I arrived in Italy the week of June 8 for the AICC summit meeting and 4th Raduno. For an American Cane Corso passionate Italy is the “Holy land” I was anxious to
Begin my Journey. I felt upon my arrival I felt that this meeting will shape the future of the breed for years to come, and I wanted to witness it first hand. I was not disappointed; the meeting was well attended by many passionate,
including delegates from Holland and Belgium. I was at a distinct disadvantage with my Italian not being as strong as would like. Fortunately a few people-sitting close by were able to translate for me. AICC President Renzo Carosio chaired the meeting and kept it moving at a good pace, both recapping the past
and providing a plan for the future. The meeting was followed by a gala dinner with most of the participants of the meeting attending. Much was discussed, including some rather distorted views on the Cane Corso in America. The next morning, bright and early awoke to a rather long line of hopeful participants
registering for the Raduno. 106 dogs enrolled with 97 actual participating. This was the largest Cane Corso entry I had ever seen. In America the largest I had seen to date was 72 dogs. The most amazing thing about the entry was that the Raduno took place the same weekend as the World show in Portugal and an
ENCI show in Bologna dwarfing both combined. It was a rather overcast morning with the sun coming in and out of the clouds; however within a few hours the sun was firmly entrenched in the sky making for a rather hot afternoon. The responsibility of judging the huge entry fell on the shoulders of Renzo Carosio,
who painstaking went over each dog, offering the evaluation of both their strengths and weaknesses. This was particularly advantageous for me, as was allowed to apprentice under MR Carosio. In America the judges just make their decisions without offering an explanation leaving you to wonder what the dog was
lacking. These oral critiques allowed me to learn without getting in the way of the judging process. Prior to the actual judging I had the opportunity to mingle with “Corsari” in attendance. I saw many nice examples, and unfortunately many not so nice examples of the breed. The conclusions that I had
drawn while on m first “pilgrimage” to Italy last October where re-enforced while wondering through the maze of Corsi as they prepared to enter the show ring. The problems facing the breed on both sides of the ocean are identical in nature, if not in detail. There were dogs present that had inappropriate
color patterns, incorrect head proportions, and incorrect angles of the skull, oversize, undersize and an overall lack of homogeny. As in America there is a relatively small percentage of outstanding dogs, with the rest ranging from very good to poor. As the judging started, which would turn into a grueling 6
hour affair, a nice young male emerged from the baby class. This youngster was balanced, sound with a nice short wide muzzle, without the evidence of the “boxer type” that seems to be plaguing Italy these days. As was the case when MR.Carosio judged in America the number of “Excellent” ratings was
disproportionately low to the number of dogs entered in the Raduno. I believe only or 10 “Excellent” evaluations were awarded. I am of the opinion that the practice of strict judging is essential for the improvement of the breed in the future. Unmerited “Excellent” ratings lead to producing
undeserving champions, thus lowering the general quality of the breed.
After the puppies were judged the veteran’s class was up next. To my surprise there where three males competing in this class. There were two monstrous dogs, far bigger than any corsi I have seen in America and a very nice seven year old
black male. I remember thinking to myself at the time that this old-timer might have a chance to steal the show. To me he was reminiscing of the dogs in the works of Pinelli and Hackert. One or two of the adult males also stand out in m mind, but for one reason or another they where flawed, one was far too
small the other had too much white. Of
the females a very nice grisio subject and an Italian champion made the best impression on me. Upon the conclusion of judging the classes, each of the individual winners was invited back into the ring to compete for Best in Show honors.
MR. Carosio’s selection for Best in Show was the male from the veteran’s class, Dius all. Anna Battagia prop Salvatore Morra his selection for best females was Italian Champion Anita, all Vito Indiveri prop all to Degli Elmi. For me these are two typical Cane Corso’s well representative of the breed.
both displayed soundness, structure and correct character.