Esercito Defense of Handler

Esercito performing the Defense of Handler with Gunfire exercise. He finished off with a French Ring Brevet! 

^{Earned: 12xp}

. . . . .

Esercito is a pointed blue brindle Cane da Presa Meridionale. The CPM is a reconstructed breed that has roots to the original working Neapolitan Mastiff and Cane Corso. Prior to the 50s, "Cane da Presa" was a general term for the Cane Corso & Neapolitan Mastiff, and there's a document to prove it. The Corso was not really a "breed", it was simply a mix bred for its working ability. It didn't become a breed until very much later on. Quite honestly, a large portion of the Cane Corso bloodlines were crossbred with Boxer, Bullmastiff, Rottweiler, and the Abbruzzese Mastiff, and possibly more. That is why there is such variation in type, especially when comparing correct Cane Corso with so many of the Corso we see in shows today.

The Mastino Napoletano we mostly see in shows today stems from the Zaccaro Neo type which is low-slung, heavy, large feet, and pendulous wrinkling. The Mastino Napoletano (Neapolitan Mastiff) and Cane Corso Italiano half a century ago were very similar, just one was more heavy than the other.

Currently, the kennel club Corso and the CPM are separate breeds and to interbreed would be the same as crossbreeding. There's just so much variation between both breeds now that it can hardly be called the same breed anymore.