By Ali Bark - Telesto Cane Corso
Does the breeder seem knowledgeable about the breed?
Does the breeder know what standard they are breeding to?
How long has the breeder been involved with the Cane Corso?
Is the breeder willing to answer your questions and are they asking you questions especially about your experience with large and dominant breeds, your lifestyle etc?
Does the breeder hip x-ray their breeding dogs under the BVA scheme? Ask for the scores.
Does the breeder offer a written contract which is signed by both parties? A contract should generally look out for the dogs best interest.
When you visit the breeder, check that the dogs look fit and healthy, well cared for and show obvious signs of being happy.
How often does the breeder have puppies available? Ask the breeder how many litters out of each female they have each year. Females should not be bred every heat cycle. Good breeders normally have waiting lists.
Ask the age of the breeding females. Females should not be bred from until they are at least 18 months old, ideally 2 years old.
Have you seen the mother of the litter? The mother should always be available for you to see.
Ask the breeder how they chose their breeding combination. A breeder should be breeding to a dog that complements his female, not just putting two dogs together that he/she happens to own or have easy access to.
Have you seen pictures/hip scores of the sire? Ask why the breeder mated those two specific dogs together. Is the breeder keeping a puppy out of the litter?
If the breeder has puppies available: Have they been inoculated, wormed, well socialised, tails docked, insured, rear dewclaws removed. Do they look clean and healthy, does the mother look happy, clean and healthy?
At what age is the breeder willing to let the puppies go home? Seven weeks should be the youngest. Check that the puppies show no obvious signs of ill-health such as diarrhoea, runny eyes, limps, lumps, fleas, mites. Pick the puppy up, does it cry or show any signs of pain?
What are the prices of the puppies? Are they comparable to other breeders? Most Cane Corso fall into a similar price range. Beware of bargains! Never buy from a puppy farmer or someone who seems to know very little about the breed.
Can you rely on the breeder to offer you support after you have bought your puppy? Does the breeder ask that you keep in touch?
What registry does the breeder register their puppies with? Which registries are the adult dogs registered with? As the Cane Corso is not a recognised breed here in the UK, most dogs are registered with the FIC except those dogs that have been imported from Europe which are registered with their FCI affiliated national kennel club.
Does the breeder actively help with breed rescue and do they take in or help to re-home rescue dogs?
Does the breeder have knowledge on their dogs pedigree, ancestors etc?
What is the breeder doing to better the breed?
Does the breeder have an understanding of what you want in a pup?
Does the breeder know what standard they are breeding to?
How long has the breeder been involved with the Cane Corso?
Is the breeder willing to answer your questions and are they asking you questions especially about your experience with large and dominant breeds, your lifestyle etc?
Does the breeder hip x-ray their breeding dogs under the BVA scheme? Ask for the scores.
Does the breeder offer a written contract which is signed by both parties? A contract should generally look out for the dogs best interest.
When you visit the breeder, check that the dogs look fit and healthy, well cared for and show obvious signs of being happy.
How often does the breeder have puppies available? Ask the breeder how many litters out of each female they have each year. Females should not be bred every heat cycle. Good breeders normally have waiting lists.
Ask the age of the breeding females. Females should not be bred from until they are at least 18 months old, ideally 2 years old.
Have you seen the mother of the litter? The mother should always be available for you to see.
Ask the breeder how they chose their breeding combination. A breeder should be breeding to a dog that complements his female, not just putting two dogs together that he/she happens to own or have easy access to.
Have you seen pictures/hip scores of the sire? Ask why the breeder mated those two specific dogs together. Is the breeder keeping a puppy out of the litter?
If the breeder has puppies available: Have they been inoculated, wormed, well socialised, tails docked, insured, rear dewclaws removed. Do they look clean and healthy, does the mother look happy, clean and healthy?
At what age is the breeder willing to let the puppies go home? Seven weeks should be the youngest. Check that the puppies show no obvious signs of ill-health such as diarrhoea, runny eyes, limps, lumps, fleas, mites. Pick the puppy up, does it cry or show any signs of pain?
What are the prices of the puppies? Are they comparable to other breeders? Most Cane Corso fall into a similar price range. Beware of bargains! Never buy from a puppy farmer or someone who seems to know very little about the breed.
Can you rely on the breeder to offer you support after you have bought your puppy? Does the breeder ask that you keep in touch?
What registry does the breeder register their puppies with? Which registries are the adult dogs registered with? As the Cane Corso is not a recognised breed here in the UK, most dogs are registered with the FIC except those dogs that have been imported from Europe which are registered with their FCI affiliated national kennel club.
Does the breeder actively help with breed rescue and do they take in or help to re-home rescue dogs?
Does the breeder have knowledge on their dogs pedigree, ancestors etc?
What is the breeder doing to better the breed?
Does the breeder have an understanding of what you want in a pup?
