The secluded Mountain valley that is CastleGuard’s home is nothing less than enchanting. Surrounded by 300 acres of tranquility, it is the perfect place to raise some of the finest Corsi in the World. There is truly something special about our dogs. They are home grown with lots of love, on crisp air, cool mountain water, premium and fresh foods, with lots of room to roam.
Our state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor facility was lovingly constructed by Merle to fit the Dog's every need. Each dog has warm comfortable sleeping quarters and free access to large outdoor runs. There are secluded whelping areas that are designed to give the Mamas and pups peace and bonding time in the first part of the puppies’ lives. As the puppies grow, they learn to work the dog doors that gives them access to the larger whelping pens attached to the kennel building. Here they have “playground’ equipment to play and learn on. After their first set of shots, they get out into the grassy pens during the day. Our program is designed to expose the puppies to multiple experiences and locations giving them a varied base for good social development. 
From day one of a CastleGuard puppy’s life, they get a HUGE amount of human contact. Our whole family is very involved in puppy rearing. Each day our crew spends hours with the puppies, encouraging each to develop its little personality. Few breeding programs in the world are as advanced, involved and dedicated as CastleGuard.
All our dogs are beloved pets. Each enjoys daily interaction, training and playtime with the family. The adult dogs are all paired up and bonded with a family member who competes and trains them. In down times, the dogs take turns roaming the 4-acre exercise pen. It is all naturally landscaped with plenty of trees and rocks to snooff under and squirrels to chase.
We are deeply devoted to the Cane Corso and passionate about producing the finest dogs in the world. Our winning record and our long list of satisfied clients leaves no doubt that our breeding program is more than a hobby or a business; the Corso are our life! Each member of our family brings something special to our program. Our "hands on" technique of puppy rearing allows us to know each puppy’s personality, ensuring that our clients get the puppy best suited for their lifestyle.
We understand the intricacies of the issues facing the breed. We study pedigrees, health issues and the standard, striving to better the breed with each litter. All of our Breeding stock is /PennHip Certified. We are proud of our Program. We guarantee every puppy in writing.
We believe the Corso Should be a versatile, devoted family companion, able to face any situation with a stable, discerning temperament. They should have the boldness to defend and yet be calm and tolerant of those who are not a threat. Their bodies should be muscular, sleek and to standard; having the athletic ability and health to perform in demanding physical situations. These are the ideals we require in our breeding stock.
Our Castle Guard Family
CastleGuard Family
In the spring of 1995, I, Shauna went looking for a true family guardian and devoted companion for my Children. I purchased Ricca a few months later and the dye was cast. CastleGuard was born. Cane Corsi are like Lays potato chips; you can’t have just one!! It’s no wonder that this wonderful breed is such an important part of our lives. We couldn’t imagine life without a horde of Corsi!
Merle & Shauna work closely together regarding every aspect of the breeding program and the Kennel. They make their decisions for each mating based on years of experience and research of the lines in Italy and the US. They have both studied structure and movement and have the full grasp of the health issues that are encountered in the Corso.
Merle & Shauna have devoted a lot of time researching the Breed in the country of Origin. They have traveled extensively, getting to know Italian breeders from many regions. They have spent hours visiting and sharing dinner with the founders of the major clubs and interviewing Italian Corso historians and those involved with the Breed recovery. They have a very balanced view of the breed, which only comes from having interaction with a wide range of groups/ kennels and their various type preferences from both Italy and the US.
CastleGuard takes our involvement with the breed very seriously. We are long standing pillars of the Cane Corso community and our reputation is paramount. CastleGuard is the AKC’s first Corso Breeder of Merit and has produced more AKC and Reproduction Champions than any other Breeder in Corso history. We are very active in the Cane Corso National Breed Club; CCAA. We have been supportive members since 1997. Shauna was elected to the Board of Directors in 2000. Since that time, she has served as Public Relations, Breeder Representative and is currently the Director in charge of Breed Education in the US. She is a certified AKC Judge and her articles about the Corso have been published in magazines around the world.
The CastleGuard Crew
CastleGuard is more than Merle & Shauna. There are 7 kids in the family and over the course of almost 2 decades, each child has sowed love and work into the family project. But family love for the breed doesn’t stop there, as the older ones grew up, we have been blessed with Grandkids who naturally join right in loving the dogs. We start them young here and the dogs and kids are the best for it. All through the site you will see that the kids are really the ones who are the icing on the CastleGuard Cake.
Jade and Taylor, the twins, have emerge to be the right hand of our program. These young women have grown up in the breed and are the promising next generation. Armed with extensive knowledge and experience, they are serious competitors and trainers. They are extremely dedicated and are the ones who handle most of the dogs to the AKC Championships. They truly love and are dedicated to the Corso as much as anybody here. Without their heavy influence, we would just be another kennel. CastleGuard Cane Corso is the product of years of love and hard work of a very strong family unit; the CastleGuard Crew.
Grand Champion CastleGuard Nicoletta di Sogni
 |
