DiCalabrese
Cane Corso
AKC Breed Standard
Smart, trainable, and of noble bearing, the assertive and confident Cane Corso is a peerless protector. The Corso's lineage back to ancient Rome, and the breed's name roughly translates from Latin as 'bodyguard dog.' At first glance, Corsos can be intimidating creatures. Their imposing appearance is their first line of defense against intruders.
Corsos are intelligent, loyal, eager to please, versatile, and intensely loyal to their humans, but are also assertive and willful. As with any other big guardian dog, responsible breeding and early socialization with people and other dogs is vital to a successful long-term relationship.
The head is large, slightly over one third of the height at the withers in length, with a well-defined stop. The top of the head is flat and slightly convergent to the muzzle. The eyes are oval in shape, and set well apart. The iris of the eye are typically dark in color.
The coat is short, dense, and lustrous. It may be black, various shades of grey, or fawn; it may be brindled. There can also be minor white markings on the chest, feet and nose.
Average life expectancy: 9 - 12 years
Average height (male): 25 - 28 inches
Average height (female): 23 - 26 inches
Average weight (male): 125 - 145 lbs
Average weight (female): 90 - 110 lbs
The most recently updated AKC breed standard does not specify weight in lbs/kg, but rather notes that weight should be "proportionate to height."
Read more of the breed standard form AKC here and from the ICCF here.
History
These intense and formidable dogs have been warriors and protectors throughout their history, which can be traced back to ancient times. In ancient Greece, the Molossus dogs were warriors, flighting loyally alongside legionnaires. This ancient breed, now extinct, are believed to be the original ancestor of the Cane Corso, as well as the Boxer, Bullmastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Boerbel, Dogo Argentina, and other mastiff type dogs. The first Cane Corso lines were developed when the Romans conquered the Greek Islands, and Roman soldiers brought the Greek Molosser dogs back home with them to modern-day Italy. The "light" version of hte Molosser dogs were bred to Italian dogs in the region of Calabria, and the first Cane Corso puppies were born. The breed's name reflects its history: "cane" comes from the Italian word for "dog" while "Corso" comes from the Latin term "cohors," meaning "protector" or "guardian."
Health
Despite the common misperception that purebred dogs have more inherited health ailments than mixed-breed dogs, recent studies suggest this is a more complicated issue. Researchers at UC Davis write, "Of the 24 disorders assessed, 13 had no significant difference in mean proportion of purebred and mixed-breed dogs with the disorder when matched for age, sex and body weight." This makes sense, as most domesticated dogs are believed to be the descendant of just a handful of lines of wolves and ancient candid species. As a result, all dogs share strong genetic tendencies, some of them health related. Some heritable conditions are the result of long-standing issues in the canine gene pool and occur in multiple breeds and mixed-breed dogs. Others are (relatively) more recent occurrences and are more prevalent in specific breeds or lines.
Responsible, ethical breeders should screen their stock for common heritable health conditions present in all dogs, like hip dysplasia, as well as the conditions their breed may be predisposed to. This information should be transparently available upon request.
Cane Corsos are generally healthy dogs, with an average life expectancy of 9-12 years. However, they are susceptible to certain conditions: eye and eyelid disorders like Glandular Hypertrophy ("Cherry Eye") and entropion; idiopathic epilepsy; demodex mange, especially in young puppies and older adult dogs. Read more about breed specific health concerns from the Cane Corso Association of America (CCAA) here.
Blue coated dogs can sometimes have issues with the hair follicle and skin, a condition called Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA). Read more about CDA here.
Large dogs in general have a high prevalence of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, ACL tears, cardiomyopathies, and a high susceptibility to gastric torsion (also known as bloat). Bloat is a sudden, life-threatening condition that needs to be monitored for closely throughout the dogs life, or prevented with an elective surgery called a gastroplexy. Read more about bloat from the canine Health Foundation here.
Addressing the risk of both hip dysplasia and early ACL tears in the Cane Corso breed is of special interest to us. We are proud to partner with researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine to determine if there is an identifiable gene in the Cane Corso that could predict early or atraumatic ACL rupture. Read their 2020 PLoS scientific publication about the genetics of ACL ruptures in Labrador Retrievers here and a description of their ongoing research here.
We strongly believe that all Cane Corsos being considered for breeding should have formal orthopedic evaluation for hip and elbow dysplasia, eye issues, and cardiac testing, based on the recommendation of both the ICCF and AKC. When evaluating a breeder, look for ratings of excellent, good or fair by Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or a numeric PennHip score of <0.51. Note a PennHip score closer to zero represents less hip "laxity," or stretchiness at the joint, and so a lower score generally means a lower risk of hip dysplasia. Also look for OFA evaluation of the heart. Do not purchase a puppy from a breeder who cannot provide you with written documentation that the parents were cleared of hereditary health problems that might affect your puppy. Having the dogs "vet checked" is not a substitute for the required thorough genetic workup.
However, there are some things we cannot test for (yet). There is no way to test for idiopathic epilepsy or CDA, though there are tests available for dilated cardiomyopathy and some eye disorders such as Canine Multifocal Retinopathy and Degenerative Myelopathy.
Remember that after you've taken a new puppy home, you have the power to protect them from the most common health problem facing companion animals: obesity. Keeping a Cane Corso at an appropriate level of fitness and body weight is one of the best (and easiest!) ways to extend his life, decrease the risk of orthopedic issues, and protect his heart health.
Exercise
Cane Corsos are working dogs and should be treated as such. You should be prepared to be active with your Corso at least twice a day to met their basic needs. They make great companions on long walks, hikes, runs or bicycle rides. Adjust your exercise plan according to your Corso's specific drives, current health, and goals. The Cane Corso should be kept lean with strong muscular definition. Read more about identifying optimal body condition here.
Many Cane Corsos stay physically fit and mentally fulfilled by competing in protection sports, obedience, tracking, rally, or dock diving and barn hunt, among other sports. Read more about getting involved in dog sports with the AKC, or learn more about protection sports here.
Training
Investing early in professional dog training is the best way to ensure you and your companion have hte tools for a sucessful lifelong partnership. We fell that a training program that will help you develop clear communication by using all four of the quadrants of operant conditioning will serve you and your Corso best. Look for trainers who have experience with the Cane Corso breed or similar mastiff types, and can work individually with you on your goals and your dog's needs.
Given that the Cane Corso is a working protection dog by nature, expect an aloof demeanor towards strangers as they mature. In some dogs, this may manifest as suspicion of new people and territorial tendencies. With proper socialization -- that is, teaching your puppy how to stay confident, remain neutral, and be engaged with their handler around a variety of distractions -- your puppy will grown into a well-adjusted adult.
Cane Corsos are highly intelligent and driven to please, so they are wonderful to train. We encourage our families to continue training throughout the dog's lifetime, as the learning process never truly stops.
Nutrition
The Cane Corso should do well on any nutritionally complete dog food based on high-quality animal protein as the first several ingredients. Whether this is kibble, cooked, or a raw diet, we recommend discussing your dog's specific needs with your veterinarian. Any diet should also be appropriate to your dog's age, as puppies, adults, and senior dogs have different nutritional requirements. Dogs actively completing in sport work may need a higher protein to fat ratio than companion dogs. Some dogs are prone to being overweight, so continually monitor your dog's body condition and adjust their calories accordingly.
To support joint and skin health, we also add an omega-3 supplement such as fish oil, and a source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate such as Cosequin or Dasequin from Nutramax Labs. See research supporting the ingredients of Nutramax Cosequin here, and a veterinary review of joint supplements here.
Read more about how to select a high-quality dog food from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) here.
