Appearance

The Cane Corso is a quite popular breed of dog. However, if you are considering getting this specific dog, just know that dogs of this breed are large and will grow big. These dogs are muscular, with wide upfront and long, powerful limbs. Therefore, if you are in the market for a toy breed, the Cane Corso dog is not the right choice. The males are slightly larger than females, as with most breeds. Their bodies are stocky, and some might think they have menacing looks.

The Cane Corso has a wide head with a pronounced stop. Their eyebrows are often well-defined, which means they have a warrior-type look. The ears of Cane Corso are droopy and medium in size. Their necks are strong and are proportional to the body, which gives them a confident and powerful look. They also have medium or short tails, depending on the dog.

They may resemble the Rottweiler breed in their stern appearance, which makes sense as these breeds show genetic similarity. The majority of Cane Corso dogs are black when it comes to their coat color. But they can also be different colors, such as fawn, gray, and brindle. The coat is short, smooth, and close to the body, which might be convenient for the owners.

Cane Corso History

The FCI only recently gave the Cane Corso breed status. This is because the breed was restructured after the Second World War. But the history of these dogs and their place in people’s lives dates back a long time. It is a breed that originated in Italy. Cane Corso dogs trace their roots to ancient ancestors. The Romans employed this breed as war dogs, sheepdogs, and large-game hunting dogs. Well, their name refers to what the dogs did during this time.

The Cane Corso was a natural guard dog, so its intelligence and power made people honor the breed by employing it to protect homes and farms. It may be a close relative of other hounds, such as the Neapolitan Mastiff. The Cane Corso is still known today as a protector that gives its owners a sense of security.

Cane Corso Personality

Now, let us examine the Cane Corso from the standpoint of behavior. Above all, dogs of this breed are loyal dogs when they are treated well by their owners. They still retain their ancestral instincts as good watchdogs and guardians. These dogs are known for their confidence and are alert to their surroundings.

Still, some aspects of their unique temperament make them difficult dogs to own for first-timers. Cane Corsos can be controlling. Their role as a guard can turn into restraint. This is why these kinds of dog subdivisions need a lot of training from the early growing period in order not to trigger abnormal aggressiveness. It is also worth noting that the dogs are large, which means that this breed may not be very appropriate for families with small children.

While Cane Corso are typically wonderful companions, they need responsible owners. These dogs, with their strong temperament, are just as capable of being sensitive and quiet. A lot depends on how the dogs are raised and looked after. Please remember that this breed can be dominant if it does not have structure, boundaries, and rules in place. This is why Cane Corso owners must be strong and make sure these dogs get everything they need.

Cane Corso Health

Health is undoubtedly one of the most vital aspects to consider when choosing a dog breed. Certain breeds are genetically disposed to many diseases, which can cause more vet trips and, in turn, more costly vet bills. Knowing about health problems you need to be aware of for a specific breed is vital to offering your dog the best environment and health. As a result, breed selection can play a role in our fur baby’s long and healthy life. How does Cane Corso fit into this? What are the common diseases you find in these dogs?

When it comes to longevity, these guardian dogs typically have a life expectancy of about 10 years. And that is standard for the majority of dogs. They are generally a healthy and strong breed overall, but like any other large breed, they are subject to certain health problems.

Cane Corso is more susceptible to joint and bone diseases because of their size and body structure. Joint dysplasia is a common disease that results in joint degeneration and presents with pain and restricted movement. This is one of the top reasons owners must provide these dogs with a healthy and balanced diet plan to shield them from health and fitness issues. Researchers have found that when dogs are kept a low-fat body weight for life, they live longer than average.

Cancer is the most common cause of death in adult and even senior Cane Corso dogs. Other leading causes of death are heart disease, urological diseases, and so on. Conversely, GI and infectious diseases are also most likely to kill puppies of the breed. Keep in mind that there are no magic tricks, but regular vet checks and supplying all the dog’s needs should underline a long, good life.

Cane Corso Care

Once you have some of the basics of the Cane Corso breed down, find out how to care for the dogs before you go out and buy a puppy. This is important so they can live a long and healthy life. High-quality care calls for much more than meeting a portion of your animal’s basic needs. Cane Corso dogs’ well-being starts with the right diet, so read how to feed them. Besides diet, one of the most essential parts is to ensure that you give your dog an ideal surrounding. Dogs also have different levels of physical activity needs. Another important component of caring for dogs is grooming. All these components work together to enable the dog to live its best life.

Diet and Nutrition

It is important that the diet is light and matched to the age, breed, and activity level of the dog. Good food goes beyond the physical condition and supports their immune system, thus improving their quality of life. Cane Corso are much bigger dogs that enjoy quite high levels of physical activity and, therefore, may have high food needs. Be prepared to spend a lot of money on a large supply of good dog food.

Also, be careful about food because dogs can be allergic to some products. If you are unsure which food is the best option, it can be helpful to consult a vet. If the vet examines the dog, you can select the appropriate diet to provide for all the dog’s medical needs. Also, do not turn your Cane Corso dog into an obese couch potato because it causes more joint and mobility issues and serious heart disease.

Safe Environment

Outside of a healthy diet, providing your dog with a good environment is extremely key. Studies have shown that dogs require the freedom to move unfettered. Having a space where they can play and relax also makes them feel safe and, thus, less stressed. Cane Corso dogs also need more space because they are larger in size. Thus, this breed is ideal for people who live in houses with yards rather than small apartment dwellers. If you want this breed and live in an apartment, you should count on going to walk your dog many times a day so that they can exercise enough.

Cane Corso are also dogs that like company. They bond very closely with their owners and require human interaction. That is why they prefer families where they can interact with children and parents. As Cane Corso can be a natural guard dog, it is also essential that their environment is secure. Owners should provide a fence that will keep them from escaping or running after the ‘intruder.’

Physical Activity

Of course, exercise is also an important part of keeping your dog healthy. Daily strolls, play, and workouts are imperative to keep your canine in shape, ward off getting fat, and preserve a healthy heart. Exercise is also good for their brain and psychological well-being. Cane Corso enjoys walking and running. Their body build is muscular, so it needs working out. As such, these pets require their owners to take them out for plenty of exercise.

This is important because agility training also has an impact on their behavior as well. An under-stimulated Cane Corso will misbehave, attempting to release large doses of energy inappropriately. However, Cane Corso will be the right choice if you enjoy playing with dogs. It’s easy to train these puppies to be rewarded for fetching. This breed has a high level of intelligence and reacts well to training and education.

Grooming

Another important part of dog care is grooming. Brushing regularly not only rids your dog of dead hair but also helps keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. Since Cane Corso dogs have relatively short coats, they do not require much grooming. However, owners must still brush their dogs, as the coat sheds throughout the year. This demands regularity to maintain the coat’s condition and to get rid of deadlocks and muck. Additionally, dogs can be washed occasionally, particularly when they spend much time outdoors.

Just the same way other breeds do, Cane Corso dogs need nail trimming. Appropriate tools like dog nail cutters should be used. Keep them clean and sharp. If your dog hates being brushed, having a bath, or getting its nails clipped, you can slowly acclimate them to this experience again with some rewards! This may be a good way for Cane Corso dogs because they learn quickly.

There are dental issues in dogs also. The largest contributor to dog dental disease and gingivitis is too much plaque, leading to tartar build-up. In turn, it provides a fertile breeding ground for bacteria. Hence, as a caregiver to your pet, you should brush your dog’s teeth regularly to avoid tartar deposits.

Training

Training is one of the key aspects of caring for a Cane Corso. You must be ready for this as someone who could become an owner. Ask your local animal behaviorist for advice if you are unsure how to go about it. Dog behaviorists are experts who study, diagnose, and change dog behavior. These specialists aim to strengthen the bond between the dog and the owner and to address some issues, including anxiety, aggression, barking, or disobedience. They know why dogs behave poorly in the first place.

They guide owners on how to communicate with their dogs and avoid errors. Aggressive behavioral problems can present a danger to other animals or people. Relinquishing control to a therapist minimizes that risk. Therefore, hiring a dog behaviorist can pay dividends for both the dog and its owner.

Interactions With Other Pets

At the very least, Cane Corso owners should have some basic dog training knowledge. When it comes to proper training for your puppy, you should begin as soon as you get them into the home if you want your pet to groom healthy habits and behavior. This is also crucial for the Cane Corso to get used to other pets. This naturally controlling and territorial breed may experience some clashes with other animals. They can also be a danger to other dogs and cats because of their size.

The Cane Corso dogs may have no idea how to act on a walk when other animals, even if you do not own any other pets. Always keep an eye on your dog when you meet new animals or people, and do not let them off the leash in dangerous areas. Although Cane Corso can adapt to having regular contact with other animals and does not consider them an enemy, it needs to be set with good training.

The other type of socialization is with the kind of people they will encounter regularly: friends, extended family members, and strangers so that dogs do not feel threatened by them. You need to train these people on how to behave around your pooch to keep dangerous situations from happening. This is especially true of children, who might try to play with the dog and unknowingly hurt the pet.

Cane Corso Dog FAQs

You now know all the essential things about the Cane Corso breed, but perhaps you still have a few questions. We hope you will find some of the answers here.

How Much Does a Cane Corso Cost?

Depending on the breeder, the dogs are priced differently in the market. The Cane Corso puppy price may be about $2,000, although cane corso dogs with pedigree can cost a lot more, sometimes a few thousand dollars more.

What Size Is Cane Corso?

Cane Corso puppies are small by nature. However, you should know that they grow as big dogs. A 60 cm/24 in height means they are bigger than the Golden Retrievers. So, don’t pick this breed if you want a smaller dog.

Is a Cane Corso a Good Family Dog?

Cane Corso tends to be people-oriented, which is precisely why this breed makes a family dog. They are willing to train themselves with their parents and play with children. However, the family should not have young kids because it is such a big dog. If you have dreams of a Cane Corso, wait until your children are a bit older.

Cane Corso Summary

Cane Corso is a well-known, large dog breed. You will have a good guardian if you choose a Cane Corso as a companion. These dogs are famous for their intelligence and energetic nature. But they are a bit high maintenance, so you should keep a couple of things  in mind before getting one. You are going to need to train a Cane Corso, and you can do this with the help of a behaviorist.

Keep in mind that Cane Corso are large dogs, so they will eat more and are not ideal for playing with small children. For anyone who dreams of having a Cane Corso dog, educate yourself as much as you can about the breed to prepare yourself to provide your pet with a suitable environment in which to live a happy life and have all of its needs met.

Sources

• Evžen Korec, Ondřej Chalupa, Matyáš Hančl, Jana Korcová, Marie Bydžovská (2017). Longevity of Cane Corso Italiano dog breed and its relationship with hair colour.
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5475242/
• Andrea Talenti, Dayna L. Dreger, Stefano Frattini, et al. (2018). Studies of modern Italian dog populations reveal multiple patterns for domestic breed evolution.
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5838073/