All about Cane Corso

Cane Corso is the pride of Italian dog breeding. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by a beautiful appearance and excellent security qualities. Despite the fact that the Cane Corso look pretty menacing, their character is actually very friendly. They are affectionate and kind. Today we take a closer look at this breed and learn all about its basic characteristics.

The ancestors of Cane Corso are Molossian dogs living in ancient Rome. It should be noted that Molossoid descended from Macedonian tetrapods, Etruscan dogs and fighting dogs. The ancestors of Corso carried both guard and military service. They were large and fearless in nature.

The Italians were able to combine many useful abilities and skills in one form. Cane Corso and protected the property of their owners, and protected them from any dangers, and helped while hunting for large animals. These pets were truly universal and indispensable. They were often mentioned in various works of Italian culture. They were always treated with respect, since they brought people only good.

Images of Cane Corso were applied to the tombs, made figures in the form of these animals. Some authors even devoted poetry to these pets. From various kinds of literary sources that date back to the 15th century, one can learn about the first references to representatives of this breed. From Cane Corso, the Italians went hunting for bears. The lifestyle of people as a whole was directly related to the representatives of the breed described. They are also mentioned in folklore.

In ancient Rome, breeding work was carried out only at a primitive level, but in special nurseries. However, the fall of the empire did not affect the breeding of such dogs in the best way. At this moment, they were used mainly as hunters, which did not affect the next generation of Cane Corso very well. The main factor for this breed was that it was not recognized by the new aristocracy, which refused to keep these large animals in the courts. Unfortunately, this is how Corso Italiano began to be considered pets of the village and common people.

As a result, this led to the fact that once a single breed began to inevitably be divided into subspecies. There was a mixture with other dogs. As a result, the original appearance of the Cane Corso was gradually “blurred”. This especially affected the character traits of these pets. Many owners began to breed Cane Corso, pursuing their goals. For example, in some cases, excessive aggressiveness and anger developed in them.

Initially, subspecies of this breed were intended to be kept outdoors in rural areas, which is why, with the growth of cities, the Cane Corso gradually became less and less popular and widespread. Most likely, this breed would have disappeared altogether, if not for the efforts of Italian enthusiasts who decided to revive it. To this end, they had to literally bit by bit collect the necessary material, traveling throughout Italy in search of the best representatives of the endangered species.

Researcher Berber was able to arouse interest in Cane Corso. He spent a lot of time carefully studying the history and traditions of Italian villages, and the dogs of this breed were just inseparable from the life of the villagers. In 1976, Berber published an article that led to the emergence of the Cane Corso Society of Lovers.

At the same time, a lot of work was done by enthusiasts who organized meetings of breeders and called experts from the Italian Kennel Club. As a result, their actions came to good results - the Cane Corso breed was officially recognized. The society of lovers of these dogs tried to do everything to make Cane Corso once again become popular and relevant. Fortunately, they did it pretty well.

True, an adequate reaction to the stirring interest in the breed did not follow, because of which puppies began to be bought by people who were very far from the ideas of high-breed breeding. There was a real race for the number of young dogs. Not the best representatives of this breed were involved in breeding. Worthy candidates, on the contrary, often did not participate in breeding. With great difficulty, the revived breed was put on stream with the loss of the best qualities and characteristics.

Along with this, the stage of recognition of the breed was already active. The Cane Corso association formed in Italy immediately set itself the main goal: to prevent deviations of standards and the formation of other parameters for breeding outside Italy. Certain studies were carried out, based on which the breed standards, which entered into force in 2003, were adjusted.

The handsome Cane Corso looks very interesting and maliciously, although it has impressive dimensions. That is why representatives of this famous breed are so in demand and enjoy enviable popularity. Often people fall in love with them at first sight and immediately want to get such a pet. However, you should not rush into this. First you need to get acquainted with all the characteristics of the Cane Corso.

Consider a description of these dogs.

• Typically, males weigh from 45 to 50 kg. Bitches are more “light” - their average weight is 40-45 kg.
• At the withers, the male may grow 64-68 cm, and bitches 60-64 cm.
• The color of these pets is very beautiful. It can be either monophonic or diluted with spots of contrasting colors. All colors of Cane Corso look spectacular and shimmer in the light.
• The nature of these pets is simply wonderful. Starting a cane-corso, one must take into account the fact that they are emotionally dependent on their masters. Their disposition is very calm, they behave in a balanced manner. They do not make unnecessary sounds and are considered “silent” animals, they give voice in exceptional cases. It characterizes Cane Corso and patience. The four-legged described have a positive attitude towards children, they endure their pranks. Parting with the owner of the cane-corso is extremely difficult, because they are monogamous.
• The intelligence level of these animals is at a very high level. They are very obedient and learn new information in a short time. Easy to train. Keep their forces under constant control. Socialize surprisingly fast.
• The security and watchdog potential of these pets is also at a good level. They easily recognize the owners, family members, friends, but treat strangers with caution.

A historical tradition is the procedure for stopping the ears and tail of any representatives of severe fighting breeds. Such actions are necessary to help the dog in battle and even in some situations save his life. However, in accordance with modern European standards, stopping is prohibited.

On the territory of Russia and the CIS countries to stop the ears of Cane Corso is optional. The decision on such procedures is made only by the owner of the animal of this breed. Some people follow traditions in principle and turn to similar cosmetic operations. If the breeder wants to see only a loyal friend and companion in the Cane Corso, then you can not touch the ears - leave them hanging. Such actions usually have no effect on health.

Dog breeders do not stop arguing when the question arises of stopping the ears and tail of the Cane Corso. Some people think that this chic Italian mastiff should not be subjected to such procedures, since they are too cruel and merciless towards animals. Other breeders cannot imagine their pet without stopping. Before deciding whether to stop your dog, you should consider some features.

• The correct shape of the ears. At Corso they are usually stopped so that they look like an equilateral triangle. They should not be excessively wide or narrow, too short or elongated. Only an experienced specialist and a true professional will be able to give the ears a perfect and proper shape. Unfortunately, far from all veterinarians imagine exactly what the ears of representatives of this Italian breed should be. For this reason, it is required to carefully select a specialist, consult with other breeders.
• Age limits. Stopping is allowed to be done no later than 4 months from the day the puppy was born and until the end of the period of the change of teeth. Taking into account the age of the dogs is extremely important, because not very large and rather dense ears rise best. It is also necessary to take into account that an excessively mobile and active grown-up puppy may begin to rip off stitches.
• Suture processing. After the operation is completed, the puppy will need to wear a special collar that will prevent the pet from touching the ears in any way, for example, scratching them. It is permissible to remove the stitches for about 10 days, and even after a week it will be possible to refuse to wear the collar. Seams should be treated with hydrogen peroxide or other similar preparations. This will need to be done daily. When the sutures are removed, the inside of the ears should be glued with a band-aid so that the position is fixed correctly.

If you want to buy a baby Cane Corso, then you need to familiarize yourself not only with his external data, but also with all the positive and negative characteristics. First, consider what the main advantages of these pets are.

• Representatives of the Italian breed are distinguished by an excellent level of intelligence. They are smart and smart for the joy of the owners.
• Cane Corso training is surprisingly easy. They quickly learn everything new. The teams perform these individuals perfectly.
• It should be noted that the Cane Corso have a beautiful appearance. They look stately and rich.
• The hunting instincts of these handsome men are developed at an excellent level. In the distant past, people took them with them on a hunt, where the Cane Corso turned out to be very useful and necessary.
• Good guard qualities are also inherent in this species. Moreover, preliminary preparation for their development is not required. Cane Corso was originally a good guard.
• Children treat these animals with care and care. They tolerate any of their pranks, without showing aggression and anger.
• These dogs are incredibly loyal. They will be faithful to one family for the rest of their days.
• Such dogs will not demonstrate their leadership. Cane Corso is not the main in the pack, but a companion infinitely devoted to his family.

Unfortunately, there were some shortcomings. Consider the weaknesses of the Cane Corso.

• Dogs are large, which is why they need to provide enough space for life.

• Representatives of this breed are great lovers of running and playing, so they will need a lot of attention from the owner. The pet's lifestyle should be mobile.

• When such a dog becomes bored, she begins to play pranks and naughty. Most often, Cane Corso are taken from boredom to gnaw furniture or shoes, which never pleases the owners. This is very important to consider if you want to get such a beast.

• Cane Corso are slobbering pets. The amount of saliva increases when the animal drinks or shakes off. Wiping drooling marks from clothes and furniture is not so easy.

• Cats and other small animals are considered by Cane Corso as their prey. The only exceptions are when the animals grew together. In such circumstances, the dog will not conflict with neighbors in the territory.

• Puppies of this species are quite shy. Sharp and loud sounds, strange objects can frighten them. As a rule, when ensuring timely socialization, this behavior of dogs comes to naught. If you do not deal with this issue, then in the end a large and powerful dog grows up, startling from a cat rushing past or a rustling bag.

• Keep in mind that Cane Corso does not have the usual undercoat. The wool itself looks like small and sharp needles. They can crumble in those areas where the pet passed. Cane Corso is molted year-round.

• Pets of the Italian breed eat quite a lot. Their contents often cost the owners a tidy amount.

• If you are a very busy person who does not have much free time, then Cane Corso will not suit you. These pets need a lot of attention. They also do not like to stay home alone.

• Sedentary and elderly people, these pets are also unlikely to fit.

• Raising Cane Corso puppies is not so easy. It is very important to correctly select the right food, make a table with all the growth indicators of the animal, in which it is worth noting its development for months. You can’t walk the dog right after feeding, since this leads to a back deflection. Small puppies, whose age is less than 4 months, should be lowered from the stairs only on their hands.

Usually, Cane Corso live about 10-11 years. Of course, a lot here depends on the conditions in which the animal is kept, what kind of food it has. A dog can live longer if it is provided with comfortable living conditions.

As mentioned above, all the colors of the Cane Corso look beautiful and rich. Most often, individuals whose color is as follows:

• fawn;
• red;
• gray
• blue
• brindle;
• black
• black and brindle.

If the pet has a red or tiger color, then on its face there will be a black or dark gray “mask” contrasting with the main background. White spots may be present on the body of the animal. As a rule, they are located on the legs and on the chest.

One must keep in mind all the character traits of the representatives of the Italian breed before starting its representatives. Speaking frankly - the appearance of Cane Corso inspires respect and even timidity. And really a powerful body structure, coupled with a serious expression of the muzzle, confuses many people who are not familiar with this breed.

One of the main properties of the Cane Corso character is the ability to clearly divide all people in the environment into friends and foes. It must be borne in mind that these dogs do not possess a furious and burning temperament. They behave calmly and balanced. Cane Corso usually does not demonstrate increased aggression and anger - this is an unusual trait for them. For no reason, such a dog will never bite anyone, much less attack him. If the Cane Corso understands that an invasion of its territory has occurred, then the pet can get very angry and act on its own initiative, without giving the owner.

Cane Corso - animals are very intelligent and intelligent. They are the bearers of a combination of nobility and a strong constitution. This combination seems to many non-standard. Cane Corso has always been closer to the people. Dogs never behaved coldly and aristocratically. It is the living soul and the Italian temperament that is noticeable in them.

Cane Corso with incredible trepidation refers to the family in which he lives, especially to children. These dogs are selflessly loyal to their owners and always demonstrate their full willingness to serve under any circumstances. These pets love to be obedient. They unquestioningly execute commands (they also learn very quickly).

Cane Corso in all cases keep the situation under control. As soon as they notice hints of jerky movements made by an outsider, they immediately make it clear that they will not take their eyes off them. Unlike most other large breeds, Cane Corso are well aware of all their power and strength, so they are allowed to admit to games with young children. These dogs will not knock the baby down, will not scare him. Cane Corso is considered the most serious signal for the crying of the child, who is currently under their direct protection.

It is hardly possible to bribe representatives of this breed with different goodies. It will not work to distract the attention of dogs from their main purpose - protecting the family and home. These animals will go to the end, protecting the borders of those whom they love more than anything else. Since Cane Corso is an incredibly loyal dog that is attached to a person (these qualities have been observed since the early years of the pet), they are very difficult to part and separate from their owners. It must be remembered that the Cane Corso are monogamous. Betrayal of the owners, they may not survive. No need to get such animals solely for prestige.

It should be borne in mind that Cane Corso is characterized by amazing intuition. These dogs have a wonderful sense of danger. They are able to instantly respond to aggressive actions emanating from strangers or animals.

If you liked this breed and you, considering all its features, advantages and disadvantages, decided to get a Cane Corso puppy, then you should choose it correctly. It is important to consider the fact that fashion for representatives of the breed made them incredibly popular all over the world. Cane Corso became prestigious animals. A large number of entrepreneurs took advantage of this to establish their own business for the streaming production of puppies of trendy and popular breed.

The preservation of the natural advantages of the character and external qualities of the purebred cane corso in such people goes by the wayside and does not play any role. As a result, such entrepreneurs go to the pedigree rigging and turn to other similar tricks to circle an unprepared buyer around the finger.

If you would not like to be disappointed in a new four-legged friend and buy an animal with behaviors uncharacteristic for the breed instead of a beautiful purebred Italian, you should pay special attention to the history of the nursery. Be sure to carefully study the pedigree of the purchased pet. Make sure that the binding is correct. Such precautions cannot be called insignificant even for those breeders who will not use their dogs in exhibitions and various competitions.

Often after reading a large list of the advantages of the Cane Corso character, people entrust these animals with protection of their homes, property and younger family members. Who will bear the responsibility, if through the fault of an unscrupulous breeder you buy an animal with an absolutely uncontrolled and unbalanced psyche? That is why it is so important to choose the thoroughbred pet as carefully as possible.

It will be easy and simple to understand with whom you are dealing - an enthusiast or an ordinary entrepreneur. It is worth paying attention to the immediate conditions in which thoroughbred animals are kept. If in front of you is a person who only makes money on dogs, then you will see corrals from cages in which representatives of the Italian breed will languish. Often they are not looked after and poorly fed.

Experts strongly do not recommend buying such pets in bazaars or, for example, next to the metro. And it is better not to turn to forwarding from other cities, since such a deal may not be the most pleasant surprise. If you are really serious about getting such a four-legged friend for many years, then you better visit the breeder yourself and pay due attention to all of the above criteria.

Cane Corso must be kept in conditions comfortable for him. It is believed that even small and medium-sized dogs can cause a lot of trouble if you keep them in an ordinary city apartment, let alone the healthy ones. Cane Corso is the exception to this rule. Despite their impressive dimensions, these animals do not require too much free space. Cane Corso spend a lot of time in a calm state, and for this large territories are not needed.

If you live in a private house, then it is not recommended to put the dog in a booth and put on a chain. We must take into account the freedom-loving nature of Italians. In addition, they need to be constantly with the owner, so putting them out the door and placing them in a booth is not the best solution. An animal in such conditions will be sad and ill.For street maintenance, these pets are not suitable because they do not have a standard undercoat.

With a thoroughbred dog you have to walk every day. Do not deprive him of outdoor activities. Leaving the four-legged friend outside the house, you bring some variety into his life. Such actions have an exceptional good effect on the nervous system and mood of the dog. In addition, joint walks will strengthen the relationship between the host and Cane Corso.

Walks should last at least an hour. They should be sent 2 times a day. Four-legged Italians often suffer from diseases related to the musculoskeletal system (a typical problem for large individuals), therefore it is impossible to limit them in walking. If you do not walk the pet, then soon it can begin to seriously hurt, and the immunity of such animals as a whole is noticeably weakened. If your dog is less than 2 years old, then it is not necessary to load it with too long runs. Four-legged animals at this age are also not suitable for overcoming high barriers.

In the setting of a country house with a large plot, four-legged Italian breeds feel very good. There, the pet will find where to walk, watch other "characters."

You need to feed the cane-corso according to all the rules. The health and level of activity of the pet depends on nutrition. In the food that this dog consumes, various vitamin complexes, useful microelements must necessarily take place. If we consider feeding the Cane Corso as a whole, then the same rules should be followed as in the case of most other large breeds.

Breeders initially need to decide how their pet will eat. When a puppy turns 3 weeks old, he needs to be accustomed to a normal full-fledged diet. You can give dogs ready-made feeds that are sold in stores, or give preference to natural products.

You should buy high-quality feed, which contains all the necessary minerals and vitamins. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the composition indicated on the package before purchase.

In order to choose the perfect “dryer” correctly, you can consult your veterinarian. He will tell you which feed is best for the animal, and which is better not to take. In some cases, it is required to add additional drugs to such food. This can only be done after talking with the veterinarian.

Less expensive will be the natural nutrition of a thoroughbred dog. The main advantage of such a solution is that the owner has the ability to clearly control what exactly his dog consumes. True, you have to spend a certain time every day preparing food for your pet. Food must be warm and fresh. Excessively hot or too cold foods are not allowed.

Non-fat meat products (chicken, turkey, beef), cereals, sea fish, vegetables and fruits should be included in the pet's diet. You should also keep in mind what kind of food cane-corso cannot be eaten in any case:

• these dogs should not be given high fat meat - pork or lamb;
• you should not feed the animal with river fish, since there are many bones in it, sometimes there are parasites that will not benefit the animal's health;
• smoked meats and fried foods should be excluded from the diet;
• sweets and buns do not have any benefit in themselves (even if the animal is strenuously demanding such food, it is impossible to give it, since it can cause very serious damage to health);
• fatty dairy products are also better not to give.

Hygiene procedures are extremely important for dogs of this breed. The following actions will be required from the owner

• Cleaning every week. Despite the fact that Cane Corso initially had a very short coat, this does not mean that you do not need to take care of it. You will need to comb the pet with a special brush to remove all fallen hairs and dead skin cells. After this, the animal should be wiped with a slightly damp cloth. After completing such procedures, the pet's coat will be very soft and smooth.

• Bathing. At the end of daily walks, you need to wash the dog's paws, especially if the weather is bad in the yard. As for the general bathing of Cane Corso, resorting to it often should not be. It is enough to bathe the dog 1-2 times a year as it becomes contaminated. If you keep the appearance of the pet under control, too often it will not have to be washed.

• Claw Care. We must not forget about caring for the claws of a thoroughbred pet. Since cane corso walk a lot, often clipping their claws is not required, because in such conditions they grind on their own. If the pet is lazy and walks a little, then you need to trim the claws at least once a month. It is necessary to accustom the animal to such procedures from an early age.

• Eye, ear and tooth care. To care for the eyes, ears and teeth of the Cane Corso is necessary in the same way as in the case of other large breeds. Always keep under control the condition of all the listed areas. Contamination from the ears and eyes should be very carefully removed with special means or a solution of hydrogen peroxide on a cotton pad or swab. Often, discharge indicates that the animal is ill with something.

• To keep the animal’s teeth clean, and the raid did not accumulate on them, it is worth buying special "bones". The pet will nibble them and at the same time brush their teeth.

We must not forget about ticks and fleas, which often attack dogs with such short hair. These parasites can very seriously harm a pet if they are not detected and destroyed on time. Independence in resolving such issues is undesirable. Special means aimed at combating such parasites should be selected and prescribed only by a veterinarian, based on the age of the dog, its weight and general health.

True Cane Corso are animals that are not used to showing their superiority over humans. Thanks to this and training, they will succumb without any problems. Their character is docile. They fully accept the leadership of the owner and try to obey him. But growing up a Cane Corso is usually not in a hurry.

Owners of these dogs often refuse to contact professional dog handlers for various reasons. Most often this is due to the high cost of services of the latter. As a result, people decide to educate puppies on their own. In this case, it is necessary to take into account a number of features.

• It is necessary to raise a puppy from the very first day when he appeared in a new house.
• First of all, you need to accustom the baby to cleanliness and going to the toilet to a specific place.
• Necessary commands that cannot be neglected are: “Near!”, “Stand!”, “Lie!”, “Place!”. It is they who need to educate the baby paramount.
• If you are unhappy with something in the behavior of the pet, then try to correct it. It is better to do this in the very early stages.
• Puppies should not be punished physically. Such actions will not lead to anything good.
• When you walk with your pet around the city or in the park, you should fill up your leisure time with sports games with elements of training.

If you want to put the ears of a cane-corso, you must definitely turn to a good specialist with sufficient experience. Do not forget that after the operation, the animal must provide competent care with correction of the shape of the ears during the year. If you do not want to do this, or you simply do not have time for this, then it is better to abandon such a procedure at all.

Pregnancy in Cane Corso lasts only 9 weeks. During this period, the diet should be changed only a couple of weeks before birth. In order not to purchase vitamin supplements separately, it is easier to pick up a special balanced feed in the pet store, the contents of which contain all the necessary components. Servings should be increased daily. In the first 7 weeks, the pet should be fed as usual.

These animals need the attention and love of the owners, as well as a fairly mobile lifestyle. If the dog will always sit on the chain, then in the end he will start to behave more aggressively, and sometimes uncontrollably in relation to other family members.

When growing a healthy and intelligent Cane Corso puppy, you should not overload it. It is enough to turn to simple daily walks. It should be borne in mind that these animals develop rather slowly. Excessive loads very quickly tire kids.

Take care of vaccinations for your pet if you are worried about his health. Vaccination must be carried out exclusively in a planned manner, namely: in the interval between 3 and 6 months of growth and development. After this period, the pet is vaccinated once a year. Every 3 months it is necessary to give the pet special preparations aimed at the prevention of various parasites, for example, worms.

Monitor your pet’s health. At the first suspicion that the dog is sick, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Do not waste time and do not expect the pet to recover on its own. Only a veterinarian should prescribe absolutely any medication and therapeutic feed. The owners should not do this.

So that the pet gets used to the nickname chosen for him as soon as possible, he should be called only in a good tone. If you are punishing an animal, it is best not to name it by name. Otherwise, the dog’s own name will be associated with guilt, causing stress.

It is advisable to buy puppies whose age is one and a half months - this is an ideal solution.

Cane Corso - insanely popular dogs, which are chosen by people who are looking for a real faithful friend in the animal that you can rely on. On the network you can meet a lot of reviews about this breed.

Of the positive features, Cane Corso owners notice the following:

• bright and attractive appearance;
• beautiful, stable psyche;
• balanced character;
• wonderful working qualities;
• the loyalty of these dogs truly amazes the owners;
• good attitude towards children - according to the breeders, Cane Corso can serve as a real “fluffy nanny” for younger family members;
• affectionate and good-natured behavior;
• well-developed mind and quick wit;
• easily amenable to training - this characteristic particularly pleased many owners of such pets, since even the most intelligent and kind dog cannot be left without education;
• lack of aggressive behavior - according to the owners of Cane Corso, their pets never behave maliciously without good reason for that, they never snarl at "their" ones.

As for the minuses seen behind this breed, here people distinguish:

• not the longest life expectancy (remember - a lot here depends on the owner and the conditions of detention);
• at some breeders these dogs often get sick (other owners claim that their pets, on the contrary, have excellent healthy);
• these dogs grow for a long time;
• they need constant contact with the owner, and not everyone has time for this;
• slobbery;
• fade.

Many problems can be avoided if the pet is properly maintained and raised. Before you start such a dog, you need to decide for sure whether you can become her best friend.

More about the Cane Corso breed in the video below.