Cane Corso – description, standard, breed features

It’s hard to believe that such a beautiful breed as the Cane Corso received official status only about two decades ago. Now this breed is the national pride of Italy. The history of the Cane Corso is rooted in the distant past, there was a time when this type of dog was almost extinct, but then it was revived again.

If you want to have a loyal friend, guardian, companion, and have experience with guard dogs, buy a Cane Corso puppy. With proper care, upbringing, and training, it will grow into an obedient and faithful dog that is not afraid to be entrusted even with a child.

History of the breed

The Cane Corso is a truly legendary breed, as it is a direct descendant of Roman fighting dogs. It belongs to the Mastiff type and is a “cousin” to the Neapolitan Mastiff. Many dog breeders believe that the breed arose naturally, but with the help of human intervention. We can say that people intervened in the process at a certain stage of development and directed it in the right direction. Cane corso has changed little over 2000 years. Both externally and internally.

Nobility, loyalty and fearlessness are inherent in them, just like their famous ancestors, although in the Middle Ages the breed was mainly used not in war, but in hunting and farming. They were used to hunt big game, mainly wild boar, as a guard when taking cattle to market, and as a watchman for their homes. In other words, medieval Italians used dogs that had lived in the country for centuries. This continued until the outbreak of the war with the Nazis. During the years of battles with the German invaders, the Cane Corso population declined significantly. After the war, the breed was on the verge of extinction. At that time, Italian dogs could rarely be seen even on farmland. Experienced breeders managed to restore the breed and increase the number of its representatives, who noticed in time that the Cane Corso was threatened with extinction. Their revival began with a few surviving purebreds.

Dogs crossed with each other, often freely, but the Cane Corso breed began to develop under serious, professional human control only in the 1970s, when agricultural mechanization and the reduction of farmland in Italy led to a sharp decline in the number of these dogs. At that time, breeders made efforts to save the Cane Corso from complete extinction, and they also began to maintain a single breed standard.

In 1983, the breed enthusiasts created a community of owners – “Amatori Cane Corso”, which was engaged in standardization and support of the breed. The Cane Corso was officially recognized in 1996, which is actually somewhat surprising given the deep historical roots of these dogs.

The word “canis” in Latin means dog, and the word “corso” is most likely a derivative of “cohors”, which means “guardian”, but it can also come from the old Italian word “corsus”, which means “strong” or “reliable”.

Breed description

This gladiatorial, strong, majestic fighting dog is the 14th breed bred in Italy, where dogs are loved. One Italian owner can have from 1 to 5 four-legged friends for a walk. By their nature, the strongmen resemble the inhabitants of the country: lively and open. They are guardians, famous for their loyalty and courage.

Interesting fact – Watchdogs have official jobs in some countries. Tails are used as guards not only for people but also for guarding expensive stores, such as jewelry stores.

Features of the breed

From birth, the Gladiator performs the function of guarding the territory and its family. It is good not only to the cat family but even to birds. His endurance and self-control are impressive. When confronted with ill-wishers or family enemies, the Italian will show that he is in control of the situation and that no boundaries should be crossed. The attack occurs when the appropriate command is received or in a situation that threatens someone’s life.

It’s amazing how well the soldier guards get along with children. You can be calm about the younger members of the family, they will never be in danger from the outside if the corso is around! This applies not only to the children of the owners, but also to strangers.

It’s so funny to watch children and their “little friends” play: the former try to catch their “victim” for hairstyles, dental treatment or dressing in different clothes, while the latter try to run away, hide, and if they fail, they humbly wait for the children’s “experiments” to be completed.

But in games, a giant may not intentionally knock a child down. Knowing this, give your pet a stop command, and the animal will follow it immediately and unconditionally. To achieve this result, of course, you need to take an obedience course. And you can’t leave a strongman fighter without professional training. Such a friend will never let you down and will be there every minute. One of the main feelings of giant owners is a sense of security, as if you are being protected by a guard who only accepts payment in bones and other goodies.

Distinctive features

These “tails” are also known as the “Italian Mastiff”. The difference from other canines is in the intimidating appearance created by the muscular body relief.

The Cane Corso breed is a large, massive, muscular, and well-coordinated dog with an athlete’s physique. The dog has a broad head and short muzzle, with a black nose and strong jaws. The chest is wide, clearly expressed, as is the abdominal cavity, limbs of medium length, with good muscle definition.

May have a small spot on the chest or legs

The size of the “unusual ears” should not scare you – this breed was bred for combat and hunting needs.

• Head. The large head has a broad, square shape without folds. The muzzle is proportional to the skull in a ratio of 1:2. The black nose has wide nostrils.
• Jaws. 42 white, strong teeth are located behind tight, unbent lips. The jaw is slightly curved, and the lower part of it “sticks out” slightly.
• Ears. The wide arrangement of the ears and their large size do not prevent their owner from looking like a real storm in the neighborhood. The ears have a smooth, shiny coat. The shape of the ears tapers toward the ends, and they hang down to th muzzle. If the owners are dissatisfied with the pet’s appearance, they have the ears shaved to achieve an isosceles triangle shape.
• Eyes. Widely spaced, oval, they can have different pigment, depending on the color of the dog. The eyelids are black.
• Body. The body is longer than the height at the withers, but strong, muscular. The croup is located below the withers, long and wide. The chest is located at the level of the elbows. The ribs are convex in moderation, the back is straight.
• Paws. Limbs straight, short. The front ones are longer than the hind ones. The shoulder blades are inclined and well developed. The shoulders and forearms are strong, the heels and wrists are flexible. The limbs are cat-like with soft pads. The paws are oval, with fingers “in a bunch”. This structure helps to walk wide.
• Coat. Thick-skinned guards have a thick, short, shiny hair coat but a sparse undercoat. It is important to carefully examine the coat when choosing a pet. If the hairs are medium, wavy, and without stiffness, this is a bad sign. The color is black, tiger, gray, red, or chocolate. White spots are possible only on the chest, nose, and paw tips.

Character.

The Cane Corso breed has a noble, balanced character and does not waste time on trifles. These dogs retain the pride and strength of their great ancestors, which is evident at first sight. The Cane Corso breed is exceptionally devoted to its family, and if you are looking for a family companion that combines all the best qualities of a strong and intelligent dog, this is the one for you.

For the most part, Cane Corso dogs are characterized by obedience, loyalty, high intelligence, and a gentle, kind disposition. They are cold-blooded, and can remain calm even if another dog tries to make them angry, but if it comes to a fight, the Cane Corso will fight to the last and will not retreat even in the face of a superior opponent. Their kindness and friendliness are directed primarily toward their family, or toward the owner if the pet lives with one person.

Strangers, friends of the owners are of little interest to them, so to speak, “insofar as”. Sometimes it may even seem that it does not notice other people and animals until they come close – then the dog notices the presence of an alien being, and makes sure that this same being does not even think about harming people close to it.

Thanks to the vast past and the comprehensive experience that is embedded in its genes, the breed can perform a variety of functions. It all depends on what the owner needs. A Cane Corso can be a protector, a guard, help in hunting, or just be a good friend. In any case, the dog will show itself to the best of its ability.

But we should not forget that this is an animal with great inner strength, and therefore, it will test the strength of the owner’s character. So to speak, it will explore the limits of what is permissible. Therefore, the Cane Corso is not recommended for inexperienced and indecisive owners, because the owner must sometimes be able to firmly put himself in a position of leadership. They treat children with kindness, without aggression.

Cane Corsos need early socialization, acquaintance with other people and animals to broaden their horizons; it is also better to introduce them to cats at an early age. They have a fairly high level of energy, love walks, active games, and exercise. Without activity, without occupation and loving people around, a dog quickly begins to grow languid, its temper deteriorates, it may stop eating normally or, on the contrary, turn into a glutton, literally “eating away” its longing, just like humans.

The character of such dogs is also characterized by:

• playfulness
• quick inclusion in games
• calmness
• measuredness
• good-naturedness
• defense of the territory.

Cane Corso breed standard

The Cane Corso belongs to large breeds with well-developed muscles. The weight of adults is 40-50 kg, height at the withers is 60-68 cm. Dogs are noticeably larger than bitches. A characteristic feature of the breed is that the length of the slightly sloping body exceeds the height at the withers.
A broad, large head with a protruding forehead rests on a powerful neck. The ears are triangular in shape and hanging down.

In many cases, the ears are floppy. The width of the muzzle exceeds the length. The jaws are powerful, with a light bite. The nose is black with large nostrils. The eyes are slightly convex, dark. According to the standard, a lighter eye color is allowed, which corresponds to the color. The shape is oval, the gaze is attentive, studying.

The chest is well developed, the body is powerful. Forelimbs with well-developed muscles, long, powerful shoulders. Hind limbs with a dry shin and long thigh. The skin is dense.

The tail is thick, high set. It stops after the fourth vertebra. If the dog is alert, excited, he raises it. According to the standard, it is unacceptable for the tail to curl or be in a vertical position.

Possible defects

If the longitudinal axes of the muzzle and skull, as well as the lateral surfaces of the muzzle, converge, this is considered a serious defect. This also includes parallel longitudinal axes of the muzzle and skull.

The defects that spoil the breed include, in particular, shorter or taller than normal height, partial nose depigmentation, movements that constantly turn into a lurch, a scissor bite, a curled up or upright tail, and a bite with a significant waste.

Disqualifying defects

Does your pet show aggression? This is a serious defect that will result in disqualification. The same verdict will be given to a timid or outright cowardly animal.

In general, any Italian Mastiff with behavioral or physiological abnormalities that are very clearly expressed should be disqualified. These also include an underbite, the so-called ram’s nose, a sunken nose, strabismus, a sore eye, fragmentary or complete depigmentation of the eyelids, long or soft hair, with unacceptable color and large white spots.

A sign of Cane Corso’s health is the dog’s developed testicles. There are two of them, and they should be completely lowered into the scrotum.

Cane Corso puppies

Selling Corso puppies is a procedure that has its own peculiarities. Puppies should have their future destiny indicated (no matter how strange it may sound): will they play the role of a woman in labor, a star of shows, a ring, or will they decorate the life of their lucky owner.

How to choose a puppy

Before making such a serious purchase, you should carefully consider this decision. Be sure to learn everything about your future pet, its life, habits, etc. It is worth visiting exhibitions and looking at it from the outside.

Be sure to take a closer look at the mother’s appearance and behavior. For whatever purpose you are buying a puppy, do not buy it from a second-hand dealer, but from a breeder or kennel. This will allow you to be calm about the purity of the breed, the physical and mental health of the pet. The baby should be well-fed and very active. Ask the breeder about the personality of the puppy you have chosen, and ask him to emphasize the peculiarities of his behavior. When buying, you must be given a veterinary passport.

A healthy puppy with a deviation from the standard (pet class) can be purchased for $700-900. A breed-class puppy (breeding use) costs from 900 to 1300 dollars. And a show-class representative, that is, a puppy with the makings of a champion for participation in exhibitions, will be sold to you for $1300-2000.

Mating (breeding) of the Cane Corso

At 8 months of age, the bitch begins her first heat, which marks puberty.

The first estrus without ovulation (this happens) is called “empty heat”. Its appearance occurs both at 8 months and at a later period after a year. The first estrus in females lasts an average of 3-4 weeks, but the duration of estrus can be individual.

In some dog clubs, there is a rule: females of large “tails” should not participate in mating before the age of 18 months.

The right choice of a dog depends on several criteria. The dog must be taller than the bitch in appearance, prepotent, and of the same type as the bitch. Mating is carried out on the 10th or 12th day of estrus with its repetition in a day.

It is mandatory to prepare documents for obtaining puppy metrics in the future: a completed mating certificate, copies of parental pedigrees, original diplomas, copies of title diplomas.

The duration of the puppy period is 8-9 weeks or 2 months. The greater the number of puppies in the womb, the shorter the gestation period. At 7 weeks, the belly is very noticeable, and the mammary glands are enlarged. Milk appears at 8 weeks.

After 2 months from the beginning of pregnancy, the dog begins to fuss – a clear sign of impending childbirth. The duration of the contractions reaches 6 hours. Then small puppies are born. The process should be guided by a veterinarian or dog handler, so we recommend that you enlist his or her support, either by phone or in person.

Upkeep and care

It is not difficult to keep and care for a greyhound. But if you do not follow the usual rules, the dog will not feel comfortable, will not be able to develop fully, and will get sick.

To begin with, the Cane Corso breed is originally from Italy and is not suitable for keeping in the yard during severe winter frosts. If you do keep such a dog in an enclosure, provide it with a warm kennel. Puppies should not be kept indoors without heating at all. It should also be remembered that Corsis need to communicate, and if they are kept in an enclosure, they should be allowed to go for walks, play, and often communicate with them.

Gone are the days when Corsis guarded the property of Italian farmers and were kept only outside. Nowadays, these dogs get along well in apartments. With proper training, they behave calmly and do not cause problems. But if you deprive them of the opportunity to release their pent-up energy, they will start to get naughty, trying out pieces of furniture, interior, shoes, etc.

If such a dog gets bored, if left alone for a long time, it can even gnaw through the front door. That is why daily long walks are so important, during which the dog should have the opportunity to run, jump, play with the owner and other dogs.

Having settled a puppy in the house, be prepared that at first it will whine at night, missing its mother. If you warm it up in your bed even once, it will be very difficult to evict it from your apartment. The pet quickly appropriates its territory and begins to consider the owner’s bedroom its own. Therefore, it is so important from the first day to determine a place for the puppy with a bed on which it will sleep and rest. This place should not be in the backyard of the house, not in a draft, not near heating appliances. Also, immediately install bowls for food and water in a certain place.

It is important to carry out all hygiene procedures on time and correctly:

• Comb the coat once a week with a stiff brush, and 2-3 times a week during the shedding season.
• If necessary, treat for fleas and ticks. Due to the lack of an undercoat, parasites can cause the dog a lot of suffering and even lead to diseases.
• Bathe 1-2 times a year or when heavily soiled. Given that the Cane Corso loves natural reservoirs, in the warm season, give your pet the opportunity to splash in a lake or river.
• Regularly inspect and clean the ears, if they are docked, they get dirty faster than hanging ones. The owner must take this fact into account. During the procedure, use pieces of soft cloth or gauze soaked in a special liquid purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.
• Wipe the eyes with cotton swabs. Make sure that there is no excessive discharge. If you notice inflammation or excessive discharge, contact a veterinarian.
• Trim the claws as they grow.

For a large guard dog, a high protein content in the diet is vital. A puppy will not turn into a large, active dog on one meal. Without meat products, the Cane Corso will not be able to fully develop. But not everything from this category can be fed.

For example, fatty meats, such as pork, are undesirable. Beef is better. If you give raw meat, it must first be frozen to eliminate infection with internal parasites. You cannot feed the dog smoked meat, tubular, small bones. If you give bones, they should be large, then they will be beneficial. Tripe and offal are also useful for the pet’s body. In general, protein products should occupy about 70% of the entire diet.

In addition to meat, the Cane Corso menu must include vegetables, fruits, cereal cereals, low-fat dairy products. Sweets, river fish, products with spices, legumes are prohibited. In general, all foods that cause bloating are very dangerous for Corsas, as bloating can be fatal in a very short time.

The following rules must be followed:

1. Adult dogs should be fed 2 times a day.
2. Change the food gradually so that the animal’s stomach reacts normally to changes in food.
3. The food should be of high quality, whether it is natural products or dry food.
4. Feed at the same time.
5. Do not leave leftover food in the bowl.
6. Do not overfeed to avoid obesity.
7. The diet should be balanced.
8. Provide the necessary amount of vitamin and mineral supplements.
9. Clean, fresh, cool water should always be available to the pet.

Recommended diet for mastiffs:

1. lean meat
2. sea fish
3. offal
4. porridge (except millet, pearl barley)
5. low-fat broths and soups
6. beetroot, carrots, zucchini
7. kefir, cheese
8. sunflower, olive, salmon oil

It is forbidden to offer:

1. fatty;
2. salty;
3. floury;
4. sweet;
5. smoked;
6. pickled.

Health cane corso

On average, Cane Corso dogs live up to 11 years. Cane Corso is a very healthy breed, and owners of these dogs rarely go to the vet. But some problems still occur:

• Hip dysplasia is a hereditary pathology.
• Elbow dysplasia is a developmental disorder of the joint structures.
• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Entropion is characterized by the incorrect position of the eyelids (upper, lower or both). This disease is also called eyelid torsion.
• Eyelid eversion is a pathology in which the conjunctival surface of the eyelid is turned outward. If left untreated, blindness may occur.
• Gastric distension is a dangerous condition that can lead to death within just a few hours.
• Epilepsy develops after stress, but this is not the only cause of the disease. Purebred animals, including Corsas, are particularly prone to the disease.
• The health of a dog depends entirely on nutrition and maintenance, in other words, on the owner. The owner must carry out timely vaccinations and preventive examinations, X-rays. At the first signs of illness, immediately consult a veterinarian, excluding self-medication.

Pros and cons of the breed

It is important to realistically assess your capabilities and strengths before buying a Cane Corso puppy, so that later the dog does not suffer and does not cause problems for the owner. This breed is not for beginners and not for weak-willed people. Its representatives have their advantages and disadvantages:

Pros of the Cane Corso breed:

• Loyalty.
• Good nature, balance.
• Excellent guarding, watchdog qualities.
• Intelligence, learning abilities.
• A gentle, caring attitude towards children.
• A good attitude towards other pets, a desire to take them under their care.
• Easy care and maintenance.

Disadvantages:

• Long molting period.
• Excessive drooling.
• Expensive food.
• Intolerance to cold, keeping in an aviary is not recommended.
• Need for long walks, during which active games are required.
• Joint problems.

All the above disadvantages will not discourage lovers of powerful and at the same time affectionate dogs from purchasing a purebred puppy of the Italian Cane Corso breed. With proper upbringing, he will grow into a dog capable of giving warmth and tenderness to his owner, and in a dangerous situation, saving his life.