Cane Corso: Faithful Guardian of the Family

The Cane Corso originally descended from the Italian mastiff. In the Roman Empire, dogs were used as fighters against wild animals in the arenas and as loyal helpers in war. In the Middle Ages, it was mainly used for hunting, later also as a guard and herding dog. The courageous four-legged friend protected the house and yard from human and animal intruders. The Cane Corso was recognized as a breed by the FCI in 1996 and, with appropriate training, is now a devoted family dog. You can find this impressive breed of dog with the Italian temperament and strong physique as a protection dog and tracking dog with the police, where its intelligent and active nature is put to good use. In addition, it is still suitable for big game hunting and is a loyal and helpful companion for the hunter. Neapolitan Mastiff, according to the breed portrait, the Cane Corso belongs to FCI Group 2 with Section 2 of the Molossoids.

By nature, the strong Cane Corso has many positive qualities that make it a wonderful companion. His nature is extremely loyal, friendly, fond of children, and playful. He has a pronounced protective and watchful instinct, which, however, must be guided sensitively and consistently. For the affectionate dog, it is natural to resolutely defend its loved ones as well as the house and yard in the event of imminent danger. Outside of its territory, the Cane Corso is reserved or ignorant of strangers. The be-all and end-all of this breed is optimal socialization and training, which ensures that the docile dog can develop and show its positive character traits. Even if the Cane Corso never reacts aggressively for no reason, its strong protective instinct can help to unconditionally defend its family and territory. This is also the reason why it is listed as a dog in many regions. But nothing can upset the relaxed and loving character of the Cane Corso with good guidance.

The Cane Corso should already experience good socialization with the breeder. For you as the owner of an Italian mastiff, it is important to consistently pursue this work. Visiting the puppy lesson and the dog school is recommended so that the dog learns how to deal with conspecifics and the basic commands. Continue the training with patience and the watchful Italian will be a wonderful companion for you. The Cane Corso also needs the opportunity to exercise its natural protective drive and urge to move to pursue. If you don’t employ him as a working dog, you have to keep him busy with long daily walks, jogging rounds together, or with dog sports such as obedience. Tracking is also a good activity to keep Cane Corso’s affectionate nature and to give it a daily task. Due to its stature, the Cane Corso does not belong in a small city apartment, but ideally in a courtyard or in a house with an escape-proof garden. The need to be busy and the protective instinct make the Cane Corso a breed that only belongs in experienced hands. It is not suitable for couch potatoes. Permanent boredom or excessive solitude can increase its protective instinct and lead to undesirable behavioral problems. Hardly any pronounced hunting instinct, which is why obedience and retrieval in the field can be described as reliable with good training.

When dealing with children, Cane Corso is gentle, careful, and patient. He needs a close connection and a close bond to his loved ones and must not be kept in the kennel or outside area. The gentle giant likes to find his place in the family bed and can mutate into a real cuddly dog. Strangers are politely but suspiciously eyed. He has to get used to other animals from an early age and he also takes other pets into his big heart if he was allowed to get to know other animals as a puppy.

The Carne Corso is an athletic and stately dog ​​with a muscular appearance. Males can reach a height of 68 centimeters at the withers with a weight of 50 kilograms. The fur shows different color variations from black and gray to brindle. The grooming of the Cane Corso is undemanding and is limited to occasional brushing. During the change of coat, you also do your dog something good if you free him from old hair and fur residues every day during this time.

The right diet begins as a puppy and should not have a high protein content, especially in large breeds such as the Carne Corso, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, the Great Dane, or Saint Bernard. Otherwise, this will lead to rapid growth and can later lead to problems with the bone structure. Otherwise, the Carne Corso needs a balanced diet that is optimally adapted to its size, activity, and personal needs.

In order to give a loving and healthy dog ​​a new home, you should buy the Cane Corso from a reputable breeder who will give the naturally suspicious dog a lot to take on. Other people, peers, and daily environmental influences should not be new to him, and you must follow the socialization intensely from day one. A contract of sale, food for the first few days as well as the first vaccinations and health check are standard with every good breeder. He is also at your side with all questions long after the purchase and shows genuine interest in the well-being of his protégés.

Peculiarities of the Cane Corso

Like many other large dog breeds, the Cane Corso is prone to joint dysplasia. Heart disease and eye disease can also occur in this normally robust breed. Therefore, when you visit the kennel, let them show you the parents and convince yourself of the health of the dogs.