TELESTO CANE CORSO

RESCUE

As the Corso has become more popular in the UK, we have seen an increase in the number of adult dogs that have become unwanted through no fault of their own. Some of these dogs have been neglected and abused some are given up by their owners due a change in their circumstances and some are dogs who are just not understood by their owners.

Unfortunately, there is only a small handful of breeders in the UK that will take their stock back if a person's circumstances change and they are no longer able to keep the dog. When you buy a puppy the breeder should always have the welfare of the puppy at the forefront of their minds and they should be willing to take the dog back, if at a later stage, your circumstances change and you are no longer able to care for the dog.

Re-homing a Cane Corso can be a very rewarding experience. I've done it myself and I have my wonderful boy Van that I wouldn't be without. He is a true ambassador for the breed as he had been so badly neglected, abused and mistreated and yet he was and still is the most trusting, loving dog I have ever known. Van loves everyone and everything. I think that a lot of people are put off rehoming an adult dog because they are worried about the dogs temperament and if they will be able to retrain the dog successfully, I certainly had these concerns initially until I got involved in rescuing and now I can honestly say that it's the most rewarding thing I have ever been involved in.

Capo’s story

I received a call from one of my puppy owners Joanne, who lives approx 2 hours away from me. Joanne said that she was aware of a 6 month old Corso male that lived not far from her whose owners wanted to rehome him. Joanne asked if I would be interested in taking him and I immediately said that I would. Joanne spoke with the dog’s owner and informed him that CCCUK would take the dog immediately.

The following weekend, myself and my sister drove the 2 hours to collect Capo. As soon as we arrived at Joanne’s house the guy brought the dog to us, said nothing and left. Capo had cherry eye but looked in reasonable condition and appeared friendly. We brought him home, settled him into his kennel and gave him some food. Once he had settled in we introduced him to Luna. He was initially very scared and appeared quite aggressive but once he realised that Luna meant no harm he was fine.

Over the course of the next few weeks Capo clung to Luna and followed her everywhere. We slowly introduced Capo to the other dogs whom he was fine with.

Once Capo had learnt to walk on the lead I took him out by himself. I discovered that he was quite aggressive towards other dogs when he was on the lead but I felt that this could be corrected with training.

We had Capo for a month and within a very short space of time it felt like he had always been with us. After approximately 1 month, CCCUK contacted me to say that they had someone very interested in Capo, the home check had been completed and was fine. That weekend Emma drove up from London to meet Capo. Everything went well and Capo went home with Emma. I was a little upset because I had grown so fond of him but at the same time I was happy that he was going to the lovely home that he deserved.

I leant a lot of things from fostering Capo. I leant that Corsos adapt fairly quickly to new surroundings, they can adapt well to a change in situation, they are grateful for a second chance and they can be taught new things very quickly with the correct training. I felt good that I had helped to give Capo a second chance with a great new owner and it was great to see him change so much in the short time I had him.

1st pic is of Capo when we collected him and then after a few weeks after being with us.

Over the last few years, we have helped many Corsos and other Bull breeds. All of these dogs have been rehomed successfully and are coming along well in their new homes.

If you think you could give a dog a second chance please contact us at canecorsouk@hotmail.com. I thought that rescuing would be hard and found it to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

Rescues currently looking for forever homes

Troy

Troy is a big lad who is currently staying at Battersea Dog’s and Cat’s Home London. He came originally to the Mayhew and was transferred to Battersea when his owner failed to return for him.

Troy is by all accounts a very well-cared for boy, shiny coat, excellent muscle and clean teeth, he was obviously much loved. Troy is tolerant of other animals but not particularly fussed about saying hello or playing, preferring to do his own thing. He has a very large protective streak and is very bonded to humans, ladies in particular!

Keeva

Keeva came to us from a Rescue centre, her owner was moving house and had said if a new home couldn’t be found for her by the following Tuesday she was to be put to sleep!

Luckily for 15 month old Keeva, a long-term foster place was found through The Friends of Cane Corso and British Cane Corso Society and she moved in with a big fella called Digger and his family.

Keeva has lived with children in the past, and has lived with other dogs and cats, Keeva is suitable for a home with cats, but sensible precautions must be taken.

She has been brilliantly cared for by her foster family, who have successfully dealt with a small eye infection and tummy upset she had on arrival, as well as having her vaccinated and spayed.

Keeva is described as ‘A big puppy!’ by her foster carers, and has settled well into family life with another dog, They have done great work with her both on and off-leash and Keeva is now fully toilet trained. As a young Corso she is still finding her feet, but has shown a lovely nature, combined with a strong sense of protecting her family, Keeva is much loved at her foster home, and they will be sad to see her go. But her place is with a loving family – are you that family?

Kenny

Kenny is an incredibly handsome lad who came to us through Battersea Dog’s and Cat’s Home. Kenny was found wandering as a stray, and once taken to Battersea contracted kennel cough, which meant a protracted stay there before his placement at Boleyn Cane Corso in Essex.

In some dogs, kennel cough is a life-threatening disease, combined with the stress of kennel life it can literally take a dog to pieces. Not so Kenny! On my first meeting with this mighty man, the only sign he was ill was the immediate coating of snot I received as he came to greet me!

Kenny bounced back, and with the kind quarantine care provided by FOCC members Barry and Claire, his transition to Boleyn was complete. The only way to truly describe this big man is to use the following:

The good: Kenny is quite possibly the most relaxed Corso on the planet for the majority of the time, gentle, daft and very, very loving, he’s a cuddle monster in every sense of the word. He knows all his basic commands and we’ve yet to find a situation that phases him. Other dogs are no problem. Kenny very much enjoys new things and more than anything else, he loves being with people. Kenny is very happy in the car and likes to do whatever it is you’re doing.

The bad: Not so much “bad” as undesirable! Kenny needs a firm handler at all times, he has a propensity to behave like an extremely large puppy and can get carried away (you’ve heard the saying ‘the little dog who thinks it’s a giant’? Well Kenny thinks he’s a Chihuahua…) Kenny is clumsy but enthusiastic and with the right handler will make a very fine companion.

The ugly: Kenny does not suit excitement! He has a tendency to mouth when he wants something (again, a good handler will have no problems here) and can crash into you when he’s happy. Due to this, the FOCC will be extremely reluctant to place him in a situation where young children are a part of everyday life, he is just too clumsy. Kenny also has extremely mild arthritis on one hip socket. This may or may not worsen with time – but his X-rays show that it is a very mild case and can be managed with careful weight monitoring, exercise and supplements. Kenny is on no medication.

If you feel you can offer any one of these fantastic dogs a loving and life long home, then please e-mail either jojo@co3.co.uk, monkeymagique@hotmail.com, canecorsouk@hotmail.com for further information.