ABOUT CANE CORSOS

About Cane Corsos

Blue Cane Corso Skin Problems

Why you should think twice before getting a blue Corso.... it's not just Corsos, its the color. It's gorgeous but it has more health and skin problems than any other color. Blues are beautiful but are a diluted form of black and as such are a recessive gene that can cause life long skin and health conditions. It is the same as blue Doberman syndrome, white boxers, etc. The less blue in a line the less likely you are to have problems but it's always a significant risk with any blue dog. Below is an explanation of why this color causes a problem.

Color-dilution alopecia appears to be the same disorder as Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia but covers a wider range of coat colors. It is also called Blue Doberman Syndrome, Fawn Irish Setter Syndrome, and Blue Dog disease.

Blue coat color appears to be caused by at least two different mutations in the MLPH gene in the 30 breeds we studied. The commmon mutation causes dilute coat color in most dogs that are born blue or grey. The symptoms of this disorder vary widely among individuals for reasons that are not clear at this time. The symptoms seem worst in Large Munsterlanders but Newfoundlands, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Weimaraners, and Italian Greyhounds can all have symptoms. Patchy hair loss on the ears, head and along the spinal column seems to be the most common symptom. Dermatitis, wrinkled skin, allergic skin reactions, etc. all occur. Some dogs are free of symptoms early in life and then develop them later.

We have collected DNA samples from blue dogs with and without symptoms to try to understand if the groups in each group had a different mutation. However some dogs with the common mutation and some without it had CDA symptoms and others did not. There may be a slightly higher chance that males may suffer more severe symptoms than females.

http://homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/dogconditions.html
Schmutz, S. M. , J. S. Moker, E. G. Clark, and R. Shewfelt. 1998. Black hair follicular dysplasia: an autosomal recessive. Can. Vet. J. 39:644-646. Lewis, C. J. 1995. Black hair follicular dysplasia in UK bred salukis. Vet. Record 137:294-295. Philipp U, Hamann H, Mecklenburg L, Nishino S, Mignot E, Schmutz SM, Leeb T. 2005. Polymorphisms within the canine MLPH gene are associated with dilute coat color in dogs . BMC Genetics 6:34-. (This article is published in a publicly accessible online journal at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2156/6/34) Von Bomhard W., Mauldin E.A., Schmutz S.M., Leeb T., Casal, M.L. 2006. Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia in Large Munsterlander dogs resembles cutaneous lesions in human Griscelli syndrome. Clinical, histological and ultrastructural aspects of the disease. Veterinary Deramatology 17:182-188. Color Dilution Alopecia by Teri Dickinson, DVM Special Care for a Blue Doberman by Jim Anable. (See bottom for melatonin as a possible treatment.)

General Info

The Cane Corso is a great guard dog, extremely loyal to its family and quite aloof with strangers. Cane Corso Italian Mastiffs have a instinctively very protective nature and yet is able to discern friend from foe. The Cane Corso instinctively knows when to become a defensive and protective dog for its owner, his grounds, the house and the whole family. With proper training the Italian mastiff is submissive to his family, suspicious of strangers, and a big old lap dog.

The Cane Corso Italiano is not for everyone! Please research the breed and look through the site before even considering getting one. Check out the About page for general Cane Corso mastiff information. They are very large dogs which means they cost more to go to the vet, more to give treatments to, more food to feed, bigger toys to buy, much heavier crates to contain them, etc. They require extensive socialization, firm training as they are a guardian breed. It's the best combination of a guard dog and companion possible IF that is what you are looking for. Cane Corsos are great with children when raised with them, trained and socialized properly.

The Cane Corso puppy bonds to his family and becomes quite attached especially to the children. The Cane Corsos enjoy being included in the family activities and are very athletic and enjoy being worked. The Cane Corso is not to be left in the backyard to their own devices. They will become large, destructive unhappy animals so make sure this breed is right for you! Sovrana Cane Corso is happy to answer any questions you have about the Cane Corso breed, health, and puppy availability. You as a potential buyer need to do your own homework and research as well.

Cane Corsos are large, rare, and expensive dogs to raise, show, train, and breed properly. If you are looking for the cheapest Corso around, this is not the site for you. Sovrana Cane Corso breeds champion quality, stable temperaments, champion lined, health guaranteed puppies with lifetime support. If you want a $500 dog, a Corso is not for you. If you do find a cheap Corso, buyer beware. Sometimes you get lucky, and sometimes you just get what you pay for. Sovrana Cane Corso is for those looking for a high quality, healthy, strong, stable, and protective dog to love and protect you and your loved ones.

Cane Corso Standard

There are two accepted standards for the Cane Corso and Sovrana Cane Corso follows the Cane Corso Association of America's recommendation of the AKC recognized Cane Corso standard.