The Cane Corso is an Italian dog breed that has long been regarded as a friend, protector, and hunter in that country. It is a muscular breed with massive bones that exudes a noble, regal, and powerful presence. In 2010, the AKC granted the Cane Corso breed recognition.
Physical Characteristics
Strong, medium- to large-sized dogs make up the Cane Corso breed. The Cane Corso has a broad head and a square muzzle that is as wide as it is long, which contributes to its excellent bite force. It typically has a dense, coarse coat that is black, gray in either light or dark tones, or fawn, crimson, or brindle in either light or dark colors. On the chest, toes, chin, and nose, white spots are typical and approved by the AKC.
Cane Corsos typically stand between 24 and 27 inches tall, with males standing at the upper end and females at the lower. Weight varies between 88 and 110 lbs.
Although a Cane Corso’s ears naturally point forward, breeders prefer to clip them into tiny, equilateral triangles that stand erect. Cane Corsos’ tails are frequently docked by breeders as well.
Personality and Temperament
A Cane Corso’s disposition should never be scared, as this would go against the breed’s nature as a guard dog. This is the most important trait. The Cane Corso is aloof and self-assured, possessive, and well aware of its surroundings. It is often a quiet breed that is unconcerned when strangers are nearby unless a genuine threat is felt.
Always eager to please and simple to train in obedience. It develops a close bond with its primary owners and is fiercely devoted to them. Don’t let the Cane Corso’s guard dog instincts deceive you, though; this dog is docile and affectionate with its owners as well as with kids and families.
Care
The Cane Corso requires very little maintenance. It only requires the occasional bath and brush because it is a short-haired breed. There is little loss. In terms of living situations, the Cane Corso is adaptable because it can live just as contentedly indoors as it can outside. If left outside, suitable shelter must be offered. Owners of apartments must ensure that residents get enough exercise every day. The Cane Corso can be a great running partner, but it needs at least one long, fast walk each day to meet its fitness needs.
Health
A Cane Corso has a 10- to 11-year lifespan. It has the typical bone and joint issues that big breed dogs have due to their size and robustness. Hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease are examples of these. Degenerative joint disease risk can be lowered by providing a healthy diet and preventing obesity. Hip dysplasia has a stronger hereditary component.
The typical eye defects entropion, ectropion, and glandular hyperplasia, also known as “Cherry eye,” are also more common in Cane Corsos.
History and Background
The Cane Corso is descended from a dog breed employed in Roman warfare. Along with the Neapolitan Mastiff, it is currently one of the two Italian “Mastiff” breeds that sprang from this military dog. The Cane Corso is the smaller and more suited for hunting.
When the breed was saved by admirers in the 1970s, it was on the verge of extinction. It was crossbred with certain breeds, and as a result, it has a significantly distinct appearance from Cane Corsos from before the 1970s.
It was introduced to the United States in 1987 and has since become quite well-liked. In 2008, the UKC designated it as a breed known as the Cane Corso Italiano. In 2010, the AKC then acknowledged it as the Cane Corso.
A Cane Corso is a pure breed, right?
Cane Corsos are worker dogs who adore having a task to do. This ancient Italian dog breed was created to protect property and pursue large game like wild boar.
Even if they are purebred canines, you might find them in a shelter or rescue organization. Don’t forget to adopt! If you want to take one of these dogs home, avoid shopping.
Due to their strength and athleticism, cane corsos are best suited for experienced pet owners with sizable, securely fenced yards. They will undoubtedly require a task from their humans; if not, they may find other ways to pass the time, probably by acting destructively. This breed might be right for you if you have the time, space, and ability to train your dog.
What breeds are linked to Cane Corsos?
The Cane Corso is a sibling of the Neapolitan Mastiff and is a huge dog of the molossoid type. It is less hefty and well-muscled[7] than the majority of other mastiff breeds. The international standard states that dogs should be 4550 kg in weight and 6270 cm tall at the withers; females are typically 4 cm shorter and 5 kg lighter than males. [1]
The head is substantial, slightly longer than one third of the height at the withers, and has a distinct stop. The cranium’s top is flat and converging slightly toward the muzzle. The oval-shaped eyes are spaced widely apart. The eye’s iris need to be as dark as feasible. [2]
Short, dense, and shiny describe the coat. It could be black, several tones of grey (lead, light, or slate grey), fawn (dark, light, or deer red), or brindled. Minor white splotches on the nose, feet, or chest are acceptable. [1][2]
An average lifespan of 9.3 years was discovered in a 2017 research on 232 Cane Corso dogs from 25 different countries, albeit this varied depending on the coat color. Black brindle dogs lived the longest (10.3 years), then brindle dogs (10.1 years), grey brindle dogs (9.8 years), fawn dogs (9.0 years), black dogs (9.0 years), grey dogs (9.0 years), and other color dogs (9.0 years) (8.1 years). [9]
Do cane corsos come in different varieties?
It may be assumed that if you’re reading this, you’ve either already adopted a Cane Corso into your household or are at least looking into the possibility. Are you still a curious student or do you consider yourself an expert in Cane Corso? No matter how much you already know about Corso, there’s always more to learn.
Cane Corsos are full of surprises, even if you believe you know everything there is to know about this ancient dog breed. Did you know that there are two separate bloodlines within the breed? It is real. All Corsos are not created equal. Despite the fact that there is only one Cane Corso breed recognized by the AKC (which was registered as the 165th official breed in the US just nine years ago in 2010), many Corso breeders and enthusiasts maintain that there are actually two distinct lineages that have evolved over time: the traditional Cane Corso and the nontraditional Cane Corso.
Due to their tremendous musculature, heavier bones, and usually larger frame—all characteristics shared by the majority of mastiff breeds—traditional Cane Corsos are more intimidating than their unconventional counterparts. In fact, one of the breed’s distinguishing characteristics is a sturdy skeleton. These dogs are the large, athletic linebackers of the dog world, also known as the ideal watchdogs with a loving nature. Traditional Corsos have wolf-like huge, white teeth and long, thick fur.
In contrast, the unconventional Corsos. The Cane Corso lineage originated from those first few Corsos to come to America from Italy, just like all-American Corsos, but that’s where the similarities end. Others believed it would be preferable to supplement the then-limited Cane Corso gene pool, while Corso purists were focused on maintaining the future generations as “Corso” as possible. As a result, non-traditional Corso breeders started blending different breeds into their Corso populations to create litters with mixed ancestry. The two breeds that were most frequently selected for this technique were Great Danes and Boxers. Mixed breeding results in atypical Cane Corsos having a greater range of physical characteristics and temperament than traditional Corsos. In addition, unconventional Corsos are typically taller, slimmer, and more agile than their conventional cousins, though not always more athletic (think defensive backs as opposed to linebackers).
Non-traditional Corsos are sometimes good dogs, but they are just good. You shouldn’t accept anything less than the best if you’re searching for a Cane Corso “You want outstanding; okay. Make sure you choose a genuine Cane Corso and not a hybrid by conducting study prior to the adoption “The Cane Corso is actually a mix of numerous unidentified dog breeds. For your benefit as well as the survival of the classic old Italian Cane Corso bloodline, choose a breeder who can support their pedigree claims.
Are you curious to find out more? We would adore a conversation! Please visit our puppies available page for details on upcoming litters.
Cane Corsos are pitbulls, right?
Pit Bulls and Cane Corsi, the plural form of the Corso, are quite different breeds with some noticeable similarities. Although these two breeds of dogs appear to be identical to one another at first glance, there are clear distinctions in their temperaments and appearances.
So, let’s have a look at how these two magnificent puppies compare and contrast. This might help you decide between a Cane Corso and a Pitbull when choosing a family dog.
How are cane crofters raised?
noble, wise, devoted, and powerful. These are some of the most typical descriptors for the cane corso, an anciently bred Italian mastiff.
Over the course of their lengthy history, corsos have served as guardians, agricultural workers, war dogs, large-game hunters, and more due to their massive stature and protective instincts. They are now among the top 25 most popular dog breeds in the United States, having almost completely vanished in the years following World War II.
The cane corso is a large dog that needs a responsible owner who is prepared to devote a lot of time to training and socializing.
They may demand a greater level of control, but they are incredibly loyal and super intelligent, and they’re so wonderful, says Melanie Vandewalle, president and founder of the Must Love Corsos Rescue. “I can’t underline enough how awesome this breed is,” she says.
Here is all the information you need to know about the cane corso, the estate guard.
A brief history of the cane corso
The history of the cane corso dates back to ancient Rome and beyond. The majority of scholars say that they originated from the now-extinct Greek Molossus dogs and eventually evolved into the Roman “pugnaces” after being bred with English fighting dogs (a category of dogs used for attacking wild animals). Historically, they protected livestock, property, and people on farms in addition to fighting alongside Roman legions and hunting boar and other game.
After World War II, the corso nearly vanished, but it saw a comeback in Italy in the 1970s and was introduced to America in the 1980s. In 2010, the American Kennel Club approved the breed.
Their name is translated from Latin to mean “guard of the estate,” although some corso supporters, like Vandewalle, think it actually means “coursing dog,” alluding to the sport of coursing, or following animals by sight (as opposed to scent).
The cane corso today
The cane corso (pronounced Kah-nay corso) is a working dog through and through, and one whose inclination is to guard their family, regardless of the name’s etymology.
In every way, corsos are identical to mastiffs: they are enormous and impressive, clever and loving, and fiercely devoted to their owners.
Adult corsos have an imposing height, standing at around 27 inches tall, weighing between 80 and 120 pounds, and possessing a huge, square head and deep chest. Any corso owner, though, would tell you the same thing: Vandewalle’s first corso, Menace, a nine-year-old corso, is a loving lap dog.
Francesca the corso’s owner Paulina (seen below) describes her dog as “the loveliest.”
She claims that she believes she is a lap dog “and strives to dominate us at all times.
similar to several strong, high-drive, or “Corsos have a reputation for being dangerous or even aggressive, similar to other strong-looking canines like pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German shepherds. Ask breed specialists about this reputation; many of the tales of dangerous corsos are actually tales of negligent dog owners, as is the case with all of these dogs.
According to the American Temperament Test Society, cane corsos score well in terms of tolerance for novel settings but not on scales measuring aggression. (For comparison, 85% of golden retrievers and 88% of cane corsos tested in this study passed the ATTS test.) If corsos are not given any direction, they will start making their own decisions and may act out in damaging ways. Corsos will protect what they are taught to protect and guard what they are trained to guard.
Similar to pit bulls, the corso’s reputation as an aggressive breed causes a negative feedback loop since owners purposefully seek them out for their alleged dangerous characteristics, mistreat or even abuse corsos, and this can increase hostility.
The cane corso personality
Every corso is unique, just as every living thing. Vandewalle has three of her own; one of them barks incessantly, while the other two hardly ever do. One of her dogs adores chasing frisbees and balls, while the other two have zero interest in playing fetch.
Corsos typically have a laid-back personality when given tasks to complete (even as simple as daily training and skill development) and are carefully socialized.
These are family dogs, Vandewalle says. The individuals there are loved. Although they are guard dogs and will defend their home, they are not aggressive by nature.
In truth, corsos get along well with strangers, other animals, and even well-behaved children with early socialization, the appropriate training, and care.
What does it take to care for a cane corso?
Cane corsos are not suitable for novices since they demand constant, hands-on training. These aren’t “set and forget” dogs that you can enroll in a puppy etiquette class when they’re young and then leave to enjoy their own lives. However, not many dogs are.
They cherish their families, according to Vandewalle. They’re not, um, energetically bouncing off the walls. They are work dogs, though. Therefore, they must work.
Training, socialization, and exercise
Because of their high intelligence, corsos require regular, lifetime training from owners who will be up forward about their expectations. Without guidance, they will behave instinctively, viewing anything that is not a part of their family and property as a potential threat.
Early socialization is essential, as is lifelong socialization. It’s crucial to calmly and gradually introduce your dog to as many people, sounds, situations, and common objects as you can.
Corso owners owe it to their dogs to be clear and strict about expectations when it comes to training. That entails establishing limits as early as possible (or as soon as you bring your adult dog home). The key is consistent exercise and mental stimulation. Although your mileage may vary depending on the dog, the average corso needs at least three walks per day or other outside activity that lasts at least an hour.
Mental stimulation, or “job,” is equally vital to a corso’s health. According to many trainers and breed specialists, mental exercise can deplete energy even more quickly than physical activity. They were bred to work for their family, therefore they require firm rules and frequent chores. If not, they may act naughty and even destructively, pawing, jumping, and barking at the wrong times.
One of the main causes of surrender that Vandewalle observes at her rescue is behavioral concerns. You may give your dog the mental and physical excitement that “job” brings even if they don’t have a real farm to defend. Nose games are a lot of fun and are a wonderful mental workout. Try a flirt pole, an agility course, or a backyard obstacle course. You can either buy one made for home usage or create one using common household items. Try training your corso to pull a sled if you live somewhere that gets snow in the winter. (Make sure you use a weight-distributing harness that is appropriate.)
Common cane corso health issues
Joint issues are more likely in corsos than in many other large canines. The breed’s frequent conditions, such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and elbow issues, can be made worse by excess weight. Because of this, it’s crucial to feed a balanced, exacting diet. You might also want to avoid high-impact exercises like running because they might be difficult on your joints. (However, Vandewalle claims that corsos do make excellent hiking companions once they are grown adults and their growth plates are closed if you lead an active lifestyle.) Avoid jumping from tall objects like couches and automobile hatchbacks, which can damage the spine and cause joint injuries.
Bloat: Corsos, like many huge and enormous breeds, are susceptible to this potentially fatal illness in which the stomach twists and fills with gas. Gastric dilatation and volvulus are two disorders that are sometimes combined to form the term “bloat.” As the stomach fills with gas, it swells and causes gastric dilatation. When the gas-filled stomach expands and twists, restricting blood flow, this condition is known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). Drooling, retching, a bloated stomach, hunching, restlessness, and difficult breathing are a few of the symptoms.
Any dog suspected of having bloat needs to see a doctor right away. Age, having relatives who have the illness, and eating one substantial meal a day are all risk factors for bloat. Make sure your corso doesn’t eat too soon to avoid bloat. Additionally, higher bowls have historically been advised to reduce the risk of bloating, but more recent evidence indicates that they may potentially do the opposite.
Gastric decompression, typically using an esophageal tube to remove air and fluid, and surgery to restore the stomach’s natural position are frequently necessary for treatment.
When your dog is getting spayed or neutered at a young age, your veterinarian may advise a procedure called a gastropexy. The stomach is fastened to the body wall during this procedure, preventing gastric dilatation and volvulus. If you want to know if this is a good option for your dog, talk to your vet.
Anxiety: Cane corsos don’t quite cling to their family members like vizslas do, but they do not enjoy it when it happens. Due to their family-oriented temperament, corsos frequently experience separation anxiety, according to Vandewalle, if they are not adequately taught how to spend time alone. “She claims that the most common behavioral difficulty she encounters is anxiety. “These are not dogs that enjoy being by themselves. Training puppies in crates is a smart concept (read more about crate training here).
