Cane Corso Dog
The independent, intelligent, and dignified Cane Corso breed. It has a long history of being bred to be a canine multitasker that is alert, energetic, and keeps a close watch on their family. It’s vital to socialize this breed properly and teach them important skills so they pick up the behaviors they need to be successful as adults. The charming, wrinkly, and clever cane Corso puppy can grow into a 110-pound energetic adult.
Before getting any dog, even a Cane Corso, potential owners should take plenty of time to plan and prepare, advises Jami-Lyn Derse, DVM, the creator of Veterinary Housecall Care. Italian mastiffs are the breeders of the Cane Corso. He is a complex, strong dog with unique requirements. To begin with, he is a big breed that may weigh up to 120 pounds. He was made to protect property and hunt large game. The Cane Corso has a large head, a big body that is rectangular, and a short coat that is either black, grey, fawn, or red.
For a novice dog owner, the Cane Corso is not the best breed. People who have never owned a dog before or who have only owned “soft” breeds like retrievers, spaniels, or toy breeds should not apply. This dog is big, robust, sharp, energetic, and independent.
A leader who can direct a Cane Corso with firmness and consistency without employing force or harshness is necessary. The Cane Corso doesn’t make a big deal out of how much he cares for his family. He will want to be close to you, but he is not a pushy person who needs constant attention or physical contact.
Socialization at a young age must occur often. Invest in a Cane Corso puppy from a breeder that grows the puppies in the house and makes sure they are exposed to a variety of household sights and noises. By enrolling your Cane Corso in puppy kindergarten, introducing him to friends and neighbors, and organizing visits to nearby stores and companies, you may continue socializing your dog throughout his life. Therefore, no amount of socialization will make him friends with anybody but his family. The Cane Corso is primarily a guard dog, and he is serious about his duties.
As soon as you get your Cane Corso puppy home, start teaching him while he is still a manageable size. Adopt a policy that says nothing in life is free and that pups must first comply with a command before being given food, a toy, a reward, or the opportunity to play. Especially if you are dealing with a trainer who is familiar with the Cane Corso way of thinking, it is always a good idea to enroll a Cane Corso in puppy kindergarten followed by basic obedience training.
The Cane Corso has a moderate degree of activity and need a task to accomplish, which can range from being your leash-free strolling partner to regular training exercises. Expect to jog or walk him at least a mile per day, in addition to around 20 minutes of training. He won’t be content to sit about all the time doing nothing.
He must also be stopped from pursuing and killing any neighborhood cats or small dogs. Due to his intense prey drive and territorial temperament, the Cane Corso needs a robust, reliable fence that is at least six feet high to contain him. For this breed, an underground electrical fence is never acceptable.
Like any dogs, Cane Corso pups love to chew, and due to their size, they may inflict a lot of harm. Give them access to the residence only once they have shown their trustworthiness. Additionally, keep your Cane Corso puppy occupied with training, games, and socializing opportunities. Cane Corso are destructive when they are bored.
The Cane Corso needs to be with his family frequently. It’s terrible to chain a Cane Corso outside and provide him little or no care since this can make him aggressive and destructive.
The silky coat of the Cane Corso sheds. To keep the skin and coat healthy and to remove dead hair, brush him at least once every week.
Cane Corso Appearance
The Cane Corso is a large, powerful dog with a rather regal aspect. His size and strength are, of course, among the reasons he’s a popular option for keeping an eye on his owners and property. Derse describes them as being of the “large, handsome, mastiff-type” breed. A mature female Cane Corso typically weighs 88 to 99 pounds, and a mature male Cane Corso can weigh up to 110 pounds.
His big chest, huge skull, and wrinkled forehead will help you identify him. They frequently have their ears clipped, albeit this practice is debatable as it serves only aesthetic functions and has no demonstrable advantages for the animal’s health. In addition, they seem particularly adorable because of their floppy ears.
The short, double-layered coat of the Cane Corso can be black, grey, fawn, red, or brindle in color. The coat has a gritty, thick, and occasionally tufted texture that some people have even compared to the coat of a cow. The dog’s almond-shaped eyes come in a variety of hues, from vivid yellow or blue to various degrees of brown.
Cane Corso history
The Neapolitan Mastiff and the Cane Corso are two breeds that resemble mastiffs that originated in Italy. Both are related to the Roman combat dogs. To the Neo’s “howitzer,” the Cane Corso may be compared to “light artillery.” He served as a farmhand, flock monitor, property and family protector, and hunting dog during the collapse of the Roman Empire (especially of big and dangerous game such as wild boar).
The Cane Corso’s fall was attributed to industrialization, and both World Wars I and II came dangerously close to ending his existence. Only a few of the dogs were still alive in isolated southern Italian regions by the 1970s. When Giovanni Bonnetti, who was familiar with the breed from his youth, drew it to his notice in 1973, Dr. Paolo Breber became interested in it. The next year, Breber bought several of the puppies and started a breeding programmed. When the dogs were featured in a magazine article, additional people were interested. By 1996, the Federation Cynologique Internationale had approved of the breed.
Some of the dogs had been transported to the US at that time. In 1993, the United States established the International Cane Corso Federation, and more dogs were brought in from Italy. In 2003, the ICCF decided to apply for the American Kennel Club to recognize the breed, changing its name to the Cane Corso Association of America. The breed was recognized in 2010 and now holds the 51st place among AKC-registered dogs.
Cane Corso Personality and Temperament
The Cane Corso has a dominant personality and is a naturally independent dog. He is a great protector of his family and house because of these qualities. However, if the owner is unable to establish his or her position as the pack leader and regulate this behavior, the dog’s natural urge to take the lead might be problematic. The Cane Corso will attempt to control the household while being kind and friendly with his family, even youngsters. This dog will obviously challenge any boundaries imposed, therefore anybody thinking about buying one must be ready to do so.
The Cane Corso requires a lot of exercise to be mentally and physically healthy despite his great intelligence and athletic ability. To help him burn off his energy, take him running or on arduous excursions.
Due to his size and the time and effort needed to carefully monitor interactions between the dog and small children, the Cane Corso may be better suited to a household with older children (age 9 and above) than a family with infants and toddlers.
the day you bring your puppy home, begin teaching him. He is capable of learning whatever you can teach him even at the age of eight weeks.
Waiting until he is 6 months old to start training will result in a more difficult to control dog. By the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old, if at all feasible, enrol him in puppy kindergarten and encourage him to socialize constantly. Although many doctors advise limiting contact to other dogs and crowded areas until puppy vaccinations, such as those for rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, have been finished, be aware that many puppy training schools need some vaccinations, such as kennel cough, to be current. Until puppy vaccinations are finished, you can start training your puppy at home and socializing him with family and friends in place of official instruction.
Don’t allow him get away with actions like snarling or snapping when handled or moved, or when he refuses to go outdoors or walk in a certain direction when wearing a leash. He shouldn’t be let to act in the same manner when someone approaches his food or toys too closely. Family members should not be mounted. In such situations, you must act swiftly and forcefully to restore your position as the pack leader. Work closely with a trainer or behaviorist who is familiar with the guardian breed mentality to avoid these kinds of behaviors from occurring in the first place.
Consider why you are interested to this breed. Speak to a reliable, knowledgeable Cane Corso breeder. Ask for help choosing a puppy and provide specific details about the characteristics you are seeking in a dog. Once they are aware of your lifestyle and personality, breeders can offer suggestions that are uncannily correct given their daily contact with the puppies. Select a puppy whose parents are friendly and who has been raised in a sociable environment by the breeder.
What should you now About Cane Corso Health
Similar to how all individuals have the ability to inherit sickness, all dogs have the capacity to have hereditary health issues. Any breeder that claims that the breed has no known health issues, does not provide a health guarantee for their puppies, or separates their puppies from the rest of the family for health reasons should be avoided. A respectable breeder will be forthright and transparent about breed-wide health issues as well as how frequently they manifest in her lines. Hip dysplasia, entropion or ectropion, demodectic mange, and a propensity for stomach torsion are a few of the health issues that have been seen in Cane Corso.
Ask the breeder to provide proof that a puppy’s parents have eye clearances from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation, excellent, good, or fair hip evaluations from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), or hip scores from the University of Pennsylvania (PennHIP). Avoid buying a puppy from a breeder that is unable to give you with documented proof that the parents were free of breed-specific health issues. Genetic health testing cannot be substituted with a “vet check” for the dogs.
Once you’ve welcomed a new puppy into your house, keep in mind that you have the power to shield him from one of the most prevalent health issues: obesity.
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Joint issues:
Joint issues are more likely in Corsos than in many other big dogs. The breed’s frequent conditions, including as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and elbow issues, can be made worse by excess weight. Because of this, it’s crucial to feed a balanced, exacting diet. You might also want to avoid high-impact exercises like jogging because they might be difficult on your joints. (However, Vandewalle claims that Corsos do make excellent hiking companions after they are grown adults and their growth plates are closed if you lead an active lifestyle.) Avoid jumping from tall objects like couches and automobile hatchbacks, which can damage the spine and cause joint problems.
Bloat:
Cane Corso, like many huge and enormous breeds, are susceptible to bloat, a potentially fatal illness in which the stomach twists and fills with gas. Gastric dilatation and volvulus are two disorders that are sometimes combined to form the term “bloat.” As the stomach fills with gas, it swells and causes gastric dilatation. When the gas-filled stomach expands and twists, restricting blood flow, this condition is known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). Drooling, retching, a bloated stomach, hunching, restlessness, and difficult breathing are a few of the signs.
Any dog suspected of having bloat needs to see a doctor right away. Age, having relatives who have the illness, and eating one substantial meal a day are all risk factors for bloat. Make sure your Cane Corso doesn’t eat too soon to avoid bloat. Additionally, higher bowls have historically been advised to reduce the risk of bloating, but more recent evidence indicates that they may potentially do the opposite.
Surgery to realign the stomach to its normal position and gastric decompression are frequently necessary components of treatment..
When your dog is getting spayed or neutered at a young age, your veterinarian may advise a treatment called a gastropexy. The stomach is fastened to the body wall during this procedure, preventing gastric dilatation and volvulus. If you want to know if this is a good choice for your dog, talk to your vet.
Anxiety:
Despite not quite being Velcro dogs like Vizslas, cane Corsos dislike being removed from their family. Due to their family-oriented temperament, Corsos frequently experience separation anxiety, according to Vandewalle, if they are not adequately taught how to spend time alone. The most common behavioral obstacle that we encounter, according to her, is anxiety. These dogs don’t enjoy being alone themselves. Training pups in crates is a smart concept (read more about crate training here).
The Basics Things of Cane Corso Grooming
Due to his short coat and big bulk, grooming the Cane Corso is a major job yet fairly simple. Once a week, give his glossy coat a once-over with a natural bristle brush or mitt. Use coat conditioner or polish to make the shine more vibrant. Use a gentle shampoo to give him a bath every three months (or whenever he becomes dirty).
Basic care is all that is left. Every week, check his ears and clean them if necessary. To maintain his teeth and gums healthy, you should regularly wash his teeth with canine toothpaste and trim his toenails, often once a month. In order to teach the Cane Corso to tolerate the handling and fuss gently, grooming must be introduced to him at an early age.
Cane Corso Food and Needs
The Cane Corso is not couch potato. This sharp working breed enjoys exercise and having a task to do. Like any large dog breed, the Cane Corso would benefit from having a large, fenced-in yard and someone who could take them for frequent walks to help them burn off some of their pent-up energy. The Cane Corso, who is skilled in agility training, skills training, dock diving, and other activities, is happiest when his intellect is stimulated. The dog could get into mischief on his own if the owner doesn’t provide an activity, such as digging. This dog wants to stay in his owner’s sight rather than being left alone for an extended period of time.
Choose A Cane Corso Breed
The key to choosing the ideal puppy is to identify a reputable breeder. A competent breeder will pair you with the ideal dog for you and will undoubtedly have completed all the certifications required to filter out health issues to the greatest extent feasible. She need to be more concerned with finding the proper homes for the puppies than with generating a lot of money. Watch out for breeders that only tell you positive things about the breed or who advertise the dogs as “excellent with kids” without explaining what that means or how it happened.
When you ask a good breeder about a dog’s temperament, health history, and how the dogs get along with each other, they’ll be happy to answer your inquiries. However, they’ll also ask you about what you’re looking for in a dog and the sort of life you can provide him in return. A skilled breeder can describe the history of the breed, explain why one puppy is deemed pet quality while another is not, and go through the health issues that the breed faces as well as the precautions she takes to prevent them. Throughout your dog’s life, a breeder should want to be a resource for you.
How do you differentiate between legitimate and dishonest breeders when they all have websites? Puppy availability that is constant, having numerous litters on the property, being able to choose any puppy, and accepting credit card payments online are all warning signs. While useful, those items are usually never connected to trustworthy breeders.
Remember the proverb “let the buyer beware” whether you want to purchase your new best friend from a breeder, a pet store, or another source. It might be challenging to tell unreliable enterprises from from legitimate ones when dealing with puppy mills and shady breeding facilities.
There isn’t a full proof way to ensure that you’ll never buy a sick puppy, but doing your homework on the breed (so you know what to expect), visiting the facility (to look for unhealthy conditions or sick animals), and asking the right questions can lessen the likelihood of finding yourself in a precarious situation. Ask your veterinarian as well, since they may frequently direct you to a reputable breeder, breed rescue group, or other trustworthy source for healthy puppies.
The Cost of a Cane Corso Dog
Depending on the breeder’s location, the puppy’s gender, the titles his parents hold, and whether he is best suited for a show ring or a pet home, the price of a Cane Corso puppy varies. The puppy you purchase should have come from parents who have health clearances, conformation (show), and, preferably, working titles to demonstrate that they are excellent examples of the breed. It should also have been raised in a clean home setting. Puppies should undergo temperament evaluations, background checks, deworming, and socialization to ensure they have a happy, healthy start in life.
Consider whether an adult Cane Corso could better suit your needs and way of life before making the decision to purchase a puppy. Puppies are a lot of fun, but it takes a long time and a lot of work to raise one into the dog of your dreams. In comparison to a puppy, an adult may already have some training and will likely be less demanding, energetic, and destructive. You may discover adults through breeders or shelters, and you know more about what you’re getting in terms of personality and health when you adopt an adult. Ask breeders if they have any retired show dogs or adult dogs looking for new homes if you’re interested in buying an older dog from them.