Figure : )raRJic /ass DisRersion *eat
Figure : ConXergence oH tJe #Zes
Inion
Nasion
B D
C A
AB = longitudinal axis of the skull CD = longitudinal axis of the muzzle
Another penalty coming from the increase in mass is the greater difficulty in heat dispersion, as shown efficiently by a study of Mr. Coppinger (see Fig. 4). There- fore, big dogs have less resistance to work, especially during warm days. In conclusion it is important to pay close attention to the correct construction of the dog, as the Cane Corso is a wonder- ful example of balance between strength and agility, which leads to a functional beauty that expresses harmony of form and the optimum capability of work. Additionally, the section of the AKC standard that pertains to body that I find would not be an accurate description is the following: “Depth of the ribcage is equal to half the total height of the dog, descending slightly below the elbow”. In the original Italian standard it is “descend- ing at the elbow”. This difference in writ- ing might seem very small but it is danger- ous because it leaves an opening for a dog with heavy construction to be able to hide the fault of a short arm. HEAD A sensitive topic is the head. This is especially so in Europe where, with the goal to obtain the undershot bite, they produce dogs that far exceed the “slight- ly undershot” bite indicated in the breed standard, trespassing into hyper-type.
Normally in these cases the problem is not only the dentition, but we find grave dif- ference in other regions. Generally there is an accentuated convergence of the axes of the skull and the muzzle. In this case it also changes the position of the eyes from a sub-frontal to frontal position. The con- sequence of this change is also seen in the shape of the eyes, because in frontal position they become round. This scenario leads to the muzzle often being too short and nose backlog. English is not my first language, how- ever reading the AKC standard, “the depth of muzzle is more than 50 percent of the length of the muzzle” I can understand incorrectly that depth could be few more of the half of muzzle. I think it may be better to write “the depth of the muzzle is 50% greater of the length of the muzzle (one time and half).” It is just the case to remember that the measure of the depth of the muzzle is an axis from the top line of the muzzle to the inferior referral points the commissure of the lips. See Fig. 5. Another important characteristic of the Cane Corso is the alignment of the inci- sors, these teeth must be in a straight line, and the canines are meant to be far apart. Mr. Morsiani put in evidence of this situa- tion and gave us the indication that in the males the distance of the canines at the top must be at minimum 5, 5-5, 7 cm (about 2,
16-2, 44 inches). This type of dentition is useful, the lateral sides of the muzzle are parallel, therefore more width of the jaw, more bone, more muscle, more power to the bite. Referring to the parallelism of the lat- eral side of the muzzle, it is very important to note that in the AKC standard it is not indicated, while another section states, “The top and bottom muzzle planes are parallel.” I sincerely don’t understand this description, because it is impossible. The lower profile is determined by the lips and them having a rounded form that remount in the direction of the nose. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding during the transla- tion from Italian language. CONSTRUCTION As I said earlier, the Cane Corso is a trot- ter. Zoognostic science describes the differ- ent characteristics of a trotter as compared to a galloper and they must be made clear. In addition to a rectangular construction, they have good angulation, good angle of the metacarpal, oval feet. All these parts are connected. When we read of moder- ate angulation the meaning is for it to be not so extreme like the German Shepherd (that is considered the prototype of the trotter). The angle of the metacarpal and the oval shape of the feet it is very impor- tant, because they act as shock absorbers
“A SENSITIVE TOPIC IS THE HEAD. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SO IN EUROPE WHERE, WITH THE GOAL TO OBTAIN THE UNDERSHOT BITE, THEY PRODUCE DOGS THAT FAR EXCEED THE ‘SLIGHTLY UNDERSHOT’ BITE INDICATED IN THE BREED STANDARD...”
208 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ULY 2015
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