| Name | Italian Mastiff |
| Origin | Italy |
| Life expectancy | Between 10 and 12 years old |
| Colors | Black, black brindle, brindle, lead gray, slate gray, light gray, light brown, dark brown, dark brown and deer brown |
| Hair | Short |
| Height | Up to 70 cm |
| Weight | Up to 50 kg |
| Temperament | Calm, trainable, gentle, reserved, docile, protective and distrustful. |
| Needs | Physical activity and good nutrition |
| Perfect for | Families with children |
Origin and history of the Cane Corso
The origin of the Cane Corso dog breed goes back to the Canis Pugnax, a breed of mastiffs used by the armies of the Roman Empire as a guard dog. Its mission was to protect the soldiers, while hunting animals as food for them. Likewise, the Canis Pugnax was also used in shows to fight against lions and gladiators. According to various writings found, there is evidence that the Cane Corso is at least six centuries old.
This breed has been used mainly as a guard dog in the countryside, to defend livestock and land. In 1981 the Cane Corso was approved by the Ente Nazionale Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI).
Types of Cane Corso or Italian Mastiff
Depending on the color of the coat, there are different types of Cane Corso.
Colors
There are many colors that this breed of dog can present. Specifically, we find the following: black, black brindle, brindle, lead gray, slate gray, light gray, light brown, dark brown and deer brown.
Hair type
The Italian Mastiff is a short-haired dog with no other coat types.
Cane Corso puppy
The Cane Corso puppy is characterized by being playful, affectionate and active. At this time it is very important to take proper care of their diet and skin to avoid unwanted pathologies and help the dog to grow properly.
Character of the Cane Corso breed
The Cane Corso, as previously mentioned, is a breed used since its beginnings as a guard dog. For this reason, its guardian character has been fostered, which allows the animal to protect the land and its owners. Thus, the cane corso is characterized for being a protective and territorial dog with a great attachment to its keepers.
In spite of what it may seem, the Italian Mastiff is a perfect dog for families with children, since it performs excellently as a guardian with the little ones, attracting attention with its patience and care. However, while it is very close to family members, it is characterized by being distant and reserved with people it does not know.
Although this dog is docile, close, faithful and familiar, it is not a breed recommended for all families. It is a dog that needs attention, patience and time, since its complexion requires daily physical activity. In addition, it is necessary to have previous experience to be able to educate it correctly.
Cane Corso Health
Being a large breed, it is very common for the Italian Mastiff to suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia. In addition, they also often suffer from respiratory problems and outbreaks of mange, especially when they are puppies. It is therefore important not to neglect visits to the veterinarian.
Typical care of the breed
The Cane Corso is not a dog that requires great care, but it does require an adequate routine. Physical activity together with a healthy diet will be key to maintain good health throughout its life.
Hair
As far as the coat is concerned, it is advisable to brush the animal’s coat once a week to avoid the accumulation of dead hair, which could cause different undesirable effects, such as the appearance of parasites. If the dog is in the countryside, brushing becomes even more important, since in these environments it is normal for tangles and knots to appear in the animal’s coat.
Skin
To avoid damaging the Italian Mastiff’s skin, it is advisable to use a brush with short and not too hard bristles. Regarding grooming, the dog should be washed every one to three months, depending on the characteristics of the place where it lives and its daily routine. During shedding, it is advisable to increase the frequency of washing.
On the other hand, we recommend a shampoo with a PH similar to that of your skin and that does not contain too much cosmetics.
Others
Due to its athletic nature, this dog breed needs a lot of activity. Thus, it is not a dog recommended for families with little time or very sedentary. It is crucial that the animal goes for two or three daily walks in which it performs actividad física.
What is the best food for the Cane Corso?
The best way to feed this breed of dog is through a diet divided by stages. In this way, their food is adapted to their nutritional needs, which are different in each period of growth. crecimiento.
Puppy stage
As a puppy, the Cane Corso should be fed only on mother’s milk for the first eight weeks. Thus, it is not advisable to wean before this time, since doing so entails a series of detrimental effects on the physical and emotional health of the animal.
Once weaning has taken place, a progressive transition to solid food should be made to avoid digestive problems. Thus, it is recommended to start with mashed foods. On the other hand, food at this time should be high in calories and contain quality protein, to help the correct development of their muscles.
Adult stage
In the case of adult Cane Corso dogs, a diet based on natural raw diets rich in nutrients is recommended. This diet should be low in fat to avoid excessive weight gain in the animal. At the same time, it should be high in proteins, since it is a dog with a high physical activity.
The daily ration of food will have to be divided into two or three meals, the proportion of which will depend on the physical activity and its characteristics. In the case of wanting to reward this dog, it is better to use healthy foods, such as fruits or vegetables.
Senior stage
The diet in the senior stage does not vary much from the adult stage. However, it is important to nourish the Italian Mastiff with a diet that takes care of its joints, so foods rich in omega 3 and vitamin C should be included.
Adoption of a Cane Corso
At Tiendanimal we believe in the best care for pets. For that reason, we have a commitment to adoption, through animal shelters and other platforms. If you have fallen in love with this protective and familiar breed and want to find a Cane Corso for adoption, we recommend you to ask in any of our stores, we will help you! Remember that you can go to Clinicanimal if you have any veterinary questions. In addition, in Tiendanimal you will find all the necessary products to take care of your Italian Mastiff, now also from the mobile app!
