Placid Guardian Cane Corsos : Proper way to feed a Cane Corso puppy

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Proper way to feed a Cane Corso puppy

Choose a food with the AAFCO seal of approval only.

If the choice is made to feed a Corso puppy a "non puppy food" the bag must say all life stages under the AAFCO statement or it's not a diet that will meet the puppies requirements completely. The AAFCO statement should also read "including growth of large size dogs".

Cane Corsos should consume diets with a 27% to 30% high quality protein and 14% to 20% fat maximum. More protein and fat is not better. Some will not agree with those percentages, however, it's proven that overly high levels of calcium, and not high protein or fat, causes bone growth issues in Cane Corso pups that will negatively effect them later in life. Feeding the recommended amount is the important factor.

Do not underfeed the puppy or your puppy won't get the intended nutrients. Dog formulas meet the nutritional requirements for your puppy when you feed the recommended amount. It may be better to slightly overfeed than to underfeed just so long as the feed is approved for large breed dogs, however, chronically overfeeding puppies leads to excessive weight gain and can create bone growth issues.

Three proven factors causing Hip Disease in Cane Corsos are:

1) Genetics - choose a breeder with care.

2) Overfeeding - growth rate must be controlled

3) Excessive dietary calcium - AAFCO recommends 1.2 to 1.8% calcium and 1.0 to 1.6% phosphorus and ratio of 1:1 to 1.8:1 respectively. Many large breed dog kennels recommend as low as 1.1 to 1.3% calcium and phosphorus as low as .8 to 1.0%

Somewhere in between the AAFCO recommendation and large breed kennel recommendation is likely best, therefore Placid Guardian Cane Corsos recommends a calcium level of 1.35% and phosphorus level of 1.10% in Cane Corso puppy formulas.

Large Breed pups (Cane Corso) should NOT be given calcium supplements.

Earthborn Puppy Holistic Vantage is a recommended food for the growing Corso puppy - Earthborn Puppy Holistic Vantage is grain free and contains 28% protein and 18% fat while also containing 1.2% calcium and 1.10% phosphorus - source bag label. The best

Taste of the Wild has three formulas that meet the requirements for feeding a Cane Corso puppy. Two of them are puppy formulas and one is not. Be sure you are paying attention to the label as they may come in non puppy versions not suited for a growing Corso puppy. Only the two puppy formulas are listed below.

Pacific Stream Puppy contains 27% protein and 15% fat while also containing 1.3% calcium and 1.0% phosphorus. Advantages to this formula, it's a fish only protein source that makes it easy for a puppy that has digestion issues. Top contender

High Prairie Puppy contains 28% protein and 17% fat while also containing 1.4% calcium and 1.0% phosphorus. Advantages to this formula are that found in red meats ability to build muscle vs fish protein. Potential issues for sensitive dogs as this formula contains multiple red meats & egg. Top contender

Victor Hi Pro Plus is recommended for the adolescent Corso through old age and not for a rapidly growing Corso puppy even though it falls within the AAFCO guidelines for all life stages.

Victor Hi Pro Plus is a super premium dog food for active dogs and puppies just not large breed pups. This formula contains 30% protein and 20% fat while also containing 1.72% calcium and 1.21% phosphorus - source The Victor Support Team 1-888-428-7544

Placid Guardian's recommendation: A ratio mix of 2/3 Earthborn Puppy Holistic Vantage combined with 1/3 Victor Hi Pro Plus is a winner for a growing Corso puppy. In theory it creates a 28.67% protein, 18.67% fat, 1.37% calcium, 1.14% phosphorus, and a carbohydrate content of 35% formula. This should contain 4.27% fiber as well. Furthermore when the puppy hits rapid growth at about 4 months age to the age of 1 year you may add more Earthborn and gradually decrease the Victor formula to 25% vs 75% for the Earthborn. At one year you can taper back up and go with Victor Hi Pro Plus or a 50% combo with Earthborn, however, a higher protein content in young adulthood allows for a more muscular dog. The point is you can play here with ratios and keep in mind everything in moderation is best.

Placid Guardian's high end recommendation: Instinct by Nature's Variety Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy formula. Protein content 33.5% , Fat 15.5%, calcium roughly 1.4%, Phosphorus 1.0% minimum. Fiber 4.5%, and carbohydrate content 34%. This is the best of the high end where sometimes the diets become too rich and the dogs have diarrhea issues. Orijen, another high end brand, has shown that effect on some dogs and sports a very high protein content even in its puppy formula for large breeds.. High end foods are pricey and not always better for the dog.

Good link to help compare foods - PawDiet

*Note many factors went into the recommendations to include quality of ingredients, potential effect on the stool, the understanding that too low a content in certain building blocks are not good for a dog, nor is too much of certain growth mediators a good thing. Keep your dog lean and fit just like we all would like to be. Don't over or under exercise you puppy. Good Luck!

1 comment:

BANNER Cane Corso, April 7, 2022 at 12:35 PM
The Cane Corso is a large Italian Molosser, which is closely related to the Neapolitan Mastiff. In name and form the Cane Corso predates its cousin the Neapolitan Mastiff. It is well muscled and less bulky than most other Mastiff breeds. The breed is known as a true and quite possibly the last of the coursing Mastiffs.
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What should a Cane Corso look like?

To see the current standard - click here

At Placid Guardian Cane Corsos it's believed that a Corso should look like a Mastiff type dog, never being small in height or weight. Breeders would be wise to choose the slightly taller Corsos remembering this isn't a low built Presa Canario who's purpose was that of a fighting dog. It's not a Great Dane either and shouldn't look like one. The current standard seems to forget the Corso is a mastiff type breed and a unique working dog in that class. The Corso should be rectangular in shape and always active and athletic. Working dogs that aren't athletic aren't working dogs at all. The bigger dog isn't always best, however, the Corso should be a large functional dog. A Corso should never look like a Boxer. Boxers are far to slight framed to allow in the genetic makeup of any corso line. Though Boxers are functional I'd run fast from any line looking like it's got Boxer in it.

More Placid Guardian thoughts on coloring

The color standard in the Cane Corso breed exists for a reason and that is to keep the Cane Corso distinguishable as its own breed. It's suggested you read "RARE" COLORS IN THE CANE CORSO.

Placid Guardian frowns on Black and Tan and will restrict papers on such a dog to prevent breeding. Cane Corsos's are not meant to look like a Rottweiler. White is also a color that is discouraged, white can occur even on Placid Guardian dogs. It's a recessive trait found in most lines. Where does the white come from? Probably came from the Swiss Mountain dog or Bernese Mountain dog long ago. More suggested reading THE COLORS OF THE CANE CORSO.

For a more thorough understanding read about genetics for coloring here.

Cropping Ears - The right thing to do

1) Done correctly, it's painless because the puppy is asleep. Cropping should be done at 6 weeks age for best results and before 10 weeks.

2) Mature Cane Corsos look ridiculous with ears.

3) Wild dogs don't have floppy ears - those ears are man made.

4) It's your dog don't let the P.C. police infringe on your rights by spreading misinformation about pain and cruelty.

5) Cropping does reduce ear infections and torn ears in this breed.

6) It's no different than a spay or neuter only after the fact the ear crop does not hurt. The misinformed will state otherwise. Pain meds do exist and are not needed past 24 hours if at all. If asked the science will be explained.

7) The P.C. crowd won't stop with ears - tail docking is also a target. What's next dew claws that when attached cause the mature dog issue? Dew claws and tail should be done together.

8) Veterinarians can be found pro and con ear cropping don't let the con veterinarians drown out the others.

9) Many babies have circumcision performed with a guardian making the decision - a painful organ. Ears are not a painful organ. Aren't we our dogs guardian?

10) Instead of trying to ban ear crops with new laws taking freedom of choice away, how about supporting those who crop correctly? Become part of the solution watch how a good cropping is done. Don't infringe on others rights without the facts.

11) Backyard breeders are discouraged by ear cropping. It costs money to be done.

12) Veterinarians who crop and bandage are their own worse advocate - learn to do it correctly. No bandages are required when done correctly for a corso. Nothing says stop ear cropping louder than a puppy with needless bandages coming out of the Veterinary clinic where others are quick to judge. In fact air heals bandages infect.

Below is a Cane Corso puppy that just had it's ears cropped and is still sleeping after the surgery. When the puppy wakes she will immediately play as if nothing ever happened. If you haven't seen this then you're not experienced enough to make demands that new laws be made to enforce your own point of view.

* Note: There is an easy way and proper way to remove ear crop stitches. You only need to cut the knots and cut a middle stitch or two the next day or wait longer as stitches provide some stability even without knots if needed. Over time the stitches will now work their way out and you can gently pull them when they are seen dangling. The stitch removal can cause discomfort if you think you must remove the stitches all at once. You don't need to do that once the knots are cut.