The Cane Corso may grow into a large, powerful, and intimidating dog, but they tend to be loving and very caring for their family. These dogs are intelligent, very loyal, and naturally protective, which makes them wary of strangers and excellent watchdogs.

Although they get along well with children and other animals that are part of the family unit, they tend to be a “family-only” type of dog and do not tend to be interested in making friends with people or animals outside of their family unit. As long as they are well-socialized, they will be watchful and aloof at first, but will tend to warm up over time once introduced.

Although they do not tend to bark a lot and only tend to bark to alert you, they can be inadvertently trained into barking a lot. Training your dog to stop barking early on can help prevent nuisance barking later.

One of the facts about the Cane Corso is that they are vocal dogs. Like Siberian Huskies, they will communicate with you with their own vocalizations outside of barks; though these are usually a series of grunts and growls and not usually the howls, yips, and “woos” common to Huskies.

The Cane Corso is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They are better suited to homes with fenced yards. Because they are protective and can be territorial, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas.

They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to excessive heat or cold. Although they seem like independent dogs, Cani Corsi do bond closely with their families and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Cane Corso can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eyelid abnormalities like cherry eye, entropion, and ectropion, Demodex mange, and epilepsy. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Cane Corso puppies.

Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Knowledge of the breed and transparency about breeding practices are some qualities to look for in a great breeder. Make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both of the parents, the breeder’s practices and processes, and more.

You can also ask about any health tests for clearances that have been done. The Cane Corso Association of America (CCAA) recommends DSRA and NCL1 DNA tests for Dental Skeletal Retinal Atrophy (DSRA) and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL1), a cardiac exam, an elbow evaluation, a hip evaluation, and a patella evaluation.

As a very large dog breed, the Cane Corso is also at a higher risk for bloat. Because bloat in dogs is dangerous and is fatal if the stomach flips (i.e.; gastric torsion occurs), it’s important to know how to reduce the risk for your dog and what symptoms to look for so you can get help immediately.

Although Cani Corsi are intelligent dogs that can pick up on things quickly, they are also known to have a stubborn streak and a tendency to push boundaries. Good leadership and persistent, consistent training are a must.

Because of this, this dog breed is best suited to experienced dog owners who are able to socialize, train, and confidently handle a large dog. A professional trainer or puppy training classes are highly recommended for novice owners.

A Cane Corso has a short, dense, waterproof double coat. Common coat colors include black, light and dark gray, light and dark fawn, and red. There is also a brindle variation that can show up in any of the colors. They shed a little year-round and will develop a thicker undercoat in the winter.

As such, they will shed heavier as seasons change, especially in the spring. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are usually enough to keep this dog comfortable and their coat looking great. A medium-bristle brush or rubber brush, a grooming mitt or a hound glove, and a shedding blade are good types of dog grooming brushes to have on hand.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Cane Corso’s nails, ears, and teeth. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Weekly ear checks with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Daily tooth brushing, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal dental care for dogs and can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life.

The Cane Corso is an active dog breed that requires regular exercise to be happy and healthy. As a large dog breed, it’s important to keep things low-impact when puppies are still growing to avoid damaging developing bones and joints. Once puppies finish growing and developing, these dogs can make excellent jogging partners.

They are working dogs that need plenty of exercise to expend energy and maintain healthy muscle tone. In addition to long walks, you can also take your dog on a hike, a run, or even with you on bicycle rides. They do get bored easily, so it’s important to keep this dog active and give them a job to do.

Without a specified job, enough work, or enough exercise, they will find their own activities, which can result in destructive or undesired behaviors. If you don’t have livestock that your Cane Corso can help you herd and guard, dog sports like agility training, obedience, tracking, or dock diving can be great options.

Fully-grown Italian Mastiffs usually stand around 23-28 inches tall and weigh 80-120 pounds. Females tend to average 23.5-26 inches tall while males tend to average 25-27.5 inches tall. Their weight should be proportionate to their height; at the upper ranges of height, these dogs are often well over 100 pounds.

Cani Corsi generally live for 9-12 years on average.

The Cane Corso has been featured in several famous dog paintings. Some of the most notable were painted by Bartolomeo Pinelli.