All About the Cane Corso Breed's Look and Personality

At first glance, Cane Corso dogs can seem standoffish and even intimidating with their large, muscular frame and cool look. However, the Cane Corso is affectionate, bond deeply with their loved ones and gladly act as the loving protector of the household. 

Keep reading to learn more about the impressive and intelligent Cane Corso, care recommendations, their behavioral traits, and much more. 

What are Cane Corso Dogs? 

Cane Corso dogs, also known as The Italian Mastiff,  are the offspring of ancient war dogs and the Neapolitan Mastiff. 

With a heritage like that, it’s no surprise that the Cane Corso is a fearless dog well-suited to work as a bodyguard, war dog, and other heavy-duty civilian jobs like guarding henhouses, driving livestock, and hunting massive wild boars. 

Cane Corso Physical Traits

It’s hard to miss a Cane Corso with their stocky, large build and alert expression. Some say that Cane Corso dogs have an almost intimidating look, but if you look closely, you’ll find that the Cane Corso breed is eager to please and fiercely loyal to their loved ones. 

Cane Corso dogs have massive heads and pronounced muscles which calls back to their breeding for bodyguard and security work. Their coats are short but thick and coarse, protecting them from the rain and cold temperatures. 

The Cane Corso can have a black or gray mask with coats in various colors, including gray, black, fawn, red, black brindle, and gray. 

Male Cane Corso dogs stand at 25 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder, while females stand at 23.5 to 26 inches at the shoulder. Their weight is proportional to their height, and many Cane Corsos weigh over 100 pounds! 

The Cane Corso has a life expectancy of nine to 12 years. 

Cane Corso Behavioral Traits

Early socialization and obedience training are critical for any dog, but this becomes doubly important when your dog is over 100 pounds with a knack for guarding their loved ones. 

Pet parents must realize this dog breed is known for being assertive, willful, and stubborn. Due to the breed’s history as a protector, they can be wary of strangers and are naturally very vigilant. These traits make it challenging for the Cane Corso to be around strangers or other pets if they are not properly socialized and trained from a young age. 

Obedience training is especially important because your Cane Corso needs to know you are in charge. When properly trained, the Cane Corso is known to be affectionate and docile with children, an endearing trait that many pet parents love. 

Cane Corso Health Issues 

Like many large dog breeds, the Cane Corso is more prone to hip dysplasia, which occurs when the hip joint forms abnormally, often due to large growth spurts during puppyhood. Unfortunately, hip dysplasia can cause lameness and is often joined by osteoarthritis, leading to additional discomfort and stiffness. 

Another common concern in large dogs like the Cane Corso is bloat, a condition where the stomach suddenly fills with air, leading to large amounts of pressure which block blood from returning to the heart. Veterinarians are unsure why bloat occurs, but it is much more common in large and giant dog breeds. 

According to the American Kennel Club, bloat is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. If your Cane Corso suddenly experiences common bloat symptoms like an enlarged abdomen, restlessness, salivation, retching, and pain when you press on their belly, immediately contact their veterinarian or take them to the nearest animal hospital. 

Cane Corso Care

Before adopting a Cane Corso, it's important to understand the necessary care they require in order to live happy and long lives. 

Grooming Recommendations

The Cane Corso has a short coat with few grooming needs and minimal shedding. 

Most Cane Corso dogs will need to be brushed once or twice a month and have their nails trimmed whenever they become too long. 

Otherwise, the only thing most Cane Corso parents need to worry about is the ample drool! 

Health Recommendations

Bloat is a serious health concern for the Cane Corso and other large dogs. While veterinarians don’t know how to prevent it, it has been found that dogs fed once a day were twice as likely to bloat compared to dogs fed twice daily. 

Fast eaters are also at a higher risk of bloat, so addressing fast eating habits by using a slow feeder bowl or minimizing anxiety during feeding times may help reduce your dog’s risk. 

Another important health recommendation for the Cane Corso is weight management. According to the Veterinary Centers of America, large-breed puppies are at a higher risk of hip dysplasia. When puppies are fed as much as they want, they often overeat, leading to hip dysplasia development two-thirds of the time. Overweight puppies have also been shown to be twice as likely to develop hip dysplasia. 

While we can’t help the genetic component of hip dysplasia, Cane Corso parents should carefully measure their pup’s food and monitor their weight to reduce their risk of developing hip dysplasia or having a more severe form of it. 

Exercise Recommendations

The Cane Corso is a working breed, meaning they thrive when they have a job. If you don’t provide your pup with plenty of stimulation and exercise, don’t be surprised when you find your shoes or throw pillows chewed up! 

Instead, channel their energy and high intelligence into playtime and other activities, like playing with your children, greeting people at the door, and keeping your other dogs active. 

Two long daily walks at a brisk or jogging pace are typically sufficient paired with mental stimulation throughout the day to meet the Cane Corso’s exercise needs. 

Cane Corso Nutrition

The Cane Corso is a powerful, active dog that needs a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet to support their muscular body. However, you must strike a balance and avoid overfeeding your Cane Corso to reduce their risk of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. 

The easy solution? Sundays gently air-dried food. Sundays food is made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients packed with flavor. Your Cane Corso is sure to love the taste, and you’ll love the simplicity of feeding your pup a healthier and tastier alternative to kibble that is just as easy to serve. Our feeding calculator is another handy tool for estimating how much you should feed your Cane Corso to support their needs while avoiding unnecessary calories.