Cane Corso Breed Information: The Ferocious War Dog

Are you ready to learn everything there is to know about the Cane Corso? If you’re interested in this assertive and confident dog, this is a must-read! From the Cane Corso’s distinct personality traits to expert suggestions from trainers and vets, we will discuss everything that you should know about this guard dog. 

The Cane Corso is an assertive, smart, trainable, and confident dog that is a fierce protector of its family. The heritage of this dog goes all the way back to ancient Roman times when the breed was known for its protective instincts; many speculate that the Cane Corso was used for war in ancient times. 

History of the Cane Corso

The Cane Corso falls into the family of Mastiff breed dogs and likely originates from the Molossoid dogs of Ancient Rome. However, the Cane Corso was developed as a breed in Italy. After the fall of the Roman Empire, this Italian breed lost its job as a war dog. Due to this, the noble breed moved to working as a farmhand, guarding flocks, and protecting property and their families. Additionally, the Cane Corso was used for hunting wild game, including wild boar, which were commonly found within the European continent. 

Towards the middle of the twentieth century, the Cane Corso began to decline in popularity due to industrialization around the world. The dog was no longer the necessary farmhand that he once was and was no longer needed to guard property. In addition, the dawn of World War I and World War II brought about the further decline of this breed; leading the dog almost to its extinction. By the end of the twentieth century, there were only a few remote areas in southern Italy that contained the breed. Without the intervention of Dr. Paolo Breber, the breed would have likely disappeared. 

Dr. Paolo Breber started a breeding program to revive this breed that was once popular in his childhood. This breeding program grew in popularity across Italy, and people were once again interested in the dying breed. By the 1990s’ the breed was recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale; all thanks to the hard work of Dr. Breber. 

Due to the breeds growing popularity, individuals within the United States wanted to form their own breeding practice and breed standard of the Cane Corso. So, in 1993 the International Cane Corso Federation was formed in the United States. This group continued to pursue the building of the dog breed and was able to achieve breed recognition in 2010 by the American Kennel Club. 

Mental Stimulation and Daily Exercise

As we have discussed, the Cane Corso was originally bred as a fierce fighting dog. This combative history has led to the dog being described as having a vigorous temperament that needs strong leadership. However, with proper training and strong leadership, the Cane Corso can be a great family dog that refrains from aggressive behavior. 

The Cane Corso is a highly intelligent and athletic dog that requires a lot of daily exercise and activity to keep the dog physically and mentally healthy. These dogs do great in homes that have large fenced-in yards that allow them to run around and release some of their energy. In addition to providing the breed with exercise, muscle stimulation also promotes joint health. While the breed does not tend to be hyperactive, as they are sometimes referred to as couch potatoes, the Cane Corso still needs frequent exercise to maintain a docile personality. 

Cane Corso puppies do not require as much activity as the adult dogs of the breed, as their bones are still growing and developing. Too much exercise during this growth period can result in unwanted health issues developing in the future. 

Some of the popular activities that the Cane Corso likes to be involved in are hiking and running with their owners. In addition to providing the dog with physical exercise, it is also strengthening the bond between the intelligent dog and its owner; making training and coexistence a much easier process. 

Strict obedience training and socialization 

The extreme intelligence of the Cane Corso makes it a dog that is very open to training. It is important to start training your dog the minute you bring it into your house. Even at an early age (eight weeks), the dog is able to learn basic training exercises. A great recommendation when it comes to the early stages of training your dog is to enroll your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class at around 10 to 12 weeks of age. These puppy classes allow the dog to interact and socialize with other dogs and people as well. Socialization is one of the most important things when it comes to raising a well-rounded dog that is able to positively interact with its environment and other people. 

During the puppy years of your Cane Corso’s life, it is important to watch their actions very closely and correct any unwanted behavior right away. Otherwise, the dog can grow up to be an aggressive adult dog that is strong-willed and defensive. It is important that your dog knows you are the leader of the pack, not him. Quick, decisive action is a must to assert your authority and correct unwanted behaviors. If you do not feel equipped in regard to training, the Cane Corso may not be the dog for you. This dog is best for experienced pet parents that have the time and energy to create a well-rounded dog. First-time dog owners would do better with a less demanding breed.

Is a Cane Corso a good family dog? Due to their dominating personality and strict obedience requirements, the Cane Corso is best for families with older children (over the age of 9). Its size can make the dog overbearing to small children, and interactions would need to be constantly supervised to prevent unwanted issues. 

How frequently should you groom your Cane Corso?

The Cane Corso has a short and stiff coat with a lighter undercoat that keeps them warm in the winter months. However, the dog is easy to groom due to the coat’s short length. The dog needs to be brushed at least once a week to keep its coat free of debris and to remove dead hair. Brushing on a regular basis helps to keep this dead hair off of your clothes and your furniture. Another great tool when it comes to keeping your dog’s coat shiny and clean is a shedding mitt.

To ensure that your Cane Corso is accustomed to frequent brushing, you must get the dog used to the sensation starting when it is just a puppy. Weekly brushing when the dog is a puppy will make brushing much easier as the dog grows and matures. If you do not introduce the dog to the sensation of brushing, it may become aggressive when it is time to be brushed. 

By maintaining a weekly brushing regimen, you will not have to bathe your Cane Corso that often. It is usually enough to bathe him every three months to remove any dirt or debris. However, if your dog spends a lot of time outside and likes to play in the dirt you may have to bathe him more often. Be cautious though, because too much bathing can strip the dog’s skin of its necessary oils; this can cause skin irritation and lead to skin diseases. 

Is the Cane Corso hypoallergenic? No, the Cane Corso has a thick short coat that sheds heavily twice a year. If you have one of these guard dogs, a brush and vacuum is going to be your best friends in order to keep hair from covering your furniture and clothes. 

Personality of the Cane Corso 

The Cane Corso is a very bright and athletic dog who requires a lot of exercise to stay in shape both physically and mentally. To help him burn off his high energy levels, take him running or on a strenuous hike.

The Cane Corso has a dominant disposition and is inherently strong-willed. Those qualities are what distinguish him as a formidable protector of his family and home. However, an owner who is unable to establish his or her place as pack leader and regulate this behavior may find his natural tendencies challenging. While the dog is devoted and loving with his family, even children, he will want to establish dominance. Anyone selecting this breed should be confident in their ability to set boundaries since this dog will undoubtedly test them.

Firm leadership never involves hitting the dog. With a huge, powerful dog, this not only conveys the incorrect message, but it can also be deadly. When he has done something you like, the sensitive Corso responds well to praise and treats, as well as stern, swift corrections and consistent enforcement of rules when you don’t like what he’s doing. Calm, peaceful, and self-assured interaction will get you a long way with this dog, whereas angry shouting will not. He’ll feel more at ease knowing you’re in command if you’re consistent.

The ideal dog of this intelligent breed is calm and affectionate toward its family and strangers. However, it takes consistent training and socialization starting at a young age to get the dog to that point. The dog can very easily become aggressive and afraid if it does not receive proper training and socialization. 

Appearance of the Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is a giant breed that has a very dominating appearance. Due to the dog’s tremendous size, it can weigh up to 120 pounds at adulthood. It has a very large head and a strong body that is rectangular in shape. The dog can also reach an impressive height; measuring 24 to 28 inches at the withers. Due to its large size, the dog’s joints are under much more stress; maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for long-term health. 

The Cane Corso comes in a variety of colors ranging from black, gray, light fawn, deer fawn, red, slate, and plumb-gray. The lighter colors are also sometimes accompanied by a gray mask. This coat sheds very heavily twice a year and needs more brushing during those periods. The top coat of the Cane Corso is short and stiff in appearance, while the undercoat is much more thin and soft. 

Feeding your Cane Corso

How much should you feed your Cane Corso?  The recommended daily amount of food depends on the dog’s age, weight, sex, and level of activity. If your Cane Corso is still a puppy, it is important to closely regulate and monitor its food intake. Like other large dogs, the Cane Corso is prone to musculoskeletal issues due to its size. If the dog becomes too big very quickly, it makes it more prone to these issues. You should not allow your dog to have access to food 24 hours a day. Instead, you should create a mealtime schedule that includes the correctly portioned amount of food.

A young Cane Corso should be fed three to four times a day until the dog is around size months; after this, you can switch to giving the dog two meals a day. An adult Cane Corso will likely eat around four to five cups per day of high-quality dry dog food.

A diet for large dogs that has been growing in popularity in recent years is a raw dog food diet. A raw dog food diet includes meat and vegetables that are human-grade. The downside is that this diet requires a larger time commitment on your part and can be more extensive compared to traditional kibble feeding. However, in the end, feeding your dog a raw diet can be much more beneficial to its health.

Cane Corso health

Is the Cane Corso a healthy breed? Generally, the Cane Corso is a very healthy breed. However, like all breeds, it is prone to developing certain health conditions; these issues are mainly due to the large size of the dog. Working with a reputable breeder is one way that you can help to avoid these health issues and keep your dog happy and healthy for years to come. Some of the common health issues in regard to the breed are:

Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is a genetic condition that affects dogs of medium to large size. The three bones in the dog’s elbow grow at various speeds, resulting in this disease. This unpleasant condition can cause lameness and may necessitate surgery to treat. If your dog is limping or refuses to walk, you should consult your veterinarian. To relieve elbow and hip joint discomfort, they will frequently propose surgery or medicines.

Eye Problems

The Cane Corso tends to be more prone to developing eye conditions, particularly in regard to the dog’s eyelids. One of the most common eye issues within the Cane Corso is cherry eye. Cherry eye is a condition that causes the pink part of the inner eye to become swollen and protrude out of the dog’s eye socket in the corner. This condition can lead to eye infections and conjunctivitis if it is left untreated. 

Epilepsy

Another health concern that is widespread in the Cane Corso is epilepsy. While there is no cure for this ailment, it can be treated with medicine. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your dog. Even though your dog has been diagnosed with epilepsy, with proper care, it can live a long and healthy life.

Bloat

These dogs have very deep chests, which make them more prone to developing conditions related to large dog breeds. Bloating can cause gastric dilatation and volvulus; if left untreated, these conditions can cause the untimely death of your dog. 

A few other common health conditions are:

• Gastric torsion
• Joint issues
• Obesity
• Hair loss

How long does the Cane Corso live?

Due to their relatively healthy nature, the Cane Corso has an average lifespan between 9-12 years. With proper exercise and diet, along with frequent veterinary check-ups, your dog may live even longer! 

It is critical to take your Cane Corso to the veterinarian for regular exams and to ensure that your dog is up to date on any immunizations. You can prevent your dog from contracting common diseases and detect hereditary conditions early on by doing so. Regular examinations guarantee that your dog is in good health, allowing him to live a long and happy life.

Where can you adopt a Cane Corso?

How much is a Cane Corso puppy? The average cost of adopting a Cane Corso from a reputable breeder is $1,000 to $4,000. If you’re interested in adopting a Cane Corso, check with your local breed club or animal shelter, as they will be able to direct you to a great breeder.

To safeguard your dog’s health, you must select a reliable breeder. The devotion of breeders to their animals and offspring is crucial to the physical and mental health of the animals. The mother’s ability to recover after each delivery is critical to a conscientious breeder. This lowers the number of litters per year and the cash earned from the brood, but it places more importance on the health and happiness of the dog.

Finding a reputable Cane Corso breeder

Before they reach the age of eight weeks, puppies should not be sold. This stage of imprinting is crucial to the puppies’ emotional and physical development. As a result, your Cane Corso will mature into a pleasant dog who can socialize with other dogs and people.

Of course, all of this comes at a price. Professionally bred dogs are often more expensive than dogs purchased without a pedigree from pet stores. Alternatively, there are many purebred dogs waiting for a new home in animal shelters. We encourage everyone to visit their local animal shelters since there are always dogs in need of a home. You may even get lucky and find your very own Cane Corso waiting for you at your local animal shelter.