to a potential breeder who has champion titles in the actual breeding male and female, versus one generation offset champion titles?
“Champion titles mean that it’s the kennel club version with Boxer blood. I simply wouldn’t consider it.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: How much would the doctor pay for breeding stock and why?
*what dictates his threshold for pricing?
“An honest and competent breeder should be paid whatever he asks.
Dogs should never be given away free.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: What are the hallmarks of substandard specimens of CC that a typical consumer can recognize when evaluating a puppy.
“It is very difficult to judge how a dog will become in a two-months old puppy. Judge from the parents. Anyway see how the jaws close; if they close properly (the lower incisors close behind and touching the upper incisors) it’s a relatively dependable sign.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: What health issues does the doctor see forth coming/currently in the breed and what is his opinion on resolving these issues going forward with the breed.
“Health issues emerge when you mould the breed to please the judges at the dog shows.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: Recommendations for the top 5 + preventative actions should consumers (not breeders) do to ensure their puppy lives a long, healthy and mentally /physically stable life.
“Give it a job. Make it do things that it enjoys and require energy and vigour.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: In the doctors opinion, what are the red flags that consumers should look out for when evaluating a CC breeder.
“Look at the average quality of all his dogs. See if they are homogeneous.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: What is the doctors definition of amateur breeder vs. An experienced breeder ( back yard vs. Not back yard)
“The difference lies in how you choose a mate for your dog: do you just go by the looks of the candidate or do you also check out on its blood line?”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: What is the doctors forecast for the breed and what needs to be done to further stabilize the breed.
“The breed is having a world-wide success and will continue to. From what I see around and on Internet the true type seems to be emerging triumphantly not withstanding the boxerised version of the kennel club. The breed is perfectly stable already; this does not mean that all CCs should be perfectly identical, this is a kennel club notion. It is normal and healthy that there should a measure of variability within the breed population, this, for instance, can be seen in the size.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: In your experience with the first foundational dogs in Italy; did they have a wolf bite, and if "yes" how would you propose finding those genes?
“Some of the first dogs I came across were not ideal. Some of these had a slightly undershot jaw but all the old-timers were unanimous in considering it a defect.
The CC is a catch dog and requires a perfect set of teeth so that a scissors bite should be the rule. There are many CCs today with a scissors bite.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: What characteristics; behavior, color, traits, and looks does he consider to be an original Cane Corso or Cane Corso lineage.
“The standard I recommend is the following.
The CC is a mastiff, the essential physical characteristics are:
Scissors bite
Profile of forehead parallel to the profile of the muzzle
Anterior profile of mouth should not supersede the nose
Thick and close fitting skin
Short and double coat
Suggested height at withers: males 60-65 cm; females 50-55 cm (open to discussion)
Pronounced sexual dimorphism.
Function and temperament.
The CC is a catch dog i.e. it has a holding bite
Very strong empathy with the owner and his family.
Low-strung and relaxed temperament
Natural bodyguard, very obedient
Historically it was used as a catch dog in controlling swine and cattle, and in the hunting of large game. It was used as a bodyguard by gamekeepers, night watchmen, and anyone who risked violence from other men.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: I want to know about the pointed dogs people are putting out lies saying there only in American lines when I saw a dog show in Italy form the 80’s with pointed dogs I’d love to know his thoughts also on weight.
“More than weight, look at the height. The CC is large but not giant; it is closely knit, muscular and athletic. Suggested height at withers: males 60-65 cm; females 50-55cm (this can be discussed).”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: how old is the breed? I’ve seen family trees that said it’s a new breed.
“Of course it’s “new” if you follow kennel club doctrine which declares that a breed comes to life only in the moment the kennel club recognises it as such. The Italian kennel club recognised it in the 1980s so therefore it is quite recent. On the other hand I have found documents that testify to the continued existence of a mastiff in Italy called Cane Corso from all the way back to the 14th century.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q:
when looking to buy a traditional Cane Corso what are some of the things we should be looking for? What is the best type of food for Cane Corsos as puppy’s and as adults?
“If it has a scissors bite usually the other characteristics of a traditional CC come with it. I’m afraid I have never given attention to diets. The real danger is to overfeed, especially with puppies. Puppies should not be fat even if this makes them look more cuddly. They should get their legs on a surface where there is a good grip. The worse floor is the shiny slippery one inside a house.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
Q: what exactly did you see in this breed that made you stop and think “this breed needs to continue”? My favorite breed of course.
“My interest in the CC lies in cultural history. The CC has been used as a working dog for centuries in Italy. Like the horse, if not more, it is part of the culture of a people and has played a significant role in the economy of the country. It was kept by those who could not do without it for their job and who were not necessarily dog-fanciers. This utilitarian approach developed a very high performing dog which we can fortunately still admire today in living specimens. This high quality is a testimonial to a high culture of animal husbandry which is worthy of being preserved as we preserve the heritage of the great works of art, architecture and literature.”… Dr. Paolo Breber
