Cane Corso - Facts, History & Health Problems

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.

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Food & Nutrition

A fully grown Cane Corso should consume up to 5 cups of dry dog food every day. The more spread out this is, the better, to avoid the risk of bloating. It’s also safe to feed them a raw diet.

Some tips:

It’s important that this breed consumes a good amount of protein, to develop fully, thus increasing life expectancy.

Fats are a key energy source, and will provide the ability for vitamin absorption, as well as keeping skin hydrated.

Carbohydrates are another vital source of energy, which will provide heat so the dog can retain a stable temperature.

Cane Corso Care

Caring for a Cane Corso properly is critical to ensure that it remains both healthy and fit in the long term. Thankfully, there are a few straightforward methods to care for this breed effectively.

Whilst exercising might seem like an obvious suggestion, it’s rarely as important for a dog breed as it is for the Cane Corso. They’re exceptionally active, and it’s important that this seemingly boundless energy is allowed to be used up. By fetching toys, running, or hiking with your dog every day, it’ll keep in good shape, mentally as well physically. For any farmers, livestock herding would achieve this balance perfectly.

If your Cane Corso dog will spend time in the garden, it’s vital that the wall or fence is suitably high. Cane Corsos are instinctively attracted to prey, and may well attempt to scale a wall or fence when chasing birds, cats, etc.

Proper grooming is key to avoiding infections and parasites. While it has a short coat, it’s actually double-layered, which leads to a lot of shedding in certain seasons. Brushing them often will encourage new hair to grow, and prevent it from falling out all over your home.

Furthermore, trimming nails well and often will ensure that the dog can walk and run without pain. This is particularly important because the Cane Corso is relatively heavy, and extremely active.

Proper dental care is critical, as tooth decay can lead to a whole host of other issues.

Cleaning dogs’ ears is an effective and simple way to prevent many painful infections.

Personality of the Cane Corso

The personality and disposition of the Cane Corso are what make it such a popular breed. It’s undeniably true that they can look somewhat intimidating, but those familiar with this dog will know that they can be extremely affectionate and caring.

Here are some key personality traits:

Protective - Ideal for guarding livestock, or the family home.
Sensitive to danger - If anything at all seems wrong, or unusual within the home, it’s a sure bet that this breed will notice it.
Dangerous - If trained properly, there’s no reason why it’s unsafe to own a Cane Corso. However, if it feels that its owner or family is in danger, or threatened, it will react fiercely and aggressively to the perceived threat.
Suspicious - While this breed makes a great guard dog, this comes with a natural suspicion of new people. Therefore, it’s important not to nurture any aggressive tendencies from a young age.
Independent - Cane Corsos can be very loving, but it’s unlikely that they’ll feel the need to be constantly stroked, or sat against your body. Rather, they will be content to be close to you.