Pepper21

Although I can't comment on whether Aus breeders are doing it, I can tell you that the breeders in the U.S do it to get a much softer smooth coat or a thinner long coat in the puppies. I'm living in California right now with a 14 year old female, red, smooth, mini Doxie with the softest coat I've ever felt (she was from a long coat x short coat breeding). I'll be getting another puppy in the next few weeks from a similar breeding :)

Being a terrier, animal and/or dog aggression is fairly common. If you were set on getting either an English Staffy or Amstaff, ask the breeder about parents and siblings temperaments towards other dogs. It seems to be largely a genetic component, and there may be some breeders breeding against aggression. Or get an adult dog who has been thoroughly temperament tested.

Genetics absolutely have a part to play and a lot of aggression can be based in genetics, but current environment and management can modify that, too. You only have to look at the fight bust dogs rescued in the USA and then rehomed into homes often with other dogs and pets. You can't get more game than dogs bred, trained and used in dog fighting, yet so many of them go on to socialise with other dogs beautifully with a bit of training and guidance. The 'many' game bred pits that go on to pet homes are the exception, not the rule. They were the exception ten years ago when it was commonplace for all dogs rescued from fight busts to be euthanasied without assessment as it was assumed that they would not be safe for rehoming. The Michael Vick case paved the way for dogs to actually be assessed as individuals and the majority of the dogs from big busts these days are given that opportunity and a huge amount of them are suitable for rehoming. Sadly there are still many States and counties that do not give the dogs the opportunity for assessment as individuals. One of the biggest busts in the last few years was the #367 dogs: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/25/367-dogs-rescued-where-are-they-now-update_n_6213876.html I had the pleasure of meeting some of these dogs when I was in the States last year. A friend of mine that runs a foster/playgroup program at a shelter in Sacramento has had about 18 of these dogs in care since they were seized while the owner waits for a conviction. She runs playgroups with them. I also met some of Michael Vick's lovely dogs, too. The euthanasia cases are typically the exception to the rule when the dogs are given the chance to be assessed as individuals. I do agree with you though that there's a difference in skill level needed in controlling a 20kg APBT with issues compared to a 50kg Mastiff with issues. I don't want to get too off topic here. I agree that dogs should be assessed individually and given a chance at training. Whether the majority of them are capable of being re-homed into multiple dog households is something I have to see to believe. If you would like to discuss further, maybe start another thread. It's an interesting topic worthy of debate but I just don't really want to hijack the thread any more than it has been. This will be my last comment here unless we're talking about the Corso breed.

If it's anything like the the U.S Nosework scene, the ACSW won't be able to keep up with the demand for trials. There can be waiting lists of over 100 people to get into a trial here through the NACSW. To their credit, they could increase trials but only really at the expense of quality and expertise. The UKC has started it's own version which should hopefully reduce pressure on the NACSW. Nosework will for sure take off at an exponential rate in Aus. You could always start up a club and host ACSW sanctioned trials.

Genetics absolutely have a part to play and a lot of aggression can be based in genetics, but current environment and management can modify that, too. You only have to look at the fight bust dogs rescued in the USA and then rehomed into homes often with other dogs and pets. You can't get more game than dogs bred, trained and used in dog fighting, yet so many of them go on to socialise with other dogs beautifully with a bit of training and guidance. Aggression is certainly modifiable, regardless of whether it's innate or learned, or both. But having to modify and manage aggression in a 50kg Mastiff is quite a task, whether it's directed at other dogs, animals or people. I'm not a small, weak or inexperienced dog person and I would never want to do it again, nor wish it on anybody else. The 'many' game bred pits that go on to pet homes are the exception, not the rule. The VAST majority are put to sleep. Especially the ones from notifiable fighting rings and lines, who have been selected for a high pain threshold and extreme aggression towards any creature. Talk to any breeder of ADBA registered Pits (not the watered down, bully versions from the UKC) and they will tell you the same thing. This is pretty off topic, and I apologise to the OP for hijacking the thread. The point I'm trying to make is; if you're going to get a Corso, get it from a good breeder (Itacor are FANTASTIC), train and neutralize the crap out of it, which may mean hiring the services of a good trainer like Steve Courtney. Set up a solid foundation (Through excellent genetics, training, socialisation/neutralization etc) and you will avoid the EPIC problem that is a large, powerful dog who knows its own size and strength and thoroughly enjoyed using that against anything that tested it. Large dogs bring with them a great amount of responsibility. In my experience with the breed, I have seen just as many unstable (both in structure and temperament) dogs than I have stable ones. I've met Presa's and Dogos that are the same, and many other smaller breeds, but their size and strength make them a liability if they do have a temperament flaw.

It depends what's motivating the aggression. For a lot of game bred pits they want to fight because it's fun. For my boy that was his motivator too, as is the desire for terriers to kill vermin. For all those dogs, with each rep of that experience the behaviour gets reinforced and therefore stronger. I never said that aggression was solely genetic, but there certainly is a genetic component whether it's motivated by fear or fun. Rottweilers are similar in many ways, temperament and health-wise. Whatever your decision, choose your breeder and lines carefully.

I owned a Corso and never will again. I've met some nice ones, and there was a period where a tonne of them were turning up in rescue but I don't think that's the case now. There was a very dodgy breeder in Western Sydney that was pumping dysplastic pups out - I think he's shut down now. While every dog is an individual, I've found Corso's to be super smart and very easily trainable. However they have a very high pain tolerance and tend to be able to ignore corrections, especially when they're in drive. They are commonly dog aggressive, and make great guard dogs (simply because of their size and formidable bark). My own Corso male was a rescue at 15 months, and I was his 7th home. He was very dog and animal aggressive. Tolerant of strangers and affectionate with me and my family. He thrived with regular clicker/marker training and a strict management regime. Super, super smart dog. He had a crazy high prey drive, which I don't think is typical of the breed or of Mastiffs in general. When he wanted to get to another dog or animal, there was no correction under the sun that could get to him. He went from 1 to 10 in a split second and had a bad habit of redirecting onto me. He could have been a phenomenal dog with the right upbringing and a great dog sport candidate. Although I've met more laid back ones, they're still not a dog for everyone and I would strongly recommend you hire a trainer. I agree re. early desexing. If you're a competent dog owner then you can manage an intact dog. It's not worth the developmental risk, in my opinion, to desex before 3 years.

I would recommend Pet Resorts Australia in Dural (http://www.petresortsaustralia.com/locations/pet-resorts-dural-location/). It's an old facility but the staff are lovely and kind to the dogs, and it's kept clean and hygienic. They'll let your two board together.

I worked with Steve with my Corso. He's not cheap - but then again, nothing good ever is. Call/email him and get the ball rolling ASAP :)

Ha ha ha, Pepper21. I was going to post that a beautiful boy lived near me and here you are. When do you move ? Saw you out on the footpath doing work with Sarge a few weeks ago, but as I had several dogs in tow, one of whom would have gone off her rocker, I didn't walk down the cul de sac. Well how about that, such a small world :) Have we ever spoken? We have no set dates yet, but I expect it will be around August. So I assume we have had a conversation! I doubt Sarge would have tolerated such an outburst from another dog

Yes they're 100% legal in Australia. There are about 20 odd breeders here, and that's growing quite quickly. Itacor is the best known, seeing as they import a lot of dogs. There is an increasing number of them ending up in shelters and pounds in Sydney, which is where I got mine from (Big Dog Rescue). There are also many Corso Mixes around now too. Not good, they're not easy dogs. I hope I attached the picture correctly, but this is my boy, Sarge.

Hi all, I have a friend who is going to Europe for 3 months in September. She has a beautiful male GSD that she needs taken care of in that time. She does not want him put in kennels for such a long period, and I don't really think she could afford it either. He's good with other dogs, has not shown any signs of aggression, and has had some basic training. He has not been around a lot of children, but is very friendly and confident with people. Is there anyone who would be willing to offer this guy a home for a few months? Food would be provided, and carers would be paid. Location is in the Sydney area, but they are willing to travel.

I've knocked on their door a few times but no one home, so will drop them a letter tomorrow. I don't think they've done any major damage, but I'm concerned that they're getting worse quite quickly. They went from a bit of 'bark, bark' to that screeching, screaming terrier-typical fight. Right now I'm sure it's all noise, but I don't know how long that would last. I don't think noise interruption is cruel, but I would not resort to it as a first choice. It's a handy little idea to have. I would get quite cross if someone did it to my dogs, but then again I don't let my dogs bark and they're not even outside anyways.

Wandering Jew is a massive issue in my area. Or it was... until some resident brush turkeys cleared the bushland behind my house. There is literally none of it anymore. Quite incredible. Prior to that though, the council advised us to pull all the weed up by hand, lay some black tarp over the ground and cover it in sugar mulch. This is supposed to heat up the ground and kill any plants underneath. This was not even remotely feasible for my area, but it could be of use elsewhere.

Sorry I should have made it more clear. They are a few doors down from me, not next door neighbours. My god I would go insane if they were that close! The saucepan lid is a good idea though if I ever share a fence with an annoying dog ;)