An AKC & ICCF Registered
Cane Corso Kennel
Located in Wichita Kansas
Cane Corso History & Information
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History:
The Cane Corso is a descendant of the Molossian war dogs of ancient Rome. Italy is the birth place of the Cane Corso where the breed has proven its’ value in how versatile it is. Cane Corso were bred to perform a whole plethora of jobs from farm dog to war dog, to hunting/catch dog. Cane Corsos are well know for their protective nature and protective abilities. The Latin translation of Cane Corso is after all, bodyguard dog...
There are many opinions on the modern Cane Corso and it’s origins. Those opinions have led to numerous arguments and ruined relationships. Some self-proclaimed Cane Corso experts live in a fantasy world of dragons and warlocks. They believe the Cane Corso is an unstoppable dog capable of killing a full grown lion on it’s own. While that thought is quite laughable, there is solid evidence to suggest the original Cane Corso were in fact used as Roman war dogs. There is also solid evidence to suggest descendants of the modern Cane Corso fought along side gladiators in the Roman Colliseum, or were set loose condemned people who were made to fight without weapons against the Cane Corso.
To get a better understanding of where this fantastic breed comes from, it is important to understand what is meant when it is said that Cane Corsos are descendants of Molossian war dogs, or Molossus… What is a Molossus? Simply put, They were war dogs, trained to fight to the death. They were known for their ferocity and loyalty to their owners/families. Other uses of the Molossus were hunting and guard duties. Before you make your final decision on whether or not to bring a Cane Corso into your household, it is important that you realize where they come from and the original purposes they were bred for.
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Cane Corso Breed Standard
In an effort to provide as much detail as possible, we have provided links to the exact written breed standards for the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC) , Federation Cynologique Internationale FCI and the International Cane Corso Federation (ICCF). Because these are the standards each kennel club has set for the Cane Corso, there is no room for written interpretation of them. They are as follows:
AKC
The American Kennel Club provides the following brief summary of the Cane Corso: Smart, trainable and of noble bearing, the assertive and confident Cane Corso is a peerless protector. The Corsi’s lineage goes back to ancient Roman times and the breed’s name roughly translates from the Latin as “Bodyguard dog” At nearly 28” at the shoulder and often weighing more than 100 lbs, with a large head, alert expression and muscles rippling beneath their short, stiff coat, Corsi are at a glance intimidating creatures. Their imposing appearance is their first line of defense against intruders. Corsi are intelligent, loyal, eager to please, versatile and intensely loyal to their humans but are also assertive and willful. Please click on the provided link to view more on the AKC Cane Corso breed standard.
UKC
The United Kennel Club gives the following brief description of the Cane Corso: "The breed is extremely responsive and agile. It is used as a guardian of family, property and livestock. In the past, it has been used for herding cattle and hunting big game." To be taken to the UKC standard, please click on the link below.
ICCF
The International Cane Corso Federation, is the oldest Cane Corso registry in the world and the most complete stud book in the United States, recognizing hundreds of Cane Corsos as having obtained Grand Championships, Championships, or working titles. Click on the provided link to view more on the ICCF Cane Corso breed standard.
Cane Corso Health Concerns
Not only do our dogs compete, but they are also thoroughly health tested prior to becoming a part of our breeding program. Below are some of the more common health issues the Cane Coro is susceptible to.
*Vae Victis Cane Corso has chosen Embark to conduct the genetic tests listed below. We use Pennhip for hip evaluations and OFA for elbow evaluations. In addition, descriptions of the diseases listed below were taken directly from the Embark website.
Dental Skeletal Retinal Anomaly (DSRA)
A hereditary disease in the Cane Corso characterized by abnormalities in the development and growth of the skeleton and teeth, which are markedly brittle, discolored, or translucent. The disease is associated with progressive retinal degeneration resulting in loss of vision. Testing for DSRA is relatively inexpensive and results are usually received within a week or two after the lab receives a sample. Test results fall into the following categories:
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Clear – This dog is not affected and does not carry the DSRA gene.
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Carrier – This dog carries the DSRA gene but does not suffer from the effects of the disease.
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Affected – This dog is affected by this debilitating disease.
Testing is relatively easy and inexpensive. For a test to be completed a DNA sample by way of cheek swab is sent to a lab and results are usually received within a few weeks of the lab receiving the sample.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
This is the dog equivalent of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, DM is a progressive degenerative disorder of the spinal cord. Because the nerves that control the hind limbs are the first to degenerate, the most common clinical signs are back muscle wasting and gait abnormalities.
Affected dogs do not usually show signs of DM until they are at least 8 years old.
Definitive diagnosis requires microscopic analysis of the spinal cord after death. However, veterinarians use clues such as genetic testing, breed, age, and other diagnostics to determine if DM is the most likely cause of your dog’s clinical signs.
As dogs are seniors at the time of onset, the treatment for DM is aimed towards increasing their comfort through a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and physical therapy.
Giving your dog the best quality of life for as long as possible is all you can do after receiving this diagnosis.
Testing is relatively easy and inexpensive. For a test to be completed a DNA sample by way of cheek swab is submitted toa a lab and results are usually received within a week or two of the lab receiving the sample.
Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (cmr1)
This is a non-progressive retinal disease that, in rare cases, can lead to vision loss. Dogs with larger lesions can suffer from vision loss. CMR is fairly non-progressive; new lesions will typically stop forming by the time a dog is an adult, and some lesions will even regress with time.
cmr1 typically develops in puppies at 11 to 16 weeks and becomes stable by the time they are 1 year old.
CMR is typically only identified when a vet examines the back of the eye which, in dogs with CMR, reveals multiple retinal abnormalities that range from small, flat folds (called "retinal folds") to larger, irregularly edged raised lesions (called "geographic lesions").
Currently, there is no treatment for CMR. However, CMR rarely affects vision to a significant degree, and as we stated, even the associated retinal abnormalities can regress over time.
Carefully monitoring your dog's vision and seeking a veterinary ophthalmologist’s opinion if you are concerned are the best ways you can help your affected dog.
Testing is relatively easy and inexpensive. For a test to be completed a DNA sample by way of cheek swab is submitted to a lab and results are usually received within a week or two of the lab receiving the sample.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy, DCM
This is reportedly the most common myocardial disease affecting dogs. The heart has two heavily muscled ventricles that pump blood. DCM causes progressive weakening of the ventricles by reducing the muscle mass, which causes the ventricles to dilate. Dilated ventricles do not contract and circulate oxygenated blood well, which eventually leads to heart failure.
In general, DCM progresses through two distinct stages: an asymptomatic stage and an overt stage, in which clinical signs attributable to congestive heart failure (CHF) become apparent. Affected dogs are typically between one to five years of age at the time of diagnosis.
A vet may use an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) or radiographs (x-rays) to observe progressive dilation and/or weakness of the left or both ventricles. CHF may be diagnosed by observing an increased opacity in the lungs or abdomen on radiographs due to the presence of fluid.
Medical treatment is aimed at reducing the abnormal fluid accumulation, improving the function of the heart, and addressing arrhythmias, if present.
Hip Dysplasia –
According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons,” Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a condition that begins in dogs as they grow and results in instability or a loose fit (laxity) of the hip joint. The hip joint laxity is responsible for potential clinical signs (symptoms) of hip pain and limb dysfunction and progressive joint changes. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint and continual abnormal movement of the femoral head (ball) deforms the acetabulum (socket). The long-term response to this joint laxity is the progressive loss of cartilage, the development of scar tissue around the joint, and the formation of osteophytes (bone spurs) around the ball and socket.”
“The cause of CHD is multifactorial; however, hereditary (genetics) is the biggest single risk factor. Rapid weight gain and growth through excessive nutritional intake can complicate the development of CHD. Hip dysplasia occurs most commonly in large breed.”
https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/canine-hip-dysplasia
For what we believe are the most accurate results, all Vae Victis Cane Corso breeding prospects are tested through PennHip.
Elbow Dysplasia –
According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, “There are a number of theories as to the exact cause of elbow dysplasia that include genetics, defects in cartilage growth, trauma, diet, and so on. It is most commonly suspected this is a multifactorial disease in which causes the growth disturbances.”
“Elbow dysplasia is an inherited condition that can occur in most dog breeds but is most commonly seen in large to giant breed dogs. It has been noted to affect both elbows in up to 80% of patients. Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds, and Golden retrievers among others are predisposed to UAP while Labrador retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden retrievers have an increased predilection among other breeds for developing medial compartment disease.”
All Vae Victis Cane Corso breeding prospects have their elbows tested through OFA.
*A special note regarding health testing. There are many breeders that perform a basic DNA test for the purpose of breed identification/characteristics and claim that their dogs are "health tested". For a minimal fee Embark offers a test that identifies 250+ genetic health risks as well as breed identification/characteristics. It is important to note that this DOES NOT include testing for hip and elbow dysplasia.
In addition, many backyard breeders will attempt to deceive their prospective clients by claiming their Cane Corso puppies are “health checked or "vet checked” This is essentially a play on words. “Health Checked” simply means an animal health care provider, hopefully a veterinarian, checked their puppies to ensure they appeared healthy, essentially a physical exam.
Be wary of kennels who attempt to distract you from failing/lack of health scores or dogs in their program that are nowhere close to the breed standard. There has been much discussion recently about breeders who go out of their way to earn dozens of titles on their dogs, that are great dogs, but should not be bred, in an effort to distract from their serious/disastrous faults.