My husband and I have had dogs all of our married life (almost 30 years!). Large and small breeds. With the exception of two rescues, both rottweilers, we have always gone to a breeder for our pups.
Until we worked with Laura and Richard at About Time, we didn’t know what a good breeder was! I’m not saying the past breeders were bad, but we just didn’t ‘get’ the concept that an exceptional breeder was one who not only stood up for the breed by breeding for the betterment of the breed as a whole, but one who stood 100% behind their pups, and were continuously available for advice, encouragement and most importantly, true education on the breed.
It wasn’t until Laura and Richard that I took a good hard look at the psychology of a dog and the commitment to not only train properly but understanding and working toward being part of a cohesive pack. With a dominant breed like the Corso, I had to do a lot of work on this end before we pulled the trigger and purchased a pup. Hubby and I went to numerous shows. I talked to breeders via email and telephone. I googled Corso message boards, chat rooms and talked to handlers. It was soon very apparent who to stay away from in the Corso world, and in that, I kept coming back to About Time. Hubby and I share our home with two shih-tzus, two cats, and a 15-month old granddaughter who is a regular visitor and overnight guest. It was imperative that we brought home a pup that was temperamentally bred to get along. We also wanted a pup we could show, but mostly we wanted a pup that would become as much a part of our family as our children.
And so, Bella entered our lives. And our lives have changed irrevocably. Bella is a typical Corso. Loving, headstrong, loving, highly intelligent, loving, noble, loving, protective, and most of all, loving. She has required me to step up as her pack leader, and in so doing, I have learned more about training, canine psychology, and just how wonderful owning this spectacular breed can be then I ever thought possible. I’m still learning, and loving every minute of it.
In the beginning, Laura and Richard were my lifeline. Now, I am happy to say, and I am very sure they are happy to hear, Bella and the Tabke’s are cruising along and loving each other and life. But, without Laura and Richard’s conscientious breeding program, their love for this amazing breed and their willingness to continue through us to see the Corso represented, I don’t think we would have realized the success with Bella that we have.
When the time comes, we will most definitely go to Laura and Richard for our next Corso.
Karin and Gary Tabke, owned and loved by an About Time Cane Corso
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