#1 Cane Corso 1991 & 1992Our apologies, if you have been directed to this site for Cane Corsos, try another link from where ever you found us. Contact other breeders by searching on the Internet or by networking with breeders.
BelMonte Cane Corso had to close when Ed & Kristie Hodas moved to Orange County, New York from Sullivan County. After acquiring their new property, it was discovered that kennels were not an allowable use at their new property. Ed & Kristie reluctantly closed their breeding business and decided to enter another industry. The information below describes a little of their historical contribution in introducing a strong Cane Corso line of dogs in the U.S.A. and North America.
Introducing a Wonderful Dog for Families
Ed and Kristie Hodas, a New York State Couple, Established a New Line of Dogs in the United States and Became the Nation's Leading Breeders of the Cane Corso, a Dog Which Was First Bred in Ancient Times. The three following Cane Corso dogs were among their best competition dogs: .
Champion Cocomo
#1 Cane Corso 1991 & 1992
5 Times Best in Show Winner
Winner of the Tournament of Champions
1993 ICCF National Specialty Winner
Champion Turill
ICCF and ARBA Champion
Winner of ICCF 1995 Specialties
(Cherry Blossom & Pine Barrens)
Champion Bel Monte
Bel Monte Cane Corsos Are Winners
by Ken Baumel
The Cane Corso dog, related to the mastiff, was an ancient breed of dog popular with
Roman aristocrats, but only a few examples survived into the 20th century. Recent research
by Cane Corso specialists revealed that historically, in Italy, where the breed
originated, the Cane Corsos were
used to hunt wild game, such as wild boar and stag. On farms, the breed was traditionally
used to guard cattle herds and for other protective work, such as watching over family
members.
The Cane Corso breed had all but disappeared in modern times, but art works from ancient
times to the 19th century showed how the Cane Corso breed looked. Professor Giovanni
Bonatti and his circle of dog lovers helped revive the breed by 1974. Bonatti and several
other Cane Corso lovers, who
understood the historical signifigance, were able to find a few good dogs in Italy that
exhibited the classic ancient characteristics and set about re-establishing the breed,
according to Ed and Kristie Hodas of Barryville, New York, who are the leading Cane Corso
breeders in the United States.
Following the successfull breeding program in Italy, the new strain of Cane Corsos were entered in dog shows and
began winning. People in southern Italy and Sicily appreciated the value of the dog, which
exhibited a good temperament with people, were excellent working dogs, and showed a
natural instinct to guard farm animals. A demand for the dogs helped foster an
international federation which has a mission to educate the public and to assure that the
good characteristics of the dog are preserved.
Winningest Cane Corso Dogs in USA
Ed and Kristie Hodas of Barryville, New York, in the United States, had bred fighting dogs for years, but before acquiring their first Cane Corso, had decided to get a different kind of dog. At a rare breed show in New Jersey, they saw Cocomo, a champion Cane Corse from Italy, and fell in love with the dog and the breed. The owner of Cocomo was willing to sell a pup. The Hodas' were at the right place at the right time and found that Champion Cocomo, one of the best Cane Corso dogs, was available a few months later. They acquired Cocomo.
The Hodas' were hooked on the Cane Corso. They went to Italy to research the Cane Corso, found some excellent dogs, and decided to expand the blood line by acquiring eight different dogs to help prevent in-breeding. They acquired some excellent dogs from the original line of Cane Corso dogs. Through a faithful year-round regimen of exercising their dogs, the Hodas' help preserve the beauty, temperament, and working ability, which is an essential part of the Cane Corso breed's historic character.
Even though neither Ed or Kristie had ever shown a dog before, they made a commitment to enter the show dog circuit and to breed the best possible line of Cane Corsos. From the very first show, the results were spectacular. "Cocomo knew how to move and helped me around the ring...Cocomo won two Best of Shows on the the very first weekend we entered," said Hodas.
Other Cane Corsos bred by the Hodas' won Best of Show on a regular basis as soon as they were introduced at dog shows. Since then, Hodas' bred dogs have earned more top prizes than those of any other Cane Corso dog breeder. The Hodas stud dogs have had a remarkable record of wins. Cocomo was the number one Cane Corse in the United States three years running and has won every show he entered.
Cane Corsos Are Highly Trainable
Ed and Kristie Hodas recommend that
the dogs be trained for obedience, rather than as an attack dog. The dog is not among the
fighting breed of dogs and will not aggressively attack other dogs, but neither will it
run from a fight. Hodas said, "The dog is an active breed. They should therefore be
kept in good working condition by regular exercise. The dog is highly trainable and works
well with other dogs."
"The Cane Corso is a very
strong family oriented dog that is very loyal to its master or mistress and even without
training has natural instincts to want to guard their master and family. The Cane Corse is a very powerful dog with
massive bones, but submissive to its masters. The dog can be very protective and
defensive by instinct if it thinks their family is in danger."
The Cane Corso dogs tend to be
larger than the average house dog. The male can weigh from 100 to 140 pounds, the females
from 80 to 100 pounds. The Cane Corso, though large, is unusually agile, when given adequate exercise. The dogs
do not drool like some mastiffs. Typically, breeders crop the ears and part of the tail.
"The Cane Corso is well
balanced and athletic," noted Hodas, "moving with great grace, free-flowing, yet
exuding power when properly exercised. They are basically a quiet dog, barking only
when alerted to strange situations. They are excellent guard dogs, family dogs, great with
children, and devoted to the family members, stable in temperament, protective, yet gentle
with children."
As a result of the Hodas success at showing the first line of Cane Corso dogs, the breed has become an established specialty dog at shows and a very practical family oriented dog that has satisfied many people.
This is an old photo of the Hodas when they were in Milford, PA.
Kristie, Troy, Rachel and Ed Hodas.
The dog breeding program is just part of a commitment to excellence that the Hodas' embrace in every part of their lives, from work, education, home, recreation, and their spiritual life.
Ed and Kristie Hodas, in the photo, were for over a decade, the leading Cane Corso breeders in the nation, having won the top national title almost every year since they opened BelMonte Breeders.
Son Troy Hodas
served as an instructor with Black Belt Martial Arts, a school Ed and Kristie ran in Milford, PA
Troy has won a national grappling championship. Since teh school closed, Troy Hodas graduated magna cum
laude with a major in business from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He then
started a career in management with a national consumer office supply chain.
Kristie taught aerobic kickboxing to stay in shape after she gave birth to Rachel. Several of Kristie's students opened their own schools. She still stays in shape with aerobic kick boxing routines and makes time to stay in shape even though she works full time home schooling Rachel.
Ed Hodas is decorated former New York City police officer, now retired. He saved a fellow police officer (female) who was kidnapped during a riot at a city men's shelter, by single-handedly breaking up the melee and extricating her unharmed. He is a former Golden Gloves amateur boxer, and was undefeated East Coast Professional Kick Boxing Association champ.
The whole family likes doing things together and share common goals of putting their heart into their activities. They have recently built their dream home, which Kristie decorated, and found time to participate in a Bible study.
Ed Hodas took a lot of time training his dogs. He loved the dogs and believes that any pet are happiest and productive when exercised and treated well. He made sure the dogs got a lot of love and daily exercise.
Members of: International Cane Corso Federation
canecorso @ newsfax.com
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