Cane Corso: Your Guide To A Burly, Beautiful Beast

Powerful, intelligent, and deeply loyal, the Cane Corso or "cano dog" is a remarkable breed with a rich history as both a guardian and a skilled hunter of large game like wild boar. More than just its impressive strength and athleticism, this breed is known for its devotion to its family and dignified presence.

 

Cane Corso Characteristics 

Perfect for experienced dog owners, the Cane Corso is a medium to large dog breed known for its sturdy and strong skeleton. It is muscular and has a proportionate body that allows for elegant movement and agility. Their head is large and reaches about one-third the height at the withers. The ears are sometimes cropped, while their eyes are small and almond-shaped — usually a dark brown color— and the nose is large, flush with a muzzle, and is either black or gray.

 

In addition to its very alert facial features, the Corso has a robust physique. The neck is slightly arched and flows smoothly into the broad shoulders. The back, forequarters, and hindquarters are all muscular and well-proportioned to the rest of the body allowing for harmonious movement. The tail is docked and is a medium length.

 

 

 

Cane Corso Size

Cane Corsos are a large and muscular dog breed that can be a bit overwhelming as a first-dog owner. A male Corso may stand at 25 to 28 inches at the withers, and females between 23 and 26 inches. A Cane Corso can fluctuate in weight due to its variance in height, but they typically range anywhere from 90 to 120 pounds.

 

 

Cane Corso Personality

Typically, the Cane Corso is an excellent family dog who will never show aggression towards his kin. But when confronted with strangers, the Corso can be standoffish and territorial as a bodyguard dog. It is best to train and socialize a Cane Corso puppy to get used to seeing new people avoid being hostile. Otherwise, when new people come over, your Corso dog may act rough and unfriendly towards your guests. Being such a large dog, it is best to monitor their behavior to avoid any issues.

 

Other than being a tough cookie, Cane Corsos are extremely intelligent and enjoy learning new tasks. They are incredibly hard-working and attempt to show their dominance in the house. As an owner, you must show firm leadership, so your Cane Corso knows their place in the home. More so, since this breed is so large and powerful, and the Cane Corso temperament can be unpredictable, you must show dominance over your dog before they overpower you.

 

 

 

Cane Corso Exercise

Cane Corsos are incredibly hard-working and enjoy completing tasks, whether they're hiking or performing some other type of physical stimulation. They also enjoy going on long walks and playtimes of fetch or tug-of-war. Having access to a large fenced-in yard is recommended for having a Cane Corso, but taking them to a dog park where they can socialize with other dogs is also great.

 

Cane Corsos follow orders, making them excellent for obedience training, agility exercises, dock diving, tracking events, and other dog sports. More than anything, the dog needs an owner who will provide them enough exercise to build up their muscle strength and stamina. If they do not have enough exercise, a Cane Corso can get restless or bored quite easily and may show signs of aggression or be destructive around the house.

 

 

Cane Corso Training 

One of the most important things for any Cane Corso dog is to start their training as a puppy. This allows plenty of time for them to get used to certain behaviors and expectations you set for them. Because this breed is so large, the Cane Corso can easily overpower their owner, so it is essential to keep their behavior under control from an early age.

 

Early socialization is also crucial between other dogs and strangers. The Cane Corso can develop aggressive behavior attempting to demonstrate their dominance, so it is important to introduce your Corso to other people and puppies when they are young. This will help develop a healthy rapport with strangers and show your Corso that there is no need to be protective or hostile towards new people or dogs.

 

 

Related: How to Socialize an Aggressive Dog: #1 Guide with Proven Tips & Tricks

 

 

Cane Corso Origin and History

The dog breed Corso is related to the Mastiff-type of dogs and was developed in Italy. They are a descendant of Roman war dogs and was bred to hunt game, guard property, and help out around the farmland. They would herd the pigs and cattle on the land and help bring them into the market.

 

As the years went on, Concorso dogs were being used less and less for farming purposes and almost became extinct in Italian mastiff history. However, in the 1970s, dog breeders wanted to rebuild the Corso breed. In Italy, the Society Amatori Cane Corso was formed in 1983, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale of Belgium recognized the Cane Corso in 1996.

 

In the United States, the first litter of Cane Corsos was imported in 1988 by Michael Sottile. By this time, the breed was the "tamer" and more tame version of the Corso that we know today. In 1993, the International Cane Corso Association was formed, eventually recognizing the breed in the American Kennel Club in 2010. The Cane Corso Association of America now governs the dog breed.

 

 

 

Common Health Problems Found in the Cane Corso

As with any dog breed, several potential health issues can arise. Having a relatively short life span, there are health concerns that you may want to be aware of. Recognizing that these can eventually be an issue is the first step to handling the situation if any concerns arise.

 

Obesity

It is crucial to keep your dog on a healthy and consistent diet along with daily exercise, or else they can experience signs of obesity. Adding extra weight can strain their joints, which when left untreated, may lead to pain and mobility issues. To avoid these issues, make sure you are carefully planning out each meal, holding back on the treats and table food, and providing enough time in the day for your Cane Corso to exercise.

 

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a skeletal condition in a large breed of dogs that causes the hip joints to deteriorate with age. This condition is painful, able to affect how your Cane Corso moves around and their overall quality of life. This condition is often genetically passed down, so screening your dog for hip dysplasia is essential.

 

Bloat

Bloat, also known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV) complex, is a condition in which the stomach rotates and twists on itself. This is a common condition that affects large, deep-chested dogs such as the Cane Corso. The best way to avoid bloat is to monitor your dog's eating habits. Only feed your pup two or three meals throughout the day. Using a slow feeder bowl will also help ensure your dog doesn't eat too quickly, leading to bloat symptoms.

 

 

Idiopathic Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition in which a dog experiences seizures or an involuntary disturbance of brain functions. This usually takes the shape of a dog shaking or uncontrollable muscle activity. While there is no cure for epilepsy, medication available can help keep this condition at bay.

 

Eye Problems

The Cane Corso is also prone to eye problems such as ectropion, entropion, or cherry eye. Many of the eye problems pertain to the eyelid and how it folds. Cherry eye occurs when the pink, fleshy part of the eye becomes swollen and protrudes outward.

 

Demodectic Mange

Demodectic mange is a parasitic skin condition usually caused by mites. This can cause several issues such as hair loss, skin redness, and skin irritation. Mange is treatable with special shampoos and deep cleaning of your pup's skin.

 

 

 

How to Care for a Cane Corso

As a working dog breed, the Cane Corso needs plenty of physical activity to stay healthy and happy. Taking your dog on a brisk walk or jog for at least 30 minutes a day should keep your Corso satisfied. With Cane Corso puppies, you should allow for their musculoskeletal system to fully develop before any extraneous physical activity. Usually, after 18 months, your Cane Corso should be old enough to go on longer walks, hikes, and other adventures.

 

Cane Corsos need plenty of mental stimulation to be happy. Provide plenty of opportunities for your dog to learn new tricks, practice their obedience skills, and participate in different dog sports. Spending about 20 minutes a day on these activities will help keep your Corso's mind sharp.

 

 

Nutrition and Feeding for a Cane Corso

Generally, an adult Cane Corso should receive about 4 to 5 cups of dry dog food per day. Divide this amount of food into two meals throughout the day to ensure your dog does not overeat or eat too quickly. It's always best to give your dog high-quality food, whether it be commercially manufactured or home-prepared.

 

 

 

Coat Color And Grooming

The Cane Corso has a short, stiff coat with a lighter undercoat for protection. Their coat coloring can range from black, gray, fawn, or may have a brindle pattern. A Cane Corso's coat typically sheds twice a year, and as with any dog, it is also important to bathe them regularly. If your Corso is prone to playing outside and getting dirty, you may want to bathe them more often.

 

Other essential grooming rituals include brushing your Corso's teeth and trimming their nails. Brush your Corso's teeth about two or three times a week to remove any tartar buildup and to keep their breath smelling fresh. Similarly, trim your Corso's nails about once or twice a month to avoid any clacking on the floor when they get too long.

 

 

Children And Other Pets

Cane Corsos are typically wonderful family pets and are extremely protective of children. However, since Corsos are such a heavy and strong breed, they can easily knock someone over or do some damage. Although this would usually happen with strangers, it is important to always watch when your dog is playing. Any children are prone to be easily overpowered by this breed.

 

In addition to training your dog to treat others, you should also teach your children how to approach and treat dogs. Always supervise them and ensure that they are not aggravating your dog or harassing them in any way. Corsos also get along well with other pets, but if they are introduced to new animals, your Corso may pounce on them. This also requires training from an early age to ensure they know how to treat other pets and ensure that they are not enemies.

 

 

 

Cane Corso Dog Rescue Groups

Are you are ready to begin your journey with the beautiful Cane Corso? Here are several amazing rescue groups to help bring that dream to fruition.

 

• Cane Corso Rescue Inc. brings rescued Corso dogs to a "forever" loving home. The Cane Corso Rescue Inc. cares for the well-being of every Corso dog they find and makes sure they follow a rigorous vetting process to ensure that they are finding the best home for each pup.
• Must Love Corsos Rescue is another fabulous non-profit organization that finds great homes for Corsos in need. Incorporated in 2018, the MLCR  has had over 97 years of experience rescuing animals amongst the organization's volunteers. Although residing in Ohio, the Must Love Corsos Rescue has dogs available to adopt from all over the United States.

 

 

 

Cane Corso Breed Organizations

As of 2010, the American Kennel Club recognized the Cane Corso breed, marking the Cane Corso Association of America (CCAA) as the official breed organization. The CCAA's mission is to preserve the functional ability of the Corso dog breed. This keeps the breed standard at its purest form.

 

 

Final Thoughts

If you lead an active lifestyle, enjoy spending time outdoors, and want a loyal, powerful, and affectionate companion by your side, then the Cane Corso could be the perfect addition to your family. With the right training, socialization, and plenty of exercise, this giant dog breed will become not just a pet, but a devoted and protective member of your household.