Premise. Because of its role as a guide to selection (breeders should breed in reference to it and judges should judge using its parameters) we think that it is indispensable that the standard of the breed should be revised where it presents those errors, omissions or incongruent points which are common to all first drafts. We should note that today there aren’t any political motives to oblige us to choose dogs with certain characteristics just to differentiate them from another type of dog. The modification necessary for the functional updating of the standard must not be seen as disrespectful to Dr. Morsiani, who passed away prematurely, but rather as the continuation and development of his work, which among many difficulties was a determining factor in the recognition of the breed.
Some modifications to the standard have been proposed to balance out its various parts, like, for example, the constitutional aspect of the "trotter" that presents incongruities between the angle of the metacarpal, the paw and the angle of the hind quarters.
Of particular importance are the points regarding the head where there are serious problems with the color of the nose. The teeth are subject to much discussion where the Cane Corso is concerned and in the proposal there is a greater correspondence to the historical factors of the breed (well documented) and to their function without, of course, upsetting the race or putting at risk an important point mentioned by Dr. Morsiani in the first draft. For the eyes, we have proposed a clear distinction between the colors according to the coat. This should allow greater clarity in judging. We have also proposed the cancellation of the specification for slightly protruding eyes because not only is this uncharacteristic of the breed but is an obligation to choose a morphological/functional defect.
The neck, along with the teeth is one of the areas that require the most distinction between the standard of the Cane Corso and the Neapolitan Mastiff. It seems that the formula proposed for the skin of the neck is more in keeping with the reality of the race.
The size and the weight even though they were already subject to minor modification in July of 1995, still present an imprecise guide. The proposal, as well as being closer to the reality of the race, proposes the decreasing of the differences between the sizes of specimens and the recovery of solidity amongst the females in order to render the race more homogenous and functional. The weights are better proportioned to the sizes, while specifying the tolerances.


Proposals for areas in question:

Nose: The color should be dark gray for gray colored specimens, striped and red with a gray mask.

Jaws: very wide, robust and often showing a slight shortening of the upper jaw with consequent slight prognathism.

Teeth: white, big, well developed and complete in number: the canines are divergent and widely spaced (in the males, the distance between the apex of the crowns should be not more than 5.5 to 5.7cm). The bite should be slightly prognathic max. 0.5cm or like pincers. Scissor bite is tolerated only in respect to all the other parameters (the length of the snout, parallel lines of the lateral faces, square shape and slightly convergent cranio-facial axes).

Eyes: cancel "slightly protruding" (defect). Color for specimens with black face (black, red and striped) the iris should be as dark as possible. For specimens with gray face (gray, red and striped) hazel with lighter coloration acceptable.

Neck: cancel, "the lower region of the neck is free of folded skin". Insert: the lower part of the neck shows more abundant and elastic skin.

Forequarters: Metacarpals form an angle with the ground of 72° to 73°.

Feet: oval in shape with well-curved and closely-knit toes.

Hindquarters: The angle between the femora and the tibia is 110°. The angle between the tibia and the metatarsals is 130°.

Size and weight:
With regard to height and weight substitute the indications with:
Height: males from 65cm to 68cm. (tolerance + or – 2cm).
Females from 62 to 65cm (tolerance + or – 1cm).
Weight: males min. 47Kg (44) max. 53Kg (56). (in the brackets are shown the weights in reference to tolerances in height).
Females 40 kg (38) max 46 kg (48).
"Cancel the index for the weight to size ratio because it is not significant".

5.2 JUDGES AND JUDGEMENTS
We call for a project for the re-qualification of judges working with the Cane Corso to take place within the area of the Enci Committee for Experts with the participation of the Specialized Breed association. We call for the forming of a permanent commission made up of two members from the Experts committee and a member from the Specialized association to verify the work of judges in evaluating the Cane Corso (a study of judgements of the same). It should be obligatory for judges working with the Cane Corso to attend the meetings for updating with regard to the breed.

5.3 L.I.R.
Given the necessity of leaving open the signing up of specimens serving as "founding fathers", it is considered necessary that this take place under rigorous control and only in the context of two meetings per year as organized by the Specialized association.

5.4 HEALTH
We propose the creation of a databank with which we can continuously monitor the most frequent health problems suffered by the breed. Obligatory certification for breeders regarding the most common congenital illnesses and malformations (like dysplasia of the hip) for the obtaining of the title of Champion. The creation of a working group to study hereditary pathologies that cannot, today, be checked with preventive diagnosis (neurological problems, cardiac problems, eye problems and dysplasia of the knee). The carrying out of diagnostic checks on a significant range of samples to verify the incidence of these problems in the Cane Corso population. To organize an annual scientific convention to share these findings.

5.5 TRIALS, SHOWS AND TITLES
Trials – The Cane Corso is a multi-purpose dog and capable of carrying out various types of work. The history of the race shows that the Cane Corso was used as a guard dog for property, a guard dog for people and valuables and "top hand" on the ranch. The responsibility of the association is to safe guard, as far as possible, this working flexibility by instituting aptitude trials which, at the same time, will serve as benchmarks for the psychological balance of the animals. In order to do this the C.A.L. 1 Certificato di Attitudine al Lavoro (certificate of aptitude for work) serves as proof of the psychological health of the animal and also as proof of the presence of the instinct for defense.
The T.A.N. "Test Attitudine Naturale", (test of natural aptitude) shows, together with a character analysis, the animals aptitude for work with stock as well. After three years, with the test results obtained, we can ascertain the value of having a one-breed test for the Cane Corso. It is important to state that the A.I.C.C. is substantially opposed, at the moment, to linking the choice of race of a dog to a work-suitability certificate that might change the behavioral characteristics of the animal through marked specialization and cause the loss of more varied working characteristics.
Shows – do away with the working breeds because the Cane Corso requires aptitude certificates like the C.A.L. 1 and the T.A.N. which are not real and proper tests of working ability. Have two groups of classes according to the color of the coat: dark colors (black, striped with black nose, red with black face) and light colors (gray, gray striped, red with gray face). Assign the CAC according to a "play off" between specimens resulting as best male and best female in the two groups.
Title – Italian Champion. This title is obtained by presenting the CAC required and documents showing the passing of the CAL 1 and TAN certificates. The specimen must have passed the exam for hip dysplasia with a certificate from an official showing the result in terms of A, B, C (0, 1, 2). The Social Champion, in this case the specimen in possession of the results called for by the Social Champion regulations, must also have done the exam for hip dysplasia as called for in the regulations for Italian Champion and must also have passed both the CAL1 and CAN tests. Selection trials for Breeders. For the obvious reasons of the difficulty of the breed and the modifications resulting from the proposed amendments, we do not think it advisable to institute a selection trial for morphology and/or character for breeders. It would be better for us to undertake a good period of study and testing on the identifiable races of not less than three years. After this period it will be possible to carry out (if all goes well) a selection trial.

5.6 CHECKS
The I.A.C.C. considers it indispensable, in order to discourage fraud and incorrect behavior while also safeguarding the health of the animals, to carry out the following sample checks:
hip dyslpasia – a confirmation exam to be carried out on two specimens chosen at random, which have obtained titles in the course of the year that appear on the certificate of inscription for blood-line books.
DNA – in addition to the sample checks foreseen in the new regulations for newly enrolled specimens carried out by the ENCI, there will be sample checks on ten new-born puppies taken from different litters produced by breeders that carry the title of champion. The subjects will be chosen at random by lottery.
Anabolic substances – in the course of the year, ten sample checks will be made on specimens taking part in official occasions, to be indicated by judges from the Specialized Breeds Association.

5.7 BREEDERS
The A.I.C.C. recognizes a determining role in the selection of the race and its re-launching from a zoo-technical point of view for breeders. We believe that it is the role of the Association to provide technical support and information to the breeders, promoting those occasions where information and zoo-technical information can be exchanged, not to mention real collaboration. It would seem, from the figure of the breeder as described in the new statutes of the E.N.C.I., that it is not part of the institutional role of an association to promote the activities of some breeders at the expense of others, in that this would constitute discrimination incompatible with the E.N.C.I. regulations. It would also seem to be unfitting that a specialized breed association should become the controller of the commercial activities of breeders, effectively going as guarantor for the code ethics on behalf of third parties. The scope of the association is to provide breeders with the services necessary to better carry out their activities in the best interests of the selection of the breed and for enthusiasts to be provided with all the information necessary to get to know the race better and the wherewithal to make valid choices when buying puppies. The statutes of the association should not include the promotion of any service offering or publicizing litters or pups. With the obvious exception of adoption, where the assoc. should help the moral standing of the breed by working to stamp out the abandoning of dogs. The A.I.C.C. in its organizational context should encourage a breeders committee in order to maintain continuous contact with the current realities of the breeding world. As in the past, organizing round table discussions, technical seminars (two per year) with constitute the indispensable support for the technical development of the breeders.

5.8 INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION
The plan to constitute an international association of the Italian Cane Corso is well underway. All national associations will be able to adhere to this association. The scope of the assoc. Is to carry out the international coordination of the breed, encourage meetings and exchanges between enthusiasts from all over the world while becoming another "watch dog" element for the international environment with regard to single national associations as they develop and emerge. Amongst the initiatives proposed is a Bulletin in English and every two years, a meeting to be held alternatively in Europe and North America.

Renzo Carosio, President of the A.I.C.C.