My name is Tig!

This handsome lad is Tig and he is a 10mth old neutered male Cane Corso. The Cane Corso is the most athletic type of Mastiff and they were originally used for cattle droving. Tig certainly suits his purpose as he is very athletic, solidly built, and has the smarts and stamina to be a great working dog. Tig came from a local shelter where he had been adopted out, and returned. It was very apparent that his adopter was not aware of the needs of a Corso and was not experienced enough to handle a teenaged, athletic, mastiff dog. Tig came to us terribly underweight and very unruly. He knew some basic obedience but had no manners. The shelter staff recognized that Tig would do better in a rescue that is experienced with Mastiff type dogs and so they contacted us. We are very grateful as Tig has come a long way with us and we can ensure he now goes to a home that wants a Cane Corso, knows the breed well, and has the experience and ability to meet his training, exercise, and socialization needs.

Cane Corso are not a breed of dog for a first time dog owner or someone who struggles with being authoritative. They are a large and powerful breed and can be stubborn at times. They require experienced owners who are capable of being the authority figure and leader. Tig needs firm leadership and handling. This in no way means abusive or harsh. This means he needs his owners to be confident in their role as the pack leader and to establish the rules and ensure he follows by them. We have found that Tig is very responsive to a confident leader and we have had very few issues with him. The longer we have him the better he gets. He is comfortable when he knows who is in charge and he has bonded very strongly with his foster mom who is the “rules” person of his foster parents. He is in fact sleeping at my feet as I write this profile on him as he follows me everywhere and never leaves my side. Right from day one I established myself as the boss and he has never challenged that and he listens quite well. Tig is in obedience school to continue his socialization and learning. He is doing very well and is a smart boy. We are looking for a family for Tig that will commit to taking him through many levels of obedience school as it is imperative with a large and powerful dog that they be well trained. Please don’t consider Tig if you aren’t willing to spend the time to take him to multiple levels of obedience at a quality dog school. We want the best for this wonderful dog and are looking for committed owners who will do everything possible to ensure that he is a well trained, well exercised and well cared for dog. Tig is a love of a dog and truly bonds with his family so we want to ensure that his next home is his forever home.

Tig is very friendly. He LOVES his family and is very loyal, as all mastiff types are. He loves nothing better than a good cuddle and hugs. He gives sweet kisses and will run to you will pure joy when he sees you. He wants to touch you and be near you as much as he can which does involve him following you into the bathroom if he can. He doesn’t get personal space!! Tig generally greets people warmly but sometimes can be a bit reserved when he meets new people, but this is typical of the Corso breed. He is not unfriendly; he just needs to decide if the new person is a friend or not before they get all his attention. He needs to be allowed time and space to greet new people on his own. Once he knows that the new people are friends then he is more than happy to slobber on them and allow pets. Tig is a teenager and as such is a big puppy still. He craves affection and seeks your approval. He is very happy when he knows that you are happy with him. He has his moments of over excitement where he needs to be reminded to calm down and control himself, but over all he is a lovely natured, calm dog. With continued work and a stable, loving home he will grow into a stunning, mature dog that will make us all proud. Tig is 80lbs right now but is continuing to grow. Mastiffs are slow maturing breeds so even though Tig is 10mths old he is emotionally a lot younger and this needs to be acknowledged. He will continue to slowly fill out over the next few years. Male Corso’s can reach upwards of 100lbs and we expect Tig will be in the 95lb range when full grown.

Tig is being fostered in a home with other dogs. He does well with them and we will consider him for a home with another dog if the other dog is a good match for him. Tig is solid and likes to run and wrestle. He can play rough and his dog playmates need to be of the same play style. Tig is not a suitable dog for a dog park as he gets over stimulated easily and plays too rough for many of the dogs there. He would be better suited to play dates with like minded friends. Tig would be great as an only dog where he can get all of the focus and attention as long as he has a social life and gets plenty of exercise. Tig did show some food aggression towards our dogs when he first came here but we worked through it and he has improved tremendously. We feel he had this behaviour because he was starving and food was an all consuming need for him. He now has a full belly and we haven’t seen this behaviour since. We are still careful and follow rules about the dogs and food and this works well. We would discuss this in more detail with anyone considering Tig who has another dog but no longer see it as a great concern. He has never shown any aggression around his food or toys with people. We have taken chewies right out of his mouth with no issue whatsoever. Tig is nothing but a huge sucky baby with his people and such a love. Tig is being fostered with cats as well. We would feel it best if Tig were to go to a home without cats as he really likes to chase them if given the chance. Our cats are used to dogs and know not to run so we don’t have a lot of problem with Tig and the cats. We would consider Tig for a home with a cat if the cat was calm around dogs and didn’t react to dogs. Tig pretty much ignores our cats who are boring.

Tig walks beautifully at our side on a Gentle Leader training head halter. He is great to walk and doesn’t pull with this halter on. He doesn’t mind it and it is a training tool that works really well for him. He requires a lot of exercise to keep him physically and mentally fit. Tig would be an excellent partner for someone who jogs as he has the build and stamina for running, and if properly built up for distance when he is grown, he could be the best running partner you’ve ever had. He will always be up for a run and won’t ever let you down. He also loves playing fetch with a ball and will reliably bring the ball back most times. A fenced in yard will be a necessity for Tig so that he can burn off some energy playing in a secure area. The fencing will need to be 5ft or higher though as he is again, very athletic, and could scale a smaller fence with ease. He also likes long walks and hikes. Basically, he would like to accompany you on any excursion. He’s always up for an adventure. He is not a dog that enjoys long times alone outside; Tig wants to be with his family. Tig is great in the car and will be a fine travel buddy. Tig is calm in the house and active outside. Inside he likes to have a selection of good chew toys to gnaw on and a dog pillow to curl up on. He thinks he wants to be on the couch with us but we don’t allow this. He contents himself with leaning against us for rubs and cuddles. Tig would be fine in an adult home or one with teenage children but he is too much dog for a family with younger children. Tig is housetrained and crate trained and is always crated when we leave the house. He needs to be monitored in the home as his alert that he has to go out for a pee is to wander over by the door. If you don’t notice this you may find a puddle by the back door. We keep Tig in our sight and let him out regularly and this works well. As for the crate, he goes in willingly and always gets a treat for doing so. He will put up a bit of a fuss when you leave but is always resting quietly upon our return and will remain so until you let him out of the crate.

We ask that anyone considering Tig research the breed and know it well and are looking for people with experience ideally with Mastiffs (and even more ideally, with Cane Corso’s), but definitely with large, power breeds. It takes more responsibility to own the big and powerful dogs as they are often feared by others and as such your dog needs to set a glowing example of how lovely these dogs really are. With training, socialization, and a lot of love and making them a true member of the family, the big, burly dogs are often the sweetest and kindest dogs around. Tig is one of those dogs. He is so sweet, and so loving. He looks at you with his goofy face and he makes you smile. He needs patience and work now but he is a puppy and he will mature. Do you have the time to give this big pup a cherished place in your home? He needs a confident leader to show him the way and teach him what’s right and what’s wrong but the payback for your work and time with him will be a devoted and loyal best friend who will never leave your side. Tig has a lot of love to give, he just needs a forever family to give it to. Maybe that’s yours?

If you think Tig just may be the dog for you, please check out our website www.pounddog.ca and fill out an application.