You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers on all about the Cane Corso!
My heart melts when I look at Maserati. She was just resting on her heart blanket when I snapped that photo. She has no idea how adorable she is….or…. maybe she does! I know, I’m biased because I’m her owner and handler. However, there’s just so much to love about the breed. In this Valley of The Corso article, we are telling you all about the breed, Cane Corso.
All About The Breed Cane Corso
Where Is The Dog Breed Cane Corso From?
Like many breeds we have in the U.S. the Cane Corso originated in Europe. They actually began as a working breed called mollosus dogs. The mollosers were named after the Greek Molossi people who needed large guard dogs. These dogs eventually became known as the Mastiff.
You may have heard of the Mastiff breed, well the Cane Corso is often referred to as the Italian Mastiff. Now, you may be thinking, “Wait! Didn’t you just say they started in Greece? Why are they called the Italian Mastiff?” It’s confusing, I know. Back when the Roman Empire ruled most of Europe they spent some time on the Greek Islands and as a result, they brought back the Mastiff to breed with native Italian breeds.
The dog breed Cane Corso is from Italy by way of Greece. The Cane Corso is related to the larger Neapolitan Mastiff. However, as the Western Empire began to collapse the need for large guard dogs diminished. Over time, the Cane Corso became the dog of the people, working on farms, hunting, and protecting hen houses.
By the 20th Century, the Cane Corso breed was nearly extinct. However, in the 1970s a band of Italians decided to bring the breed back and by the late 1980s, the U.S.A had imported its first Cane Corso aka Italian Mastiff. However, it wasn’t until 2010 that the breed was recognized by the AKC.
How Do You Pronounce Cane Corso?
Now that we know where they come from, lets talk about how to pronounce the name Cane Corso. If you are in the U.S.A. you probably think it’s pronounced CANE, like the sugar cane. However, that’s misleading. The way you pronounce Cane Corso is KAH-neh-KOR-soh. So, the C A is more like KAH and the NE is more like KNEE. I like to tell my little nephew to say it like you are trying to say con artist and it comes out like you are saying a connie artist.
While we are at it, we should probably share how to say it plural. This is the really confusing part! The plural form of Cane Corso is Cani Corsi. However, we like you so much we don’t mind if you buy a puppy and call them sugar cane corso or KAH-neh-KOR-soh. Are there breeders that will refuse you a puppy if you don’t pronounce it correctly? Yeppers! Sad but true. We care more about the home our puppies are going to than how well you pronounce the name.
What Color Eyes Does A Cane Corso Have?
Most Cane Corso dogs will have dark brown or light brown eyes. Their eyes are medium-sized almond-shaped and bright. You can see our female, Luxor, in the image above. Her eyes are not bulging and the eye rim is tight-fitting. You should not see drooping eyes, sagging eyes, or any redness. The standard breed requires dark or light brown eyes. If you are considering a blue-eyed puppy you may want to talk to the breeder about the bloodline.
If your Cane Corso has red eyes, watery eyes, or their eyes are changing colors, take them to the vet.
How Big Do Cane Corso Dogs Get?
We get this question all the time. How big will our Cane Corso get? Cane Corso dogs can weigh approximately 100 pounds and should stand about 23″ to 28″ high. Males are often bigger than females. They are broad-shouldered and big-boned. We like to say they are thick dogs because they are not particularly tall like a Greyhound. Instead, they are big all around. Meaning, they are tall but not too tall and they are wide but not too wide. Remember they were originally bred to be guard dogs in ancient Roman times. If the Romans want protection they didn’t want a Dachshund!
Why Crop Cane Corso Ears?
You do not have to crop a Cane Corso dog’s ears. Actually, some people believe it’s in the AKC’s standards that a Cane Corso’s ears must be cropped to meet the standards. It’s not. So, it’s your preference whether you choose to crop the ears of a puppy or not. However, we recommend putting a reserve on your puppy and specifying that you do not want to crop the ears. As a breeder, we prefer a cropped ear however, we do not force our future pet parents to crop the ears.
What Color Coat Do These Dogs Have?
Cane Corso dogs have a variety of coat colors including; black, fawn, gray, gray brindle, red, black brindle, and chestnut brindle. However, what we’ve found is people do tend to fear the black Cane Corso but, quickly warm up to a fawn-colored one. It’s funny how the human brain works. Take it from us there is no temperament difference between a black, gray, fawn, or any color. Our brains see a black dog and think we should be scared. This leads to unnecessary fear of the breed. As a Cane Corso owner or future owner, we hope you will work to educate the public on the breed.
Should I Own A Cane Corso?
Matching your lifestyle, home, and family needs to the right dog is critical to ensuring the dog is in its forever home. As we’ve said Cane Corso dogs are large and therefore need a big yard and a lot of healthy food. If you live in a small apartment and are on a limited budget they are probably not the right breed for you. However, if you live in the country or have a large yard and the money to afford high-quality dog food and vet visits they may be a great breed for you.
Cane Corso dogs are a protective breed and therefore need strong alpha-owners. They are intelligent and can be easily trained. With that said, they can be a fierce breed that needs rules and socialization. They are docile and can be couch potatoes so, their owners must be dedicated to getting them exercise and providing clear boundaries.
If you are considering a Cane Corso, we encourage you to contact us. We will talk to you about the breed and ensure it’s the right breed for you. Valley Of The Corso are responsible kennel owners. We care about you and your family first, then the breed.
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About The Author
Amy Lady is a dog groomer, show handler, and owner of Valley Of The Corso kennel located in Indiana. Amy has been a dog-lover since she was a toddler and has been known to own a few too many dogs. However, her commitment to dogs goes beyond the Cane Corso breed, as she has taken nearly a dozen stray dogs, adopted dogs from shelters, and taken care of other people’s dogs for nearly 20 years.
