Cane Corso Dog Breed information
(Italian Mastiff)

     

The Cane Corso is an Italian breed of dog used mainly as a guard dog. It is of the large molosser type. The name means "Corso Dog", and if abbreviated should be called a "Corso" as Cane (pronounced kah-nay) simply means "dog" in Italian.

Appearance

There are some discrepancies across standards internationally, and they can vary somewhat among different breed clubs. For example, the FCI standard #343 calls for a height at the withers from 60 to 68 cm (23.6 to 26.7 inches), with bitches in the lower ranges and males in the higher ranges, whereas the American Kennel Club (AKC) affiliated club (Cane Corso Association of America) calls for 24.4-26.8 inches (62 to 68 cm).^[1] Similarly, different organizations call for weights in various ranges from 36-63.5 kg (80 to 140 pounds).

Its ears are naturally dropped forward, but where legal, many breeders crop them short and close to the head so that the remaining stubs stand upright. Most Corsos have cropped tails as well. The standard calls for cropping at the 4th vertebra, although many are cropped shorter. They Appear in four colours, Black, Beige Brindle and Blue

Temperament

The Cane Corso should be a confident dog, very devoted to its family, and not pose a threat to strangers welcomed into the home. He is easily trained and generally naturally protective of children. Since the breed is very smart and active, it is advised that owners find activities to stimulate the dog. If not, they may turn to your possessions in their boredom. They also often suffer from separation anxiety. A dog that is aggressive may be unstable but more probably is under-socialised. Early and consistent socialisation is a requirement for this breed. A well trained and socialised Corso is not only a good ambassador for the breed, but for canines in general.^[2]

References

1. ^ ICCF Standard (Cane Corso). Cane Corso Association of America. Retrieved on 2007-04-02.

2. ^ Shaping Temperament. Cane Corso Association of America. Retrieved on 2007-04-02.