Cane Corso Italiano

Temperament:

Balanced, Resilient, Reserved
Size: Large
Height: 60-70 cm
Weight: 40-59 kg
Lifespan: 9-10 years
Coat: Shorthair
Colors: Black, Brindle, Deer red, Fawn, Grey
FCI Group: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs

A breed whose origins date back to ancient times and which enjoys great popularity today: the Cane Corso Italiano. Its owners appreciate its calm nature and willingness to work. You can find all the information about this popular dog breed here.

Cane Corso Italiano
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Characteristics

The name comes from Latin: "cane" means dog. "Corso" can be translated as "massive" or "big". The ethnographic origin "cohors" means "guardian of the house". The name alludes to the original task 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-sized to large dog with a shoulder height of 60 to 70 cm. Females usually weigh 40 to 45 kg, males 45 to 59 kg. The average life expectancy of the Cane Corso Italiano is 9 to 10 years. The body is strong and well-muscled. This gives the Cane Corso Italiano a massive appearance. However, it does not appear clumsy.

In addition to the variant with black fur, there are other colors. These include brindle, fawn, fawn and gray. The shape of the head indicates a relationship to the Molosser. It is rather broad than long and merges into a pronounced stop. His character is calm and balanced, provided he is sufficiently occupied.

Originally, the Cane Corso Italiano was bred to guard estates, hunt and drive herds. It therefore has a great will to work. If you don't want to keep him as a working dog, we recommend attending a dog training school. You should also think about how you can keep him occupied in a species-appropriate way. Early socialization in combination with loving but consistent training is essential. This and the knowledge of his protective instinct can still make him a family dog.

His quick perception and intelligence are also good prerequisites for dog sports such as obedience. His incorruptibility and physical presence also justify his use as a police dog. His loyal and faithful nature makes him a good companion dog.

However, the Cane Corso Italiano is not a beginner's dog. Because of its strong character, it needs guidance and experience. It is on the breed list in Brandenburg, Bavaria and Liechtenstein. There it may only be kept with restrictions.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

Representatives of the breed weigh between 40 and 50 kg. The breed is prone to hip joint diseases and other musculoskeletal disorders. Care must therefore be taken when feeding them to ensure that they do not become overweight. The amount of food should be adapted to the dog's age and activity level.

Basically, it is important that the food is of high quality. Good food is characterized by high-quality ingredients. It should not contain any inferior fillers, flavor enhancers or attractants. The grain content should be very low. Grain can also be avoided altogether.

To prevent a stomach torsion, your dog should take a rest after every meal.

Health & Care

With its short coat without much undercoat, the Cane Corso Italiano is very easy to groom. It is sufficient to brush the 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 enhanced by massaging it with a massage brush.

During the shedding period, the dog can be brushed daily to make it easier to shed the light undercoat.

Because of its short coat, the Cane Corso Italiano does not need to be bathed regularly. Dirt can simply be brushed off or rubbed off with a towel. However, if a bath is necessary, it is advisable to use a mild dog shampoo that does not irritate the skin.

The Cane Corso has floppy ears. These should be checked regularly for dirt and debris.

A lint-free cloth and warm water are sufficient to clean the ears. Due to the breed's great urge to move, it is not usually necessary to trim the claws. Nevertheless, the claws should be checked regularly. This helps the dog get used to it.

The breed is not known to form a lot of tartar. Nevertheless, the teeth should be checked regularly to detect dirt on the teeth. Tartar can be prevented very well with high-quality food. You can also give your dog natural chews such as ox tusks and beef scalp or brush their teeth with a dog toothpaste. If a lot of tartar has already formed, you should visit the vet. They can then carry out a professional dental cleaning.

Suitable accessories

As with any other dog, a collar or harness is required for daily walks. Due to the weight of this breed, it is important to ensure that the accessories are sturdy. The collar must fit well. It must not slip over the head, but also not cut into the coat.

You will also need a lead and possibly a drag line. The latter is necessary if the dog cannot be called off safely. In some federal states, keeping a Cane Corso Italiano is subject to strict conditions.

Wearing a muzzle is then often mandatory. However, a muzzle is also often required when using public transport or when traveling on vacation. It is therefore advisable to purchase a suitable muzzle at an early stage. As the Cane Corso Italiano is very intelligent and also wants to be challenged mentally, you should also consider intelligent toys as accessories.

Cane Corso Italiano history picture

Origin & History

The origin of the Cane Corso Italiano is still disputed today. What is certain, however, is that its origins lie in Italy. In ancient Rome, large Molossian dogs (Canis Pugnax) accompanied the Romans on their military campaigns and defended the troops.

Molossians were also used for hunting and for the defense of estates. Their strong physique and defensive nature were highly valued. 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 breed became famous. Molossians spread all over the world.

It is assumed that these Molossians are the ancestors of the Cane Corso. In Italy, the Cane Corso was used for a long time to guard fields and farms. However, due to the industrialization of agriculture, this was no longer necessary over time. As a result, the Cane Corso Italiano also disappeared.

The breed was on the verge of extinction in the middle of the last century. Francesco Ballotta and Antonio Morsiani began a breeding program in the 1970s. The aim was to save the breed. Since then, the breed has found more and more enthusiasts. The breed was officially recognized by the FCI in 2007. The Cane Corso Italiano is therefore still one of the young dog breeds, although the number of breeders is currently increasing rapidly.