Cane Corso Health Guarantee: What It Should Cover
A health guarantee sounds good on paper. But in the Cane Corso world, 90% of them are worthless.
“Lifetime guarantee” with no OFA testing behind it means nothing. “As-is, no refunds” is a red flag.
If you’re spending $1,500+ on a puppy, you deserve to know what a real cane corso health guarantee covers and what to walk away from.
What a Real Cane Corso Health Guarantee Covers
A legit guarantee protects you from genetic issues that show up despite health testing. It doesn’t cover everything, but it should cover the big 3:
1. Hip Dysplasia
Covered for minimum 2 years. Dysplasia usually shows up between 12-24 months when the dog hits full weight.
A real guarantee will offer a replacement puppy or refund if your dog is diagnosed with moderate to severe hip dysplasia by a board-certified orthopedic vet, and both parents had OFA Good/Excellent ratings.
2. Elbow Dysplasia
Same as hips. Elbow dysplasia is painful and often requires surgery. Coverage should match hip coverage.
3. Heart Conditions
Dilated Cardiomyopathy and other genetic heart issues should be covered for 2 years. Diagnosis must come from a board-certified cardiologist.
Anything less than 2 years is a red flag. Hip and elbow issues often don’t show until after 12 months.
What’s NOT Covered in a Legit Cane Corso Health Guarantee
A real breeder won’t cover things that aren’t genetic or preventable:
- Bloat, infections, parasites – Environmental, not genetic
- Injuries from accidents – Broken leg from jumping off the couch
- Parvo, distemper – Preventable with vaccines
- Entropion/ectropion surgery – Some breeders cover this, some don’t. Ask upfront
If a breeder says “we cover everything,” they’re lying or they’ve never had a claim.
Red Flags in Cane Corso Health Guarantees
1. No OFA Testing Required
If the guarantee doesn’t require both parents to be OFA tested, it’s meaningless. You can’t guarantee against hip dysplasia if you never tested for it.
2. “Vet Check Only” Guarantee
A general vet check at 8 weeks doesn’t detect hip dysplasia, heart issues, or eye problems. Only OFA and board-certified specialists can.
3. “Replacement Only, No Refund”
Some families don’t want a second puppy if the first gets sick. A fair guarantee gives you the choice.
4. 1-Year Guarantee or Less
Hip and elbow dysplasia often show up at 18-24 months. A 1-year guarantee expires before most issues appear.
5. Vague Language
“Guaranteed against genetic defects” means nothing. It should list exactly what’s covered, for how long, and what you get if it happens.
What Our Health Guarantee Covers
At Ruben Cane Corso Quest, we offer a 2-Year Genetic Health Guarantee because we stand behind our health testing.
Covered for 2 years:
- Hip Dysplasia – OFA Good/Excellent parents only
- Elbow Dysplasia – OFA Normal parents only
- Heart Conditions – OFA Heart Normal parents only
What you get:
Choice of replacement puppy from the next available litter OR full refund of purchase price. You provide a diagnosis from a board-certified specialist.
What we require:
You keep the puppy on large-breed puppy food until 18 months, avoid overfeeding, and limit high-impact exercise before 18 months. We can’t guarantee against issues caused by poor management.
See the full guarantee and our OFA proof here: Ruben Cane Corso Guest 2-Year Health Guarantee
Questions to Ask Any Breeder
Copy these and send them before you pay a deposit:
- “What exactly does your cane corso health guarantee cover?”
- “How long does it last?”
- “Can I see OFA certificates for both parents?”
- “What happens if my puppy is diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 18 months?”
- “Is the guarantee void if I feed adult food early or let the puppy jump?”
If they get defensive or vague, walk away. A good breeder is proud to explain their guarantee.
Why Health Testing Makes the Guarantee Matter
A guarantee without health testing is just a promise.
We only breed dogs with OFA Hips Good/Excellent, Elbows Normal, Heart Normal, and Eyes Normal. You can verify every result at OFA.org.
That’s why we can offer a 2-year guarantee confidently. The risk is already low.
See our dam Gia’s full health testing here: Cane Corso Health Testing Guide
Final Check
Before you sign anything, ask: “Is this breeder trying to educate me or sell me?”
Ethical breeders explain the guarantee line by line. Backyard breeders hand you a 1-page “as-is” contract and rush you to pay.
Want to see puppies covered by our 2-year guarantee? View current litter here or text 216-243-7463.
For more on what health guarantees should include, read AKC’s Guide to Puppy Contracts.
