Cane corso italiano
Cane Corso Italiano is a large, quite massive, but not sluggish dog with short, thick hair. Smart, with well-developed drives, distrustful of strangers, with a predisposition to defend. It should be in the hands of experienced doggies. Although this is one master’s dog, he is friendly towards all household members.
Nature
Cane Corso Italiano is balanced dogs that strongly attach to guardians. They are very cordial and effusive towards their family members, but they usually behave more calmly than other dogs. They get along well with children, but due to their large size, they should not be left unattended with them. They are extremely family dogs, at home, they love to lie on the sofa in the company of their people.
Dogs of this breed are not aggressive by nature and will not attack for no reason. However, they are able to defend their area, which they will not allow any intruder. They will also defend their guardian in case of danger from another person. A well-developed sense of observation and distrust of strangers make Cane Corso Italiano a reliable guardian and defender. However, in the wrong hands, these dogs can become truly dangerous.
Dogs of this breed will easily accept other dogs in their environment. They do not show aggression towards foreign quadrupeds unless they are provoked by them. However, due to the size of the cane corso, it is worth choosing their companions for games of similar posture.
Cane Corso Italiano is a tough dog who likes working with his guardian. He is happy to carry out commands if he sees a purpose in it. Very intelligent, suitable for training and some dog sports, such as tracking or IPO. However, it is not recommended for agility and other sports that require the dog to respond quickly to commands.
Skills
In the old days, cane corso was used as a shepherd and hunting dog – for hunting badgers and wild boars. Butchers and cattle carriers willingly used his help, because he was able to immobilize even a bull. He was the guardian of rural estates and a police dog (in 1750 a decree was passed prohibiting its use in pursuit of escaped prisoners).
Training and education
Cane Corso Italiano is a dog with great intelligence, who likes challenges and working with people, but at the same time stubborn. Because of his size, he should know the basics of obedience. He is clever and easily acquires commands, but the speed of executing commands depends on whether the dog sees their purposefulness and whether the owner is firm and consistent in training.
When training cane corso, avoid physical punishment and shouting. Learning should be based on rewarding and playing so that the dog feels the pleasure of working with his guardian. Despite the large dimensions, cane corso should be trained without a spike ring – it is also not necessary during everyday walks!
Puppies from the first moments in a new home should be consistently raised and socialized. With a puppy of this breed, it is worth going to a dog kindergarten run by a recommended behaviorist and, from an early age, weave up knowledge of basic commands in education.
Puppies of this breed should not be physically forced. For the first year of life, cane corso should avoid crazy races, climbing stairs or jumping over obstacles. Only when their muscles and joints develop sufficiently can their activity be increased.
Who is this race for?
The owner should have basic knowledge of the dog’s psyche and training principles, as well as a stable life situation. This is not a breed recommended for a novice. However, if this happens, it is advisable to keep in touch with the breeder or a good preschool for puppies. Cane Corso Italiano is a dog for consistent people focused on joint activities with the quadruped.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cane Corso Italiano – what is it like? Learn its pros and cons!
Disadvantages
- needs a lot of caregiver activity and involvement
- requires an experienced guide – it can become dangerous in the wrong hands
- is heavy and strong
- sometimes stubborn
Advantages
- balanced
- healthy and resilient
- unrefined
- easy to care for
- susceptible to training
Health
Dogs of this breed are relatively healthy, however, due to their massive structure, they can suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. One of the most common is hip dysplasia, less often the elbow. During the period of growth, juvenile osteitis may occur, manifesting as lameness. Cane Corso Italiano can also suffer from allergies and yeast infections, as well as hypothyroidism. Dogs of this breed also have protrusion and inflammation of the third eyelid. Due to the large size and build of this breed of dogs, they are also exposed to stomach twist.
nourishment
Cane Corso is not picky. This does not mean, however, that he can get low-value food. Maintaining it in proper condition and proper muscle development requires feeding high-quality food. They can be both ready-made products, intended for dogs of large or giant breeds, as well as natural – for example, BARF. If we decide to cook a dog’s meals, they should be supplemented with appropriate calcium and vitamin preparations. The daily dose must be divided into at least two meals.
This breed is by definition heavy and massive. So do not lead cane corso to overweight and obesity, both in puppy age and in old age. Excess kilos can cause real damage to the dogs’ joints!
Care
Cane Corso italiano does not require intensive care. Just brush your dog’s short hair once a day, preferably with a rubber brush. It is worth spending more time molting the dead hair – short, hard hair is very difficult to remove from carpets and clothes.
Dogs of this breed are not prone to collecting dirt. That’s why it’s enough to bathe them when they really get dirty. For bathing, use shampoo and conditioner for short hair. Cane corso also requires frequent checking of the length of the claws and checking the condition of the ears and eyes.
Accessories
Dogs of the cane corso italiano breed require a large bed, on which they will be able to lie down comfortably. Take them for walks in a wide collar or durable braces. The leash should be ordinary, not automatic, at least 3 meters long. The water and food bowls should be large and suited to the dog’s size. Cane corso is also worth teaching how to wear a muzzle – the most appropriate will be physiological. Dogs of this breed may have trouble accepting guests, so it’s worth introducing a kennel cage early enough.
History
The homeland of cane corso italiano is the Apennine Peninsula and Sicily. This breed supposedly comes from the ancient molosses that accompanied the Romans during conquests. There were two types of these quadrupeds – heavier, used during wars and for fighting in circus arenas (the Neapolitan mastiff can derive from it) and lighter – intended for hunting and guarding sheep and cattle, from which cane corso probably originates.
Mention of these dogs can be found in Renaissance literature and art. Figurines with their images, originating from Neapolitan cribs, are stored in the church of St. Martin’s in Naples and in the castle of Reggia di Caserta. On the reliefs of the Arc de Triomphe in Castel Nuovo (1443) you can also find quadrupeds with a similar appearance.
Traces of the stay of cane corso italiano are also found in the Gonzaga Ducal Palace, who were famous all over Europe as an excellent dog and horse breeders. The name of the breed probably comes from the Greek word “kortos”, meaning fenced enclosure for animals or pasture, or from the Latin word “cohors” with similar meaning.
Cane Corso was very widespread in Italy in the early post-war years, then its numbers decreased significantly. It was not until the 1980s that breeding started again. The first model was developed by Antonio Morsiani in 1987. A so-called open book, and after entering 500 dogs in it, cane corso in 1994 obtained the Italian breed statute. The FCI (International Kennel Club Federation) initially recognized it in 1996.
Template
Cane Corso Italiano – Group II FCI, Section 2.1, Reference No. 343
- Country of origin: Italy
- Character: dog of high temperament and strong character, balanced and composed; devoted to his family, without innate tendencies to dominate; excellent guardian and defender, distrustful of strangers; type of athlete
- Size: height at the withers of dogs 64-68 cm, bitches 60-64 cm (tolerance +/- 2 cm)
- Weight: dogs between 45 and 50 kg, bitches between 40 and 45 kg
- Coat: short, shiny, thick hair with a small amount of undercoat
- Color: black, gray graphite, slate gray, light gray, fawn (light to dark), red deer, brindle; fawn and brindle dogs have a black or gray mask on the muzzle, which must not reach beyond the eye line; a small white spot on the chest and white fingertips are acceptable
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
- Weather resistance: high
Interesting facts
For centuries Cane Corso Italiano was a dog “from everything” – he guarded cattle on pastures against the attempts of four-legged (wolves) and two-legged bandits. He guarded farms against robbers, assisted in hunting wild animals, fought alongside soldiers in war and protected buyers during trade expeditions.
