Cane Corso – Mixed Dog Breed Characteristics & Facts

Cane Corso Mixed Dog Breed are working dogs who adore having a task to complete. This ancient Italian dog breed was created to protect property and pursue large game like wild boar. Even though they are purebred dogs, you might find them in a shelter or rescue organization. Don’t forget to adopt! If you want to take one of these dogs home, avoid shopping. Due to their strength and athleticism, cane corsos are best suited for experienced pet owners with sizable, securely fenced yards.

They will undoubtedly require a task from their humans; if not, they may find other ways to pass the time on their own, probably by acting destructively. This breed might be right for you if you have the time, space, and ability to train your dog. For a complete list of Cane Corso characteristics and information, see below!

Cane Corso Mixed Dog Breed Picture

Cane Corso – Mixed Dog Breed Characteristics

Vital Stats:

The Cane Corso, or simply Corso, is a serious dog breed for someone who is serious about owning a dog as a companion and who can give him the firm but loving training he needs to develop into a great dog. He is a family pet only. He has no interest in people or other animals outside of his family, but those inside the family will have his undivided loyalty and protection. So don’t expect him to become best friends with everyone you meet.

This dog needs a job. He won’t sit around all day if you don’t give him something to do; instead, he’ll run the fence and bark at people who pass by, dig holes to China, or chew up your furniture. He will assist you with the livestock if you own a farm or ranch; if not, enlist his participation in a dog sport like agility, dock diving, nose work, obedience, or tracking.

Highlights

• The short coat of the Corso is available in red, light and dark shades of fawn, light and dark shades of gray, and black. A brindle pattern—irregular streaks of light and dark color—can be seen on any of these hues.
• Corsos that are solid fawn or red may have a black or gray mask.
• Ears on the Corso can be cropped or not cropped.
• Working dogs like the Corso require a lot of mental and physical stimulation.
• Despite not being demonstrative, corsos enjoy “talking” to their people by making noises like “woo woo woo,” snorting, and other verbalizations.
• Corsos are poor “first dogs.” To be a good companion, he needs lots of socialization, instruction, and exercise.

History

The Corso is one of many dogs that resemble Mastiffs. This one is said to be descended from Roman war dogs and was created in Italy. He is smaller in stature than his Neapolitan Mastiff cousin and was bred to hunt game, protect property, and work as a farm hand all around.

They helped drive pigs or cattle to the market after rounding them up. Of course, the word “cane” comes from the Latin word “canis,” which means “dog.” The word “corso” may derive from the Latin word “cohors,” which means bodyguard, or from the ancient Italian word “corsus,” which means strong or sturdy. The Corso nearly went extinct as farming became more mechanized, but beginning in the 1970s, dog enthusiasts set out to rebuild the breed.

The Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized the Cane Corso breed in 1996 after the Society Amatori Cane Corso was established in 1983. In 1988 and 1989, two litters of Corsos were brought to the country by a man by the name of Michael Sottile. The 1993 founding year of the International Cane Corso Association. The American Kennel Club eventually granted the breed club’s request for recognition, which was made in 2010. The Cane Corso Association of America now oversees the breed.

Size

The Corso is a big, powerful canine. At the withers, males measure 25 to 27.5 inches and females 23.5 to 26 inches. Weight varies between 90 and 120 pounds and is proportionate to height.

Personality

He is described as having a “vigorous temperament, ready to meet any challenge” in The Corso’s History. A temperament like that has two disadvantages. The Corso can be a wonderful family dog that is never inappropriately aggressive with a self-assured, dependable owner who provides good leadership and keeps the dog from roaming, but in the wrong hands, he can turn aggressive and be a danger to the public.

Two Corso killed a jogger in an attack in July, which made headlines. The ideal Corso is submissive and devoted to his family, which includes children. He needs to be socialized and trained from an early age in order to get to that point. This dog will not adapt well to a household with people who are scared of dogs, don’t like them, or can’t handle a big dog. The Corso has exceptional intelligence. It’s simple to understand how he could come to rule the home without clear direction and boundaries when you combine that with his bossy personality.

He’ll put you to the test to see how far he can go. It’s crucial to explain the rules to him right away and to make sure that everyone in the family is aware of them. Implement a “nothing in life is free” policy by making him sit or lie down before giving him a treat, a meal, or a toy. Never, ever use physical force when exercising firm leadership. With a big, strong dog, that not only sends the wrong message, but it can also be dangerous.

The perceptive Corso is sensitive to voice inflection and responds well to praise and rewards when you like what he has done as well as to firm, prompt corrections and the consistent application of rules when you don’t. Being composed, quiet, and confident will get you much further with this dog than outbursts of rage. He will be able to unwind and feel in control if you are consistent. Allowing the young Corso to spend time alone will help him gain confidence.

This can happen while you are at work around the house and are unable to watch him, either outside in a small space like a yard or kennel or in his crate. He learns that he is fine on his own and that you will always return after being alone for varying lengths of time. The Corso needs early socialization, or exposure to a variety of people, sights, sounds, and experiences, just like every other dog. Ideally, this should happen before the dog is four months old.

Your Corso puppy’s development into a well-rounded dog, unafraid of strangers, kids, other animals, or being left alone when necessary, is aided by socialization. Without much exposure to the outside world, he is prone to becoming fearful or hostile. The more you socialize him, the better able he will be to distinguish between actions that call for a defensive reaction and those that are considered normal behavior. The Corso should be unresponsive when approached and should only retaliate if a genuine threat is present, according to the Italian breed standard.

The Corso is a working breed that must perform well under intense stress. A Corso has the wrong temperament for the breed if it cannot maintain its predetermined temperament under pressure.

Health

Although corsos are typically healthy, they are susceptible to some health issues like all breeds. Even though not all Corsos will contract one or more of these illnesses, it’s important to be aware of them if you’re thinking about getting one. The Corso is susceptible to demodectic mange, which can run in families, hip dysplasia, eyelid abnormalities like entropion, ectropion, and cherry eye, and gastric torsion, also known as bloat. Breeders should be expected to have current health certificates stating that the parents of a puppy are free of hip dysplasia and eye disease.

Clearances should take the form of an OFA or Pennhip evaluation of the hips and an eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist with the results registered with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Checking the Canine Health Information Center’s website will allow you to verify any medical clearances. Ask the breeder if any of their dogs have ever experienced bloat or mange as well. No matter how well-bred your dog is when you first bring them home, you should be ready for any problems that might arise down the road.

Care

To stay in shape, this working breed requires a lot of physical activity. Every day, plan to jog or walk him for at least a mile in the morning and the evening. Get a bicycle attachment that will let him run alongside you if you like to ride one. Be gentle with the pups. In order to help them burn off their puppy energy, they need more walks, but those walks should be slower and shorter because their musculoskeletal system isn’t fully developed until they are about 18 months old. Give this dog a job to keep his mind active.

Herding livestock, whether your own or that of a trainer, learning tricks, honing obedience techniques, or participating in dog sports are all suitable jobs for Corsos. Give these pursuits at least 20 minutes each day. Breaking it up is acceptable, such as doing 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening. Never let a Corso roam free. A sturdy, reliable fence is essential. He can leave your property at any time, and an electronic fence won’t stop him from doing so or keep your neighbor’s dog or cat from wandering into your yard.

Finally, be ready for the significant upkeep and costs that come with owning a large dog. In addition to needing to scoop more poop, big dogs cost more to spay or neuter than small dogs do. The cost of anesthesia will be high if your Corso needs surgery for any other reason because he requires more of it than a small dog does, as well as more pain medication after the procedure.

Last but not least, there are the prices for dog sports registration, training classes, and pet boarding or sitting while you’re away. Before purchasing a Corso, consider all of these costs because you will incur them for 10 to 12 years.

Feeding

If you are feeding your Corso a high-quality dry food, they should consume 4 to 5 cups per day. Note: Your adult dog’s appetite is influenced by his size, age, build, metabolism, and level of activity. Like people, each dog is unique, so they don’t all require the same amount of food.

A highly active dog will require more than a couch potato dog, which should almost go without saying. The kind of dog food you purchase also matters; the better the food, the more effectively it will nourish your dog and the less you will need to shake into the bowl. Rather than leaving food out all the time, keep your Corso in good shape by feeding him twice a day and measuring out his food. Give him the hands-on and eye tests if you’re not sure if he’s obese. Look down at him first.

There should be a waist visible. After that, lay your hands on his back with your thumbs along his spine and your fingers spread outward. Without exerting much pressure, you should be able to feel his ribs but not see them. He needs less food and more exercise if you can’t. See our recommendations for selecting the best food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog for more information on feeding your Corso.

Coat Design and Maintenance

The Corso has a light undercoat beneath its short, stiff coat. It may or may not have a brindle pattern and can be black, gray, red, or fawn in color. Two times a year, the coat sheds heavily, so keep a good vacuum cleaner nearby to remove the dust particles. If you intend to regularly bathe your Corso, get him used to the process early on. As a young puppy, give him a weekly bath while teaching him the command “Bath,” to help him come to expect and enjoy it. To make the deal more appealing, show him lots of gratitude and rewards.

To get rid of tartar buildup and the bacteria that live inside of it, brush your Cane Corso’s teeth at least twice or three times per week. Even better than twice-daily brushing is prevention of bad breath and gum disease. If your dog doesn’t wear his nails down naturally, trim them once or twice a month to avoid painful tears and other issues. They are too long if you can hear them clicking on the floor.

Because dog toenails contain blood vessels, cutting them too short can result in bleeding, which may make your dog uncooperative the next time the nail clippers are pulled out. So, if you’re not experienced with dog nail trimming, seek advice from a veterinarian or groomer. Check your ears once a week for redness or an unpleasant smell that could be an infection. To help prevent infections, clean your dog’s ears when you check them with a cotton ball dampened with a mild, pH-balanced ear cleaner.

Simply clean the outer ear; avoid inserting anything into the ear canal. As soon as your Corso is a puppy, start acclimating him to being brushed and looked at. Dogs are sensitive when it comes to their feet, so handle his paws frequently and examine his mouth. Lay the groundwork for simple veterinary exams and other handling when he’s an adult by making grooming a rewarding experience filled with praise and rewards.

Check your pet’s feet, nose, mouth, eyes, and skin for sores, rashes, or infection-related symptoms like redness, tenderness, or inflammation as you groom them. Clear eyes without any redness or discharge are ideal. You can identify potential health issues early on thanks to your thorough weekly exam.

Kids and other animals

The Corso can be nurturing and protective of children if he is raised, trained, and socialized appropriately. However, it’s crucial that kids refrain from making loud noises in his presence and that neither puppies nor adults are given the chance to chase kids. Running and squealing might make the Corso think of kids as prey. When children are playing loudly outside, keep him in his room, especially if your kids are having friends over. The Corso might feel compelled to intervene to defend “his” children, but that is unlikely to turn out well.

Children can interact with a Cane Corso adult or puppy by playing fetch or, for younger children, by helping to hold the leash. In order to prevent biting or ear or tail pulling on either party, you should always teach kids how to approach and touch dogs. You should also always supervise any interactions between young children and dogs. Teach your child to never try to steal a dog’s food or approach a dog while he or she is eating or sleeping.

Regardless of how devoted, a dog should never be left unattended with a child. If raised with other dogs or cats, the Corso may get along with them, but if not, he’ll probably treat strange animals like prey and try to kill them. It’s crucial to be able to defend the animals of the neighbors from him. Another situation where socialization is essential is this one. Early on, your Cane Corso should learn to behave calmly around other dogs. If you do get a second dog, whether it’s a different breed or another Cane Corso, it’s best to get one of the opposite sex.

Rescue Teams

Some Corsos need to be adopted or fostered because they were given up by their families because they could no longer care for them or because they were bought without fully understanding what it takes to own one. You can find a Corso rescue group by contacting the national breed club or a local breed club.

• American Cane Corso Association
• Coalition for Cane Corso

Creator: PetsCareTip