Cane Corso: Dog Breed Information and Care

The Cane Corso is known as the bodyguard-dog. It has a workaholic nature and is intelligent. Learn everything you need to know.

Breed information

The Cane Corso is a large and muscular dog breed. They possess prominent and large nostrils on their broad square-like skulls. They have short coats. The following is an overview of the breed:

• Group: Working.
• Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years.
• Height: 23 to 28 inches.
• Weight: 88 to 110 pounds.
• Colors: The most common colors are black, brown, or grey. Liver or chocolate fur is rarer.
• Temperament: Reserved, quiet, calm, intelligent, affectionate, and trainable.
• Good with: Families and as watch dogs.

Characteristics and traits

The following are characteristics and traits of the Cane Corso:

• They’re brilliant and easy to train.
• They’re active dogs and don’t like staying idle.
• They’re territorial and love to dominate.
• Their drooling habit is medium.
• Have a high prey drive and are an excellent hunting dog.
• Their loyalty to their owners is unquestionable.

Care and grooming

Caring for your Cane Corso is crucial as it minimizes any health risk posed to it due to poor hygiene.

Wash your Cane Corso at least four times a month. Be sure to use lukewarm water and shampoos with a pH of 7 to prevent bleaching of your dogs’ fur.

Regularly clean your dog’s ears at least four times a week. Use a cotton ball dipped in natural oils. Olive or coconut oils are the best to use.

When removing dirt or discharge from your dog’s eyes or nostrils, always use a soft fabric.

Never use detergents to wipe these parts as they may cause irritation and severe allergic reactions to your canine companion.

Trim your dog’s nails at least twice a month. Cut the front part of its claw by using a sterile dog nail trimmer.

Nutrition

Feed your Cane Corso a diet rich in proteins, healthy fats, and ground bone. Ensure that the food you give your canine companion is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Raw feeding is highly recommended, as it gives your dog a healthy coat and vibrant skin.

Avoid feeding your dog foods rich in carbohydrates, as this may cause stomach complications that may be life-threatening to your dog.

You can also add dietary supplements for a more balanced diet.

Health

Although the Cane Corso dog breed is typically healthy, it’s prone to some medical conditions, just like any other dog breed.

The most common conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease, eyelid abnormalities, epileptic conditions, food allergies, and bloating disorders.

Bloating disorders can be life-threatening. If you notice your dog’s belly is somewhat distended, immediately take it to a vet.

Training

Due to its attentive nature and intelligence to grasp training commands fast, the Cane Corso is easily trainable.

At around eight weeks old, a Cane Corso pup can understand some basic commands with ease and ace at doing them.

The following are tips on training your Cane Corso:

• Never skip training.
• Start by giving basic commands.
• Work within its limits.
• Train by using short sessions because your dog may get bored. 10 to 15-minute sessions are best for high performance.
• Remember to give treats if it performs or improves on its training.

History

The Cane Corso’s origins can go back to the Greek people who had colossal dog breeds. Its ancestor is the Molossus, which is now extinct.

These dog breeds are believed to have been exported to Rome, modern-day Italy, during the Roman invasion of Greece.

They played a significant role during the Roman conquest, thus being named conquest dogs.

Historical records have it that buckets containing flaming oil would be strapped around the backs of the Cane Corso, and then they would be left free to infiltrate the enemy’s lines.

However, the Cane Corso had other significant roles such as farming, hunting boars and other prey, livestock herding.

These canine breeds almost went into extinction during the 20th century after Italy revolutionized farming techniques, wars, and invasion conquest had ceased, thus rendering these dogs jobless.

But a team of dog enthusiasts saved this dog species from going into extinction.

The first Cane Corso to be exported to the United States was in 1988. Then, the Cane Corso Federation was created.

By 1996, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognized it, and in 2010, the American Kennel Club recognized the Cane Corso.

Fun facts

The following are fun facts about the Cane Corso dog breed:

• It’s one of the most featured dogs in artworks most notable painting being that of Bartolomeo Pinelli.
• Research has shown that the black-furred breed has a longer life span than the other breeds.
• The total length of this dog’s head is a third of the height of its withers.
• Among the Mastiff breeds, the Cane Corso dog is the lightest.
• The Cane Corso is a Latin word that translates to bodyguard.
• They’re workaholics and like being active.

Conclusion

The Cane Corso is a sizeable Italian dog breed that performs as an excellent guard dog and a prolific hunting dog. They can also be kept as pets, as they’re friendly to their owners.

It’s paramount that you start training your dog at a young age. Ensure that you care and groom this dog breed for a more disease-free state.

Remember that this dog is predisposed to hip dysplasia conditions, eye problems, and heart disease.

Regularly taking them to a certified Vet will go a long way in preventing or slowing down these life-debilitating diseases.

They also need lots of attention, especially when they are pups. If you have a busy life, it’s not the dog for you.

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Featured image courtesy of Canva.