Breeds
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso, or Italian Mastiff, is a large molosser-type breed. It has Roman origins and has stood out since antiquity for its majestic appearance and intelligence. This breed is a devoted protector of its owners and makes a great companion if you're looking for a guard dog.
You need to know a lot about this breed before adopting one, since its temperament is dominant and not suited to just anyone. Having previous experience training dogs is almost essential. Want to know all the details about the breed? Let's get into it!
What Does a Cane Corso Look Like? Characteristics
You're looking at a large-sized dog. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard states that the body should be sturdy, yet elegant and well proportioned. Its torso is rectangular and long, topped by a large, imposing head.
The Cane Corso's muzzle is short, with U-shaped, hanging lips. The nose is black and well proportioned. The jaw is large and imposing, while the eyes are oval-shaped with dark irises. The ears, meanwhile, are triangular and hang at the sides of the head.
The coat is short and glossy, and coat colors vary: black, various shades of gray, fawn in different tones, and brindle. Some dogs have a mask on the face or a white patch on the chest.
Wondering whether your Cane Corso is purebred? Check the breed standard to find out.
Height between 64 and 68 cm in males and between 60 and 64 cm in females
Weight between 45 and 50 kg in males and between 40 and 45 kg in females
Short, glossy, dark coat
Affectionate, intelligent temperament
Good health, but with a tendency toward congenital conditions
Estimated life expectancy of between 9 and 12 years
Temperament and Personality of the Cane Corso
Many people think this is a dangerous breed, since for centuries fierce dogs were bred for war, and little effort was put into socializing them properly.
Because of this, they're somewhat dominant, proud, and stubborn dogs, traits that can make living together difficult if you don't train them well. Also, remember it's a guard dog, so it tends to make decisions on its own.
Despite this, the Italian Mastiff is an intelligent, loyal dog that's affectionate with its owners. It controls its emotions very well and doesn't scare easily, since it's a fairly well-balanced dog.
It's responsive to commands, especially when well trained. It's recommended for active families, even those with children, since it tends to be very affectionate with them. Just remember to teach children how to treat the dog respectfully, and supervise them while they play together.
At home, a well-trained, well-socialized Cane Corso is calm, respectful, and loyal. You won't have barking problems with this breed, since it's an affectionate, patient dog.
What Care Does the Cane Corso Breed Need?
Starting training and socialization from puppyhood is crucial for living with a Cane Corso, since it helps prevent the dog from turning aggressive.
Obedience training is essential to keep its dominance in check: teach it to come when called, to stand and sit on command, and to stop on your signal, among other things. Well trained, the Cane Corso is a dog that likes to please and can be very affectionate — it just needs the right guidance from puppyhood.
- How to Prevent a Dog From Becoming Dominant
Favor positive reinforcement to reward it, and avoid scolding, since that only harms the learning process.
The Italian Mastiff is an energetic dog that needs plenty of exercise. Its muscle mass calls for at least three outings a day — morning, midday, and afternoon — during which it prefers running over walking. If you're a marathon runner, a jogger, or a cyclist, it'll make the perfect training partner.
To stay healthy, it needs daily games and mental stimulation to keep it occupied; otherwise, it will develop destructive behavior. If you're interested in agility, canine jump courses, and similar circuits, the Cane Corso is an ideal candidate for these activities.
Diet and Coat Care
The Cane Corso needs high-quality kibble formulated for large breeds. If you want to feed it homemade food, be sure to prepare balanced recipes.
Thanks to its short coat, it needs brushing once a week for most of the year. During shedding season, brush it once or twice a week to remove dead hair more easily.
Bathing and nail trimming are recommended monthly, depending on your dog's activity level and how fast its nails grow.
What Is a Cane Corso's Health Like? Possible Diseases
Despite its imposing size, the Cane Corso tends to be prone to the following conditions:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Bloat (gastric torsion)
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Heart Problems
- Epilepsy
Origin and History of the Cane Corso
The Cane Corso descends from an ancient Greek dog called the Molossus; that's why breeds descended from it are called molossers or molosser-type dogs. Alongside the conquests of the Roman Empire, the first dogs of this type made their way back to Italy and were crossed with local breeds.
These early descendants were used in conquest as war dogs. In that role they proved fierce and brave. According to historical records, these Italian mastiffs would have been larger than today's dogs.
From the 5th century onward, the Cane Corso began working as a hunter, guard dog, drover, and farm protector. It was a typical countryside dog and, for centuries, part of the family.
During the 20th century the breed nearly went extinct, but in 1970 a group of breeders managed to bring it back. The first dogs of this breed arrived in the United States in 1988.
Where to Buy a Cane Corso and How Much It Costs
Remember there are thousands of dogs waiting for a home in shelters and pounds in your area, of every breed, size, and age. If you still want to buy a Cane Corso, here's some information that may help.
The average price of a Cane Corso puppy runs between €300 and €600 in Spain. Always remember to ask for the pedigree certificate for the puppy and its parents.
If you want to talk to people who already live with a Cane Corso to ask your questions, you can do so through this breed's Facebook group:
Now that you know the breed inside and out, are you up for sharing your life with one?
IMPORTANT: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary, nutritional or behavioural advice. Every dog is different, and only your trusted vet can advise you on its specific needs.