Puppy Matching

At Salem’s Creek Cane Corso, our priority is matching each puppy to a home where they’ll thrive not just where they’ll look good. Every Corso we produce is evaluated carefully to ensure the best possible fit between puppy and family.

Between 6–8 weeks of age, we complete a series of hands-on evaluations, combining structure, temperament, and lifestyle considerations to make the right placements.

• Structural Evaluation: Each puppy’s build, balance, and movement are assessed to confirm correct structure and soundness essential for long-term health, performance, and breed preservation.

• Temperament Testing: Using proven puppy aptitude and social assessments, we evaluate confidence, recovery, curiosity, and focus to understand each puppy’s personality.

• Lifestyle Matching: We take into account each home’s goals, family dynamic, and experience. This ensures that active, working-driven pups go to equally capable homes, while more easygoing temperaments fit into companion lifestyles.

While preferences like sex or color are respected, temperament and suitability always come first. Families are never pressured into a match that doesn’t feel right we guide the process with honesty and the best interest of both puppy and family in mind.

 

 

Puppy Raising

Our puppies are born and raised right here in our home, surrounded by daily life, noise, and interaction. We follow structured, evidence-based puppy development programs that build confident, resilient, and well-adjusted Cane Corso.

From birth until the day they go home, our puppies experience:

• Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

• Gentle daily handling and exposure to new sights, sounds, and textures

• Structured socialization with adults, children, safe animals, and new environments

• Foundation training in crate manners, potty habits, recall, and basic commands

• Confidence-building exercises using new objects, noises, and problem-solving tasks

• Grooming desensitization, including nail trims, bathing, blow drying, and vet handling

This early work doesn’t replace future training it builds a strong foundation. By the time our puppies go home, they’re confident, curious, and ready to continue learning.

Application Process

The Cane Corso is a serious, intelligent, and powerful breed not the right fit for every home. Our application process ensures that every puppy is placed with a family prepared for the responsibility that comes with owning a Corso.

1. Application: Submit a detailed puppy application outlining your experience, goals, and lifestyle. The more honest and complete your answers, the better we can assess fit.

2. Screening & Interview: Once your application is reviewed, we’ll contact you to discuss it in depth and answer questions. This step helps confirm that our breeding philosophy aligns with your expectations.

3. Approval & Waitlist: Approved applicants are added to our waitlist. We do not place puppies on a first-come, first-served basis placement is based on temperament, structure, and compatibility.

4. Updates & Deposits: Once a litter is confirmed and puppies are thriving, approved applicants will be contacted. A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a puppy once placement is approved.

 

 

 

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Health Testing & Breed Preservation

Every dog in our program is fully health tested and certified before breeding. At Salem’s Creek Cane Corso, we believe that structure, health, and temperament are the foundation of a true Corso not just looks or titles.

All breeding dogs receive:

• OFA Certified Hips, Elbows, Comprehensive DNA testing for known Cane Corso hereditary diseases, including:

• • NCL1 (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis)

  • Cystinuria

  • CMR1 (Canine Multifocal Retinopathy)

  • DSRA (Dental, Skeletal, Retinal Atrophy)

  • DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)

Only dogs who meet or exceed our strict standards in health, stability, and type are included in our program.

 What’s Included with a Salem’s Creek Puppy

Each Salem’s Creek puppy comes with:​

• Spay/Neuter Contract (24 months)

• Lifetime Breeder Support

• Complete Veterinary Records

• Microchipped

• Age-Appropriate Vaccinations & Deworming

• Vet Check by Two Independent Veterinarians

• Ears Cropped, Tail Docked, Dewclaws Removed

• Introduced to Bathing, Blow Drying & Nail Care

• Early Socialization & Basic Training

• Puppy Starter Package (toys, blanket, leash, and MUCH much more!!)

• Registration (CKC, or AKC) 

• Return-to-Breeder Clause — we always take our dogs back if needed

• All puppies are sold on a strict non-breeding contract.
  Show or breeding prospects are only considered for experienced, health-testing homes with reputable breeder references.

 

Puppy Vaccinations at Salem’s Creek Cane Corso

At Salem’s Creek Cane Corso, we take health and prevention seriously!!
Every puppy born here receives proper veterinary care and core vaccinations within their first 8 weeks of life, to give them the best possible start before going to their new homes.

Below is an overview of the main core vaccines recommended by veterinarians across Ontario, Canada, along with the protection they provide.

 Canine Parvovirus (Parvo)

• Why it’s important: A highly contagious and deadly virus that attacks the intestines and immune system.

• What it causes: Severe vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), dehydration, and rapid decline.

• Protection: Vaccination is the only reliable defense. Puppies receive a series of Parvo shots beginning at 6/8 weeks, followed by boosters every 3/4 weeks until 16 weeks.

 Canine Distemper

• Why it’s important: A serious, often fatal virus affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

• What it causes: Coughing, fever, nasal discharge, seizures, and paralysis.

• Protection: Given in combination with Parvo (as part of the DHPP vaccine). It’s considered a core vaccine for all dogs.

 Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

• Why it’s important: Causes infectious canine hepatitis, which can damage the liver, kidneys, and eyes.

• What it causes: Fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and jaundice.

• Protection: Included in the DHPP vaccine series, starting at 6/8 weeks.

 Canine Parainfluenza

• Why it’s important: A viral respiratory infection that contributes to “kennel cough.”

• What it causes: Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and decreased appetite.

• Protection: Also included in the DHPP combination vaccine to prevent upper respiratory illness.

 Rabies

• Why it’s important: Fatal to both animals and humans; required by law in Ontario.

• When it’s given: Usually administered at 12/16 weeks of age, after the puppy leaves the breeder.

• Owner responsibility: New owners must ensure their puppy receives and keeps up-to-date on rabies vaccinations as required by their veterinarian and local regulations.

Vaccination Schedule & Owner Responsibility

At Salem’s Creek Cane Corso, puppies receive their first DHPP vaccine at 6/8 weeks, along with a complete veterinary exam and health record.

From there, it’s the new owner’s responsibility to continue the vaccine series every 3/4 weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks old, followed by boosters at 1 year, and then every 1/3 years as recommended by their veterinarian.

Staying up to date on vaccinations protects not only your Cane Corso but every dog they come in contact with. This is your right as a puppy owner! BE THE CHANGE. 

Transport Options

Safe, stress-free transport can be arranged through trusted in-cabin flight nannies or licensed ground transporters. All travel arrangements are handled with the puppy’s wellbeing in mind and are at the buyer’s expense.

 Our Commitment

At Salem’s Creek Cane Corso, our focus is quality not quantity. We produce only a few select litters each year to ensure every puppy receives the time, attention, and foundation they deserve.

We breed with purpose: to protect, preserve, and better the Cane Corso through ethical practices, health testing, and responsible placement. Every Salem’s Creek puppy represents years of dedication to this extraordinary breed.