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 issue that are encountered in the Corso.

CastleGuard Takes our involvement with the breed very seriously. We are pillars of the Cane Corso community and our reputation is paramount. 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 has been involved in several additional projects including the drafting of the Club’s constitution, working on the AKC committee and Spear heading the Breeders’ Guild. She is a certified American Rare Breed Judge and has begun her apprenticeship requirements to be an AKC judge. She also has 6 years of experience as a Veterinary Technician.

Merle is a master carpenter & craftsman. Not only did he construct our beautiful facility, he is a Corso trainer extraordinaire! All the puppies are smothered with attention from “Daddy” and those in the Started puppy program learn quickly because of Merle’s expertise. Our doors are always open to unfortunate Corsi that need rehabilitation and re-homing. Merle’s firm but laid back temperament enables him to redirect and stabilize even the toughest cases. It’s a labor of love. Merle also competes in the show ring and once in a while actually defeat the kids and their dogs to win points!

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.

The CastleGuard Kids
CastleGuard is not only the home of some of the best Corsos is the World, but we are blessed with 7 of the finest kids as well. We are raising are second set of kids with the Cane Corso and soon it will be grandkids. All through the site you will see that the kids are really the ones who are the icing on the CastleGuard Cake. They spend hours everyday, snow or shine, working with their dogs. They are serious competitors in both Obedience and the conformation ring. But more importantly they truly love the dogs as much as anybody here and without the kids’ heavy influence, we would just be another kennel.