King Corso: Your Complete Guide
The king corso, also known as the cane corso, is an Italian dog breed that’s starting to explode in popularity. This Italian mastiff tends to be used as a companion, service dog, watchdog, and even a working dog with some law enforcement and military units. While the breed started in Italy, they’ve made their way to the United States and have become common in households across the country.
The reason for their swift adoption in the States comes down to their size and temperament. While they’re loyal, friendly, and emotionally stable, they’re also alert and can keep you and your home safe.
If you’re interested in adopting a king corso, or you want to learn more about that little puppy you just adopted, you’re in the right place. This article covers everything you need to know about the king corso breed, including their history, how to care for them, their temperament, and much more. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the king corso.
Quick Look at the King Corso
Below is a quick glance at the king corso breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 20-28 inches, 80-110 pounds |
| Coat Type | Layered coat, short, dense |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Loyal, alert, protective |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-12 |
What Is the History of King Corsos?
The king corso has a history that’s fit for a king. These dogs have been around for centuries, dating back to the days of the Roman Empire. Experts believe that these dogs came from the Greek Molossus dog breed, which is now extinct. These Greek dogs were brought back to Rome and bred with fighting dogs from England, which gave them a more aggressive and powerful build. For this reason, Romans used to call them pugnaces, which was a breed of dog used for hunting wild animals.
For most of their history, king corsos have been used alongside humans for warfare and law enforcement purposes. Back in the day, Roman legions employed these dogs to help with foraging for resources and alerting soldiers to enemies approaching their camp. In more recent history, king corsos were used by Italy and other European countries in World War I and World War II. However, these dogs started to face a decline in population after these wars and almost went extinct. Fortunately, they began to rise in popularity in Italy during the 1970s due to their ability to serve with law enforcement and as watchdogs or even companions.
From there, king corsos made it across the world to the United States, and they have been common in the US since. In fact, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 2010, so strict breeding standards are now employed.
What Do King Corsos Look Like?
King corsos are a medium-sized dog breed with a stocky build and an intimidating appearance; if you see one of these dogs in someone’s window, you may be nervous about approaching, especially once they start barking. That said, their scary appearance is usually a cover for their loyal, kind, and gentle personality.
Aside from their size, king corsos have some distinct features. They usually have a large and wide head, floppy ears, and medium-sized eyes that protrude out from their head. What gives these dogs their aggressive appearance is their jaw. It’s a muscular jaw that’s square, and it’s accompanied by a shorter-than-average muzzle.
When it comes to their coats, king corsos have short and sturdy coats that hug their body. Their coats also have an oily texture that can repel water, dirt, and other types of debris. As for the color of their coat, it can vary based on the dog. Some common colors include tan, gray, fawn, red, and even some brindle colors. Patches of white and tan may also be found on their neck, chest, and on their paws.
What Size Is a King Corso?
King corsos are large Italian mastiffs, so expect a bigger dog when looking at the king corso. On average, expect a king corso to weigh between 90-110 pounds and stand at 23-28 inches at the shoulder. Males are slightly larger than females, but the difference can seem negligible, depending on the specific dog.
What Is a King Corso’s Coat Type and Length?
King corsos have a short and thick coat. It’s a dense double-coat that hugs their body, and there are two layers to it. Their bottom coat is thick and dense, which insulates them and protects them from debris, water, and even skin infections. On the other hand, their top coat is less dense and softer, but still short. The hair is usually straight, and it is rare to see it curly, wiry, or anything else.
What Is a King Corso’s Temperament?
The king corso is known for being a calm, cool, and collected dog breed. Sure, they may bark at people from time to time, but this isn’t a common occurrence unless you train them to do so. King corsos are also loyal dogs and tend to do well in family units once they’re socialized.
While king corsos are good family dogs, they also function well when given tasks or specific training. In fact, they love it. For this reason, many king corsos love mental stimulation and assigned roles within the family. King corsos are also brave and will defend their family if there is danger.
Are King Corsos Good With Kids?
King corsos are great with children. Once they feel like part of the family, you shouldn’t have any issues with king corsos and your children. They’re big enough to handle rough play and have a patient temperament that prevents them from lashing out. That said, you should still keep an eye on your children when they’re playing with a large dog like a king corso. Unfortunately, accidents do happen.
Are King Corsos Good With Other Animals?
King corsos can be good with any animal, including other dogs. While they can be good with other animals, they do have a prey drive. For this reason, you need to socialize with them from a young age to prevent problems from developing later in life.
While they can get along with other dogs, you need to socialize them for the best results. If you adopt them as a puppy, you can begin this process as early as 6 months in. The king corso might not be the best choice for families who have other small animals and prey animals as pets, because this dog can give chase.
Are King Corsos Aggressive?
King corsos aren’t necessarily too aggressive by nature. While they’re scary to look at, that doesn’t mean they’re scary to be around. Typically, you won’t run into any issues with king corsos, especially if they’ve been socialized and trained properly.
That said, these are guard dogs that were bred to hunt and protect, so they can have a mean streak. The good news is that they will only display this aggressive behavior when they feel threatened. Unfortunately, this can also mean it takes longer for the king corso than some other breeds to open up to strangers.
Do King Corsos Bark?
King corsos have a loud and intimidating bark that will scare strangers and make their companions feel safe. Unfortunately, this can be too loud for most apartment buildings because it can disturb your neighbors. On the other hand, if you have a house in the suburbs, these dogs can be great watchdogs because their bark alone can deter intruders. Additionally, king corsos don’t usually bark unless they’re alerting you to something wrong.
Are King Corsos Affectionate?
King corsos are affectionate towards their human companions. Once they warm up to you, they will hang around by your side and go out of their way to keep you safe. That said, they’re not always friendly with strangers, random animals, or random dogs. Socialization can help, so it’s a good idea to start while your king corso is young.
Are King Corsos Intelligent?
King corsos are intelligent dogs. They can learn complex commands and be assigned to specific tasks. In fact, your king corso will be happier if they have something to do. That said, their intelligence can sometimes get the better of them, and they may get curious or try to leave the property if they see an opportunity. King corsos also need to be mentally stimulated by working, playing, or being trained. Without this mental stimulation, they can become rebellious and display behavioral problems.
Are King Corsos Energetic?
King corsos are energetic dogs and need mental and physical stimulation. You should play, train, or walk with them for at least 1-2 hours daily. This ensures that their needs are being met and that they’re tired when it’s time for bed. Failing to help them expend their energy can result in behavioral problems. Examples include jumping around, destroying furniture, and being spiteful. Having a backyard or a dog park nearby is also important if you want to have them use some of that energy on their own.
While king corsos have a lot of energy, that doesn’t mean they don’t like to relax sometimes. If you play and train them enough, you’ll find that they can relax at night and go to sleep when you do.
Are King Corsos Easy to Train?
King corsos aren’t always easy dogs to train. Due to their size and sometimes rebellious temperament, you may struggle to train them. Unfortunately, this is especially true for first-time dog owners who don’t have experience training dogs.
The good news is that once you break through their harsh exterior, these dogs become easy to train and able to learn a wide range of complex commands. In fact, your king corso will be happy to be assigned to tasks or have a job to do because they need the mental stimulation.
You can also train these dogs to excel as watchdogs and sometimes even in agility events. That said, you’ll have the most luck with watchdog work, hunting, off-leash walking, and other training routines that have a schedule or something for the dog to do.
Are King Corsos Good Watchdogs?
King corsos are excellent watchdogs. In fact, watchdog work is one of the most common reasons for king corso ownership. You’ll find that king corsos are brave, alert, and aggressive when someone is encroaching on their space or domain. This occurs naturally, so they can sometimes take a while to open up to strangers.
While king corsos are naturally good watchdogs, that doesn’t mean you should avoid training them. To help them reach their full potential, it’s important to train them as watchdogs, especially if you have specific things you want them to look for. With the right training, you can even take them hunting, fishing, and on other adventures, which helps to have someone watching your back out in the wild.
Are King Corsos Good Service Dogs?
King corsos can be good service dogs. You’ll find that they have no trouble learning complex commands and tasks that help people who have disabilities. That said, king corsos can be challenging to train, and it might take longer to train them if you’re training them for service dog work without a professional. You can still train them yourself if you define your boundaries and start with a good foundation of obedience training.
King corsos can work as physical service dogs and psychiatric service dogs, so they’re flexible. This is due to their size and emotional intelligence. You can train them to open doors, escort people, and even fetch medications for people who need them.
Emotional support animals and therapy dog work are also on the table for the king corso. However, due to their size and training needs, they’re not the best fit for ESA work in small apartments.
How to Care for a King Corso?
Like any other dog breed, you need to properly care for a king corso if you want the best results. This includes keeping an eye on their coat, teeth, diet, and overall health. You’ll have to brush this coat to remove debris and avoid washing them too often due to the natural oils in their coat. You may not have to clip their nails if they’re very active, but this does depend on your dog’s activity level and their daily routine.
Do You Need to Groom a King Corso?
King corsos need to be groomed fairly often. While their coats are durable, they need to be bathed frequently when they’re shedding their undercoat. During this time, you should also brush their coats to remove any excess hair. Furthermore, king corsos need to have their ears cleaned and checked for infection, as well as their nails clipped and maintained.
It’s important to keep up with grooming every 4-6 weeks and do your best to brush them as often as you can. Due to their large size, we recommend bringing them to a professional because bathing and caring for their coat can be rough on your own.
Do King Corsos Shed?
King corsos shed frequently. They will shed throughout the year, and during the spring and fall months, their undercoat will also shed. This will result in hair being found everywhere in your home unless you vacuum frequently. It’s also worth noting that king corsos are not hypoallergenic. Therefore, people who are allergic to dog hair might not do well with a king corso in the house, especially during the fall and spring months.
What Health Problems Do King Corsos Have?
King corsos don’t have a lot of health problems, but they can run into certain issues; some health issues that impact most large dogs also impact king corsos. This means they have a heightened risk of hip and joint problems, especially as they get older. However, they can also be born with hip and joint conditions like hip dysplasia, which is the malformation of these joints.
It’s also important to note that some king corsos can develop demodectic mange. This condition develops due to immune problems and can result in red bumps, hair loss, and itching. Eye problems are also possible in king corsos but are more likely to occur as they age.
How Long Do King Corsos Live?
King corsos are larger dogs, and, unfortunately, larger dogs don’t tend to live as long as smaller breeds. For this reason, expect king corsos to live for around 10-12 years. To keep them happy and healthy, make sure they get plenty of exercise and eat the right diet. Also, annual trips to the vet will keep them in better shape and catch any life-threatening health issues sooner rather than later.
What Should a King Corso Eat?
King corsos should eat a diet that’s formulated for big dogs. You should look for dry food and wet food that’s formulated for larger dogs. This can be found in most stores. Aside from the type of food, how often you feed them is important. For example, king corsos are susceptible to bloat, so you need to monitor how often you feed them; they do better with smaller meals throughout the day.
When it comes to specific portion sizes, we always recommend reaching out to your vet because this can be based on their activity level and weight. Later in life, you should lower their food intake to avoid obesity because it can result in more joint problems.
Is a King Corso the Right Dog for Me?
King corsos are great dogs, but they’re not for everyone. You need the space to care for them, which includes a decent amount of indoor and outdoor space; they don’t do well in confined apartments. Also, if you’re a first-time dog owner, you need to be aware of their personality traits and how they can act out if you don’t train them properly. Therefore, if you don’t have a lot of time or patience for training, the king corso might not be right for you.
That said, king corsos make great family dogs and loyal watchdogs in the right settings. People who have houses with big backyards, plus time to train this dog, will benefit the most from this breed.