Cane Corso copil|Cane Corso|Cane Corso pui

Cane Corso - temperament, nutrition, care

by Alen Georgescu on Sep 19 2023

Imposing, serious, almost intimidating, and at the same time extremely devoted to its family – this is, in short, the portrait of a Cane Corso. In this article, you can discover more about the breed, its characteristics and temperament, common illnesses, and special care needs.

Cane Corso Dog - Breed Description
Health: When to Take Your Cane Corso to the Vet and What Predispositions It Has
Nutrition: How to Establish a Diet for the Cane Corso Breed
Care: How to Care for a Cane Corso
Suitable for Children: Is the Cane Corso a Perfect Family Dog?
Where to Buy a Healthy Specimen - Cane Corso Breeder
Cane Corso - Frequently Asked Questions

Cane Corso Dog - Breed Description

The Cane Corso belongs to the mastiff category and is classified, according to current Romanian legislation, in the second category of dangerous breeds. This means that both a purebred specimen and a Cane Corso mix can only be owned by adults and only by complying with special legal norms. The Cane Corso breed originates from Italy, considered a descendant of Roman war dogs, bred for hunting, guarding, and farm work. Its full name is Cane Corso Italiano.

The Cane Corso is a large breed, with males having heights of 63.5 - 70 cm at the shoulder and weighing between 40 - 55 kg. As usual, females are a bit smaller. If you want an impressive specimen, you can choose a male Cane Corso. An adult Cane Corso is an extremely strong and vigorous animal, and on the list of dog breeds, the Cane Corso is an option dedicated only to connoisseurs and those willing to work with their future dog.

A Cane Corso's coat is short and coarse and sheds abundantly twice a year, so you should expect inconvenience in spring and autumn. There are several color varieties within the breed, among which the most appreciated are:

Blue Cane Corso or gray Cane Corso;
Brindled Cane Corso, described by some as a brown Cane Corso;
Black Cane Corso;
White Cane Corso, the rarest color variety.

Health: When to Take Your Cane Corso to the Vet and What Predispositions It Has

Cane Corso - a robust and healthy dog could be a suitable description for the breed, but just like other breeds, it also has a series of predispositions that you should be aware of even when you are looking for a Cane Corso puppy:

Hip dysplasia: the Cane Corso's weight and rapid growth rate in the first year of life are risk factors for hip dysplasia, followed by arthritis and a lifetime of chronic pain;
Elbow dysplasia: when you look for information about Cane Corso from a serious breeder, you will find that they mention that the puppies come from parents tested negative for elbow and hip dysplasia;
Heart conditions: Would you think that cute blue Cane Corso puppy could be predisposed to developing heart conditions? Unfortunately, heart diseases are more common in this breed than in others;
Bloat (Gastric Torsion): similar to other large breeds, bloat is one of the most dangerous diseases for the Cane Corso. This is why your veterinarian will recommend feeding it at least two meals a day and strictly avoiding physical exertion after eating.

When it comes to vet visits, their schedule is similar to other breeds. In the first year of life, the vet will be happy to meet, deworm, vaccinate, and yes, play a little with your new friend, a blue Cane Corso puppy. Once the vaccination schedule is complete, they will recommend that you continue to make regular visits to monitor growth and ensure that the puppy receives the necessary nutrients to prevent bone problems. On this occasion, your lovely gray Cane Corso puppy will grow up getting familiar with vet visits and will easily accept them as an adult.

Nutrition: How to Establish a Diet for the Cane Corso Breed

When it comes to food for Cane Corso, there are several trends and recommendations:

The simplest and safest option is to use high-quality dry food, appropriate for the dog's age. Premium adult formulas are a guaranteed solution after the puppy reaches 18 months and until the age of 7 years. After reaching 1 year of age, you can also treat your dog to a high-quality wet food formula, with a predominant meat content, without soy and without grains. To avoid indigestion, it is desirable for the daily portion to be divided into 2-3 meals.

Another feeding trend for Cane Corso is the BARF diet, which consists of administering raw meat, mixed with carefully selected vegetables. This is a somewhat more demanding way to feed the dog, as you have to invest time and patience in balancing the recipe to cover all the nutritional needs of the pet.

Care: How to Care for a Cane Corso

You've certainly heard of aggressive Cane Corsos, but this is the result of inadequate training and socialization during puppyhood, rather than a characteristic of the breed. When we talk about Cane Corso, the temperament is strong, willful - the dog is ready to face any challenge at any moment.

The breed needs a lot of physical exercise to stay in shape. Daily, the dog needs two brisk walks of at least 1.5 km, in the morning and in the evening. For puppies younger than 18 months, mental stimulation will partially replace physical exertion, as the developing musculoskeletal system benefits more from slower-paced walks.

Suitable activities for a Cane Corso include sheep herding training, learning new tricks, obedience exercises, or a dog sport. Training sessions should last at least 20 minutes a day, preferably in two 10-minute sessions. A Cane Corso should not be left off-leash outside the yard. An electric fence will not prevent it from leaving the property.

The hygiene of a Cane Corso is no different from that of other short-haired breeds. If you intend to bathe it regularly, start doing so weekly from the day you bring it home, to accustom it to the entire experience. Discuss with your veterinarian about appropriate washing solutions to prevent skin problems. Brushing teeth is very important for any dog with voluminous jaws, and the Cane Corso is no exception. Adjusting the length of the claws can also be done weekly. Ear cleaning, according to the doctor's instructions, should also be done once a week, to prevent ear infections.

Suitable for Children: Is the Cane Corso a Perfect Family Dog?

Socialization and basic commands are mandatory steps for living with a Cane Corso, which must respond even to the tone of voice. Positive training, based on praise and rewards, is the appropriate working method, and unwanted behaviors must be corrected quickly and firmly, but without violence. The owner's consistency helps the dog relax, and time spent alone in a well-defined and safe area helps it understand that you always come back.

From early puppyhood, a Cane Corso must be exposed to meeting as many animals, as many people, and as many new situations as possible. In the absence of this generous socialization experience, such a dog can become aggressive, often out of fear. It is important that socialization takes place as early as possible, before reaching 4 months of age, when it is curious and very open to discovering the world. According to the breed standard, the Cane Corso must remain indifferent when approached and only react in the face of a real threat. Being a working breed, specimens of this breed must be able to work under stressful conditions, and a Cane Corso whose behavior changes in these situations is not true to the breed.

An aggressive Cane Corso is an unfair description of the breed, but it is true that, in the absence of adequate training, such a strong dog can become a danger. Regarding Cane Corsos and children, interaction must be monitored for the simple fact that a dog of such size can unintentionally injure a young child during play or excitement.

A well-trained and socialized Cane Corso is protective of children, but it's important that its hunting instinct is not stimulated by children running and making sharp noises. Especially when children have friends visiting, careful supervision of the dog or confining it to a limited space is preferable. Often, the Cane Corso believes it is necessary to defend its pack, including the family's children, and this decision can have unpleasant consequences.

Cane Corsos get along well with other animals if raised together, but otherwise, they may view them as prey. Adequate socialization is important for neighbors' animals and for a good relationship with them.

Where to Buy a Healthy Specimen - Cane Corso Breeder

If you decide that a Cane Corso is a suitable option for you and your family, avoid buying cheap specimens with uncertain origins. Contact the Cynological Association in your city and request information about registered breeders. A puppy from a reputable Cane Corso breeder has a lower risk of suffering from various ailments or having temperament and personality issues. Don't forget that some people select and breed Cane Corsos by choosing, for example, the most temperamental and violent specimens – which is not what you want.

Cane Corso Dog - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cane Corso is certainly a spectacular breed, and those who have owned such a dog generally remain faithful to its nature. However, there are a number of frequently asked questions that owners or future owners have about these dogs.

Cane Corso Nutrition: What is the best food for a Cane Corso?

Any veterinarian will recommend a super premium diet, intended for large breed dogs and appropriate for their age. There isn't one specific brand that is the best – it also depends on the dog's preferences and the owner's budget.

The BARF diet is ideal for any dog, but it requires a level of involvement from the owner that not many people are willing to undertake. Additionally, the BARF diet carries the risk of failing to provide a Cane Corso puppy with all the necessary nutrients for proper development.

If you are a Cane Corso owner and want to find the most suitable food for your dog, we invite you to visit our page on dry dog food and choose the type of food appropriate for your Cane Corso's age and size.

If you don't know what to choose, we're here to help in the section: Ask the Vet

Cane Corso Diseases - Is it a more sensitive dog than others?

The Cane Corso is a relatively robust dog, and apart from the ailments predisposed by its impressive size, it cannot be said to have a predisposition to specific diseases. The Cane Corso is a family dog that needs to spend time in its family's company to have civilized behavior, so don't wonder if it can withstand being kept outside on a chain. If you want to leave it outside at night, for example, for guarding purposes, make sure it has a well-insulated kennel for winter, possibly with a heating system. Remember that a chained Cane Corso is an unhappy and dangerous dog.

How dangerous is a Cane Corso?

No dog is dangerous in the hands of a involved, dedicated, and well-intentioned owner. If we are to discuss specimens where aggression is encouraged, the Cane Corso can be a very dangerous dog due to its size and strength. Otherwise, we are talking about a dog with a balanced temperament and extremely dedicated to its family.

How long does a Cane Corso live?

The life expectancy of a Cane Corso is 12 - 15 years, as with any large breed. It is a long-term commitment, and the Cane Corso has time to become a full-fledged family member.

The Cane Corso is a special breed of dog, an extraordinary life and adventure partner when properly trained and socialized. At the same time, it is not a suitable breed for beginners or for very busy people who do not have time to dedicate to it as they should. Discuss any additional questions you may have with your veterinarian before deciding to purchase a Cane Corso.

Don't forget: a dog is a commitment for the entire family, throughout its life. Enjoy its companionship and devotion and do not overlook important aspects of its care.