Cane Corso

19 July 2023

Let's talk about... Cane Corsos: what are they?

The Cane Corso is a powerful Italian breed known for its strong and muscular build.
With a history dating back to ancient times, they were originally bred as working dogs, primarily for guarding and protecting property.
Today, they are also cherished as loyal companions and family pets.
Male Cane Corsos typically stand between 64 and 68 cm tall, while females range from 60 to 64 cm.
In terms of weight, males can weigh between 45 and 50 kilograms, while females generally weigh between 40 and 45 kilograms.
The average life expectancy for this breed is around 9 to 12 years.

Cane Corso Exercise Needs 4/5 Grooming Ease 4/5 Trainability 3/5

What is the temperament of Cane Corso like?

The Cane Corso has a confident and assertive temperament.
They are known for their loyalty, protectiveness, and devotion to their families.
While they can be reserved and aloof with strangers, they are generally affectionate and gentle with their loved ones.
Early socialisation is crucial to ensure they are well-mannered and comfortable in various situations.
However, they also have a strong will and require a confident handler.
Cane Corsos can enjoy the company of other dogs and other pets, if well-socialised and trained at a young age.

How much exercise do Cane Corso need?

Cane Corsos are an active breed that requires a significant amount of exercise on a daily basis.
They thrive when provided with both physical and mental stimulation.
Generally, they need at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise each day, which can include activities such as brisk walks, jogging, playing fetch, or participating in canine sports like obedience or agility training.
Although there is no scientific basis to the 5 minutes of exercise per month of age “rule”, it can be a guide to make sure you don’t over-exercise your puppy, which is especially important in giant breeds. Cane Corso pups could get 5 minutes of exercise per month of age once or twice a day, but reduce that if it feels too much, or as advised by your vet.
As well as walks though fun, mental stimulating games can entertain and tire an active pup.
They should gradually increase the amount of exercise they get up to between 18 and 24 months old, when they should be able to manage the exercise levels of an adult dog.

Do Cane Corso need a lot of grooming?

The most common coat colour of a Cane Corso is black, but other colours can include fawn, brindle, grey, silver and tan.
Cane Corsos have a short and dense coat that requires minimal grooming.
Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush or a grooming mitt helps to remove loose hair and keep their coat in good condition.
During shedding seasons, more frequent brushing may be necessary to manage the amount of hair.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that much, just do it as often as you can.

Are Cane Corso easy to train?

These dogs are intelligent and eager to please their owners, which makes them trainable with proper guidance and consistency.
Cane Corsos are trainable dogs, but they can be independent and strong-willed at times.
Training sessions should be consistent and structured, establishing clear rules and boundaries.
Early socialisation and obedience training are essential to ensure they grow into well-behaved and well-adjusted adults.
Positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewards, treats, and praise, work effectively with Cane Corsos. They respond well to gentle guidance
Early socialisation with various people, animals, and environments is crucial to help them develop good social skills and become confident in different situations.

What do Cane Corso eat?

Feeding your Cane Corso a high-quality giant breed dog food that meets their nutritional needs is essential for their overall health and well-being.
As adult dogs divide their daily food into two meals.
Avoid overfeeding and monitor their weight to prevent obesity, as excess weight can lead to various health issues.
Cane Corso puppies should be fed a good quality puppy food three to four times a day, until they are 6 months old when it should go down to twice a day. When they are 18-24 months old, depending on the brand and advice from your food supplier and your vet, they should be moved on to an adult giant breed puppy food.

Are Cane Corso healthy?

Cane Corsos are generally a healthy breed, but like any dog, they can be prone to certain health conditions. Some potential health concerns to be aware of include:

Bones and Joints

Elbow Dysplasia - this condition is where there is an issue with how the bones fit together at the elbow joint
Hip Dysplasia - a condition where the thigh bone and pelvis do not sit together properly at the hip joint

Eyes

Cherry eye - this is when there is popping out of the third eyelid gland
Ectropion - with this condition the eyelid rolls out, which can expose the eye to dryness
Entropion - this is where the eyelids roll in, causing eyelashes to rub onto the surface of the eye

Gastrointestinal

Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) - this occurs when the stomach twists and gas and contents get trapped inside. It is a very serious condition and a vet should be contacted immediately!

Heart

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) - a disease of the heart muscle causing the heart ventricles to get larger

This list is by no means comprehensive, if you have any concerns about the health of your dog, or if you want to discuss further if a Cane Corso is right for you, consult with your vet.

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Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive. If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.