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How The Cane Corso Were Used
Although the Cane Corso was present in the whole of Italy it was more common in the South and all of Sicily.
As the Corso spread it was used for many purposes and was named accordingly, The same dog with different names as well as tasks Straw stack dog /Grip Dog / Butchers Dog / Executioners dog / Big Game Hunting Dog.
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The Straw Stack Dog was preferred to be straw like in colour said to be flammable like the straw in its character. To guard the straw he needed to be a strong aggressive dog who would guard night and day to keep away thieves. The straw was valuable as it had many uses, as well as food and bedding for the animals it was used by bakers and also in the making of bricks. It made good shelter and insulation for the dogs too.
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The Goat Herds Dog. Unlike the Shepard the goat herder never owned his own land and didn't need as many dogs as the Shepard who used the Mastino Abruzze. He kept just a couple of Cane Corso who stayed close at all times. The goat herder would trespass to graze his goats on others land, they were often accused of cattle stealing so his dogs were very useful for personal protection.His Corso was distrustful and aggressive towards man or animal, they lived in couples and as a team kept the likes of wolves,foxes and lynx at bay. The character of the Corso was said to reflect the Goat Herds, violent and aggressive ready to defend at any time. They were also used to fight and more often than not till death.
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The Swine Herds Dog,was used just like the goat herds,for guarding protection and hunting. He was also used against the wild boar as a show for the people holding the boar by the ear or nose into submission. At night the Corso was destined to the chain at the entrance of the pigsty , by day he stayed close to the heard in the woods to protect them from predators and thieves. The female could also be used to help raise the young swine when there were too many for their mother.
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The Butchers Dog was a very strong dog who put on an amazing display as he moved cows and bulls to the market or the slaughter house. He was useful in the slaughter of the animals as if the butcher was unsuccessful in his method although tethered they would become dangerously angry.The Corso would take the bull by the nose holding it into submission so the butcher could complete his job.
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As the rescue of the fading breed began there was in the beginning careful selections made by those who took on the task, Dott Paolo Breber being responsible for bringing attention to the breed in an article written for the Italian kennel club magazine in 1976. He had an important part in setting up the rescue of the Cane Corso, he chose the dogs in Dauno and Tipsi who produced Basir the dog a standard was based around. As interest grew the number of litters being produced grew at quite a rate but unfortunately the quality suffered in many cases. Interpretations of the breed altered and the introduction of other breeds were and are still used to enhance certain features, father to daughter mating, mother to son are still carried out to fix characteristics and type. But at a cost of the dogs health and natural abilities to fight of disease in the long term.
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The correct bite is a discussion I have heard many times and I have seen many undershot examples, the lower jaw much longer than the upper. Something we see in the modern day English bulldog. Now im sure the English bulldog is no longer functional and when it was a functional breed they were not like the examples we see today. With out careful selection I am afraid this is what the future could hold for the Cane Corso.
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