Dog Breeds

Cane Corso: Complete Guide to the Italian Mastiff

admin • 22 Jun 2023

Imposing, partner and Giant! The Italian mastiff, Cane Corso, is one of the most popular dog breeds for its majestic appearance and loyal personality. Today, we're going to explore the main characteristics of this breed, it’s fascinating history and what makes these dogs so special as companions and protectors.

Origin

Cane Cors o has its roots in the ancient history of Italy. According to the American Kennel Club, they would be descendants of the Roman war dogs known as canis pugnacious. During the Macedonian wars, Roman troops brought these dogs back to Italy, where they began to breed two distinct lineages: the lighter Cane Corso and the Neapolitan. It was during these times that the Cane Corso demonstrated its unwavering courage in aiding soldiers in their battles against the Empire's enemies.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Cane Corso played other roles in society, such as guards, hunters and agricultural workers until it reached the brink of extinction. As AKC points out, it is not known for sure what caused the breed to disappear over the centuries, but changes in agricultural practices in the 19th and early 20th centuries caused them to become relatively obsolete for work in the field and were slowly falling into oblivion.

However, in the 70's, thanks to the love and dedication of a group of Italians, the Cane Corso was rescued from possible disappearance and has since recovered its position as a valuable breed in Italy and around the world!

Physical characteristics

The Cane Corso is a large dog with a robust, muscular, and athletic build. He has oval-shaped, expressive eyes, usually dark in color, and triangular ears, which are naturally droopy.

The Cane Corso's jaw is powerful, being considered the dog with the second most powerful bite in the world! Its coat is short and dense, usually between black, gray, fawn and brindle, and may have white spots on the chest and paws.

In terms of size, males usually have a height of between 64 and 68 centimeters, with a weight ranging from 45 to 50 kilograms. Females are slightly smaller and lighter. Although these measurements vary, the Cane Corso always exhibits a solid and impressive physical structure.

Personality

First, it's important to remember that breed does not determine a dog's personality, as the study by the University of Massachusetts points out. So, big physique and imposing appearance doesn't necessarily mean you need to be wary of this big guy.

On the contrary, Cane Corso dogs are known for being great companions, with a cool, calm and friendly spirit. They have a strong bond with their guardians and are known to be extremely devoted to their family. These dogs have a natural protective instinct and are always on the alert to protect those they love.

Despite its imposing appearance, the Cane Corso is generally calm and level-headed. They tend to be quiet dogs around the house as long as they are given the proper amount of physical and mental exercise .

Health and care

Proper health and care are key to ensuring a healthy and happy life for your Cane Corso.

Regarding its diet, the Cane Corso needs a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain its health. It is recommended to offer high quality food suitable for large dogs. Being an active and athletic breed, she needs regular exercise to stay healthy and avoid boredom. Thus, daily walks, games and activities that stimulate both the body and the mind are very important.

Its short, easy-care coat only requires regular brushing to remove dead hair and maintain healthy skin. In addition, cleaning the ears and teeth should be part of the care routine to prevent dirt accumulation and tartar formation.

As with many large breeds, the Cane Corso can be susceptible to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion and eye problems. Thus, it is essential that the big guy has a regular check-up routine with a trusted veterinarian.

Curiosities

1 – The breed is considered the one with the 2nd most powerful bite in the world. Its incredibly strong jaw musculature is capable of crushing objects at 700 PSI, second only to the Kangal dog with 743 PSI.

2 – In many countries, there is still the practice of cutting the ears of dogs of the Cane Corso breed for aesthetic purposes. However, this practice has been prohibited in Pak since 2008.