Cane Corso (King Corso) - Facts, History and Health Problems

The Cane Corso (King Corso) is a mastiff breed that originally comes from Italy. In fact, they descend directly from war dogs used by the Roman Empire. This is unsurprising, given their size and strength. This breed does, unfortunately, suffer from various health problems, though, like hip dysplasia and demodectic mange.
Quick Facts about Cane Corso
The Cane Corso breed has many interesting facets that make them unique, such as:
- Size - Many people wonder, just how big can a Cane Corso get? Well, the average weight is around 120 pounds, but some can be far heavier.
- Energy - These dogs are full of it. They’ll need to walk and run often to maintain their health.
- Loyalty - Cane Corsos are extremely protective of their family, so It’s vital to socialize them at a young age.
- Barking - It’s not a loud breed. They’ll certainly let you know if something is wrong, but their strength is displayed more through physique than through barking or howling.
History
The history of the Cane Corso dog breed is incredibly interesting. It’s part of the molosser category and is a mastiff-type dog.
In fact, they were bred almost 1000 years ago in Greece, and following an invasion, the Roman Empire returned to Italy with some, beginning cross-breeding with Italian dogs. This is why today we have the Cane Corso and the Neapolitan Mastiff.
Its name roughly translates to “guardian” in Italian. These warriors once fought in battle alongside Roman soldiers and were praised for their bravery.
Following this period of constant war, Cane Corsos worked to keep livestock safe from intruding wolves, foxes, wild boar,s and so on. They’ve also been used for hunting, and even herding livestock.
However, this versatile dog primarily came to be kept as a guard. They’re fiercely protective and perfect for watching over barns, horses, and family homes. Much of this protective nature remains today.
Common Health Problems
Health problems in dogs are unavoidable, as most breeds are predisposed to certain conditions as they age. Unfortunately, the Cane Corso is likely to experience some quite severe problems as it ages. Some of these issues can be extremely expensive to have treated.
Here are some of the most prominent issues it can face:
- Hip dysplasia - The ball and socket may not fit, or grow in the right way, and through constant grinding will break down, and the function of the joint will get increasingly worse over time.
- Demodectic mange - A parasite that survives in hair follicles. This inflammatory disease is very uncomfortable for dogs to endure.
- Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat) - A particularly dangerous condition, in which the stomach retains too much gas. It can be a danger to dogs’ lives in some extreme cases.
Due to these, and other factors, health insurance for dogs is always a wise decision.