Cane Corso: breed description, character, photos, reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The first representatives of the Cane Corso dog breed appeared three thousand years ago. These animals are considered to be descendants of Great Danes kept by Tibetan monks. They were valued for their massive and formidable appearance. He was supposed to inspire fear and respect. The dogs did an excellent job with this task.

Historical digression

The description of the Cane Corso breed says that in the Middle Ages these animals served as shepherds. They guarded flocks of sheep and livestock from predators and thieves. They were used for hunting. They poisoned a wild animal. As for the official version, it says that the first description of the breed was compiled by the ancient Romans.

The chroniclers mentioned these mighty and fearless dogs in their books. Sculptors sculpted them from plaster and marble, and artists depicted them on canvas. The development of the Molossian breed is inextricably linked with the formation of Italian statehood. Once upon a time, Cane Corso dogs became the hallmark of the empire. They could be seen in the arena and in the palace they guarded.

After the change of power, animals lost their privileged status. They again returned to the shepherd's craft, and theirrepresentatives were crossed with Celtic greyhounds. The animals achieved the greatest success in cattle driving, which explains the devotion of dogs to one owner. In doing so, they acquired new skills that are still used today. Today, Cane Corso is not only for the magnificent exterior, but also for their working qualities.

Ups and downs

The description of the Cane Corso breed says that these dogs were almost completely exterminated during the Second World War. They were massively involved in hostilities. Animals died, and a few offspring died from hunger that broke out in the country. To revive the breed, it took tremendous efforts. The godmother of the modern Cane Corso branch was the Italian breeder Giovanni Bonatti Nizzoli.

She began her difficult job of compiling a description of the Cane Corso breed in 1983. The breeder selected the best representatives of the breed, furrowing all of Italy for this. A few years later, the dogs gave birth, and Giovanni managed to get the official registration of the standard. An open show of puppies of the breed took place in 1994. At that time, there were about five hundred Cane Corso representatives in the country. It took only a few years for the number of animals to reach three thousand. This is how the official description of the Cane Corso breed appeared.

Features of education

Dog owners consider their pets to be intelligent, responsive, loyal and considerate companions. The average lifespan of theselarge and colorful animals does not exceed 12 years. A course of professional training is a prerequisite for the upbringing and socialization of puppies. Cynologists train dogs as bodyguards.

Key Features

In the description of the breed and character of the Cane Corso, protective qualities are mentioned. These are innate traits of the Cane Corso. They perform a watchdog function even without special training. This statement is valid not only for the owner of the dog, but also for the territory, home and property. True, an untrained animal will do it in its own way.

If a dog is he althy, it is friendly. In the description of the breed and character of the Cane Corso, it is written that the dog is tolerant of guests who do not show open aggression. A educated individual will begin to attack a stranger only after the appropriate command of the owner. Most dogs get along with other pets. Cane Corso do not touch birds, cats and other small pets.

The basic instinct of the breed is to guard the younger members of the pack. This applies not only to relatives, but also to the children of the owner. This is how the echoes of wandering with flocks of sheep and calves manifest themselves. Dogs are used to patronizing them and show great patience. Pets are just as loyal to the manipulations of hairdressers, veterinarians and experts, photos, reviews and descriptions of the Cane Corso breed confirm this. The most impatient just try to sneak away. If this fails, they endure all procedures with firmness.

The socialized animal is intelligent and receptive to what the owner tells him. Requirementscarried out without question and without delay. Numerous reviews and descriptions of the Cane Corso breed say that the main advantage of these dogs is the lack of leadership ambitions. Animals Without Borders are devoted to the owner's family. For them, emotional contact with the owner is important.

Change of ownership for dogs is an ordeal. At the same time, animals are unobtrusive. The vote is given in exceptional situations. They take part in children's fun with great pleasure. True, dogs of this breed are not without flaws, this is evidenced by the photo of the Cane Corso, the description of the breed and character.

Weaknesses of Cane Corso

Future owners of Molossians need to remember that these animals do not have the most pleasant features. The abundance of saliva, which sometimes drips from the mouth, causes negative emotions in people. She barely rubs off the fabric upholstery of armchairs and sofas. It is difficult to remove from carpet or curtains.

The shedding of these large dogs is also a lot of trouble. Take a look only at real photos and reviews of the Cane Corso breed. Dogs do not have a soft undercoat. Their body is covered with stiff hairs that fall off all year round. Animals do not have seasonal molting, so you will have to constantly remove the hair. A good appetite of dogs does not allow saving on feeding. Developed muscles require a high-calorie, balanced diet.

age. Ligaments and bones are usually affected. Joint pathologies are detected in every second dog. Deflection of the spine occurs in those animals that are released for a walk immediately after a meal.

Children are not allowed to go up and down stairs on their own. In the description and characteristics of the Cane Corso breed (the photos confirm everything), it is said that puppies are literally carried on their hands. Otherwise, they will have an incorrect gait, which will lead to other problems.

Young dogs are shy. They shy away from loud noises. They are horrified by the strange outlines of objects. Incorrect dog training explains the abundance of negative reviews about the Cane Corso. In the description of the breed, experts recommend early education of puppies. Timely socialization eliminates all sorts of difficulties associated with keeping a dog in a big city.

The lack of a warm undercoat does not allow keeping dogs in open-air cages on the street. Animals freeze even at positive temperatures. If treatment is not carried out, and the conditions of detention do not change, then the dog will sooner or later develop chronic diseases.

Exterior description

The height of males at the withers reaches 70 centimeters. Photos and descriptions of Cane Corso dogs clearly demonstrate that females reach 65 cm. The average weight of dogs of both sexes is 45 kg. The torsos of animals are distinguished by well-developed relief muscles. The head of the representatives of the breed is wide and massive. The forehead is convex in the anterior part. Closer to the back of the head, it becomes flatter.

The shape of the eyes resemblesoval. Apples are round and voluminous. Animals with a light iris are an exception. It is usually dark. Previously, the auricles were cropped. Today they are not trimmed, leaving a natural shape. The ears of dogs are triangular. They hang, although they have a high location. The neck is tight and strong.

The tail is set high. It is thick, especially at the base. Paws are powerful and strong. Due to this, the gait is sweeping, and the movements are wide. The torso is covered with short hair. Under the condition of a balanced diet, it is brilliant. It can be wavy, but in this case they speak of a defect in the breed. The same applies to hair length. Only short hair is considered standard.

Color

The color of the coat of dogs can be different, but uniform. Black individuals are believed to have close genetic ties to Great Danes. The gray representatives of the breed are related to the Italian Neapolitano mastino. The fawn color is related to Boxers and Staffordshire Terriers. According to unofficial data, the blood of these breeds was used to restore the Cane Corso.

Care

In the description and reviews about the nature of the Cane Corso breed, it is said that animals are demanding on conditions of maintenance and care. They should have their own place, which must be prepared before the puppy arrives at the house. When choosing a location, you need to remember that the dog will react extremely negatively to the move. It is worth considering the fact that strangers cannot enter the territory allocated for the pet.

Those who keep animals on the street should organize warm booths for them. In the description of the dogs of the Cane Corso breed, it appears that these animals are suitable not only for country living, but also for placement in an apartment. They do an excellent job of protecting a private home. Representatives of the Cane Corso need regular physical activity. They need training, intense jogging and training. If the conditions of detention are violated, the dog will begin to damage upholstered furniture, wooden products and personal belongings.

For full development, puppies and adults need close contact with the like. Numerous photos and descriptions of the Cane Corso breed confirm this.

To minimize the effects of shedding, you need to periodically comb the coat with a stiff brush. This simple action will help reduce hair loss. If hygiene is neglected, colonies of parasitic organisms form on the skin of the Cane Corso.

Dogs are attacked by fleas and ticks. In the description of the Italian Cane Corso breed, it is recommended to treat puppies and adults twice a year, and in some regions more often. This is done with special compositions from insects. Ears should be cleaned gently, removing accumulated wax. Open shells that have been docked are more likely to develop dust deposits.

Cost

Cane Corso puppies are not exotic on the Russian market. But in the free sale of pets - a rarity. Upscale representatives of the breed will cost sixty thousand rubles. Without a pedigree, dogs are offered for thirty. At the same time, no one guarantees the purity of blood, mental stability and physical he alth of the animal.

If the price the breeder is asking for is not affordable, an alternative to the Cane Corso should be considered. Further maintenance, upbringing and treatment of dogs will cost many times more.

Defects

Serious faults of the representatives of the breed include violations of the shape of the muzzle. We are talking about a wedge-shaped skull, upturned cheekbones. With a partial change in the color of the nose, the dog is disqualified. Occlusion pathology, including a scissor-shaped defect, is also an obstacle to a show career. The incorrect position of the tail, which has the shape of a hook, is considered a vice. This also includes its vertical position.

The ambling of dogs is considered an unacceptable characteristic. Deviations of body weight and height from the parameters described in the international standard are recognized as full-fledged reasons for weaning animals from participation in professional exhibitions and from breeding.

Reviews

Owners rave about their experience with Cane Corso dogs. They highly appreciate the bright, eye-catching appearance of animals. They say that dogs have a stable psyche. Pets are reliable, hardy and obedient. Cane Corsos have become beloved family members, faithful companions who accompany their owners on trips and at home.

Practical people highlight the excellent guard qualities of dogs. Representatives of this breed serve as watchmen and bodyguards. Owners note devotion and affection, high intelligence of their pets. At the same time, many are irritated by increased salivation. Some see these powerful creaturespotential threat.

Experienced breeders insist that the Cane Corso is not a dog for beginners. People should understand that representatives of the breed require serious training, training and care. Puppies take a long time to mature. Despite their solid weight, they are still immature, capable of causing physical harm to the owner and his family members.

Those who managed to raise Cane Corso, regret that animals often have he alth problems. Dogs are very demanding in terms of nutrition, daily routine, and the amount of physical activity. Any oversight leads to diseases of the joints and spine. The large mass of the pet complicates its walking and transportation to the veterinary clinic.

Someone believes that the life span of these dogs is very short. Not everyone lives past the age of eleven. Silence lovers say that dogs snore loudly and resoundingly. This remark is relevant if you are going to keep a dog in an apartment or house. In the northern regions, walking the Cane Corso becomes difficult.

They need to purchase special boots for their paws and a warm blanket or overalls. Otherwise, dogs freeze, which leads to a series of unpleasant diseases. In the absence of proper treatment, they can develop into chronic pathologies.

Diseases

Veterinarians identify a number of the following ailments that most often affect Cane Corso:

• hip dysplasia;
• viral infections;
• rabies;
• leishmaniasis.

Whena slight degree of dysplasia, dogs begin to limp. If the pathology progresses, then the animal loses mobility. A viral infection is understood as a plague that kills fragile puppies and individuals that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner. The disease manifests itself with an extreme increase in body temperature, which turns into a fever.

A small red rash appears on the skin. After a few days, the blisters enlarge and fill with fluid. Modern veterinary medicine makes it possible to treat this viral infection at any stage. With rabies, the dog dies within a week or ten days.

Leishmaniasis occurs after an insect bite. Most often, young animals, whose age is less than two years old, get sick. After a successful cure, the animal develops immunity. Evidence of leishmaniasis are characteristic sores on the mucous membranes of the dog. Sometimes they are accompanied by a fever. There is diarrhea, which entails a general depletion of the body.

Animals are often infected with nematodosis. Parasites can be recognized by causeless weight loss. Puppies and young Cane Corso suffer from indigestion, they show signs of rickets.

Socialization

The training of dogs should be started immediately after the basic vaccinations are done. Animal training is recommended to be trusted by professionals. Usually breeders deal with these issues themselves or recommend responsible instructors. Self-training Cane Corso can lead to fatal consequences.

Usuallypurebred individuals are distinguished by a stable psyche. But with the wrong approach, they are not able to show the best qualities. Dogs become aggressive and unpredictable. They become dangerous for their owners, family members and those around them. Reeducation doesn't always work.