WorkingItaly

Cane Corso

Italian mastiff with a bodyguard's poise.

Weight: 90–120+ lbs
Height: 23–27 in
Lifespan: 8–10 yrs

In short

The Cane Corso is an Italian mastiff, a working breed used for centuries to guard farms and property and to hunt boar. Adults weigh about 90–120 lbs and live 8–10 years. It is a serious guardian that needs an experienced owner, early socialization and firm, fair training.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

are an experienced owner of large, strong dogs
want a devoted, watchful guardian
will commit to socialization and training for life

Think twice if you…

have frequent visitors or a busy, open home
have other dogs of the same sex
are a first-time dog owner

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 180–225 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10

EnergyActive6.5/10

Calm at homeSettles well7.5/10

SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Large, broad head
A mastiff head with a powerful bite; owners need full control from puppyhood.
02
Muscular, athletic body
More agile than most mastiffs; it can move fast when it decides to.
03
Short, dense coat
Easy to groom but sheds, more so in spring and fall.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	100–120 lbs	90–110 lbs
Height	25–27 in	23–26 in
Lifespan	8–10 yrs
Coat	Short, stiff double coat

Side profile 23–27 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Corsos are calm and affectionate with their own family and suspicious of everyone else by design. They watch, they decide, and they act. With the right owner they are steady and loving; with the wrong one they can become a liability.

With kids

Usually gentle with their own family's kids, but their size and protectiveness mean constant supervision, especially with visiting children.

With other pets

Can be dominant or aggressive with other dogs, particularly of the same sex; small pets need careful management.

With strangers

Wary and protective; visitors need to be introduced calmly, and the dog should be managed when guests arrive.

Alone time

Can handle normal workdays when adult and exercised; boredom brings chewing and guarding the windows.

Training

Corsos are intelligent and respond to a confident, consistent handler. They need clear rules and calm leadership, not force.

How often

2–3 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

From 8–16 weeks and beyond, make socializing with strangers, kids and other dogs a top priority. A guardian breed that isn't socialized becomes fearful or aggressive.
Self-control

Teach calm behavior when the doorbell rings and a reliable "place" for when guests arrive. Loose-leash walking is essential before the dog outweighs you.
What it works for

Food and praise from their own people work well. Use small, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver for key skills, keeping treats within 10% of daily calories.

Exercise

Corsos need steady daily exercise and a job, such as structured walks, training and controlled play. They are athletic enough for hikes once fully grown.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Long structured walks
Hiking once fully grown
Controlled tug games

Brain work

Obedience training
Scent work
Carrying a dog backpack on walks

Best home

Best in a house with a secure, tall fence; apartments are a poor fit.

Watch for Avoid forced running and jumping before 18–24 months to protect growing joints, and watch for heat stress.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Cane Corso (90–120+ lbs) lands around 1,800–2,250 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 2,250–2,800 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 225–280 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 11–14 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 1,800–2,250 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 180–225 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 9–11 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 2,475–3,075 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 250–310 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 12–15 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,575–1,975 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 160–200 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 8–10 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	2,250–2,800 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	225–280 kcal	11–14 pieces
Adult Maintenance	1,800–2,250 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	180–225 kcal	9–11 pieces
Active / Working	2,475–3,075 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	250–310 kcal	12–15 pieces
Senior	1,575–1,975 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	160–200 kcal	8–10 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and eyelid problems are the main concerns. Keep your Corso lean and choose a breeder who screens hips and elbows.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Elbow dysplasia	OFA elbow evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Eyelid and eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Heart disease	Cardiac exam by a veterinarian or cardiologist	In breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Luxating patella (slipping kneecaps)	OFA patella evaluation	Once, from 12 months
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis	DNA test (results registered with the OFA)	Once (a DNA result does not change)
Dental Retinal Skeletal Anomaly	DNA test (results registered with the OFA)	Once (a DNA result does not change)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Cane Corso breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Elbow evaluation
Heart exam
Kneecap (patella) check
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL 1)
Dental Retinal Skeletal Anomaly

Also recommended

Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Thyroid panel
DNA sample banked with CHIC

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate, with heavier seasonal sheds

Brush weekly with a rubber curry or bristle brush, more often during seasonal sheds. Trim nails every few weeks, since heavy dogs need short nails. Check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.

History

Ancient

Roman roots

The Cane Corso descends from Roman mastiff-type dogs used in war and as guardians.
Middle Ages–1900s

Italian farm dog

In southern Italy, Corsos guarded farms and livestock, drove cattle and hunted wild boar.
1970s–2010

Revival and recognition

Nearly extinct by the mid-1900s, the breed was revived by Italian enthusiasts from the 1970s and recognized by the AKC in 2010.

Questions owners ask

Are Cane Corsos easy to train?

For experienced owners. They are smart and learn quickly, but they need confident, consistent leadership. Start training and socializing the day the puppy comes home.

Are Cane Corsos good with kids and other pets?

With supervision. They are often loving with their own family's kids but very protective, so visiting kids need managing. Many don't tolerate other dogs of the same sex.

How much exercise does a Cane Corso need?

About 60–90 minutes a day of walks, training and controlled play. Mental work matters as much as physical exercise.

Do Cane Corsos shed?

Yes, moderately, with heavier seasonal sheds. A weekly brush keeps it under control.

What health problems do Cane Corsos have, and how long do they live?

Cane Corsos live 8–10 years. Watch for hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and eyelid problems. Ask for hip and elbow results and keep your dog lean.

Is a Cane Corso good for apartments or first-time owners?

No. Their size, strength and guarding instincts need an experienced owner and a secure home. A first-timer should pick a less demanding breed.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Cane Corso needs only 9–11 pieces a day, well inside the 180–225 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Cane Corso ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.