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Cane Corso
Breed Stats
Weight/Height:
90-120 pounds / 25-28 inches
Coat Type:
Short, smooth coat with a light undercoat
Grooming Needs:
Shedding:
Temperament:
Protective, loyal, affectionate, intelligent
Good With Kids:
Good With Other Animals:
Intelligence:
Easy To Train:
Energy Level:
Barking Habits:
Lifespan:
9-12 years
Adopting a Cane Corso: An Overview
The cane corso is a powerful guardian dog breed. These dogs have long been utilized for protection work, their name literally translates to “dog guardian” in Latin. They are well-built, muscular dogs with undying loyalty to their people, which makes them fierce guardians. However, the cane corso isn’t just protective and loyal. They are also affectionate around the family and enjoy receiving all the attention they can get from their people.
If you’re looking for a guard dog with a loving temperament around the family, the cane corso is undoubtedly an excellent pick. However, finding one of these dogs for adoption can be a bit difficult as they usually don’t end up in shelters, especially if you’re looking for a puppy or a young dog to adopt.
Most cane corso owners get their dogs from a breeder. This is the most common way to add a cane corso to your life, but like any other breed, there may be cane corsos waiting for their forever homes in shelters, rescues, and adoption centers near you. It is only a matter of finding these dogs for those who want to adopt. One of the most convenient ways to find cane corsos for adoption is to search online listings like Dog Academy where you will find thousands of dogs up for adoption.
Another way to find cane corsos for adoption is by contacting local shelters, cane corso rescues, and adoption centers in your area. If they have a cane corso, you can get started on the adoption process right away. Even if they don’t have a cane corso for adoption when you contact them, which is more likely considering how very few of these dogs end up in shelters, you can leave your details to be contacted when a cane corso ends up there for adoption.
When you finally find a cane corso, you can get started on the application process. This usually includes filling out an initial application form to get your basic details like income, work, living arrangements, and experience as a dog owner. After completing the initial application, the person or the organization rehoming the cane corso you want to adopt may conduct a home visit or ask other questions to determine if you’re a good match.
If you’re accepted to adopt the dog, you will pay the adoption fee and sign any necessary paperwork as the last step. Following this, you can bring your newly adopted cane corso home. Before you take them, however, make sure to dog-proof your home as cane corsos are curious dogs that are big on chewing, which might lead to damaged household objects that can shred into pieces and become a choking hazard.
While the above gives an overview of how to adopt a cane corso, there might be minor differences depending on where you’re adopting the dog from. For instance, if the cane corso you want to adopt has behavioral issues, the rescue organization might require you to have experience in dog training. In any case, expect the entire adoption process from the moment you start looking for a cane corsos to finally taking one home to take a few weeks to several months.
Cane Corsos For Adoption
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How to Care for an Adopted Cane Corso?
Everyone who’s interested in adopting a cane corso should know that while these dogs are considered low-maintenance in many regards, newly adopted cane corsos require a lot of care in the early days.
First and foremost, these dogs are naturally wary of strangers, so providing them with a quiet, comfortable space where they can feel safe is essential to ensure a smooth transition. This is particularly important if you’re adopting an adult dog with behavioral issues as you are essentially a stranger as far as the dog is concerned in the first few days.
You must earn your newly adopted cane corso’s trust, and the best way to do this is by following a consistent schedule for feeding, walks, playtime, and potty breaks. This will help your newly adopted dog set clear expectations about what’s going to happen next, putting them at ease and taking the first steps in building a lasting bond. A routine will also make it easier on you while adjusting to having a cane corso.
When your newly adopted cane corso feels more comfortable with your presence and adjusted to their new life, you can then worry about other care needs. As mentioned, cane corsos are pretty low-maintenance dogs that don’t require a lot from their owners on a daily basis. They only need to be walked for about 30 to 45 minutes a day in total and require minimal playtime to stay sharp.
In terms of grooming, cane corsos are low-maintenance, only requiring brushing once every week to remove dead hair from their coat. The coats of these dogs naturally repel dirt and water so they only need bathing when particularly dirty or develop an unpleasant smell. Besides these, they have basic grooming needs like nail trimming, ear cleaning, paw care, and so on.
While overall a low-maintenance dog breed, socialization and training must be prioritized in the early months, especially with an adopted cane corso that you don’t know much about the history of. Since cane corsos are powerful dogs that can be difficult to control and cause a lot of destruction if they get away with bad behavior, addressing any existing behavioral issues is perhaps the most critical care need of this breed.
This applies to cane corsos of all ages, not just puppies. Whether you adopt a puppy, an adult dog, or even a senior cane corso, observe their behavior around unfamiliar people and animals closely to see how they react. If they are overly timid or act in ways that aren’t acceptable such as barking at unfamiliar people, focus on correcting their behavior.
With all this in mind, it is safe to say that even though cane corsos are overall a low-maintenance breed, owners must invest a lot of time and effort early to help their newly adopted dogs adapt to their new lives.
Is It a Good Idea to Adopt a Cane Corso As Your First Dog?
Cane corsos have many traits that are basically the opposite of what’s suitable for first-time dog parents. They are very powerful, wary of strangers, and require a ton of socialization and training. Cane corsos can also be difficult to control physically – given that many cane corsos up for adoption may have behavioral issues that require training, this aspect of having a large and powerful dog like the cane corso can be extremely challenging.
When thinking about ideal dog breeds for first-time owners, none of these traits come to mind. While many dog breeds that aren’t ideal for first-time owners can be good companions for novice owners if the owner commits to learning more about dog behavior and caring for their dogs, the cane corso isn’t one of them. It is best for first-time dog parents to look for other dog breeds that could be an alternative to cane corso.
One great alternative to the cane corso for first-time owners looking for a similarly large, robust dog is the English mastiff. While they are a little larger than the cane corso, they are a lot more docile, which is a fitting trait for novice owners. Still, English mastiffs are just as vigilant guard dogs and a great deterrent with their sheer size, but they have a more affectionate and easy-going temperament, making them much easier to handle compared to the cane corso.
If you have plenty of time to dedicate to your future dog, the American bully can be another alternative. These dogs are overall more difficult to care for first-time owners than the English mastiff, but are closer to cane corsos in appearance with their muscular body types. However, not all American bullies are like the cane corso – only the XL variety is similar in size to the cane corso. These dogs are overall more social but still efficient guard dogs.
Adopt the Right Cane Corso for You
Now that you know how to adopt a cane corso, first decide if this breed is the right choice for you. We’ve covered essentially everything those interested in adopting one of these dogs should know. Once you have a clear idea of whether the cane corso is the right fit, you can move on to finding the right cane corso to adopt.
This is where your preferences will play an important role, such as age, sex, background, and coat color. However, since you’re not purchasing a puppy from a breeder, note that your options might be limited. This is particularly true with breeds like the cane corso as they aren’t popular dogs that usually end up in shelters. Therefore, it is best to set realistic expectations like not specifically looking for chocolate, liver, or other rare coat colors.
Once you know what kind of cane corso you want to adopt, start searching online listings like Dog Academy or call rescues, shelters, and adoption centers in your area to see if they have the cane corso you want to adopt. If there’s a match, meet the dog in person to get to know their personality and finalize your decision. After this, you can get started on the application process and bring your newly adopted cane corso home.
As mentioned earlier, dog-proof your home before bringing your new dog home and give them the space and time they need to get used to their new life. Be patient in the early days and follow a consistent schedule to gain your cane corso’s trust. This is the surest way to make your newly adopted dog feel at home in the quickest time possible.
If the cane corso you adopt has behavioral issues, invest in training to correct unwanted acts. Since these dogs require a human leader to guide them through life, utilize training as an opportunity to bond and shape your newly adopted cane corso’s behavior to fit your life. Although all these might take some effort and bring frustration at times, everything will be worth it in the end, knowing that you gave a dog a second chance at life.
