Cane Corso Italiano
Temperament:
The breed dates back to ancient times and currently enjoys great popularity: the Cane Corso Italiano. Its owners appreciate its calm nature and willingness to work. Below you will find all the information about this dog breed in trend.
Characteristics
The name comes from Latin: "Cane" means dog. "Corso" can be translated as "massive" or "large". The ethnographic origin "cohors" means "guardian of the house". Here the naming alludes to the original purpose of this breed. The FCI classifies the Cane Corso Italiano in group 2 "Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs".
It is a medium to large dog with a height at the withers of 60 to 70 cm. Females usually weigh 40 to 45 kilograms, males 45 to 59 kilograms. The average life expectancy of the Cane Corso Italiano is 9 to 10 years. The body is strong and heavily muscled. This gives the Cane Corso Italiano a massive appearance. At the same time, it does not look dumpy.
Besides the variant with black fur, there are other color strokes. These include brindle, deer red, fawn and gray. The shape of the head suggests the relationship with the Molossians. It is rather broad than long and blends into the skull with a pronounced stop. His temperament is calm and balanced, provided he is sufficiently exercised.
Originally, the Cane Corso Italiano was kept to guard the estate, for hunting and as a drover of herds. Therefore, he has a great will to work. If you do not want to keep him as a working dog, it is recommended to visit a dog school. In addition, you should think about how he can be exercised in a manner appropriate to his species. An early socialization in combination with a loving but consistent education is necessary. This and the knowledge of his protective instinct can still make him a family dog.
His quick perception and intelligence also provide good conditions for a dog sport like obedience. Its incorruptibility and physical presence also justify its use as police dogs. Due to its loyal and faithful nature, it makes a good companion dog. However, the Cane Corso Italiano is rather not a beginner dog. Because of his strong character he needs guidance and experience. In Brandenburg, Bavaria and Liechtenstein he is on the breed list. There he may be kept only under conditions.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
Representatives of the breed have a weight of 40-50 kg. In the breed there is a tendency to hip disease and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the diet should be careful not to overweight. You should adjust the amount of food to the age and activity of the dog.
Basically, it is important that the diet is of high quality. Good quality food is characterized by a high meat content. Likewise, there should be no low-quality fillers, flavor enhancers or attractants. The proportion of grain should be very low. You can also completely refrain from feeding grain.
The Cane Corso Italiano can be fed with high-quality wet food. It is also possible to prepare your own meals, as in the case of barfing. If you prepare the meals for the dog yourself, you must pay attention to the balance. Then no nutrients are missing. Due to the high urge to move of this dog breed, the proteins should be highly digestible.
Fat is the most important energy supplier. Therefore, this must be found in a sufficient proportion in the feed. Dry food is not suitable because of the high carbohydrate content. Since the amount of food per day is quite large, you should distribute it over two meals to relieve the digestion.
To prevent gastric distention, the last meal of the day should not be eaten just before bedtime. Feeding too late can cause the food mush to ferment in the digestive tract. Green-lipped mussel powder or collagen is suitable as a dietary supplement. These agents have positive effects on the joints.
Health & Care
With its short coat without much undercoat, the Cane Corso Italiano is very easy to care for. You only have to brush his coat every few days. This removes hair and dead skin cells. Brushing is best done with a soft natural brush. The shine of the coat can be intensified by massaging the coat with a massage brush.
During the coat change, brushing can be done daily to help the dog shed the light undercoat. The Cane Corso has floppy ears. These should be checked regularly for dirt and debris.
To clean the ears, a lint-free cloth with warm water is sufficient. Due to the high urge to move of the breed, shortening the claws is not necessary. Nevertheless, you should check the claws regularly. So the dog gets used to this procedure.
Due to the short coat, the Cane Corso Italiano does not need to be bathed regularly. Dirt can simply be brushed out or rubbed off with a towel. If a bath is necessary, it is recommended to use a mild dog shampoo that does not irritate the skin.
The breed is not known to develop much tartar. However, the control of the teeth should take place at regular intervals to notice dirt on the tooth. You can counteract tartar very well with a high-quality food. In addition, you can give the dog natural chews such as oxen pizzle and beef scalp. If a lot of tartar has already accumulated, you should consult your vet. He can then carry out a professional teeth cleaning.
Suitable accessories
For daily walks, as with any other dog, a collar or harness is necessary. Due to the weight of this breed you should pay attention to a stable processing of the accessories. The collar should fit well. It should not slip over the head, but also not cut into the fur.
In addition, you will need a leash and possibly a drag line. This is necessary if the dog cannot be safely retrieved. In some federal states, the keeping of the Cane Corso Italiano is subject to strict conditions.
Often the wearing of a muzzle is then mandatory. But also for the use of public transport or on a vacation trip, a muzzle is often needed. Therefore, a suitable muzzle should be purchased at an early stage. Since the Cane Corso Italiano is very intelligent and also wants to be mentally challenged, you should not forget intelligence toys in the accessories.
Origin & History
The origin of the Cane Corso Italiano is still disputed today. However, it is certain that the origin is in Italy. In ancient Rome, large Molossian dogs (Canis Pugnax) accompanied the Romans on their military campaigns and defended the troops.
In addition, Molossians were used for hunting and they served for the defense of the estate. Their strong statue and defensible character were appreciated. Aristotle, Homer, Plutarch and many others described these dogs in their works. The name goes back to the ancient royal family of the Molossians in Epirus. This dog breed became famous. The Molossians then spread all over the world.
It is believed that these Molossians are the ancestors of the Cane Corso. In Italy, the Cane Corso functioned for a long time to guard the fields and farms. However, due to the industrialization of agriculture, with time this was no longer necessary. Thus, the Cane Corso Italiano also disappeared.
The breed was thus almost on the verge of extinction in the middle of the last century. Francesco Ballotta and Antonio Morsiani started a breeding program in the 1970s. This aimed to save the breed. Since then, the breed has found more and more enthusiasts. Officially, the breed was recognized by the FCI in 2007. The Cane Corso Italiano is thus one of the still young dog breeds, although the number of breeders is currently increasing sharply.
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