Updated 22-05-2023

Can Corso

Working dogs, such as the Cane Corso, are a joy to have around. As a guardian and hunter, this Italian dog breed was originally established in the 19th century.

Inexperienced pet owners with big, well-fenced backyards are most suited for Cane Corsos. If they don't have something to do, they'll find a means to alleviate their boredom, most likely by harmful conduct. If you have the time, room, and resources, this may be the right breed for you. See below for all dog breed qualities and facts about Cane Corsos!

Highlights

  • There are a variety of colours for the Corso's short coat: black, grey, fawn, and red. A brindle pattern can be found in any of these hues, with varying shades of light and dark.
  • Red and fawn the mask of a corso might be black or grey.
  • Ear cropping or uncropping is an option for the Corso.
  • As a working dog, the Corso requires a lot of mental and physical exercise.
  • In contrast to other breeds, the Corso enjoys "talking" to its people by making "woo" sounds, snorting, and other verbalizations to communicate with their human companions.
  • In general, the Corso does not make an ideal "first dog." To be a good companion, he needs a lot of socialisation, training, and exercise.

Characteristics

Social Appearance 

Adaptability

It's a common misconception that a little dog is better suited to living in a limited space. Many tiny dogs have too much energy and are too yappy to live in an apartment building. An apartment dog's best attributes include being quiet, low energy, somewhat peaceful indoors, and respectful to the other inhabitants. Your dog's personal space in your apartment can be improved by purchasing one of these fantastic dog cages.

Sensitivity Level

Depending on the dog, a strong rebuke can be taken in stride by some, while others regard even the tiniest hint of disapproval as a personal attack. If you have a loud or pushy owner, a chaotic home, or a routine that is unpredictable or variable, your low-sensitivity dog, often known as "easy-going," "tolerant," "resilient," or even "thick-skinned," will be able to handle it better. Do you have young children, host a lot of parties, or have a hectic lifestyle? Choose a dog that isn't overly sensitive.

Intensity

You can't tell from looking at them whether or not they're hyperactive, but when they do anything, they do it vigorously. They tug at their leashes (unless you teach them not to), they push their way through barriers, and they down their meals in huge, gobbling gulps. A home with young children or an elderly or feeble person may not be the best place for these dynamos to learn proper etiquette. On the other side, a dog with poor vitality adopts a more reserved demeanor.

Potential for Playfulness

The playful nature of certain dogs never fades away, and they're always ready for a game, whereas the reserved and serious tendencies of other dogs develop through time. Think about how many times a day you want to play fetch or tag with your dog, and whether or not you have children or other dogs who can act as substitutes.

Personality Appearance

Intelligence

In the same way as working dogs, such as those that herd sheep, are bred for intelligence and decision-making, working dogs like those who run all day need to exercise their bodies. The two most common activities that a bored pet engages in are digging and chewing, both of which require mental stimulation. There are several ways to keep a dog's brain active, including obedience training, interactive dog toys like tug of war, and dog sports like agility and search and rescue.

Energy Level

Energy-draining dogs are always on the lookout for a new activity. There are several jobs that require a lot of stamina from dogs, such as herding livestock or recovering prey for hunters. Children are more likely to engage in activities such as jumping, playing and exploring new sights and smells as a result of this change in their environment

A low-energy dog is more like a couch potato than a dog that needs a lot of exercise. Think about your level of physical activity and whether or not you find a hyperactive dog irritating before making your final choice.

Easy To Train

Easy to train dogs can more easily form associations between a cue (like "sit"), an action (like sitting), and a reward than dogs that are more difficult to train. Dogs that require more time, patience, and repetition are more difficult to train.

Getting your dog interested in training will require incentives and games because many breeds are intelligent but have a "What's in it for me?" mentality when it comes to learning new things.

Family Affection Level

Affectionate With Family

Since puppyhood, some breeds remain aloof and independent; others form deep bonds with one individual but are uninterested in the rest of the family; still other types shower their entire family with affection. Canines raised in homes with people tend to be more open to human interaction and develop stronger ties, regardless of their breed or upbringing.

Kid-Friendly

Kids-friendly dogs are calm, strong enough to bear the hefty hugs and pets kids can dish out, and have an unfazed attitude about rushing, scream-inducing children. There are several names you may not expect to see on the list: Fierce-looking Both Boxers and American Staffordshire Terriers are regarded as family dogs (which are considered Pit Bulls). Chihuahuas, which are small, sensitive, and potentially sharp, are not always family-friendly.

Dog Friendly

Dog friendship and human friendship are two entirely different things. The fact that a dog is friendly with humans doesn't mean it's immune to aggression or aggression from other dogs; some canines choose to play rather than fight; others will just run away. The type of animal isn't the only consideration. Dogs who have spent a lot of time playing with their littermates and their mother at the age of six to eight weeks are more likely to be socially competent.

Physical Appearance

Amount of Shedding

Having a dog in the house means that you'll have to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothing and in the home. It's worth noting, however, that shedding varies widely among breeds. Some dogs shed all year long, while others ``blow" just during specific times of the year, and still others don't shed at all. If you're a stickler for cleanliness, you'll need to choose a breed that sheds less or lower your expectations. You can use a deshedding tool to keep your house a little cleaner.

Drooling Potential

While greeting you, some dogs may cover their arms with ropes of drool and create large, wet patches on your clothing. If you don't mind a little drool, go for it; but if you're a stickler for cleanliness, you may want to look for a dog with a low drool rating.

Easy To Groom

Some breeds of dogs can simply be brushed and left alone, while others require frequent washing, trimming, and other grooming in order to maintain their health and appearance. If you don't have the time or money to take care of a dog that requires a lot of grooming, you may want to look into hiring a professional.

Exercise Needs

Evening walks around the neighbourhood are perfectly acceptable for some breeds. Others, particularly those trained for physically demanding vocations like herding or hunting, require regular, rigorous exercise.

They can gain weight and release their pent-up energy in ways you don't like, including barking, chewing, and digging, if not given enough exercise. Those looking to train their dog for an energetic canine activity, such as agility, should consider getting a dog that needs a lot of exercise.

Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed

Weight

90 to 120 pounds

Lifespan

10 to 12 years

Height

1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the shoulde

History

Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and Cane Corso, two Italian breeds derived from ancient Roman molossian battle dogs, are streamlined. The Corso became a farm dog while the Neo became a dedicated guard dog.

Originally known as a "catch dog," the Cane Corso is a large-breed hunting dog. As early as the eleventh century, this breed of dog was known by the name. It wasn't long after the fall of the Roman Empire that Corsos were put to use for everything from protecting crops to hunting hardy game.

The number of Corsos in southern Italy began to diminish after the outbreak of the First World War and especially the Second World War. Few Corsos remained in the countryside by the 1970s; they were owned by peasants all over the place. There were two persons in 1973 who discovered and collected the surviving Corsos, and a breed club was created 10 years later. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognised the Cane Corso in 1996. As far back as 1988, the United States had its first Corsos imported. It was officially recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2010.

Personality and Temperament

When it comes to protecting its family, the Cane Corso is a true guard dog, putting its life on the line to do so. When it comes to protecting their loved ones, they are most likely to create a close attachment with one member of the family. Whenever a new person enters their domain, the Cane Corso will be watchful to the point of hostility, and prudence is urged. A well-trained Cane Corso will be wary of strangers and wait for their owner's signal that everything is fine before approaching them. Cane Corsos that aren't properly trained from an early age can turn into dogs that aren't hospitable to strangers.

The Cane Corso is known as an independent breed that prefers to be left alone and will not pester its owners for attention. Leaving a Cane Corso alone for an extended amount of time will inevitably lead to nuisance behaviours, like destroying the house or barking incessantly.

Even though the Cane Corso is accustomed to youngsters, it should be supervised at all times when around children because of its inherent strength and hostility. It is well known that the Cane Corso is prone to dog aggression, especially among intact males. The Cane Corso, a born hunter, may mistake family pets like cats or rabbits for its prey, therefore care must be taken with these smaller animals.

Care

Taking care of one dog will look different from taking care of another because each breed is unique. The temperament, health issues, training and socialisation needs and food requirements of your new dog should be kept in mind as you prepare to care for your new pet.

Health

The Cane Corso has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years and a high quality of life, making it a popular dog. Because they are less brachycephalic than other Mastiffs, they are less likely to have respiratory issues as a result. Some conditions to keep an eye on are:

Bloat

The stomach fills up with gas that can't be expelled, resulting in a potentially fatal condition known as bloating. The animal will slobber and pant and appear visibly bloated. The animal's prognosis is bleak unless it receives emergency veterinary care.

Orthopaedic Conditions

A number of painful and degenerative bone abnormalities are common in large dogs, including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Affected dogs should not be used for breeding. Breeding animals should be screened.

Hip Dysplasia

Lameness and arthritis might result from an inherited disorder.

Ectropion

Lower eyelid drooping or rolling out is a typical problem.

Recommended Health Tests

  1. Hip Evaluation
  2. Elbow Evaluation
  3. Cardiac Exam

Nutrition

One to four cups of dry dog food a day is plenty for a grown adult cane corso. To avoid bloating and stomach torsion, it's preferable to break it up into two meals. Check to see if your dog is becoming obese. If you notice your pet gaining weight, consult your veterinarian to see if there are any dietary or exercise modifications that need to be made.

Grooming

Grooming these dogs is a breeze. In the spring and fall, the undercoat sheds heavily, which is to be expected given their double-layered coat. They should be brushed daily during one of their two shedding seasons, but their shorter coats only need to be brushed once a week.

It is important to keep a dog's nails short in order to avoid discomfort when walking. Keeping their ears clean and brushing their teeth on a regular basis are also important.

Exercise

As a breed, these dogs are best when they have a job or a lot of daily activity to keep them busy. Every day, they should be taken on walks totalling at least two miles. When it comes to preventing destructive behaviour, this breed needs both physical and mental activity. Obedience, tracking, and agility competitions may be a good fit for your Cane Corso dog.

Training

As soon as possible, begin training a Cane Corso puppy. It is critical to begin training and socialisation as soon as possible because of their big size and how domineering they can be. Having a strong trainer who will assert themselves as the household's leader is ideal for these puppies' development. When positive training methods are used, these dogs are able to learn quickly and easily, especially with the correct teacher.

Children and Other Pets

The Corso can be a loving and protective dog toward children if properly nurtured, trained, and socialised. Puppies and older dogs should not be allowed to chase youngsters, and children should refrain from making loud noises when he is there. It is possible that the Corso will associate children with prey if they run and squeal. Even if your children have friends over, keep him inside when they're racing about outside and making a lot of noise. A conflict between the Corso and "his" children may arise, and it is unlikely that the Corso will be successful in keeping them safe. Cane Corso puppies and adults can benefit from games of fetch and children assisting to hold the leash.

It is important to teach youngsters how to deal with dogs, as well as oversee any encounters between dogs and young people so that there is no risk of either side biting the other. You should teach your youngster the importance of respecting dogs' privacy and not to disturb them while they're having a meal or sleeping. Never, ever leave a dog alone with a child, no matter how adoring they are.

If raised around other dogs or cats, the Corso may get along with them, but if not, he will likely see them as prey and do his hardest to kill them as well. It's critical that you're able to keep the pets of your neighbours safe from him. Socialization is essential in this situation. Your Cane Corso should be taught to be peaceful with other dogs from an early age. For a second dog, it is recommended to obtain one of the opposite sex, whether it's a new breed of dog or another Cane Corso.

Puppies

When you bring a puppy into your house, be prepared for it to grow fast. Six-month-old puppies will triple in weight from a two-month-old puppy's current 13 to 22 pounds.

Before bringing a dog into your home, remove everything that could be dangerous from the places where the dog will be able to roam. You should also get a dog bed, kennel, leash, collar, food, and water bowls, and all the other equipment your new dog will require before you bring him or her home.

Dogs similar to Cane Corso

It is possible to identify the Cane Corso with three other breeds: the Neapolitan Mastiff, the Bullmastiff, and the Rottweiler.

Neapolitan Mastiff

Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Cane Corso are working breeds that originated in Italy. With an average male weight of 140 pounds compared to 104 pounds for the Cane Corso, the Neapolitan Mastiff is much larger than the Cane Corso. Cane Corsos and Neapolitan Mastiffs are both good watchdogs, but Cane Corsos have a higher prey drive.

Bullmastiff

Another working dog breed is the bullmastiff. In contrast to the Cane Corso, they were grown in England rather than Italy. Both breeds shed moderately and don't demand a lot of attention when it comes to maintenance. For families with children, the Bullmastiff may be better suited than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in terms of territoriality.

Rottweiler

Additionally, Rottweilers are a working breed. Originally, they were developed in Germany. The average male weight of Rottweilers and Cane Corsos is 112 and 104 pounds, respectively. Similarly, males in both breeds are between 24 and 27 inches tall. The American Kennel Club officially recognised the Rottweiler in 1931, but only in 2010 was the Cane Corso acknowledged.