Cane Corso Dog Breed Pictures,Characteristics, & Facts

The Cane Corso is a working dog who absolutely loves having a job to do. This old Italian dog breed was developed to guard property and hunt big game such as wild boar.

Although these are purebred dogs, you may find them in the care of rescue groups or shelters. Remember to adopt! Don't shop if you want to bring one of these dogs home.

Cane Corsos are powerful and athletic, best suited to experienced pet parents who have large, securely fenced yards. They'll definitely need their humans to give them a task; otherwise, they may find their own ways to reduce boredom - probably with destructive behavior. If you can give your dog plenty of space, exercise, and training, then this may be the breed for you!

More About This Breed

The Cane Corso (Corso for short) is a serious dog breed for a person who is serious about having a dog as a companion and who can provide him with the firm and loving guidance he needs to become a great dog. He is a family-only dog. Don't expect him to buddy up with everyone he meets: He has no interest in people or other animals outside his family, but those within the family will have his undivided loyalty and protection.

Give this dog a job. He's unwilling to just lie around all day and will find his own “work” to do if you don't provide it: usually running the fence and barking at passersby, digging holes to China, or chewing up your furniture. If you have a farm or ranch, he will help you with the livestock; otherwise, get him involved in a dog sport such as agility, dock diving, nose work, obedience, or tracking.

History

The Corso is one of many Mastiff-type dogs. This one was developed in Italy and is said to descend from Roman war dogs. He is more lightly built than his cousin, the Neapolitan Mastiff, and was bred to hunt game, guard property, and be an all-around farm hand. Their work included rounding up pigs or cattle and helping to drive them to market.

The word “cane,” of course, is Latin for dog and derives from the word "canis," The word "corso" may come from "cohors," meaning bodyguard, or from "corsus," an old Italian word meaning sturdy or robust.

The breed declined as farming became more mechanized and came near to extinction, but starting in the 1970s dog fanciers worked to rebuild the Corso. The Society Amatori Cane Corso was formed in 1983, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed in 1996.

A man named Michael Sottile imported the first litter of Corsos to the United States in 1988, followed by a second litter in 1989. The International Cane Corso Association was formed in 1993. Eventually, the breed club sought recognition from the American Kennel Club, which was granted in 2010. The breed is now governed by the Cane Corso Association of America.

Size

The Corso is a large, muscular dog. Males stand 25 to 27.5 inches at the withers; females 23.5 to 26 inches. Weight is proportionate to height and typically ranges from 90 to 120 pounds.

Health

Corsos are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Corsos will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed.

The Corso can be prone to hip dysplasia; eyelid abnormalities such as entropion, ectropion, and cherry eye; demodectic mange (which can be heritable); and gastric torsion, also known as bloat.

Expect breeders to have up-to-date health clearances certifying that a puppy's parents are free of eye disease and hip dysplasia. Clearances should be in the form of an eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist with the results registered with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and an OFA or Pennhip evaluation of the hips. You can confirm health clearances by checking the website of the Canine Health Information Center. You should also ask if any of the breeder's dogs have ever suffered bloat or mange.

Care

This working breed needs plenty of physical activity to stay in shape. Plan on taking him for a brisk walk or jog of at least a mile, morning and evening, every day. If you like to bicycle, get an attachment that will allow him to run alongside you.

Go easy on puppies. Their musculoskeletal system isn't fully developed until they are about 18 months old, so while they need more walks to help burn off their puppy energy, those walks should be shorter and slower.

For mental stimulation, provide this dog with a job. Good employment for a Corso includes herding livestock (your own or a trainer's), learning tricks, practicing obedience skills, or being involved in a dog sport. Spend at least 20 minutes a day on these types of activities. It's okay to break it up: for instance, 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening.

Never allow a Corso to run loose. A solid, secure fence is a must. An electronic fence will not prevent him from leaving your property if he chooses to, and it won't protect your neighbor's dog or cat if he wanders into your yard.

Finally, be prepared for the amount of care and large bills that can go along with owning a large dog. There's more poop to scoop, and essentials such as spay/neuter surgery are more expensive for big dogs than for small ones. If your Corso needs surgery for any other reason, the cost of anesthesia will be high because he needs more of it than a small dog, as well as larger amounts of pain medication after surgery. Finally, there are the costs of training class, entry fees for dog sports, and pet-sitting or boarding when you are away from home. Take all of these expenses into consideration before acquiring a Corso because you will be facing them for 10 to 12 years.