Cane Corso

All you need to know about the breed

Despite their slightly intimidating presence, the Cane Corso is gentle to the bone. A hugely loyal companion who is incredibly eager to please, they are a mastiff type of breed - characterised by a substantial body, large feet, bulky head, and a brachycephalic front, which means a shortened muzzle and nose.

Developed for big-game sport and used to being assertive, Corsi - as they’re known in the plural - are quite intelligent, so will need a serious, assertive owner. Showing the breed who is in charge from early on is important. Large guardian dogs like the Cane Corso require socialisation with family and friends to achieve the most even temperament.

The breed is one to compete in tracking, agility, obedience, and protection sport. The Cane Corso’s admirable traits are plenty, and the need for exercise is chief among them. Two walks a day at minimum are best, a run even better if you are so inclined. This is not a dog that sits still! The breed thrives in a home with land or a large yard.

As wonderful a family dog as the Cane Corso is, they are not one to take to others so quickly. The dog is very devoted to their owners and hesitates when bonding with others. Get them used to family and friends early on to bring out the best traits of your Cane Corso.

The stunning Cane Corso has long been seen as a dignified breed, with roots in his home country of Italy enough to cement his sophistication. His history there dates to ancient Rome. He is a Molosus subcategory of working breed, thought to descend from the ancient Greek Molossi tribe which bred powerful, large mastiff-type dogs. When the Roman Empire reigned supreme over Greece, native Italians brought the dogs home to further develop them.

The Cane Corso’s ancestors - thought to be even bigger and fearless - were used mainly for battle. As Italy’s wartime endeavours faded, the Cane Corso was utilised over centuries to guard farms and for sport. With the onset of industrialisation, the Corsi’s numbers dwindled and by the mid-Twentieth Century, they were all but extinct.

Thanks to a group of enthusiastic fanciers, the Cane Corso breed survived, hitting U.S. shores in 1988 and recognised by the AKC in 2010.