GROUP 6 - UTILITY

Brief History
Originally bred to be war dogs used by the Romans, in more modern times they have evolved as a protector and guardian of farmyards in Italy and particularly southern Italy. As farms diminished so did the breed, until enthusiasts began a recovery program in the late 1970’s

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 10 to 12 years.

Temperament
Guardian of property, family and livestock; extremely agile and responsive. Even tempered.

General Breed Description
The Cane Corso is fairly large sized and energetic. They are robust, sturdy and powerfully built. The colours are black, grey fawn and brindle. They will need a firm handler and a well fenced yard.

Coat and Care Requirements
The coat is short and dense, slight undercoat. This breed will not need a lot of grooming. A weekly brush, together with occasional bathing when required will keep him looking smart.

Size
Height: Males 62 to 70cms, Females 58 to 66cms.

Weight: Males 45 to 50kgs, Females 40 to 45kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Cane Corso is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include can suffer from eye problems, Hip Dysplasia (HD) and Gastric Torsion (Bloat).

Suitability
Cane Corsos are a very loyal breed, keen to please their master and very happy to play. The breed needs a lot of exercise to avoid the development of behavioural problems and it’s not a breed that is advised for a first-time or timid owner. Good and consistent training from a young age is essential for the Cane Corso.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/108