CANE CORSO ITALIANO Breed Standards
The Cane Corso descends directly from the ancient Roman Molosser. Originally, these War Dogs were used in battle and also pitted against lions and other large beasts in the colosseums of Rome. After the fall of the Roman Empire, these molossers were crossed with some local hounds to create a smaller more agile working dog that could function as a hunter, drover and guard.
Throughout the breeds history, they were very highly respected working dogs that are frequently mentioned in Italian writings. However, with the decline of agriculture, the Cane Corso found itself in danger of becoming extinct. Fortunately, with the help of some very passionate and dedicated enthusiasts, some of the better subjects were acquired and the Cane Corso was given a new birth.
Often refered to as the only coursing mastiff left in modern times, this breed can run seemingly effortlessly and have the agility of a dog a quarter of its size.
SKILLS: The Cane Corso Italiano is a medium-big size dog, strongly built but elegant, with powerful and long muscles, very distinguished, he expresses strength, agility and endurance. It makes an excellent guard dog and watchdog.
SIZE: Height: Males 24-27 inches (64-68 cm.) Females 23-25 inches (60-64 cm.) Weight: Males 99-110 pounds (45-50 kg.) Females 88-99 pounds (40-45 kg.)
COAT: The skin is rather thick. The neck is practically without dewlap. The head mustn't have wrinkles. The pigment of the mucous membranes is black. The pigment of the soles and the nails must be dark. The coat is short hair but not smooth, with vitreous texture, shiny, adherent, stiff, very dense, with a light layer that becomes thicker in winter (but never crops up on the covering hair). Its average length is approx. 2/2,5 cm. On the withers, the rump, the back margin of the thighs and on the tail it reaches approx. 3 cm without creating fringes. On the muzzle the hair is very short, smooth, adherent and is not more than 1/1,5 cm. Color - Black, plumb-gray, slate, light gray, blue/gray, light fawn, deer fawn, dark fawn and tubby (very well marked stripes on different shades of fawn and gray). In the fawny and tubby subjects there is a black or gray mask only on the muzzle and shouldn't go beyond the eye line. A small white patch on the chest, on the feet tips and on the nose bridge is accepted.
CARE REQUIRED: The Cane Corso does not require much grooming. Occasionally comb and brush to remove dead hair. This breed is a light shedder.
CHARACTER: The Cane Corso is highly intelligent and very trainable. Active and even-minded, he is an unequalled watch and protection dog. The Cane Corso Italiano is great with children in the family. Docile and affectionate with the owner. They are protective yet gentle. The Cane Corso has a very stable temperament. It makes an excellent guard dog and watchdog. It will not wonder from the home. They stick close to their masters. If necessary he becomes a terrible and brave protector of people, house and property. The Cane Corso is not a fighting dog.
TRAINING: This very athletic breed needs a lot of regular exercise. They make excellent jogging companions.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: When fully trained, the Cane Corso makes an amenable companion. Suspicious of strangers, but wonderful with the family. It will usually put up with strangers if the owners are present. When raised correctly, the dog should be submissive to all members of the family. Corso ears were originally cropped to help them ward off wolves while protecting livestock. Their ears are much more sensitive than the rest of their bodies. Generally, they're practically impervious to pain otherwise, so many Corso owners are often disappointed to find that electrical "invisible fence" containment systems don't deter their dogs.
EXERCISE: The Cane Corso will do okay in an apartment if it gets enough exercise. They will be content to live outdoors provided they have adequate shelter.
