Mad River Cain Corso Darrel Hamren Read this BEFORE you buy a dog from Mad River Urbana, Ohio

It's still absolutely shocking to me that people will do business with Mad River Cane Corso. To each his own, it is however been four years since one of their dogs that my nine-year-old daughter and had to be put to sleep, read the report I have still not received even a dismissive apology from Darrell. In my opinion, he is just white trash.

Very well put my Cane Corso adoring friend, never believe what you read on the Internet, do your own homework. With that being said it seems like Joseph, the guy who filed the rebuttal against my original reports seems to be an intelligent person who’s trying to do something nice for a breeder that he likes. I’m glad to hear that his experience was a good one and that Mad River Cane Corso is now conducting themselves in a more professional manner.

I am going to take exception to one thing that he stated in his final sentence: “there are no bad dogs only bad dog owners”. This is patently false and is irrefutably proven time and time again by vicious Mullings from pit bulls, Akitas, and other breeds prone to aggression. Don’t take my word for it? Don’t want to believe everything you read on the Internet? Are you the type of person that passes up everything as inaccurate unless you agree with it? Well then Internet surfer… I encourage you to look for reputable news stories about a recent dismemberment of a 20 something-year-old girl by her two pit bulls. She was not a bad pet owner, she did not beat her animals, no neglect, they were just vicious animals that were literally consuming her carcass with her father came across the body. I wonder what he might say if we asked him if there was such a thing as bad dogs?

Take the Japanese Tosa Inu, this animal is capable of pulling 3000 pounds which is greater than any human being is capable of stopping. Universally this animal is regarded as a working dog and not suitable as a pet even to experienced dog owners. According to my new pal Joseph, this would make a lovely addition to anyone’s family. I’m sure that anyone reading this recognizes the obvious sarcasm but you get my point. There are very bad dogs just like there are bad birds, cats, and yes… Even people. Prisons are full of them.

In summary I am happy to debate this with anyone who has an opposing opinion, because that’s the great part about this report, it is an opinion. Joseph had a good experience I had a very different one. I feel that the people that I dealt with were a bunch of unsophisticated hillbillies and were outright insensitive when I told him that my 10-year-old daughter had been bitten by one of their dogs. I don’t care what Joseph’s opinion is or anyone else’s for that matter because it does not change what actually happened to me.

Postscript: I am currently discussing the possibility of purchasing a Presa Canario (Canary Island Mastiff) we have the financial resources and property requirements to care for animal of the size and temperament. We are also skillful in handling these large breed high maintenance dogs. Without exception, every single breeder that we have spoken to reserves what is known as “first right of refusal” to take the animal back in the event of aggression or the inability of the purchaser to no longer care for the animal. They will rehome the animal versus having it destroyed. Seems like everyone else does this except for Mad River Cane Corso, but hey, once Mad River has your money that’s all they seem to care about. (In my opinion)

PPS: my headline suggested that you do your own homework: to the best of my knowledge, despite the complaints and reviews online, Mad River still refuses to take back their own animals versus allowing them to be destroyed in their contract. Even if they never have to exercise this option is deplorable in my opinion that any breeder would prefer that as the outcome versus trying to rehome a dog. Look around the Internet and read the contracts for other breeders virtually all of them require you to give them the right to take the dog back.

First, i am not in any way a "friend" of Darrels writing a rebutle on his behalf. I am mearly a consumer who had a great experience with Mad River and Darrel and felt the need to share my experience in response to the report.  Second, check out the pictures I posted of mad River Kennels. I dont think puppy mills look like that.  Third , i never claimed to be an authority on dog behavior.  I invite all who research Mad River as a potential breeder to take this original report with a grain of salt as did I and not be persuaded by one persons point of view (including mine).  i read this persons report pryor to going to Mad River and my experience was the exact opposite . 

So what did i learn from that, you cant believe everything you read on the internet.  Do your own research on Mad River. get into the breed circle and talk to kennels that have worked with them. talk to his comptition.   research his pedigrees. Darrel works with breeders all over the country and in onther countries as well. Darrel was refered to me by a very reputable breeder who wasnt breeding at the time i was looking. I consider myself fortunate because i am a tough sell .  I will admit I took this guys review a little personal given my experience and felt the need to throw a few jabs but thats only because im passonate about dogs. There are no bad dogs only bad dog owners.

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t trouble myself or spend the time to reply to one of Darrell’s friends or "customers" that he asked to rebut my original report. However, his report, like most things you read online, is not only riddled with inaccuracies but it draws conclusions that the author could not possibly come to on his own.

Let me start with one point; it sounds like “Joseph” the author of the aforementioned rebuttal had a good experience with Mad River Cane Corso. I am very pleased to hear that, especially that Mad River Cain Corso was willing to take care of a health issue beyond the terms of “their” warranty. I might also humbly accept your gratitude that my exposure of their behavior likely is the reason why he did that. That is the purpose of the Ripoff Report, it takes companies like Mad River and forces accountability for their business practices. So you’re welcome.

Now let’s talk about dominance in the “Alpha position.” As mentioned in the above paragraph Joseph attempts to psychoanalyze me, my daughter, and my dog, in my home environment with absolutely no interaction with us whatsoever. My friend, you are wasting your talent writing worthless reviews for dog breeders when you should be working for NASA, IBM or even the CIA. Imagine what they would pay to have a person with telekinesis like you who can construct such complicated conclusions sight unseen with nothing more than the ability to read a brief article. Seriously, our government could use such a slick, intelligent guy like you… You got my vote buddy!

Tongue-in-cheek aside, this guy is psychoanalyzing me as a beta personality without meeting me? Again, as humbly as I can state this, I have never been in a room of people and have not been considered an Alpha. I am a hedge fund manager/derivatives trader where type A personalities are the only personalities that exist. After 20 years in my chosen profession, I would say that I do not have a problem with dominance over subordinates (including my dog(s)). What’s distressing is his comment “you know what, too bad, suck it up, deal with it.” That pretty much sums up the attitude that I got from Mad River Cane Corso when I called about the dog. I see birds of a feather really do flock together.

I’m just going to reiterate a few points here, my first interaction with these people led me to believe that they were nothing but a puppy mill and when I got there my concerns were confirmed. We were not allowed to see the dogs or kennel and Darrell was not even present after we drove approximately eight hours to get there. Concerning Joseph and his all-knowing attitude about… well everything, I have owned lots of dogs in my life including a now 200 pound English mastiff and all of the breeders that I have worked with require you contractually to contact them before surrendering a dog or putting it to sleep giving them the opportunity to rescue the dog. Mad River Cane Corso is by far the exception, not the rule. They got our money and basically told me to pound salt, terrible business practices and attitude in my opinion.

I’m not writing this in hopes that “Joseph” will ever read it; I want people who are considering doing business with this breeder to know what happened to me. Maybe, Darrell has changed his ways, and they are now best dog breeders this side of the Mississippi. Maybe all the aggression videos on YouTube from this breeder is not an indication of what they breed their dogs for but just a misunderstanding. However, if you like me, you read between the lines and draw the logical conclusion. In my opinion, this is an unsophisticated person raising aggressive dogs to make a buck.

PS we had a CMHA 21-year police veteran canine officer (Cleveland housing Metro authority) who in retirement runs a business that detects explosives, narcotics, gunpowder, etc. for the NFL, NBA, and MLB teams in Cleveland issue an opinion on what to do in the situation we were in. I am going to say that his opinion outweighs mad River and all of their shills opinions about 10,000:1. This is a person who actually understands dog psychology and trains them for the Department of Homeland Security as well as local law enforcement. What he does not do is train dogs for the public. Please understand that I am summarizing here; however, in no uncertain terms he made it clear that due to the proximity of the dog’s mouth to my daughter’s face, a dog bite injury can be very severe from a large breed due to the dog height. My veterinarian concurred with this opinion, and it is this simple… Are you the kind of idiot that loves your dog more than your children? This alleged customer of mad rivers says “if you love your dog’s then you love your dogs”. Well, I love my children and would never jeopardize their safety over a dog. The breeder should have tried to rehome the dog at no cost to them with a family who has no children and that dog would still be alive today. Instead… Just read my first report, and you will see what happened. Like they said, “buyer beware.”

I personally own a male from Mad River / Darrel Hamron . I researched local breeders in my state (Massachusetts) and other for over six months before deciding to go with Darrel.  I am well versed around dogs, my mother bred Irish setters for years, I have owned several German Shepherds . I understand dog behavior. My corso has shown this behavior before . It is male dominance. An intact male will naturally shown dominance in his environment.  The problem here is you never portrayed yourself as the alpha.  Your dog was trying to assume leadership of the pack . I have to young girls 9 and 12.and  Have been with him since birth & My girls have been taught to assume the alpha roll over the dog . Theses dogs are a very dominant breed , they need a dominant owner and family as well . Theses dogs are not for submissive type people. My dog is well socialized with other dogs and people. Has never bitten or hurt anyone. Is temperament is excellent . He is a very affectionate Dog . Buy he does try to become dominant. Because that’s the breed you dope ! It’s for life ! Sometimes my Corso. comes into the living room while Im sitting on the couch, and barks at me and jumps at me and appears aggressive. He is showing Dominance. and that’s when I give a correction to the dog . Sometimes you get a dog that’s wired wrong . You know what , to bad . Suck it up and deal with it . If you love dogs then you love dogs . I would never expect a breeder to take back my dog . It my responsibility to train that dog . Don’t get a dominant breed if you don’t have the time, experience and patience.to work with it. Get a golden retrieve.  To anyone Who reads this . I drove my family 14 hrs to meet Darrel , met his wife and newborn son ,toured the kennels , met all the dogs and spent time with him . I lost my corso to a bone tumor after  only 2-1/2 years. Darre replaced him. At no charge , even after the health Guarantee was up.   Mad river is reputable, Darrel is reputable, he has compassion, loves what he does ,is ethical and responsable .  I will recommend him to anyone .

Sadly, the person who left the rebuttal to my very in depth and thorough review clearly did not read the entire report. I make this assumption because he thinks that I should've checked with my wife before buying the dog LOL.

Do your friend a favor, do not leave any more rebuttals on his behalf. You have strength my position exponentially by stating that their contract does not require them to take the animal back. Ironically, I just purchased a show quality dog from another breeder and their contract specifically states that they must have first right of refusal to take the dog back. The last thing any legitimate breeder wants is for someone to have to destroy the animal. All you had to do was read the entire (understandably long) review and you would've known that.

Here is the bottom line, No legitimate breeder anywhere wants you to destroy one of their animals; he was far more concerned with the dog being neutered within 12 months (which again I will state is an absolute mistake on a giant breed dog) than he was about my daughter getting bitten. I suppose its best that this conversation took place over the phone versus in person. I wonder how the average reader of this post would feel if they were posed but that situation?

i am just a comsumer who know the breed for the last  15 year .

having to wait one hour before to see the sire that not cool but the breeder did nothing wrong , he  has no obligation to take  back the dog, did you read your contract . you should have a talk with your wife before purchase ,they do not want the dog you put him back for sale.buying a dog is a family matter you do not go blow 2000 dollars without having concerting your spouse.this is your responsability i know in a court of law you will be wrong