Cane Corso Dog
Physical characteristics of the Cane Corso
It is a medium-large dog, strongly built but elegant, with powerful and long muscles, very distinguished. It expresses strength, flexibility and resistance. The skull is wide and slightly arched, the stop very marked. The muzzle is very wide and deep: its width must be equal to its length. The lips are rather consistent: seen from the front, the upper ones form an inverted “U” at the commissure and seen from the side, they are moderately pendulous. The eyes are of medium size in relation to the size of the dog, in a subfrontal position, set well apart, as dark as possible in harmony with the color of their coat. The ears are of medium size in relation to the volume of the head and the size of the dog; triangular in shape and inserted high, they are generally cut in the shape of an equilateral triangle. The trunk is compact, robust and very muscular. The limbs are perfectly upright, whether viewed from the side or from the front.
Hair: short but not flush.
Colour: black, lead grey, slate, light grey, light fawn, deer fawn, dark fawn, brindle (stripes on fawn or gray background in different shades).
Height: 62 to 68 cm for the male and 58 to 64 cm for the female
Weight: 44 to 50 kg for the male and 40 to 45 kg for the female
Origins and history
It is the direct descendant of the Roman "Canis pugnax" (Molossus), of which it represents the light version. It was used in big game hunting and as a war auxiliary. For centuries it represented a precious companion for the Italians who used it as a guardian of their property and their herds, in hunting, and for their personal defense. Once widespread throughout the peninsula, as evidenced by numerous engravings and historical accounts, it is still present in southern Italy. Its Italian name “Corso” therefore has nothing to do with Corsica. The origin of this name probably comes from the Latin term "cohors", the Roman cohort of the praetorian guard, thus indicating an ancient function of bodyguard.
Character and Abilities
Intelligent, energetic, and very balanced, he is a very good guard and defense dog. Docile and affectionate with his master, he loves children and their families. He only becomes a formidable defender of people and property when necessary. It is docile and quite easy to train, even if a little stubborn: it, therefore, needs to be entrusted to a resolute and experienced hand. When he is really convinced of the usefulness of his work, he accomplishes it with great commitment.
Character
Affectionate:
The Italian court dog being an excellent guardian, makes him very protective of his social group to which he is particularly attached. Without however showing great signs of affection, the Corso remains a gentle and caring dog, especially with children.
Player:
The Corso dog greatly enjoys spending time with his family and will unflinchingly follow children on their adventures. He will be able to play if his teammates manage to motivate him but remain above all a calm and reserved dog.
Calm:
The character of the Cane Corso makes him a calm dog on a daily basis but can however be very virulent if he perceives danger and will not hesitate to step up to protect his family.
Intelligent:
Endowed with great potential, this dog, otherwise known as Gray Cane Corso, is very intelligent and will be able to analyze a situation quickly and act accordingly. In education, if he sees no interest or coherence, he may appear stubborn and reluctant to cooperate, but this is a sign of remarkable intellectual abilities.
Hunter:
In his home country, this gentle giant was used primarily to guard properties and their occupants, but he could also accompany his masters on a bear or big game hunts. Some masters still use their dogs as a hunter but it is still quite rare.
Fearful/suspicious with strangers:
With a very protective temperament, the Cane Corso is naturally suspicious of strangers since its main role is to be a deterrent. He does not grant his trust easily and will take the time to analyze the behavior of the person he has in front of him to find out whether, yes or no, he represents a danger.
Independent:
The Gray Cane Corso is relatively independent, in the sense that he knows how to keep a property independently and is committed to fulfilling his mission, but he does not appreciate being left alone for long hours.
Moreover, this dog does not need permanent contact with the members of his social group, little inclined to cuddle or at least only at times, he is nonetheless very attached.
Behviour
Supports loneliness:
The Corso is not a dog that will appreciate being alone for long hours. He can also be destructive if he begins to find the time long. It needs to be stimulated daily to maintain its legendary balance.
Easy to train / obedient:
Very intelligent, the Cane Corso dog can be somewhat stubborn if he sees no point in obeying. His masters must therefore offer this big dog a consistent, fair and firm education to obtain results.
Education should be started from an early age to avoid overflow once adult. Its large size requires impeccable control from its masters to guarantee the safety of all.
Barking:
The Cane corso with a calm and balanced character is a dog that does not bark much. He raises his voice only in case of great necessity. This is also very practical on a daily basis since when you hear this dog barking, you know that it is not for nothing.
Runaway:
Very attached to his social group and protective of it, this Italian court dog will never stray and will be keen to always keep an eye on those he must protect.
Destroyer:
This large mastiff has the particularity (like many large dogs) of having a late maturity.
Thus, youthful attitudes, of which destruction may be a part, may persist for a long time. All the more so if the physical and mental spending needs of the Cane Corso are not met.
Greedy / gluttonous:
This gray dog is greedy but without excess. A good education will allow him to know how to wait before devouring his bowl and not to beg at the table.
Guard dog:
Of course, the Cane Corso is THE guardian par excellence, it is also written in its name since it comes from the Latin “cohors” which means “protector, guardian of the farms”!
This Italian mastiff has the protection of his family in his blood and will not hesitate for a second to defend them if he senses that danger is lurking.
First dog:
His impressive size and his sometimes disarming intelligence make this big molosser a dog not recommended for novices.
Experienced masters will be needed to educate this doggie, control it and respond intelligently to its many needs.
Living conditions
He can live quietly in an apartment or in a garden. Indoors, the Cane Corso is a very clean dog that does not shed, does not drool (unlike most Molossians), and only barks when necessary.
Cane Corso is an apartment:
Even if an outdoor life suited the Corso perfectly, he will be able to acclimatize completely to city life and in an apartment, as long as his spending needs are respected and met by his masters.
However, whether this dog lives in an apartment or in a house with a garden, he will have to go out every day, for a minimum of 30 minutes per walk.
Need for exercise/athletic:
This dog needs to serve, so he needs daily physical and mental exercise to maintain his balance.
Very much in demand for activities with his master, especially during the first years of his life, he will need to exteriorize and channel his energy through activities such as long walks in the forest, tracking, agility, etc.
Be careful, however, to respect his growth and good development by adapting the activities to his physical condition.
Travel / Ease of transport:
Obviously, its large size does not allow this mastiff to be able to travel everywhere easily.
On a train, for example, it will be a question of buying several seats so that he has his place without disturbing the other passengers.
The car, especially for long trips, will need enough space to be comfortable. The entire trunk will therefore have to be dedicated to the dog, which in some cases can be a problem.
Grooming and maintenance
Very easy to maintain thanks to its short hair, the Corso dog will not be a dog to groom regularly. Simple weekly brushing is enough to maintain the shine and beauty of his coat.
You will also need to monitor/clean your ears and eyes regularly.
Hair loss:
This Italian molosser loses little hair except during the annual molting periods, in autumn and spring.
Compatibility
The Cane Corso and the Cats:
If this mastiff grows up with a cat, he will be able to tolerate its presence without difficulty. However, this does not mean that he will get along with all cats.
It is, therefore, necessary to remain vigilant, in particular, because of the difference in size between the Corso and a cat.
The Cane Corso and other dogs:
If socialization is offered intelligently and early to the Cane Corso puppy, he will be able to get along with other dogs.
Nevertheless, it is true that the male Cane Corso has a much less sociable character than the female Cane Corso and can quickly come into conflict.
Of course, there are exceptions, and qualitative socialization coupled with a good education will allow for more serene encounters.
Also, pay attention to the difference in size with certain breeds!
The Cane Corso and the Children:
He is very gentle and attentive towards the children he knows well. However, the Corso dog remains a sensitive dog despite its imposing size and could quickly be intimidated, especially with unfamiliar children.
Safety rules will have to be put in place and great vigilance will be essential.
The Cane Corso and the Elderly:
Just like novices, so-called “fragile” people will not be the perfect masters for this Italian court dog.
His impressive size, his strength, his power, and his need for exercise are not compatible with sedentary elderly people.
Health
It is a strong and robust dog without particular problems. Some Cane Corsos are prone to cox-femoral dysplasia, which must therefore be monitored.
Resistant / robust:
Like many large dogs, the adult Cane Corso is a dog that is both robust and sensitive. In addition, its thin undercoat does not give it sufficient protection against certain extreme climates.
Withstands heat:
The Cane Corso dog can suffer from extreme heat but appropriate hydration allows him to stay in shape.
Tolerates the cold:
This dog tolerates the cold but its light undercoat does not allow it to withstand very freezing temperatures.
Tendency to gain weight:
If he receives a quality diet, does not eat between meals, and exercises regularly, there is no reason for this mastiff to become obese.
Beware, however, of dogs who do not exert themselves enough!
Common illnesses:
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Dysplasia
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Stomach dilation/torsion syndrome
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Epilepsy
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Joint problems
Good to know: Many dogs with droopy eyes (Cane Corso, Bulldog, etc.) have problems with the Harder's gland, which is a tear gland, during their growth. This gland can be brought out and inflamed since it will come to develop faster than the head of the young dog. Veterinary intervention is then necessary but remains quite common.
Where To buy Your Cane Corso Dog
The price of a Cane Corso dog varies according to its origins, age, and sex. It is necessary to count on average RS.85,000 for a dog registered with the LOF. The highest lines can be sold for up to RS. 1,00,000
Regarding the average monthly budget, count on average RS.8000 per month to meet the needs of this great Italian mastiff by favoring quality food and keeping it in good health.
Average life expectancy: about 10 years
