All About Cane Corsos

Characteristics of the Cane Corso

Body size. The Cane Corso is a reasonably large dog. The average Cane Corso size is different between males and females. Males are usually larger.

The average height of males is between 25 and 27.5 inches. The average range for females is between 23.5 and 26 inches tall.

Their weights can vary greatly and should be proportional to their heights. A very rough range for acceptable weights is from 99 to 110 pounds. Talk to your veterinarian if you’re worried that your pet is too far under or overweight.

Of course, this imposing size can pose difficulties for some owners. You can’t travel with them very easily, and you’ll need to make sure that your home has enough space to keep them comfortable.

Body shape. A Cane Corso has a reassuringly sturdy, rectangular shape. They have muscular builds over strong skeletons. Despite their large size, their bodies are balanced enough to allow for easy, graceful movements.

Their chests are broad, and their ribcage extends to about half of their height. Their legs are powerful, and they have round feet with high-arched toes.

They have large, wide heads with boxy muzzles. Their ears are positioned highly on their skulls. Some people dock — or cut — the ears to turn them into points, but this doesn’t improve their health in any way and is unnecessary.

Their tails can look like an extension of their backs and are carried low. They’re thick and don’t taper to too fine of a point. Sometimes their tails are docked, too, but this process also isn’t necessary or recommended.

Lifespan. A Cane Corso can live a little longer than some of their more massive relatives. The average Cane Corso lifespan is 9 to 12 years. This means that you can expect a decently long life with your pet — especially if you get them as a puppy.

Fur. This breed has a double coat. This means that there are two distinct coat types, each with its own properties.

For a Cane Corso, the undercoat varies with the weather. It’s light and thin in warm months and becomes thicker in the cold. The outer coat, meanwhile, is short, stiff, and dense. It’s rough to the touch. Combined, the two coats work to make the dog essentially waterproof.

Their coats can come in a variety of colors. These include:

Black
Fawn
Gray
Gray brindle
Red
Black brindle
Chestnut brindle

Their faces are marked with either black or gray masks of fur that surround their eyes and cover their muzzles.

Eyes. Cani Corsi have medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes. They shouldn’t bulge out from the skull but should instead fit nicely into the eyes’ rims. Their eyes can come in a variety of colors, including:

Dark brown
Light brown
Yellow
Blue

Yellow and blue are not acceptable colors in competitive dog shows, but most non-competitive pet owners will agree that they’re nonetheless pleasing features for the breed.

Personality. The Cane Corso personality is that of a highly intelligent and confident dog — one that you can trust to take care of your farm or family.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) rates them a four out of five in terms of affection. Once they’ve accepted you as their family, they’re fiercely loyal and eager to please.

Their intelligence — combined with their size — makes them a force to be reckoned with. They can be very assertive when they know what they want. If you’re not careful, this pet will become your boss, instead of the other way around.

Caring for Cane Corsos

Grooming. Your Cane Corso’s grooming will depend on the season and temperature. Spring is always a heavy-shedding season. You’ll need to brush your dog daily at this time.

The undercoat is always shedding to some extent. Most of the time, though, a weekly brushing will be enough to keep the dead hair from getting all over your furniture.

Proper Cane Corso care also includes trimming your dog’s nails and brushing their teeth on a daily basis for best results.

Feeding. Keep your Cane Corso healthy with high-quality dog food. Make sure that it’s appropriate for their size and age.

You can either find a brand that you like or make it yourself — just make sure to consult your veterinarian for information on necessary nutrients.

These dogs need a moderate amount of routine in their lives in order to feel safe. Establish a feeding schedule that works for both of you and stick to it.

Exercise and Mental Stimulation. The Cane Corso is full of energy and needs a lot of exercise. Running is best, but brisk walking will sometimes work as well. About two miles a day — one in the morning and one at night — will be enough to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Plan on taking them with you on hikes, bike rides, or jogs around the neighborhood. Just be prepared to accommodate these physical needs before bringing one home.

They also thrive on mental stimulation and enjoy having tasks to do. They were bred to work, and now that’s something that they need in order to be healthy. Give them an object to protect or keep them stimulated with new toys and games.

Many Cani Corsi compete in dog sports — including activities like tracking, dock diving, and agility events.

Veterinary visits, medications, and immunizations. Your veterinarian is the best person to determine all of the vaccinations that your pet needs, but all dogs should get a core set.

This includes vaccinations for:

Canine parvovirus
Distemper
Adenovirus
Parainfluenza virus
Rabies

These vaccinations can begin as early as six weeks of age. There are also other non-core vaccinations that you can discuss with your veterinarian.

Dosages for flea and tick medications are based on your dog’s weight and prescribed as needed. Oral and skin-based applications are available from your veterinarian or other distributors.

Many of these medications can be effective against a variety of pests and parasites, so talk to your veterinarian to figure out the best one for you. Additionally, heartworm medication is now recommended year-round.

Health Problems to Watch for With a Cane Corso

In general, a Cane Corso can be a very healthy dog. They should get annual veterinary exams that look at their:

Hips
Hearts
Elbow joints

Some Cane Corso health issues include:

Hip dysplasia. This is a common condition among dogs that involves improper alignment at their hip joint.
Idiopathic epilepsy. Some dog breeds have unexplained seizures. Seek veterinary help immediately if you think that your dog has had a seizure.
Gastric Dilation and Volvulus. Larger-chested individuals are more at risk for this potentially life-threatening condition that involves swelling and twisting in your dog’s stomach. You need to immediately bring your dog to the closest veterinarian if you believe that they’re experiencing gastric dilation.
Mange.
Eyelid abnormalities.

Special Considerations for the Cane Corso

A Cane Corso isn’t the right dog for every home. Their large size can be intimidating, and they don’t always have the best people skills. The AKC only rates them a three out of five for their behavior with — and attitude toward — kids, other dogs, and strangers.

This can be helped with early training and socialization. Proper training will curb — and help you control — their assertive and willful spirits. Just make sure to use gentle encouragement more than angry shouting. They thrive on positive reinforcement and praise.

They don’t shed very much, but they do drool a moderate amount.

As a silver lining, the cane corso temperament also means that they make great watchdogs — one of their most ancient roles that’s still useful today.

History of the Cane Corso

The Cane Corso has an ancient Italian heritage. Their ancestors were Molossians — a sub-category of the working dog group. This group gets its name from the Greek people — the Molossi — who had a hand in their creation.

Romans brought the ancestors from Greece during early invasions and bred them to their own dog varieties. This created the first examples of both modern Corsi and the Neapolitan Mastiff — a larger cousin of the Cani Corsi.

The dogs were bred to serve a number of different functions, including:

Wild boar hunting
Livestock herding
Guarding livestock
Guarding homes
Companions in war

In war, these dogs were brave enough to run at enemy lines with containers of flaming oil strapped to their backs.

For centuries, the breed existed only in Italy. By the 1970s, they had almost entirely died out. Then, a group of Italians became interested in the breed. They were lucky enough to find small populations out in the countryside. They formed a club to support the breed and were able to greatly increase their numbers over the next few decades.

The Italian Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1994.

The first Cane Corso was brought to the United States in 1988. They were recognized by the AKC in 2010 and continue to grow in popularity.