Cane Corso Dogs Information

Written by: Shawna L. Krautheim

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: Italian Mastiff

Common Misspellings:  Cain Corso, Canecorso

Learn all about Cane Corso Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the Cane Corso dog breed. You'll find solid information about Cane Corso dog history, Cane Corso life expectancy Cane Corso dog appearance, Cane Corso temperament and personality, Cane Corso health problems, Cane Corso puppy care, training Cane Corso puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible Cane Corso dog breeder.

A direct descendant of the old Roman Molossian, "Canis Pugnax," the Cane Corso has long been a companion of the Italian people. Used in battles, for hunting large game, as a personal guard dog, and as a drover that would help to drive the cattle to market, it's no wonder that the Cane Corso was so favored throughout Italy.

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Cane Corso Facts

The Cane Corso Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: Italy

Cane Corso Height: 23-27.5 inches tall at the shoulder, with males on the larger end of the spectrum.

Cane Corso Weight: 88-140 pounds makes the Cane Corso a real heavyweight!

Cane Corso Color Variations: The Cane Corso comes in a wide variety of colors, including self colors and brindle. Both black and gray masks are acceptable, as well as limited white markings.

Cane Corso Size Variations: Standard size only.

Cane Corso Exercise Needs: Reasonable

Cane Corso Grooming Demands: Minimal

Cane Corso Trainability: Moderate

Cane Corso Life Expectancy: 10-11 years

Average Cane Corso Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Yes, with supervision.

Good With Other Pets: Usually

Breed Group: Working

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Cane Corso Dog History

It's said that there are two direct descendants of the original old Roman Molossian, the first being the dogs that would eventually create the heavy and intimidating Neapolitan Mastiff. The second descendant bore similar Molosser traits, but was of a lighter and more athletic build. This dog is believed to have become the Cane Corso, or Italian Mastiff. Considered to be a coursing mastiff, his leaner build and lighter weight made him an ideal hunting dog; not only was he capable of running down prey, but he still possessed this size and strength to be able to bring the prey down once he had caught up with it.

Judging by Italian art and various records, the Cane Corso enjoyed plentiful numbers throughout Italy for many years. However, with tightening belts and the threat of war, Cane Corso numbers dwindled until he could only be found in this southern parts of Italy and was considered to be a rare breed. Nevertheless, fans of the breed have done wonders to preserve the Cane Corso - even today, he can be found performing typical drover tasks and providing the same loyal services throughout his native country, that he has for hundreds of years.

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Cane Corso Dog Appearance

The Cane Corso is a very sturdily built dog, without appearing heavy or cumbersome. If anything, his build is leanly muscled and elegant. Somewhat longer than he is high, the breed stands between 23 and 28 inches tall at the shoulder and males can weigh upwards of 130 pounds. Don't let his size and weight fool you however, the Cane Corso is an athlete through and through and was commonly used to hunt wild boar and stag during mediaeval times.

Cane Corso puppies can be found in a wide variety of colors including black, red, light or dark fawn, three different shades of gray (lead, slate or light gray), black brindle, chestnut brindle, and a grey brindle (tubby). Fawn and brindle dogs may have either a black or gray mask and limited white markings are acceptable, divided they're not excessive.

The ears of the Cane Corso may either be cropped or left natural. Likewise, the Cane Corso tail - when docked, it is taken off at the fourth vertebrae and should either hang in a vertical position or be carried horizontally but never curled up over the back. His dark almond-shaped eyes are lively and intelligent, with yellow or blue eyes considered to be a disqualification.

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Cane Corso Grooming

Grooming your Cane Corso is relatively simple. A light shedder, a weekly brushing with a bristled brush can help to remove dander, dead hair and add a beautiful shine two your Cane Corso puppy's coat. Pay careful attention to your Italian Mastiff's ears and any wrinkles, checking weekly for build up of dirt, foul odor, or signs of redness or infection.

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Cane Corso Exercise Needs

While the Cane Corso are does enjoy his exercise, he is hardly hyperactive and can be well suited to apartment living, provided he has access to daily walks or a chance to exercise that the local dog park. Additionally, it said that the Italian Mastiff makes an excellent jogging partner! If you were looking for a running partner, you may find this athletic dog the ideal companion.

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Cane Corso Temperament

The Italian Mastiff is known for his very calm, well balanced and loyal temperament. When properly socialized, he is a very gentle and patient with children in the home and other pets. However, the Cane Corso can be very protective of his family and wary of strangers.

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Cane Corso Training

Cane Corso puppies grow at an amazing rate. For this reason, it is essential to establish basic obedience training and prevent risk of dominance issues. The Italian Mastiff is known for his protective and loyal nature, but he should still be submissive to all members of the household. This is best established by starting training your Cane Corso puppy at a very early age. Puppy obedience courses are in excellent way to help your Italian Mastiff learn basic behavior expectations, as well as early socialization steps.

Cane Corso Health

Like many giant breeds, the Cane Corso has a shorter life expectancy than many smaller breeds of dog. However, choosing your Italian Mastiff wisely can help to ensure that you have a healthy dog that will live well into old age. Prior to purchasing an Italian Mastiff puppy, you should take the time to get to know potential breeders and to discuss various health concerns within the breed.

Some of the health concerns that can affect the Cane Corso include, but are not limited to:

Elbow and hip dysplasia
Bloat
Entropion, ectropion, and glandular hypertrophy (otherwise known as "cherry eye")
Cardiomyopathy
Sub-aortic stenosis (SAS)
Epilepsy
Thyroid conditions

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Is the Cane Corso Right For You?

The Cane Corso is a wonderful breed of dog for the right family. However, this breed does require a great deal of work and is not for everyone. Extremely loyal and devoted to the family, they can sometimes be overprotective, and so early socialization is essential.

Dominance issues are common with this breed, so establishing dominance is very important and the entire household must be both consistent and confident when working with the Italian Mastiff puppy. Even methods of play must be monitored and directed with thoughts of the adult Cane Corso in mind. While it's a very tempting to wrestle with a small Cane Corso puppy, one must keep in mind that this puppy will rapidly grow into a dog they can weigh as much as 140 pounds.

If you're a dedicated pet owner, with the time to devote to properly training a puppy such as this, the Italian Mastiff makes an excellent pet and may be just the dog for you!

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Cane Corso Prices

Average Cane Corso Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Cane Corso dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great Cane Corso puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a Cane Corso dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your Cane Corso puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Cane Corso breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

Cane Corso prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality Cane Corso puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding Cane Corso Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable Cane Corso puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of Cane Corso Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable Cane Corso breeders. We actively screen Cane Corso breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible Cane Corso breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your Cane Corso puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect Cane Corso puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of Cane Corso dog and puppy pictures!

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Additional Cane Corso Resources:

• Cane Corso Wikipedia Profile
• AKC Cane Corso Breed Profile
• Cane Corso Pictures
• Cane Corso Videos

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