Cane Corso

Other names: Italian Cane Corso, Italian Mastiff

Cane Corso is a large breed, a descendant of the fighting dogs of Ancient Rome. For centuries, these intelligent and obedient dogs served their owners, guarding their homes, helping them in hunting and in the field.

CONTENTS:

1. Brief information
2. Key points
3. Characteristics of the breed
4. History of the Cane Corso breed
5. Characteristics of the Cane Corso
6. Appearance and special features of the breed
7. Character of the Cane Corso
8. Training and education
9. Care and maintenance
10. Health and diseases of the Cane Corso
11. How to choose a puppy
12. How much does a Cane Corso cost

Brief information

Cane corso dog

Key points

• This dog has excellent guard qualities. It considers the territory where the owner and his family live as its own space and guards it with special care.
  
  
• Cane Corso is not aggressive by nature, but if uninvited guests show up, they will certainly feel the harsh nature of the "Italian".
  
  
• Representatives of the breed are strong and hardy, are distinguished by intelligence and quick-wittedness, and need constant physical and mental activity.
  
  
• In a pack, Cane Corso shows dominant character traits, trying to dominate.
  
  Some imperiousness of the dog can be a difficult test for inexperienced owners, so if you decide to get a four-legged friend for the first time, start with a representative of a different breed.
  
  
  Cane Corso with puppies
• Cane Corso can show aggression towards other dogs and animals, and in order to keep such emotions in check, puppies must be socialized from a very early age.
  
  
• Outwardly they look languid and unhurried, but this impression is deceptive. Like real "temperamental Italians", they willingly join in games, love to run and, in general, spend time actively.
  
  
• They get along well with children, becoming a reliable nanny for them. This is how the genes of their distant ancestors - shepherd dogs, for whom the owner and his family, including pets, were objects of control, make themselves known.
  
  
• Cane Corso are characterized by kindness and attentiveness, they are affectionate with the owner and demand reciprocity.

Black cane corso

The breed was developed by breeders in Italy

Blue brindle cane corso

Cane Corso - an unrivaled guard

Cane Corso are sensitive and intuitive, they are ready to protect the owner and his family at any time and in any situation, which makes them unrivaled guards. If a dog of this breed lives in your house, there is no need for alarm systems.

They will not meet a thief who has broken into the house with aggression, which is different from other guard dogs, but the robber will greatly regret meeting a native of the sunny Apennines. The Cane Corso reserves its aggressive reaction for the last resort, when it feels that a real threat is hanging over the owner and his property.

Cane Corso is friendly with children

Breed characteristics

History of the Cane Corso breed

Cane Corso has a long and glorious history, counted for many centuries. Their most distant ancestors were Tibetan dogs of ancient times. In those harsh times, when it was necessary to defend against many enemies and wild animals, such dogs were especially valued.
These dogs still evoke genuine respect and even some kind of awe.

It is known that the first ancestor of modern "Italians" on the territory of modern Eurasia appeared 1 thousand years BC. It was an aggressive Tibetan dog, which was presented to the Chinese emperor, who appreciated such a skill in it as the ability to catch people.

Since then, they began to spread quite quickly across the continent, becoming the ancestors of some other breeds.
New dogs were bred for very specific purposes. In the same Roman Empire, they were used for dog fights, in military campaigns and, of course, as guards.

The first written records of giant Corso dogs date back to the 14th-15th centuries. Documents discovered by historians say that they participated in hunts and baiting.

Cane Corso in an old painting

In some areas, these dogs were used for herding and guarding livestock. As for the official history of the breed, it is usually traced back to the heyday of the Roman Empire. Archaeological sites with multiple images of these majestic dogs have survived to this day.

Corso accompanied their owners on military campaigns, looked after slaves and guarded entire palace complexes. After the fall of Ancient Rome, dogs began to be crossed with Celtic greyhounds, thereby infusing the breed with "new blood".

At the same time, they began to be used less as fighting dogs, but for hunting, for guarding farmland and driving livestock. All this continued for a long time, so loyalty to one owner is literally in their blood, it is embedded at the genetic level.

The dogs' ability to perform a variety of tasks made the breed multi-purpose, which remains unchanged to this day. Since Cane Corso dogs have always been highly valued, the quality of their gene pool was carefully monitored.

However, despite this, sad pages in the history of the breed could not be avoided. During World War II, Cane Corso dogs, like many other breeds, were on the verge of extinction. These giants were actively used at the front, which, coupled with underfeeding and often hunger, undermined the breed.

But Cane Corso dogs did not disappear, and for this, humanity should be grateful to Giovanni Bonatti Nizzoli, who showed persistence and made titanic efforts to revive these proud, intelligent and majestic dogs.

He received invaluable help from like-minded people who, in 1983, gathered all the purebred Cane Corso dogs that had somehow miraculously survived throughout Italy.

Four years later, a breed standard was issued – the first one approved at the official level. This document gave an accurate description of the dogs and emphasized the features that distinguished the Corso from other descendants of mastiffs.

Although the breed received pedigree registration only in 1994, before this event, more than 500 producers and several hundred puppies had received expert recognition and positive assessments from them.

Cane Corso Features

Guard qualities are genetically embedded in the Cane Corso, so they perform this function even without special training. The dog will guard the owner, his family members, as well as the entire house territory.

Cane Corso is a guard dog

This giant gets along well with pets, even with those who are not too happy about his appearance in the house. His "friends" can be not only other dogs, including small breeds, but also cats and even birds.

These dogs have balance in their blood. Seeing that the guest is friendly with the owner, the "Italian" will remain calm. He will not be active if he feels a hidden threat, but will make it clear that the situation is under his control.

The dog attacks only in two cases: if direct aggression is shown towards him or if he receives the appropriate command from the owner.

Cane Corso Family Protection Dogs

Cane Corso and attitude towards children

Corsos are especially careful with younger members of the family, this goes back to the times when they wandered with flocks and developed an instinct to protect everyone who is smaller and weaker. These large dogs will never hurt a child, even a stranger, but, on the contrary, will take care of him almost with maternal zeal.

Cane Corso and small children

Children reciprocate these dogs and often involve them in their games, for example, in doctors and hairdressers. It is impossible to watch without affection and laughter how a little one “treats” a dog or tries to do his hair, and the Corso humbly endures.

True, at the very beginning he will try to slip away from the little “doctor”, but if he fails, then he meekly endures all the “procedures”.

During games, a Cane Corso can accidentally, completely without malicious intent, lightly push a child. If you are worried that another such push could cause the baby to fall, then command the dog “Sit!” or “Lie down!” and it will definitely do what is required, and the first time.

Appearance and special features of the breed 

Cane Corso or Italian Mastiff is a large dog with prominent muscles. The body is characterized by the so-called stretched format, when the length is greater than the height at the withers.

The latter indicator is 64-68 cm for males, 60-64 cm for females. Adult dogs weigh, depending on gender, 45-50 kg and 40-45 kg, respectively. The size of the dog should not surprise, because the breed was bred for security, hunting and combat needs.

Cane Corso Italiano impresses with strength, beauty and power, they are incredibly charismatic. Representatives of this breed move gracefully, their gait reminiscent of panthers.

Being next to the dog, you feel protected and know for sure that you will not be betrayed. The originality of the Cane Corso, the features of their appearance and amazing skills have been passed down from generation to generation for many centuries.

From the Molossian Dogs, their closest ancestors, the Italian Mastiffs have retained a lot, but selection activities have made their own adjustments. These dogs are not only reliable bodyguards, but also, despite their stern appearance, loyal and kind friends.

General description

Cane Corso have an athletic build, their appearance gives them away as uncompromising guards and true defenders.

They look presentable and elegant at the same time: a powerful body, a broad chest, developed shoulders, a muzzle typical of all molossers, a confident gait. Dogs of this breed are mainly black, brown and brindle colors.

The character of the "Italian" consists of solid virtues: he is mentally balanced, predictable, easy to train, very devoted to his owner and never shows causeless aggression. Such qualities are inherent in many representatives of the molosser group, for example, the English bulldog and the Bordeaux mastiff.

If bad traits begin to be found in the dog's behavior, the reason should be sought in poor upbringing, but not in natural predisposition.

Head

The head of the Cane Corso is wider than long. It is covered with thick skin, there are no folds on the muzzle. The muzzle, in turn, is related to the skull in a ratio of 1:2, that is, it is short. But at the same time, it is wide and voluminous, square in shape, flat and strong.

Teeth

A dog of this breed has 42 teeth, they are white and strong. The jaws are large, powerful, curved. Due to the fact that the lower jaw protrudes slightly forward, the bite is characterized as a slight undershot.

Eyes

Oval in shape, have a wide spacing on the muzzle. Their color depends on the color of the dog, but the darker it is, the better. The eyelids have black pigmentation.

Ears

By nature, the ears of the Cane Corso are slightly large and widely spaced, with a tight fit to the head. Covered with smooth and shiny hair, they taper to the ends and hang down, fitting close to the dog's cheeks. They can be docked, giving the shape of an equilateral triangle.

Nose and lips

The nose is black and large, the nostrils are wide open. The lips are tight and not too drooping. The upper lips cover the lower jaw, thereby completely defining the lower part of the muzzle profile.

Neck

The neck of the Cane Corso is strong, muscular, proportional to the body, but not too voluminous, giving the dog some elegance. Its length is equal to the length of the head.

Body

The Cane Corso has a strong build, the body is somewhat longer than the height at the withers. The withers are clearly defined, they protrude above the long, wide and slightly sloping croup. The chest reaches the level of the elbows, it is wide and well developed. The back is straight, has pronounced muscles. The convexity of the ribs is moderate.

Tail

The Cane Corso's tail is naturally long and reaches the hocks, it is set high, thick at the base. It does not rise vertically or curl. The tail is docked at the fourth vertebra.

Limbs

The forelimbs are characterized by long, sloping and very developed shoulder blades. The shoulders and forearms are strong, the metacarpus and carpus are elastic. The front paws are of a cat type with elastic pads and strong claws. The paws are oval in shape, the toes are gathered into a lump.

The hind legs are wide and long at the hip, the back line of the thighs is convex. Strong shins and a slightly angular hock. Powerful and sinewy metatarsus. The hind legs are also oval, with elastic pads and strong claws, the toes are gathered into a lump.

Thanks to these characteristics, Cane Corso move with a wide stride, they have a large and sweeping trot.

Coat

The skin is thick and lies close to the body. The Cane Corso has a very thick coat, but with a sparse undercoat, short and shiny. If it is of medium length, devoid of stiffness and wavy, then this is a serious fault of the breed.

Color

Here the breed standard allows for significant diversity. In addition to the traditional black, light red, dark red and brindle colors, Cane Corso can be light gray, lead (medium gray) and slate (dark gray), as well as red (deer color).

Small white specks are allowed, but only on the chest, nose and ends of the paws.

Note: Red and brindle Cane Corsos should have a black or grey mask on their muzzle that does not extend beyond the line of the eyes.

Possible defects

If the longitudinal axes of the muzzle and skull converge, as well as the lateral surfaces of the muzzle, this is considered a serious defect. This also includes the parallel arrangement of the longitudinal axes of the muzzle and skull.

The following are considered breed-damaging defects: height below or above the norm, partial depigmentation of the nose, movements that constantly turn into an amble, scissor bite, a tail curled into a donut or standing vertically, an undershot bite with a significant deviation.

Disqualifying defects

Is your pet aggressive? This is a serious defect for which he will be disqualified. The same verdict will be given to a timid or frankly cowardly animal.

In general, any Italian Mastiff with very clearly expressed behavioral or physiological anomalies should be disqualified. These also include undershot bite, so-called ram's nose, sunken nose, squint, cataract, fragmentary or complete depigmentation of the eyelids, long or soft hair, with unacceptable coloring and large white spots.

A sign of health in Cane Corso is considered to be developed testicles of males. There are two of them, and they should be completely lowered into the scrotum.