Cane Corso
About the Cane Corso
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 23-28" |
| Weight | 80-120 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$4,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,700/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Cane Corsos may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Cane Corso
The story behind the Cane Corso
The Cane Corso comes from southern Italy, particularly Puglia, Campania, and surrounding regions, where large mastiff-type farm dogs of Italian molosser stock worked as property guardians, drovers, and catch dogs on cattle and wild boar. The type declined sharply through the mid-twentieth century as rural farming changed, and by the 1970s it survived only in scattered pockets. A group of Italian enthusiasts located remaining dogs in the countryside during that decade and began an organised recovery, forming a breed society in the early 1980s, securing national recognition later in that decade, and gaining FCI acceptance in the 1990s. American Kennel Club recognition came in 2010. The breed has since become widely popular as a guardian and companion, which has brought both a far larger population and considerable variation in temperament and type between breeders.
Originally bred for: Property guardian, Cattle drover and catch dog, Boar hunting assistant. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Cane Corso
A heavy but athletic breed whose puppies should grow slowly on a large-breed formula rather than being pushed for size. Adults do best kept lean, with the ration matched to genuine workload, food divided across the day, and vigorous activity scheduled well away from feeding times.
Watch for: No characteristic ingredient intolerance defines the breed. As with other deep-chested molossers, owners commonly feed conservatively as routine practice, using measured portions, calm eating, and divided meals. Persistent skin or digestive complaints deserve veterinary investigation rather than a series of speculative food switches.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Cane Corso
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.