Latest news..August 29th 2006

Having not updated the web site for a long time, here's what has been happening over the last few years...

Capo

After being a great ambassador for the breed, fathering three great litters and being part of our family, my first Cane Corso and the first Cane Corso in England, Capo passed away in 2003. He is still very much missed.

Capo II

I then went in search of Capo's breeder, Simona Tanzarella of Rosso Malpelo. A well respected breeder who is still breeding and showing champions in Italy. When i first visited her with my friend and fellow Corso enthusiast Kenny James I informed her that I was interested in having another one of her pups as I had been so happy with Capo, but wanted pick of the litters when the pups were 7 weeks old. The reason for this was I had researched the best way to choose a pup and wanted to try a method recommended by the Monks of New Skete. The Monks have been breeding for many years and have researched the best method for judging a pups temperament and suitability to various lifestyles (working dogs or family pets).

After waiting patiently I was given the pick of two litters. After testing all the pups I decided on a black boy. In memory of my first Capo we named him Capo II. Being a very confident pup he had no problems with the 6 months quarantine and came home and soon settled in with Bedra, Nera and the Jack Russell Rosie. At one year old he went for training at Lakatamia. They are well respected family who have been training dogs from basic obedience to Shutzhund for 3 generations. The temperament testing paid off as I was informed by Adrian at Lakatamia that Capo II was easily trained.

Bedra

Bedra had two wonderful litters with Capo. From the first litter a male called Romus went to my brother Frank and a female called Ellie went to a friend Tracy. The others went to good homes many of which we are still in contact with. From the second litter two females went to Tracy and a female to Kenny James which he named Little Bedra. Since then Kenny has become a friend and as already mentioned a fellow Cane Corso enthusiast.

Unfortunately, some time after having pups Bedra developed a growth on one of her teats which I was advised should be removed. While she was sedated I asked the vet to x-ray Bedra's hips and was shocked to be told that she believed that they were not good. Not having much time to consider the options while she was still under general anaesthetic I asked the vet to spay her. Something I now to a certain extent regret. Bedra had come from Nino Leto at La Mirage a cousin in Sicily who has been breeding Corso's for years. He was the one that first introduced me to the breed. I went back to him for his advice on hips. His views was that he had never x-rayed his dogs’ hips as he had never had a dog with any mobility problems. He asked me if Bedra showed any signs of a problem, which she did not. This got me thinking as he showed me dogs of 13 and 14 years old that were still fine. Bedra is now 7 years old, fit and with no signs of hip problems.

Nera

Nera is one of Ellie's pups. She was line bred with Romus (her Uncle) and had 9 outstanding pups in October 2004. Of which I have kept a female we have named Chiara. It was difficult to decide which female to keep but we are very happy with her progress.