Our Dogs:
The Rottweiler and Cane Corso Breed Standards: Our "preferences" at Darkstone Kennel
If you are new to the world of purebred and show quality dogs, you will need to understand what a “breed standard” is, how it is used, and how it can also be very subjectively applied. Please note that the AKC/CKC Standard for the Rottweiler and the AKC, CKC, and the FCI standard for the Cane Corso are all located on this web site, or easily located on various breed registry or canine Club sites via a web search.
A breed standard, quite simply, is a written and pictorial “standard of perfection” that a dog of the breed described in that standard is measured against. Over a period of time, many “experts” will have determined, in their opinion, what the “perfect” Rottweiler or Cane Corso would be in terms of appearance, structure, movement, and temperament. Some breeds have very detailed standards that accompany them, while other breeds have standards which are by comparison fairly under-detailed. For example, some breed standards do not even care if the dog actually has a more than a couple of teeth in their mouth, while others require full dentition. A detailed breed standard will typically provide exacting measurements of joint angles and relative body composition (ie. How long should the dog be as compared to how tall, or how long should the muzzle be as a percentage of the overall skull). In regards to breeds that have in the not-too-distant-past been considered “rare breeds” such as the Cane Corso, there at times exist several competing or somewhat differing breed standards, as the breed is still in something of an evolution, and as usual, not every breed Club can agree on what the “perfect” example of that breed should look like. Many personal preferences and biases have yet to be narrowed down to a general consensus…this process taking many years from the time the initial standard for a new breed is published, and ultimately accepted by a mainstream breed registry like the American Kennel Club (AKC) or Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Make no mistake, “breed politics” are alive and well in every canine breed, and disagreement is more common than agreement in many cases.
The purpose of discussing our “preferences” in regard to a breed standard is quite simple: even when looking at a number of dogs who are amongst the best examples of a breed that one could hope to find, there are two realities that one should understand (1) there is no such thing as a “perfect” dog, as every great dog has some faults, and (2) even within highly defined breed standards, there is ample room for “personal preferences” to be exhibited amongst a group of dogs. When at a top quality dog show, a number of dogs in any breed ring can be said to be outstanding examples of being “near perfection” when compared to the accepted breed standard, yet amongst that same group of dogs, it can be clearly seen that there exist some very evident differences between the same dogs in regard to appearance and movement. All the dogs are for the most part functionally correct according to standard, yet they are very unique individuals in many ways.
How is this possible? A very simple analogy is a human “beauty pageant.” Most of the contestants on the stage can be said to be stunningly beautiful examples of a human being, yet all are different in appearance. Furthermore, not one of those contestants will be “perfect,” as there is no such thing…all will have some subtle faults to the practiced eye. Moreover, in the end, it comes down to the “personal preferences” of the judges that day as to which contestant is “the most beautiful,” in their “opinion.” The same can be said of dog shows. The winner one day can be thrown right down into last place the next…depending on the personal preferences, experiences, and knowledge of the judge. As usual, not only will personal preferences come into play, so will politics, breeder/ handler influence, whether the judge has truly studied the breed and breed standard to a high degree, and a host of other factors. That is just reality.
Many seasoned breeders will tell you that “conformation shows” in the dog world are not a “sport,” they are a “game.” That game has certain rules like any other, many of which are broken or bent with great regularity, and there will be happy winners and unhappy losers each day. Like any other game, the best contestant is certainly not guaranteed to be a winner at any given time. It often comes down to the law of averages: some days you win, some days you lose, regardless of how good your dog is. If you have no understanding or stomach for “the game” it is best to stay completely away from it, as it can be an exercise in frustration. Moreover, just because a dog is a “champion,” does not necessarily make them a great example of the breed, as assessed by those who actually possess real expertise in the breed. Their championships can simply be the result of showing the dog a great deal, until they have accumulated enough points to win, often against sub-standard examples of the breed. In a nutshell, a championship can be earned by determination and consistent effort, even if the dog is not a great example of the breed. Moreover, many great examples of the breed exist, even if they are not “champions.” One must have a highly educated and seasoned eye for ANY breed in order to understand what they are looking at, whether that individual is an owner, breeder, or judge.
Our reason for pointing these facts out is to educate those of you who are new to the world of purebred and show dogs. If we can speed up your learning curve in any way, we will be happy to do so. Very importantly, we simply want those of you who are new to purebred and “show dogs” to understand that if any breeder tells you that their dogs are “perfect,” then they are either lying, or do not know anything about their breed. Every dog has faults, and we can point out the faults in our own dogs faster than anyone. Moreover, just because they have championships on their dogs, does not necessarily make them great examples of the breed. If you wish to understand your subject, which in this case is a canine breed, then you need to do your homework, and “learn” from many knowledgeable teachers, not just someone who is trying to sell you a puppy.
At Darkstone Kennel, we absolutely have our own “preferences” as to breed type. While any “good” breeder (note: there are far more bad breeders than good, particularly those who are primarily interested in breeding for money, or worse yet, try make a “quick buck” on a breeding pair as sideline income) will try to breed for “perfection” in terms of the breed standard, and better the breed each time a breeding is done, each breeder will also clearly have their own personal preferences mixed into that breeding in the selection of dams and sires. While each may be attempting to “breed to standard,” it is once again important to emphasize that every breed standard has enough room in the same to clearly allow for the breeding of “preferences” within each breed.
On a very important note: we prefer “softer temperaments” in our dogs. While a “working breed dog” should be fearless, there is no excuse for a dog that is overly aggressive or vicious…to either humans or other dogs. Temperament is a huge issue for us as breeders. We want all of our dogs to have the genetic temperament that will allow them to potentially be an “ambassador for their breed.” Please keep in mind that while training and proper socialization are in all probability significantly more important in determining the personality of a dog than its genetics….we will do our part as breeders to be attempting to produce the best genetic temperaments possible. That being said, it must be emphasized that the Rottweiler and Cane Corso ARE NOT GOLDEN RETRIEVERS!!!! Potential dog owners considering the purchase of any “working group” canine companion should know the inherent difference, and understand that the training, socialization, and dominance commitments are a world apart. Working breed dogs are inherently protective of their family and property, and were not bred to instantly love and trust every stranger that approaches them, nor were they necessarily bred to be “off leash park ambassadors.” With proper genetics, socialization, and training, nearly any dog can be made into a “breed ambassador,” but some breeds require more time and effort. To have unrealistic expectations of any working breed dog in terms of their ability to instantly socialize with all people and other dogs, simply sets those dogs up for failure.
Here is a list of our preferences, within the breed standards, in terms of the Rottweiler and Cane Corso breeds:
The Rottweiler:
- We prefer a very large, square skull with a short, square muzzle. In many cases, one will see longer-nosed, snipey, flat skulled dogs…all to a varying degree;
- While still on the topic of heads, one should note what the standard says in terms of “eye color.” In the Rottweiler, a medium-to-dark eye is the standard, with the darker eye “preferred.” We have currently seen a “dark eye” fad overcoming the judges, who will put up a dog with a nearly black eye, and a grotesque head, over a dog with a great head and a medium-dark eye. This is particularly true of the Sieger world. As long as the dog has an acceptably dark eye, this is NOT correct;
- We prefer a shorter-backed dog over a longer-backed dog. The shorter-backed dog will not have the “reach and drive” of movement of a long-backed, over-angulated dog. However, the Rottweiler is a “working breed,” meaning they must have the ability to move effortlessly for hours on end. A shorter back/squarer dog with proper front and rear angulation generally meets this requirement, and to us, is more aesthetically pleasing;
- We prefer the dog to be properly angulated in the rear, not over-angulated as is the current “fad,” which in some cases, is taken to an extreme. An over-angulated dog cannot “float” and move tirelessly for hours, which a “working breed” must be able to do. They must work too hard in the rear end to be able to carry on that motion all day long. While it looks fabulous in the show ring when the dog is stacked out and standing still…it is not correct in terms of movement in relation to the breed standard;
- We prefer a “correct” dog, not a large dog that is incorrect. While a number of our dogs have been at the top of the standards in terms of size, we will always choose a correct medium-sized dog over a less correct large dog. We cannot say the same for some all-breed judges, who simply do not know any better. ‘Bigger is better’ is not correct, but unfortunately seems to carry the day at some shows.
The Cane Corso:
- We have a strong preference for a “balanced dog” with proper movement. This comes from our background in the Rottweiler world. Many Cane Corso breeders are focused almost entirely on head type or producing large dogs. While we can honestly say that we are also nearly obsessive about dogs with great heads…without the entire, balanced package, you cannot have a great dog;
- We primarily adhere to the AKC breed standard for the Cane Corso, and acknowledge that the CKC standard is acceptable, except for the historically irrelevant and arbitrary restriction on maximum weights for the dogs. At the time we entered the Cane Corso world in the year 2000, we clearly had no prior preferences or political ties. Given our initial research over a one year period prior to purchasing our first Cane Corso puppy, as well as our decade of extensive hands on experience since that time, we have simply arrived at the conclusion that while it is not without its faults or contentious issues, the AKC breed standard is “more correct” and demonstrates less glaring faults than the FCI standard, which is the other mainstream breed standard in use, mainly outside of North America. While there are only a handful of differences between the AKC and FCI standards, some of those differences are of significance, and therefore, we cannot conceptually support the FCI standard as it currently stands. Some of those historical and politically driven inaccuracies may be addressed as early as 2011, when at such time the SACC Club in
Italy will be allowed to propose updates/changes to the standard. However, given the “politics” of the FCI breed standard, and the manner in which it arrived in its current form from its original basis (which was the ENCI standard), the political will to make the meaningful changes will be difficult to muster. For instance, we have seldom seen a male, whether Italian or American in origin, which weighed less than 110 pounds, which is the maximum weight allowed in the FCI standard. This is simply incorrect, and must be changed in the future to reflect reality, and is in probability, the most “likely” of future changes to occur in the FCI standard. Moreover, it is genetically impossible due to the nature of the recessive gene for a “blue” colored Cane Corso to have a “black” nose. It must be blue or slate grey. This is another glaring deficiency in the FCI standard, and without harping on the issue, which is purely political in nature…there are more;
- Note: we are not taking a “political” stance on the “breed standard” issue…just looking at the genetic realities of the breed through history, and at the current time. Frankly, the more significant worry for us in relation to the FCI standard is the fact that the FCI is a “European-driven” entity, with head offices in
Germany and the
Netherlands. As such, it must bow to the animal activist/PETA-driven mandates of the Country of Origin (
Italy) that sets the Cane Corso breed standard under existing FCI policy. Within
Italy, and several other European FCI countries, the historical practices of docking tails, and cropping ears, has been legally banned. This ban affects approximately 25-30% of all recognized and rare breeds, which are historically docked and cropped to ensure their suitability for the working purposes for which they are bred, as well as for improved health and aesthetic reasons. As such, the ENCI breed club/registry in Italy, working with the parent Cane Corso breed club SACC, will have no choice but to submit changes to the FCI breed standard for Cane Corso which render the breed, under the FCI standard, a “tailed” and “eared” breed, which then largely destroys the historical and unique appearance of the breed. This is NOT something that we can obviously support in any way.
- We believe that all “working breeds,” of which the Cane Corso is obviously one, must have a proper, strong top line, croup, and rear movement. If you look at many pictures of the current Cane Corso’s in the show ring, you may notice that there are significant breaks at the withers in the top lines…both when moving and when standing. This is not correct, and produces a “saggy” or “broken” top line, instead of a solid, straight top line. Many of the croups of the dogs also fall off very badly, which then also produces incorrect movement. Please check the AKC or other breeds standards for a correct side/top line description of the Cane Corso;
- We believe the Cane Corso breed must strengthen the “rear ends” of the dogs, which is generally very weak when one looks across the entire breed. If you look at any established “working breed,” that breed must demonstrate a rear-end that is properly angulated and muscled. Many of today’s Cane Corso demonstrate rear ends that are spindly and badly under-angulated, and in many cases, kick out to the sides when moving, as opposed to straight back in a line, which is correct. We prefer a properly angulated rear end (again, not “over-angulated”), with adequate musculature to produce the appropriate drive and extension so that the dog moves effortlessly and with power….as a working dog should. Having a “great head” should never come at the expense of proper movement and overall physical structure. Despite our deep love for our Rottweilers, watching a properly moving Cane Corso is a “thing of beauty.” This breed can out move nearly any working breed in existence. A 120 pound Cane Corso can move like a dog half its size…with power and grace;
- We aim for “softer temperaments” in our Cane Corsos, relatively speaking. When we say “soft,” we mean “sociable.” Soft does not mean skittish or scared…it simply means we generally want to produce a dog with less prey drive, and boundless energy. Again, the Cane Corso is a working breed dog, and one of their primary functions is the role of guardian…they are not genetically inclined to make instant friends with every stranger. However, in our opinion, there is no need for any dog to demonstrate an overly “hard” or “aggressive” disposition. Many who have been associated with the breed for many more years than ourselves will vehemently disagree with us on this point, which is their right. The Cane Corso has always been a “protector” of family and home. It has also been used for herding, hunting, baiting, and in the practice of war in more ancient times. To that end, many will say that the Cane Corso must have an “extremely hard, completely fearless” temperament. We believe that a Cane Corso can be brave, hard, and achieve all of those functions, without being unsociable or outright aggressive. The terms “fearless” and “aggressive” should never be confused. We want our Cane Corso’s to be brave defenders, yet very friendly and sociable to man and beast when the situation requires the same. We want them to be “ambassadors” for the breed when in public. In this day and age, with the tabloid media focused on large working breed biting incidents….an aggressive dog is nothing short of a liability to the owner, and casts the breed in the worst light possible to the public…which is always ignorant of the facts. We do not want our breed to become a target for Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) activists, which are in abundance, and include many of our local shelter organizations;
- We are somewhat fanatical about the smaller details that many Cane Corso breeders and enthusiasts do not seem to be concerned about. For instance, we see many Cane Corso with weak, splayed feet and broken down pasterns. This can be addressed not only by proper genetics/breeding, but with proper supplementation of Ester-C and Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM from an early age onward.
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