Quote: reina wishart

I'm planning on buying a working Cane Corso and doing Personal Protection and other dog sports with him/her.

I think you may not realize what PP is. It isn't a dog sport. It is lifestyle/career training for a dog (serious work). Similar to police k9 or military dog training. When you are finished your dog will essentially be a loaded weapon that makes its own decisions on when to act. (i.e. a potential liability).

If you do a search on this forum for "Will Rambeau" and "personal protection" you will see an excellent description of exactly what it is and the work involved.

Schutzhund IS a dog sport (along with the different types of ring sports)

Sorry for the bad wording. I know that PP is a serious thing, and I'm not so sure I am going to do it even. I just wanted an answer of which one would better suit a Cane Corso. That's all. I'm not completely airheaded about this subject although I probably sound like a complete noob.

You don't train in PP to suit a dog.

You buy a dog that is suited towards PP (and it takes a lot of careful selection, trial and error to do that).

The breed of dog is secondary to the dog's individual attributes, and you won't know whether or not the dog is worthwhile until it is closer to 2 years of age.

You also don't train a dog in PP unless you need it.
The liability isn't worth it if you aren't getting something you need in return.

I sincerely doubt you need a PPD.

Hi Reina.

Based on your posts, it does sound like you have some knowledge, but there is so much more to know, understand and EXPERIENCE, that it will boggle your mind.

For a person without a lot of experience (and I mean A LOT), and for someone who really does not need to have a PPD, I would never recommend that they train any dog in PP.

Now for the breed. Yes, they are a rare breed that is trying to make a come back. Can yours do serious PP work? Doubtful. The chances are so slim, that it is almost non-existent. It is nothing against your dog or breed, but the numbers are so few and the chances so far out there AT THIS TIME that is is not really realistic. It will take many breeders, that really know what they are doing, and many, many generations to ever get back to what the dog once was. This will take very experienced handlers and very, very nice dogs. The best of the best, being bred to the same; this is not easy when the numbers are so few anyway.

Does it suite the breed. Perhaps, but I think that unless you are a part of a very serious and detailed breeding plan, have the extreme experience needed to handle and train this breed in this discipline and are willing to recognise the failures then it is unnecessary. Why do it? You will end up with a loaded gun in a very powerful package. Do you really need this?

Schutzhund is a much better option as it can and should be trained in a manner that will give the dog confidence and control. The training will show you what the dog REALLY is (despite the conception that all sport dogs are crap...). if the dog has it, he has it and sport training will not take it away from him, but will help him to learn how control his urges. An experienced breeder that is looking to bring drives back into the breed can see if it is there or not.

I hope that helps address your questions. If not, post back and restate them or ask for more specific details.

Thank you Jessica, and yes it does help. This has made me way more aware of the fact there are not a lot of breeders who breed the Cane Corso for working purposes. Although I knew that before, it's just jumped out at me even more. There are a select few I know that have their Corsi in PP and that have their guard dog titles, but MOST as you have said are just breeding for show/looks. That is not the type of dog I ever hope to have, and is not the reason why they should be breeding this dog.

I do have a lot to learn but at least I'm willing.

I don't need a PPD. I don't live in that kind of environment, who does? I am a woman and in time I will move out and live alone or possibly with another female roommate, so I'd like to have some form of protection/friend with me. The natural guard instinct of a Corso SHOULD be enough, but I thought that if I have a working dog I should enroll in working training that I can do with him/her all its life to keep it mentally healthy, and teach ME how to control him if the need ever comes.

 Quote: Reina Wishart

I don't need a PPD. I don't live in that kind of environment, who does? I am a woman and in time I will move out and live alone or possibly with another female roommate, so I'd like to have some form of protection/friend with me. The natural guard instinct of a Corso SHOULD be enough, but I thought that if I have a working dog I should enroll in working training that I can do with him/her all its life to keep it mentally healthy, and teach ME how to control him if the need ever comes.

Which is why you should do Schutzhund. With a German Shepherd.

Sounds like Schutzhund would be just what you are looking for.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

 Quote: Reina Wishart

I don't need a PPD. I don't live in that kind of environment, who does? I am a woman and in time I will move out and live alone or possibly with another female roommate, so I'd like to have some form of protection/friend with me. The natural guard instinct of a Corso SHOULD be enough, but I thought that if I have a working dog I should enroll in working training that I can do with him/her all its life to keep it mentally healthy, and teach ME how to control him if the need ever comes.

Which is why you should do Schutzhund. With a German Shepherd.

I don't really want a GSD. I want a Corso.

You can do Schutzhund with a CC.
I suspect the gal that told you many moons ago NOT to do Schutzhund with a Corso was looking at it from the point of view that Schutzhund was designed to test the GSD. Which is true, but it doesn't mean other breeds cannot participate, and be successful.

Ultimately, if you aren't buying the dog to try and win the Nationals, it shouldn't matter how ideal the breed is. As long as some aptitude is there, you can have a great time and keep the dog active and trained.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

You can do Schutzhund with a CC.
I suspect the gal that told you many moons ago NOT to do Schutzhund with a Corso was looking at it from the point of view that Schutzhund was designed to test the GSD. Which is true, but it doesn't mean other breeds cannot participate, and be successful....

Alyssa is probably right on the reason the lady said not to do SchH w/a CC. And yes, it's a test for the GSD, but many breeds can compete and be successful. Heck, nowadays to win 1st place you have to be a Mal, or beat a Mal.

I think SchH is an excellent sport for dogs. It gives them confidence, and self control. Not many people really need a PPD, and a big CC that is trained to at least bark on command and is a confident dog will turn away all but the most determined intruders. In which case a PPD won't really do much anyway. You'll need a .45.