Figure : 'ZaOination oH tJe 6runM topline topline is concave topline is influenced by the straight rear
Figure : DiHHerent Feet /etacarRus
Doberman
Cane Corso
German Shepherd
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
during movement (see Fig. 6). Looking at the picture you can understand exactly how wrong the description of the Corso’s feet in the standard is “Feet—Round with well-arched toes (catlike)”; this probably happened because round feet may be con- sidered more elegant, but it’s contrary at the principles of zoognostic science and in fact the Cane Corso does not have the same feet as a galloper like a Doberman. To pretend the Cane Corso (trotter) has round feet is like having an off-road car with slick tires! An aspect of the breed that judges should pay attention to would be the topline. The AKC standard states “High- est part of shoulder blade slightly rising above the strong, level back”. I don’t think this is the best description, and it doesn’t address the breed’s profile, the top line is the outline of the dog from the with- ers to the tail set (following the spine). The original standard states “upper line dorsal region straight, slightly convex at loin, the withers are clearly highest of the dorsal plane and the croup. Slightly con- vex at loin”. It must not be confused with convexity of the entire top line; this is of value, because it acts as a bridge between the front and back, it should be short, a slight camber gives further strength. The observation of the top line is also impor- tant because it may be a sign of other faults. For example if we note that the topline line doesn’t go up to the withers, but the rear is higher, probably we will have subjects with limited angulation (see Fig. 7). If the dog has correct angulation, then it is likely that the subject will have short arms (see Fig. 8). EYE Another aspect that is very important in the judging of the breed is the knowl- edge of particular situations in relation to the eyes. Dogs have the capability to
reflect light onto the retina, by means of the so-called “ tapetum lucidum ”, in this way amplifying the rays of light. For this it’s important to pay attention to backlight, otherwise the eyes will seem lighter. For the judges it’s important, during the judg- ment, to remember that the human eye is subject to optical illusion (in truth the illu- sions are not due to the eye, as it acts like a camera in fixing the images, but by our brain during the image’s processing). This is important during the evaluation of the dimension, in fact a white mass appears to be 20% larger than the equivalent in black. This can lead to errors in the evaluation in the Cane corso breed with coats of differ- ent tones. The same for the brindle dogs, because vertical lines tend to stretch the vision, while horizontal ones widen it. PRESENTATION The last topic that I want to address is presentation. In the past, there were a lot of dogs presented at the shows without any ring training. This was not good and made it difficult for the judges to judge dogs that were without composure. Today, especial- ly in the important shows, this problem was been solved, but perhaps it is exceed- ed in the opposite direction, because the dogs are now too much manipulated dur- ing the presentation. This is not good, with the training it’s possible to present the dog in an unnatural manner to hide the fault. I think that the judges must look at the dogs like they are presented and after (moving the position) revise them in a natural position. I understand the important role of the handler, especially in a vast country like the US. They permit the participation of an important number of dogs that otherwise, because of the problem of the distance (and costs) would stay at home. This said, I want to always remember that the dog is judged, not the presentation itself.
Following studies in management and finance, Renzo Carosio worked in corporate management and finance as well as offer-
ing his services to business organizations as management consultant. His passion for dogs and the study of canine zoognostic led him to present seminars, conferences and university lessons in Italy and over- seas, including the US and Russia. He has published over fifty articles on the subject in Italy and abroad, is author of a mono- graphic book on the Cane Corso, a illustrat- ed guide “ Zoognostic of the Dog ” and has also published a novel, “ A metà del guado ”. He has bred Cane Corsos since 1993 under the Kennel name “Saxellum”. Figure 8: 'ZaOination oH tJe 6runM 6oRline
original image: note the rear up (short arm)
rotated image
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