I’ve been involved with dog breeding for 20 years (pitbulls) and I have quite a bit of experience with the molloser breeds.
I would strongly suggest a long period of research for anyone that wants to own one of these breeds. Their relative attributes are often “romanticized” by those in the rare breed community who not by coincidence make a pretty penny off of puppies. All breeds, all bloodlines, have their pro’s and con’s. Learn them before deciding.
Learn about the parents and the breeding, and why a particular breeding was made. You cannot know what you want and can live with if all you know is you like the way this breed LOOKS.
Forget books. Most books have only thumbnail sketch background on various rare breeds and they vary in accuracy and are always short on depth. I would peruse breed specific message boards where will find some very knowledgeable people on those boards with various opinions about the breed, bloodlines and breeders. There is a molloser specific message board that is a good place to start.
Do not underestimate doing your homework. I was an experienced pitbull guy (an expert in fact) when I brought my first dogo argentino over 10 years ago. In that relatively short period of time, I would not have purchased that particular dog from that breeder if I had it to do over. My second dogo took me in an entirely different direction…and I was a very experienced dogman at the time, but not necessarily an experienced “dogo” man. In other words, get as much knowledge about your chosen breed as possible BEFORE you buy.
Finally, research these breeds with an eye to getting down to the “truth” of the breed and peel back that “romanticism” that those that own or sell the breed have. Fact is, the Cane Corso had a job long ago but has long since been bred for nothing but looks. It now retains nothing of what it was intended to be and its temperment varies markedly between bloodlines. I have a very good friend that owns and shows Corsos. I’d suggest looking up your local Rare Breed Club and going to some rare breed shows to meet the breed in person and talk to some people. After much research, THEN decide if you still like the dog.
Fact is there isn’t a Corso anywhere that can hunt like it was intended and they are not known to excel in man work. I’m not going to pontificate on “working dogs”, of which the Corso was supposed to be, but if a dog no longer has a “job”, how can you evaluate its fitness? By looks? That’s tantamount to saying because a guy has big biceps, he’s probably a good powerlifter. Don’t fall into that trap when it comes to dogs and breeds of dogs. The WORSE reason in the world to choose a breed or even an individual dog, is because you LIKE THE WAY IT LOOKS. Off my soap box now.
Finally, many of the molloser breeds have some strong drives that you need to be prepared to deal with. And, these drives are not necessarily positive drives for the pet owner. They are generally not novice dog owner breeds - but that doesn’t stop novices from attempting to own them. I’m not telling you or even suggesting to you what to buy, I’m only cautioning you to understand what you are getting in to.
The rare breed message boards are full of horror stories of novice owners and breeders “ruining” one breed or another.
Good luck with whatever decision you make when you are ready to make it. Remember, its a decision that will be with you and/or your family for about 12 years.
) are known throughout the world for liking larger dogs. To this end, we’ve increased the size of certain breeds, often to the breeds’ detriment.