Cane Corso are serious dogs, meant for serious dog lovers who want a no-nonsense working dog. They’re naturally strong-willed and confident animals, and any Cane Corso owner will need to be able to match their temperament.

While most Cane Corsi will be affectionate toward the humans they guard, they will also naturally try to be the boss of their household. Setting clear boundaries is crucial to living with a Cane Corso. 

Cane Corso have been bred to work for thousands of years, and that legacy lives on in the modern dogs. They love to work, and thrive on the mental and physical challenges involved. They’re not particularly aggressive, but they are highly motivated and energetic dogs, which can be a lot to handle for a first-time dog owner.

One important aspect of the Cane Corso personality is their powerful prey drive. Any smaller animals they see may trigger this drive, and no amount of training will get them to stop chasing. They may not be the best fit for a multi-species household. 

A Cane Corso is a true working dog with the energy and stamina to back it up. Regular daily exercise is vital to burn off all their energy, which will help prevent behavioral issues from developing. 

At least an hour a day of exercise in the form of brisk walking or jogging is a good start, and many Cane Corsi may benefit from even more exercise than that. It’s a good idea to invest in dog toys and puzzles that will challenge the Cane Corso even if they don’t have a job to do. 

Cane Corso that are mentally and physically stimulated will be much more responsive to obedience training.

Cane Corsi are low-maintenance dogs, since they were bred to be hardy working animals. Their coat is short and coarse, and generally does not shed excessively. 

Day-to-day grooming of a Cane Corso is not especially difficult – typically the only challenge is that the dogs are so large that it takes a significant amount of time to brush their entire body. A large natural bristle brush or dog grooming mit can make this process easier. 

Bathing should be done only when necessary, so as to not strip the skin of the natural oils that keep it healthy. Most Cane Corso owners find that a bath every three months or so is more than enough. 

Apart from that, normal grooming procedures should apply. A Cane Corso’s nails may wear down naturally if they are getting a lot of exercise, but regular trimming can also be done. Tooth brushing should be done a couple of times a week, if not daily. 

Due to the Cane Corso’s size and strength, early training and socialization is a must. They are extremely intelligent and need an owner who is able to provide consistent, lifelong training with clear rules and expectations.

Their independent nature and confidence can cause them to think that they know better than their owners. Positive reinforcement is the ideal training method for Cane Corsi, as they must be motivated to follow commands. 

Once you’ve found the treat or reward that your Cane Corso prefers, they are generally eager to please and will quickly learn even complicated commands. 

Emphasis should be placed on preventing the Cane Corso from leash-pulling, jumping, and leaning on people. They’re heavy and strong, so it may be difficult to train these behaviors out when they’re older. 

Cane Corsi have an average lifespan for dogs of their size and weight class, living for 10 to 12 years. Cane Corsi may be prone to:

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV – also known as “bloat”, this is a serious medical condition that happens when the stomach twists and traps gas

• Hip dysplasia – a malformation of the ball and socket of the hip joint that may cause pain and lameness in one or both of the rear legs

• Ectropion – a condition where the lower eyelid droops or rolls 

Cane Corsi are large, physically imposing dogs that were bred to be all-around working dogs and hunters. They stand between 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder, and can weigh from 80 to 120 pounds.

Their size and high energy level means they need a significant amount of space to run around and exercise. While they’re adaptable enough to be calm and quiet if living indoors, most Cane Corsi will prefer outdoor accommodations.

A sheltered outdoor space will let them stretch their legs and work off their energy as they please, while preventing them from inadvertently knocking over tables, chairs, or other furniture with their massive bodies.

That’s not to say that they can’t be kept indoors, as many Cane Corso owners have done so successfully. Just keep in mind the breed’s exercise requirements and need for outdoor activity, as an under-exercised or under-trained Cane Corso may develop destructive behaviors out of boredom.