Cane Corso puppies and dogs

“Cane Corso” is pronounced “KAH-neh KOR-so."

Cane Corsos were originally bred to be versatile work dogs. They were used for everything that required power, including pulling heavy carts, guarding livestock and city walls, and securing massive estates. They would also protect their pet parents while traveling and hunt massive game such as boars and bears back home.

Cane Corsos have a lifespan of around nine to 12 years. However, like all dog breeds, individual longevity can vary due to factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, healthcare, and overall quality of life.

Cane Corsos typically reach their full height and weight by the time they are 18 to 24 months of age. However, some may continue to fill out and develop muscle mass until they are about two to three years old. It’s important to provide them with proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care during this growth period to support their development and overall health.

A Cane Corso is a large, muscular Italian dog breed known for their strength, intelligence, and loyalty. They belong to the mastiff family. Cane Corsos are renowned for their protective instincts and affectionate nature towards their families.

Breeds that are commonly mixed with Cane Corsos include the Labrador Retriever, Great Dan, and Rottweiler. Characteristics of a Cane Corso mix can vary widely depending on the specific breeds involved, the individual dog’s genetics, and its upbringing. A few common Cane Corso mixes include:

• Labrador Corso (Cane Corso + Labrador Retriever)

• Italian Daniff (Cane Corso + Great Dane)

• Rotticorso (Cane Corso + Rottweiler)

• American Pit Corso (Cane Corso + American Pit Bull Terrier)

The Cane Corso hails from rural Italy, going back over a thousand years. The mastiff-type dog breed traces its lineage back to the powerful Molossian war dogs, known as Canis Pugnaces, of ancient Rome.

Cane Corsos are extra-large dogs, most weighing 88 to 110 pounds and standing around 23 to 28 inches tall.

The most common colors for Cane Corsos are Black and various shades of Fawn.

A Cane Corso has a powerful and imposing build, with a broad head, strong jaw, and deep chest. Their ears are typically cropped to stand erect, although some may have natural ears that fold forward. They have a short coat that comes in various colors, including black, fawn, brindle, and gray.

Cane Corsos are usually black, fawn, blue, or brindle in color.

Yes, Cane Corsos do shed, but their shedding is considered moderate compared to some other breeds. They have short, dense coats that shed year-round, with slightly heavier shedding occurring during seasonal changes, particularly in the spring and fall. These dogs don’t require much by way of grooming — just a regular brushing will do right by this breed.

Yes, Cane Corsos can get along well with cats with the proper training. Each dog (and cat) has their own preferences and temperaments, but you can feel fairly confident that a well-socialized Cane Corso, introduced at a young age to a cat, will get along well with felines.

Yes, Cane Corsos can be good with other dogs, but it depends on various factors such as socialization, training, and individual temperament. Early socialization is important: exposing them to different dogs and situations from puppyhood can help them learn appropriate behaviors and good manners.

No, Cane Corsos are not prone to excessive barking, though, like most dogs, they may bark as an alert. As with any dog, they can be discouraged from barking with proper training and exercise.

Yes, Cane Corsos can be good with kids. Like all bigger dogs, Cane Corsos need to be trained to behave gently with children, and vice-versa. By nature, they are very gentle, curious, and affectionate with smaller children and can make wonderful playmates for active, older kids. As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your Cane Corso to keep both the child and dog safe.

Yes, Cane Corsos are good family dogs. Cane Corsos are extremely loyal, devoted dogs that love to be around and please their humans. They require training because the stubborn aspect of their personality will want to control the household, but with a firm, loving lead, they make wonderful familial companions.

Yes, Cane Corsos are easy to train. Cane Corsos are intelligent dogs that love to please their pet parents. Because of their size, they will require a confident, professional trainer that can manage their willfulness. They will also need to be socialized at an early age to other animals and humans.

Yes, Cane Corsos are smart dogs. They are known for their sharp minds, problem-solving skills, and quick learning abilities. Additionally, Cane Corsos are highly adaptable, which makes them receptive to training and eager to learn new commands and tasks.

Yes, Cane Corsos have excellent guarding instincts and make effective guard dogs. They are naturally protective of their families and territories, with their imposing size and powerful presence serving as deterrents to potential intruders.

Yes, Cane Corsos can swim. But as a breed, they are not known for being particularly enthusiastic swimmers. Individual Cane Corsos may have varying levels of comfort and ability in the water — their large size and dense muscle mass can make swimming more challenging for them.

No, Cane Corsos do not have fully webbed feet like other breeds specifically bred for swimming, such as Labrador Retrievers or Newfoundland dogs. However, they may have some degree of webbing between their toes, albeit not as pronounced.

Yep, Cane Corsos are known to drool a lot. Their drooling tendency is associated with their large jowls and lips, which can collect saliva. Additionally, excitement, anticipation of food, or warm weather can increase drooling in Cane Corsos, so be prepared to do some clean-up.

Yes, Cane Corsos require a lot of exercise to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. These pups will need a few longer walks each day, along with opportunities to play and explore.

Do Cane Corsos have health problems?

Cane Corsos are a generally healthy breed. But they can be prone to certain health conditions such as: 

1. Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint grows abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding (instead of sliding smoothly). While the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities of elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, this can cause issues such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be performed to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Cane Corso, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have — or are prone to getting — dysplasia, so you know what their limitations may be with activities and exercise.

2. Eye problems: There are a few eye issues that may affect a Cane Corso over time. Cataracts are a common condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision. Entropion is a genetic defect where one or both eyelids are inverted or roll inward and rub on the surface of the eye. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a degenerative disease affecting the retina, could also affect Cane Corsos and eventually lead to blindness.

3. Others: Gastric dilatation-volvulus (or a sudden, painful, life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen), as well as skin disorders such as mange.

No, Cane Corsos are not considered high-maintenance dogs. Cane Corsos have short coats that are relatively easy to maintain. Overall, while Cane Corsos require some level of commitment and effort from their pet parents, especially when it comes to socialization and training, they have minimal grooming needs.

Adopting a Cane Corso is much more affordable than buying one from a breeder. The cost to adopt a Cane Corso is around $300 (which covers the expenses of caring for them before adoption). In contrast, purchasing a Cane Corso from a breeder may cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000.

The easiest way to adopt a Cane Corso is through a rescue that specializes in them. A great place to start is with a breed search on Adopt a Pet. This search will show you all the available Cane Corsos in your area.