CCAA BREED EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The CCAA presents the resources below to help AKC judges choose wisely in the show ring.  The link to the "Beyond the Standard" is especially valuable.  If you are an AKC judge and find yourself in need of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the JEC or any of the CCAA-approved breed mentors listed below.  The CCAA is enthusiastic about helping you get to know our wonderful breed!

BREED EDUCATION MATERIALS:

OFFICIAL CCAA-APPROVED CANE CORSO MENTORS

These individuals have the tenure, accomplishment and official training to be presented by the CCAA as breed experts. These individuals are approved to instruct judges ringside and through the seminar process as well as mentor tutors, breeders and fancy at large.

Note: Mentor and Tutor lists are updated every couple of months. Please check back for additional names.

Shauna DeMoss, CCAA Director #1/JEC
Colorado
[email protected]
970-856-4975

Heather Vitcusky
Maine
[email protected] 
302-373-6589

Derek Matson
Ohio
479-387-2791

Shawn Imler
Maryland
[email protected] 
410-371-6044
 
Rebecca Simonski
Georgia
[email protected]
 
Anthony Simonski
Georgia
[email protected]

Alexia Rodriguez
California
[email protected]

CCAA BREED MENTOR CRITERIA:

To be considered by the Judge's Education Committee for the position of Official CCAA Breed Mentor, a person must meet the following basic criteria:
  1. Owned and exhibited Cane Corsos for a minimum of 12 years.
  2. Be the breeder of record of at least 5 AKC champions and/or the personal exhibitor and finisher of at least 5 AKC Champions (Documentation verifying titles must be submitted).
  3. Be a CCAA member in good standing.
  4. Be willing to travel at least once a year to mentor ringside at your own expense. Be willing to do virtual mentoring on occasion.
  5. Person should possess an in-depth understanding of the Standard and breed as demonstrated by all or some of the following:    
    1. Must attend, either virtually or in person, the breed club seminar approved in 2022.
    2. Be familiar with current breed club education materials and be well versed in the Standard.
    3. *Must agree to educate judges with only information approved by the CCAA and follow the program's guidelines that ensure neutrality.
    4. Consistently have bred and shown dogs of excellent quality.
    5. Possesses the ability to objectively discuss the breed and the faults of not only others' dogs but their own.
    6. Must have good communication skills and rapport with the community.
    7. 6 month mentorship of new tutors as selected.
    8. Pass an oral exam given by the committee.
                  
Oral exam will include:   
  • Questions from the Standard.
  • Technical questions regarding basic canine structure and movement. Recommend books listed below. 
  • Applicant will submit photos of one of their dogs and discuss the positives and negatives.    
 
Brief resume needs to be submitted with documentation of breed participation and titles. At that time, a seminar will be scheduled. After which, the exam. Structure books that may be referenced in exam are listed below. 

CCAA CANE CORSO TUTORS

These individuals have tested out to have basic breed knowledge and are in continued training toward mentorship.

Tutor List (pending)

CCAA TUTOR CRITERIA:

To be considered by the Head Education committee for the position of  CCAA Corso Tutor, a person must meet the following basic criteria:
  1. Owned and participated in Corsos activities for a minimum of 3 years.
  2. Be the breeder of record and personally whelped at least 2 litters and/or participate with a Corso for 3 years in dog sports/activities and/or titled a Corso in any companion/performance venue.
  3. Be a CCAA member in good standing.
  4. Person should possess a basic understanding of the Standard and breed as demonstrated by all or some of the following:    
    1. Must attend, either virtually or in person, the CCAA breed seminar approved in 2022.
    2. Be mentored for 6 months by an official club mentor, completing at least 4 hours of coaching as on the breed and how to tutor.
    3. Be familiar with current breed club education Materials and in the Standard.
    4. *Must agree to educate judges with only information approved by the CCAA and follow the program's guidelines that ensure neutrality.
    5. Possesses the ability to objectively discuss the breed and the faults of not only others' dogs but their own.
    6. Must have good communication skills and rapport with the community.
    7. Pass an oral exam given by the committee.
                  
Oral exam will include:   
  • Questions from the Standard.
  • Technical questions regarding basic canine structure and movement. Recommend books listed below. 
  • Applicant will submit photos of one of their dogs and discuss the positives and negatives.    
 
Brief resume needs to be submitted with documentation of breed participation and titles. At that time, a seminar will be scheduled. After which, the exam. Books that may be referenced in the exam are:
  • Il Cane Corso by Casolino and Gandolfi
  • The Dog in Action by Lyon
  • Dog Steps by Elliott
  • Canine Terminology by Spira
  • K9 Structure & Terminology by Gilbert and Brown