Dog Breed Guide

Cane Corso

Profile

Size

Large

Country of origin

Italy

Origin

Ancient

Bred for

Watchdog, Guard dog, Hunting

Height

male 64 - 68cm (25 - 27in), female 60 - 64cm (24 - 25in)

Weight

male 45 - 50kg (99 - 110lb), female 40 - 45kg (88 - 99lb)

Life span

9 - 12 years

A large, powerfully muscled dog with a broad head. Among the mastiff breeds it has a lean, athletic build and moves with an agility you would not expect from its size. The short, stiff coat comes in black, gray, fawn, red and brindle.

The Cane Corso is deeply loving and loyal to its family and usually stays calmly close to them. It is also highly protective and does not warm to strangers easily. It is intelligent and learns quickly, but it is strong and strong-willed, so consistent training from an experienced owner and early socialization are essential.

It needs plenty of exercise and a good workout every day. It is somewhat sensitive to heat, and hip dysplasia, common in large breeds, is a concern.

Good to know

There are several theories about the name, but the most widely accepted is that it combines the Latin "canis" (dog) and "cohors" (guard), meaning "guardian dog." Thought to descend from the war dogs of ancient Rome, it served from the Middle Ages onward as an all-purpose worker on the farms of southern Italy, guarding livestock, hunting wild boar and protecting the farm.

Mechanized farming and war brought it close to extinction by the mid-20th century, and only a few dogs remained on remote mountain farms. In the 1970s enthusiasts tracked down those dogs and set out to revive the breed. A breed club was founded in 1983, and the Italian Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1994.

The first Cane Corsos arrived in the United States in 1988. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed only in 2010, but its popularity has soared since then, and it now ranks among the most popular breeds in the country.