Giant
12 Years
50 Kg
Working Dogs
Docile, Quiet
The Cane Corso or the Italian Corso Dog is a mastiff-type breed that hailed from Italy. It is a large breed with a very muscular body and a swift runner. It was used as a watchdog, guardian of property, and to hunt wild boar. It is larger than the Italian Molosser but less bulky than other Mastiff-type dogs like its cousin, the Neopolitan Mastiff. The large and imposing head of the Cane Corso is the breed’s most recognizable feature. It has a fairly flat forehead that converges to the short square muzzle. The upper lips hang moderately which covers the mandible. It has a large black nose with wide open nostrils and dark, almond-shaped eyes similar to the shade of brindling in the coat and set slightly above the line of the muzzle. The triangular ears droop smoothly on the side of the head up to the eye level. The ears are traditionally cropped short but since cropping is no longer permitted in many regions, Cane Corso with natural ears are becoming more common. The body of the Cane Corso is longer than taller, sturdy built and heavily muscled. The tail is set on high and thick at the root and docked at the fourth vertebra. It has a fairly thick and close fitting skin which acts as protection from injuries. The coat is made of very dense short hair on top of a light undercoat. Coat colour comes in black, led-grey, slate-grey, light grey, light fawn, stag red and dark fawn and brindle, with black or grey mask on the muzzle. Height can range from 60-64 cm (female) or 64-68 cm (male) with weights ranging from 40 to 50 kilos with males on the heavier side of the scale.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
This ancient Mastiff breed is descended from the primitive Roman Molossian which were found all over Italy. In recent history, the Cane Corso has only been found in the Apulia province and adjacent regions of Southern Italy including Basilicata and Campania. The name Cane Corso is derived from cane (dog) and cohors (Latin for “guardian” or “protector”) but some suggest corso (course, run). The original use of the breed was a catch dog with cattle and swine. It was also used to hunt wild boars, guard property, livestock and humans, which is a popular use of the dog even today. As rural farms became less and less common in Italy, the Cane Corso’s population also began to decline and almost became extinct by the late 1970s. Thanks to the efforts of breed fanciers, a recovery program was set up which brought back the population to a manageable level, although it still remains rather unpopular compared to other breeds.
The Cane Corso is affectionate, devoted to the family, a loyal house companion, and an impeccable watchdog. A well-trained and well-socialised Cane Corso is a stable and dependable house pet. However, this breed is naturally territorial, dominant and aloof with strangers. It’s very high protective instinct is one of the best among domesticated dogs. It can sense even the slightest hint of danger, disturbance or distress in its household. It is a docile breed and not know to bark excessively. It is usually quiet and calm when inside the house unless it smells something or someone unfamiliar. This breed drools less than other mastiffs. Some Cane Corsos love to dig but most enjoy the water – whether it be the sea, the pond, the lawn sprinkler or its drinking bowl. It thrives on human companionship and will not do well if left alone for long periods of time.
The Cane Corso is an intelligent dog and always willing to please its owner which makes it easy to train. It is instinctively protective of its property and family but proper handling and training will enable the dog to know when to be in full protective mode and when to back down. It requires a gentle but firm handler, a stable living environment coupled with diligent training and socialisation to become a dependable member of the family. Training the Cane Corso consistently to be a pack member and not a leader early in life is highly imperative in order to raise a well-balanced adult.
The short flat coat of the Cane Corso is relatively easy to groom. An ideal grooming period is between one to two months interval. Use a shedding blade to pull out dead hair especially when the breed is moulting heavily. Like most short-haired breeds, The Cane Corso sheds all-year-round so it needs constant brushing. Use a hydrating spray on the coat in between baths to control flaking and dandruff which can cause allergies especially to people suffering from asthma. Use a hypo-allergenic shampoo when bathing the dog. Check and clean the ears on a monthly basis to make sure no ear problems are setting in which might otherwise require a visit to the veterinarian.
Like all large dog breeds, the Cane Corso is affected by canine hip dysplasia (CHD), a condition caused by the abnormal formation of the hip socket which can cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the hip joints. It is also affected by gastric torsion, a condition where the stomach becomes overstretched and rotated by excessive gas content, which can be life-threatening. Although these health issues affect some dogs, the majority of the Cane Corsos are healthy breeds. The average lifespan of this sturdy dog is 10 – 12 years.
Despite its enormous built, the Cane Corso is a brisk and agile dog that thrive on regular exercise. Daily long walks or a quick stroll around the park on a daily basis is sufficient enough to satisfy the dog’s physical activity. It can also get its dose of regular exercise simply by walking around the home and yard, patrolling the perimeter which comes naturally to this dog. It must, however, be kept in a well-fenced yard if it is to be allowed to stroll freely by itself.
Cane Corso aficionados will attest that this breed is wonderful with children and other members of the family. However, it is not particularly good with other pets because it is instinctively territorial and dominant towards other dogs. When considering a Cane Corso as a pet, make sure that it is the only animal inside the house because this breed is known to be aggressive towards other pets.
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