The Cane Corso is a magnificent breed first developed as a guard dog and hunter of big game, like the wild boar. Aside from their strong physique, this breed is also popular with dog owners for their loving personalities. The Cane Corso is a sturdy working dog renowned for its impressive strength and athletic ability. […]

The Cane Corso is a magnificent breed first developed as a guard dog and hunter of big game, like the wild boar. Aside from their strong physique, this breed is also popular with dog owners for their loving personalities.

The Cane Corso is a sturdy working dog renowned for its impressive strength and athletic ability. This large breed is a true gentle giant and can be very affectionate with its owners. Due to their size and exercise needs, they require a spacious, fenced yard to exercise and play.

The Cane Corso is an ideal pup for families who love outdoor activities and adventures. To learn more about the majestic Cane Corso, its personality, breed history, nutrition needs, and more, just follow along!

Cane Corso Characteristics

The Cane Corso is a medium to large breed recognized for its powerful build. The Cane Corso breed is muscular, with a well-proportioned physique that enables graceful and agile movement. With their imposing size and solid features, Cane Corsos are natural guard dogs.The Cane’s head is large while their dark brown eyes are small and almond-shaped. Their ears are often cropped and their nose is large, flush with a muzzle, and either black or gray in color.

The alert facial features of the Corso match their robust physique. The neck is gently arched and seamlessly transitions into their broad shoulders. The back, forequarters, and hindquarters are all muscular and proportional to the rest of the body. The tail is docked to a medium length.

Cane Corso Dog Breed Size

This large and muscular dog breed can be a bit overwhelming to first-time dog owners. A male Cane Corso typically stands between 25 and 28 inches at the withers, while female Cane Corsos range from 23 to 26 inches. Their weight can vary with height but generally falls between 90 and 120 pounds.

Cane Corso Personality

The Cane Corso has an imposing physique and can be assertive at times. However, a dog owner who is dedicated to training their Cane Corso will do well with this pet.

The Cane Corso often makes an outstanding family dog, showing no aggression towards its own family. However, it can be unfriendly and territorial with strangers. Early training and socialization are crucial to helping a Cane Corso puppy become comfortable around new people and reduce the risk of future hostility. Without this, the dog may appear hostile to guests. Due to their large size, it’s important to monitor their behavior to avoid any potential problems.

Cane Corsos are a pleasure to train as they are extremely intelligent and love to learn new tasks. The hard-working pups may attempt to show their dominance in the home so it’s important for Cane Corso owners to show firm leadership. It’s important to train this breed to prevent the Cane Corso from overpowering you.

Great leadership starts by training them with easy commands such as “sit” or “down” and rewarding your Corso with treats and praise when they demonstrate good behavior. Training your Corso will help build their confidence and independence. The Cane Corso can experience moments of separation anxiety but with training and calming CBD treats, they should be able to overcome it.

Cane Corso Dog Breed Exercise

As a large and energetic breed, the Cane Corso needs plenty of exercise to remain happy and healthy. Cane Corsos thrive on physical activity and are eager to take on tasks, whether it’s hiking or helping around the farm.

Like many larger dogs, the Cane Corso enjoys going on long walks and hours of playtime with games like fetch or tug-of-war. While having a large, fenced-in yard is ideal for a Cane Corso, taking them to a dog park to socialize with other dogs is also great.

Cane Corsos enjoy completing commands, making them a natural for obedience training, agility exercises, dock diving, tracking events, and various other dog sports. Above all, a Cane Corso requires an owner who can provide adequate exercise to develop their muscle strength and stamina. Without sufficient exercise, a Cane Corso may become restless or bored, potentially leading to aggression or destructive behavior at home.

Cane Corso Training

Starting training early is crucial for a Cane Corso puppy. Early training helps them learn good behaviors and understand the expectations you set. Given their large size, Cane Corsos can easily overpower their owners, so it’s important to manage their behavior from a young age.

Early socialization with other dogs and strangers is essential for a Cane Corso. Without it, the breed may develop aggressive behaviors as they attempt to assert dominance. Introducing your Cane Corso to people and other puppies while they are young will help foster a positive attitude toward new environments, reducing the likelihood of protective or hostile behavior.

Training a Cane Corso is easy due to their natural intelligence and quick learning abilities. Using positive reinforcement and rewards is the most effective approach when teaching them new skills and tricks. If they struggle to learn a task swiftly, they might become frustrated or restless, potentially directing their aggression toward you. However, with patience and well-timed training sessions, your Cane Corso will thrive.

Cane Corso Dog Breed History

The Cane Corso, a breed related to Mastiffs, was originally developed in Italy. Descending from Roman war dogs, the Cane Corso was originally bred for hunting, property guarding, and assisting on farms by herding pigs and cattle to market.

The name “Cane Corso” combines the Latin word “Canis,” meaning dog, with “Corso,” derived from “Cohors,” which means bodyguard, or possibly the Italian word “Corsus,” meaning sturdy or robust.

Over time, as the breed’s farming roles diminished, the Cane Corso nearly faced extinction. In the 1970s, efforts to revive the Corso breed began, leading to the formation of the Society Amatori Cane Corso in Italy in 1983 and its recognition by the Federation Cynologique Internationale of Belgium in 1996.

In the United States, Michael Sottile imported the first litter of Cane Corsos in 1988. By then, the breed had evolved into a more tame version of its original self. The International Cane Corso Association was established in 1993, and the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010. The Cane Corso Association of America now oversees the Cane Corso dog breed.

Common Health Problems Found in the Cane Corso

Like any dog breed, the Cane Corso can be prone to certain health issues. Given their larger size and relatively shorter lifespan, there are specific health concerns to be aware of. Being aware of these potential issues is the first step in addressing and managing any health problems that may arise for your pet.

Obesity

Maintaining a healthy and consistent diet, along with regular exercise, is essential for your dog to prevent obesity. For a large breed like the Cane Corso, excess weight can place additional stress on their joints, potentially leading to pain and mobility issues if not managed properly. To avoid these issues, plan meat portions carefully, limit treats and table scraps, and ensure your Cane Corso gets adequate exercise daily.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a skeletal condition common in large dog breeds, leading to the gradual deterioration of the hip joints over time. This painful condition can impact your Cane Corso’s mobility and overall quality of life. It is often hereditary, so screening for hip dysplasia is especially important for larger breeds.

To manage or prevent hip dysplasia, monitor your dog’s diet and ensure they get regular exercise. If the condition worsens, emergency surgery may be necessary.

Bloat

Bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), is a serious condition where the stomach twists and rotates on itself. This often affects large, deep-chested breeds like the Cane Corso. Bloat can be life-threatening as it causes the stomach to fill with air, increasing pressure and impairing blood flow to the hind legs and returning to the heart, which can lead to shock.

Treatment for bloat typically involves surgery to deflate the stomach and reposition it properly. A procedure called gastropexy may also be performed to attach the stomach to the abdominal wall, preventing future twisting.

To reduce the risk of bloat, monitor your dog’s eating habits closely. Feed your Cane Corso two or three meals per day and consider using a slow feeder bowl to prevent them from eating too quickly, which can contribute to bloat.

Idiopathic Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures or involuntary disturbances in brain function, often resulting in shaking or uncontrollable muscle activity in dogs.

Although there is no cure for epilepsy, medication can help manage the condition and reduce the frequency of seizures. Cane Corsos with epilepsy can still lead a long and happy life with appropriate treatment and care.

Eye Problems

The Cane Corso breed is also susceptible to various eye issues, including ectropion, entropion, and cherry eye. These problems often involve the eyelids and their positioning. Cherry eye, for example, occurs when the pink, fleshy part of the dog’s eye becomes swollen and protrudes outward.

Demodectic Mange

Demodectic mange is a parasitic skin condition caused by mites, leading to issues such as hair loss, skin redness, and irritation. This condition can be treated with specialized dog shampoos and deep cleaning your dog’s skin.

How to Care for a Cane Corso

As a working breed, the Cane Corso requires ample physical activity to remain healthy and mentally stimulated. A brisk walk or jog for at least 30 minutes daily should meet their exercise needs. If you enjoy bike riding, take your Corso with you so they can run alongside your bike. This is a great way to keep them happy and active!

For Cane Corso puppies, it’s important to let their musculoskeletal system fully mature before engaging in strenuous physical activities. Generally, after 18 months, they are ready for longer walks, hikes, and other adventures.

Mental stimulation is crucial for a Cane Corso’s well-being. Engage them in learning new tricks, practicing obedience, and participating in various dog sports. Spending around 20 minutes a day on these activities helps keep their mind sharp. Without adequate mental stimulation, your Corso might become bored and resort to destructive behaviors, like tearing up your couch, to entertain themselves.

Owning a large dog like the Cane Corso can come with higher costs, including more food, potential surgeries, and medications. Despite these hefty expenses, the rewarding companionship of a loving and energetic dog makes it worthwhile.

Nutrition and Feeding for a Cane Corso

As with any dog, the appropriate serving size and type of food for them should be based on factors such as their size, weight, activity level, and metabolism. Given that the Cane Corso is a larger breed, it is important to carefully manage their diet to avoid health issues like bloat and obesity.

Typically, an adult Cane Corso should be fed about 4 to 5 cups of dry dog food per day. This amount should be divided into two meals to help prevent overeating or eating too quickly. Opt for high-quality food, whether commercially produced or home-prepared. If you’re unsure about the best food for your Corso, ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Coat Color And Grooming

The Cane Corso has a short, stiff coat with a lighter undercoat for added weather protection. Their coat color can vary with shades of black, gray, fawn, or brindle patterns. They typically shed twice a year, so having a good vacuum cleaner is a must for managing shedding around the house.

Regular bathing is also important for maintaining your Corso’s coat and skin health. If your dog frequently plays outside and gets dirty, more frequent baths may be necessary. However, bathing them about once a month or every two months should be enough to keep their natural skin oils balanced.

In addition to bathing, regular grooming tasks also include brushing your Corso’s teeth and trimming their nails. Brush their teeth two to three times a week to prevent tartar buildup and ensure fresh breath. Trim their nails once or twice a month to prevent excessive clacking on hard floors.

During grooming, also check for any rashes, infections, or pests on your dog’s skin. Regularly inspect their ears for signs of infection or redness. Routine grooming is an excellent opportunity to identify and address potential health issues before they become serious.

Children And Other Pets

Cane Corsos generally make excellent family pets and are highly protective of children. However, they can be territorial and sometimes aggressive towards strangers, so early training and socialization are crucial to mitigate these behaviors as they mature.

Given their strength and size, Cane Corsos can accidentally knock someone over or cause damage, especially with strangers. It’s important to supervise interactions, particularly when they are playing with children, as this breed can easily overpower them.

In addition to training your Cane Corso to interact properly with others, it’s essential to educate your children on how to approach and handle dogs. Always supervise their interactions to ensure they are not bothering or provoking the dog. Children should be taught to avoid behaviors that might irritate the dog, such as pulling on their tail.

When it comes to other animals, Cane Corsos generally get along well with other pets, including dogs and cats. However, they may react strongly when first meeting new animals, so early training is necessary to help them understand how to interact positively with other pets and prevent any aggressive behavior.

Cane Corso Dog Rescue Groups

After learning all about the beautiful Cane Corso dog breed, are you ready to adopt one? If so, here are some wonderful rescue groups to look into.

Cane Corso Rescue Inc. is dedicated to finding loving “forever” homes for rescued Cane Corsos. They prioritize the well-being of each dog, following a thorough vetting process to ensure they match each pup with the best possible home.

Must Love Corsos Rescue is another outstanding non-profit organization committed to finding great homes for Corsos in need. Established in 2018, MLCR benefits from over 97 years of collective animal rescue experience among its volunteers. Based in Ohio, Must Love Corsos Rescue facilitates adoptions for dogs across the United States.

Cane Corso Dog Breed Organizations

One of the largest breed organizations for the Cane Corso breed is the Cane Corso Association of America. In 2010, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Cane Corso breed and made the CCAA the official breed organization. The mission of the CCAA is to maintain and enhance the functional capabilities of the Cane Corso breed, ensuring that it adheres to its purest breed standard.

The Cane Corso Association of America offers plenty of resources on the breed, including breeders and events revolving around the Corso breed. There is even a CCAA Hall of Fame that displays winners from various competitions dating back to 2010.

More About the Cane Corso Dog Breed

Corsos may not be your dream dog if you’re looking for a chill and lazy four-legged friend. But, if you’re an active person who can’t get enough of the great outdoors, the Cane Corso is for you!