Cane Corso

You’ll never get bored with a Cane Corso around—you simply won’t have time for it. The training, socialization and exercise needs of this breed will keep you busy throughout their whole life. This is a working breed who was bred to be a guard dog. With members of their own household, Corsos can be affectionate companions, but that’s about as far as the Cane Corso’s friendliness goes. These are sensitive, serious and intensely loyal dogs. They’re naturally alert to new people coming to the house and may show aggression toward strangers—both two- and four-legged—if not properly trained and socialized.

Properly trained and socialized Cane Corsos will be calm and confident. They should ignore strangers and animals who pose no threat to themselves or their people, saving their aggression for legit threats. Thankfully, their high intelligence makes it easy to teach them the difference.

MORE: Aggression and The Cane Corso

Cane Corsos are low maintenance in the grooming department, which balances being fairly high maintenance where exercise and training are concerned. These aren’t apartment dogs. Their large size requires room to spread out, and their energy and intensity need plenty of fenced-in space for exercise and what they do best—patrolling and protecting their home and their people.

Cane Corsos have a life expectancy of 9 to 12 years, but they’re also prone to some health issues that can limit their lifespan and mobility. It’s good to know what those potential health problems are in advance, so you can keep them healthier, longer.

• Obesity: It’s important to maintain a healthy weight for all dogs, but with the already massive size of the Cane Corso, carrying extra weight will put added strain on the joints, leading to joint pain and mobility issues as they age. A proper diet that includes joint supplements and doesn’t overdo the calories is crucial, as is daily exercise.
• Hip Dysplasia: A skeletal condition common to large-breed dogs, hip dysplasia causes the hip joints to deteriorate with age. It’s a painful condition that can severely impact your Corso’s ability to get around and affect their overall quality of life. Although good breeders screen for this condition, even the best breeders can’t completely guarantee your dog won’t develop it. This is why large-breed puppy dog food and proper joint care are a must for this breed.
• Bloat: The large, deep chests of the Cane Corso make them susceptible to bloat, which can trigger gastric dilatation and volvulus, or GDV, a potentially deadly condition where the stomach rotates and twists on itself. Feeding two or three smaller meals throughout the day and using a slow feeder bowl, which forces your dog to eat only a few pieces of food at a time, will help prevent this condition. It’s also important not to exercise your dog within an hour of eating, either before or after meals.
• Idiopathic Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that typically starts around 3 years of age. While it can be managed with medication, there’s no cure for this condition. That said, dogs with this condition can still lead a long and happy life. Idiopathic is a medical term for “no known cause,” but this condition is usually hereditary. This is another condition that should be screened out of the breeding line by a professional breeder.
• Eye Problems: Cane Corsos tend to be prone to a few eye problems, mostly pertaining to the eyelid. These include both entropion, in which the eyelid folds inward, and its opposite, ectropion, causing the lower lid to fold outward. Another common eyelid problem is cherry eye, when the pink, fleshy part of the corner of the eye becomes swollen and bulges outward. Eye infections like conjunctivitis also commonly affect Cane Corsos, causing red eye and irritation.
• Demodectic Mange: This skin condition is caused by mites typically passed to puppies from their mother. It can cause hair loss and red or scaly skin. Pups who develop this type of mange usually have a genetic predisposition, but again, a good breeder who knows what they’re doing should screen for this condition. (You can find a quality breeder through Cane Corso breed clubs.)

The Cane Corso traces its origin back thousands of years to a group of working breeds called mollosers, after an ancient Greek tribe known as the Molossi, who bred these big, Mastiff-type dogs to be guardians. After the Roman conquest and occupation of the Greek islands, the Romans brought these dogs back to Italy, where they bred them with native breeds, producing the ancestors of today’s Cane Corso and Neopolitan Mastiff dog breeds. The Romans originally used the Cane Corso as “pireferi,” which you might call some of the first military service dogs. In Roman warfare, these dogs carried flaming buckets of oil on their backs as they were sicced on enemy soldiers.

After the Roman Empire dissolved in the 5th century, this Italian breed was given somewhat less exciting jobs hunting wild boar, herding livestock and guarding farms. They fulfilled these roles across Italy until the mid-20th century, when two world wars, economic downturns, and corporate farming practices rendered this breed virtually extinct.

Fortunately, some surviving Cane Corsos were discovered in the 1970s, and a group of Italian dog fanciers set out to revive the breed. In 1983, the Society Amorati Cane Corso (Society of Cane Corso Lovers) was created, and by the 1990s, Corsos were making waves at dog shows across Europe. This breed made its way to the US in the late 1980s when Michael Sottile imported a litter from Italy. A few years later, the International Cane Corso Association was formed, and in 2010 the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. Today, the breed standard is primarily governed by the Cane Corso Association of America.

Looking to make a Cane Corso part of your family? With more than 140 AKC-registered Cane Corso breeders, prices for pups typically range between about $1,800 to $3,000, although they can go higher. You may want to consider adopting the breed through a Cane Corso rescue, such as Cane Corso Rescue, Inc., or by keeping an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter.

Cane Corsos are loyal and protective guardians who can be sweet and loving pets. They need consistent socialization and training throughout their lives to bring out their calm, affectionate side. But the added security of having a Cane Corso on your home team is worth the extra work. This is a serious dog best suited for serious dog lovers who are experienced and willing to commit a lot of time and energy to provide training, mental stimulation and exercise to their giant pup.