Pet Quality vs. Show Quality

The decision to add a puppy to your household is a big one that entails making a lot of decisions about what type of pup to chose. You must first decide if you want a male or female and then whether you want pet quality or show quality. It is important to remember that the term "pet" quality does not mean there is anything wrong with the pup. It basically means that that pup may not exhibit the characteristics necessary to excel in the show ring. It certainly does not refer to the health of the pup and the same health guarantee should apply for a "pet" quality pup as it does for a "show" quality pup. You must first decide what your intentions are for the pup's future. Do you plan on showing your dog? Do you plan on breeding? What are you primarily purchasing this puppy for - companionship, working, breeding, etc?

"Pet" quality Cane Corso pups usually range in price from $800 - $1,200. If you are looking for a companion and have no plans to breed then pet quality is something you should consider. A fault like incorrect bite or a long muzzle is of no concern in a companion animal. All pups/dogs sold as "pet" quality should be sold with limited registration paperwork and with a spay/neuter contract. Limited registration restricts your ability to get paperwork on any puppies produced from that dog. The average spay/neuter contract clearly states at what age the dog must be spayed/neutered and that proof in the form of a spay/neuter certificate from the veterinarian must be provided to the breeder by said age. Dogs sold as "pet" quality should never be bred. Only the best examples of the breed should be used for breeding.

"Show" quality Cane Corso pups usually range in price from $1,200 - $2,500. If you are looking to breed than you should purchase a "show" quality puppy. Remember that it is impossible to look at a litter of pups and determine with 100% certainty how a pup will turn out. There are no sure things when dealing with genetics. At the time your pup is picked, it may very well be "show" quality and exhibit the potential to be a good example of the breed standard. It is important to purchase a pup from an experienced breeder who is able to distinguish the "show" quality from the "pet quality". It is very rare to get more than one or two pups (if you are lucky) in a litter that are truly "show" quality. Just because a litter is out of two Champions doesn't mean that the pups will all turn out to be "show" quality or Champions - there is no such thing. We are dealing with genetics here and it is all a gamble. If a breeder is claiming to have whole "show" litters, or has more than a few pups in the litter that are "show" quality, you should look for someone else to buy a puppy from. This breeder is exhibiting unethical practices and is just looking to make more money off the pups by stating they are all "show" quality so he/she can charge more. Also, many breeders charge extra for "pick of the litter". It is a common practice for breeders to hold back pick for themselves and sell second or sometimes third & fourth as "pick of the litter" without informing the buyer that they are in fact paying extra for a pup that is not truly "pick". Make sure you ask the breeder if he is holding back a pup for himself or as a fee for the stud service and if so, then how can you be getting "pick puppy"? Lastly, purchasing a "show" quality pup does not guarantee your dog will turn out to be a good example of the standard. If you plan on breeding your dog, please take the time to evaluate him/her at 2 years of age to make sure that it meets the breed standard, is healthy (test for genetic diseases) and has a stable temperament. Please remember it is a package of type, health and temperament that makes a dog a good example of the breed.

There is also a middle category called "breed" quality. This is a term used by unethical breeders. It is commonly used to sell pups that are blue/tan, blue with brindle points, black/tan or black with brindle points (rottie like markings). This is not an acceptable color pattern for the Cane Corso. Corsos of this color should never be bred as they will pass on genes for the incorrect color pattern and keep this problem going in the breed. Many unethical breeders will try and sell this type of pup by saying "it can't be shown but it can be bred". Again, if the dog does not adhere to the standard - it should not be bred - period. This is just another way for unethical breeders to make more money by preying on people's lack of understanding of the breed standard. If a dog is not good enough to be shown, then it is not good enough to breed. This does not mean that every "show" dog should be bred, only that when looking at a litter, only the best possible examples of the breed should be sold for breeding purposes. The majority of pups in a litter should be categorized as "pet" quality in any breed.

Unfortunately, with the rare breeds, there are many "Champions" that truly don't fit the standard, are unhealthy and/or have unstable temperaments. It is very easy to Champion a dog if you attend enough shows (especially the smaller ones) or if you hire a professional handler. Many of these handlers have established relationships with judges throughout the years and have a guaranteed win even before they walk in the ring! Sadly, anyone can have a "Champion" with this breed. This makes it even more difficult for those looking to purchase a pup to discern between a quality pup and a good sales pitch.

Whatever you chose, "show" or "pet" quality, make sure both parents are fully health tested and have stable temperaments. DO NOT buy a pup out of parents you cannot interact with. This breed should never be aggressive regardless of the sales pitch some may try and push. There is a difference between aggression and protectiveness, so please don't be fooled by those trying to say differently. Recent incidents like a child being mauled by a Cane Corso and owners, handlers and judges being bitten in the show ring are the result of the breeding of unstable, dangerous Corsos - many of which are "Champions". Always ask for copies of all health testing on the parents and verify the scores with the appropriate testing organizations. Also, read through the guarantee for your puppy and make sure you agree to all the terms before leaving a deposit. Do not sign a contract you don't agree with because you think nothing will happen to your pup. Take the time to read through the sales contract portion of this site to learn how to protect yourself and your pup from problems that may arise in the future.

Breed Info