Gandolfi said that “heterogeneity, numeric inconsistency and the difficulties of making our recovery programme understood were causes for concern, even of utter confusion. In September 1980, only 5 of the 17 puppies born of Breber’s first two litters could be located. The others, donated to shepherds, were scattered around the countryside and their track had been lost. Only two females, TIPSI and BRINA, were under direct control. Other located specimens were the male DAUNO – brother of BRINA – and the very old MIRAK.

Essentially, it was only a pebble in the pond, the real recovery of the breed had not yet begun.” Aware of the situation and the difficulties, Gandolfi and the Malavasi brothers realize, with Casolino’s advice, that in order to start a serious recovery programme they lacked “a venue that guaranteed appropriate attention for the future development and, above all, a pragmatic selection philosophy.”

The Malavasi brothers take care of all of this and commit to granting the use of their kennel to accommodate the most commendable specimens; they “take care of them, supervise the couplings, help females with deliveries and monitor the litters. All in return for a future, waiting for the hypothetical results on a breed unknown to the majority of people and of uncertain fate.”

(Casolino) Thanks to the availability of the Malavasi brothers it was finally possible to start the serious programme of recovery that had been in their thoughts and in the thoughts of Gandolfi and Casolino. These people, with determination and perseverance, laid the foundations of what today is the Italian Cane Corso, transferring between the end of 1979 and January 1980 the first three specimens in Mantova: the females TIPSI and BRINA together with DAUNO, a black male born from Breber’s first litter from MIRAK x ALIOT.

Results of the first selection Despite the difficulties, working in consanguinity with the aim of fixing the type and structure characteristics, from these three specimens the first examples of Cane Corso of the modern age were born. Amongst them appeared, due to the quality of their figure, structure, and capacity to transmit genetic features, some specimens which are the origin of all modern specimens: firstly, above all, two black brothers, sons of DAUNO x TIPSI, born in Malavasi and la Battaglia’s kennel, currently ‘Antico Cerberus’. BASIR, lent to Casolino and considered as the zootechnic point of reference for the breed; BULAN, owned by Gianantonio Sereni, proved to be an excellent breeder in the breed recovery programme; and, entrusted by the Malavasi brothers to Michele Angiolillo: ALIOT, gray male, and BABAK, tabby female.

The rebirth “The 18th of October, 1983, was a historical day for the Cane Corso. For the first time, a group of enthusiasts gathered with their dogs to assess the situation.