The Cane Corso is a medium to large sized dog that is both powerful and elegant, athletic and majestic. The head and jaws are large and powerful, its nose is black and its ears are drooping.

Poil : short and shiny, black, gray, tawny.

Size (height at the withers): 64 to 68 cm for males and 60 to 64 cm for females.

Weight : From 45 to 50 kg for males and from 40 to 45 kg for females.

Classification FCI : N°343.

The Cane Corso has a long and glorious history and is in a way a treasure of ancient Rome. He is in fact directly descended from the mastiffs (Canis Pugnax) who accompanied the Roman legions and fought lions and gladiators in the arenas. These dogs were later used as guard dogs for herds of cows and for hunting big game and bears. Saved in extremis from extinction in the seventies, the breed was officially recognized and protected in Italy in 1979 and its standard was published by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1996. But today it is only found. in southern Italy, especially in the Puglia region where he keeps farms. The Cane Corso can be used nowadays as a search dog in the rubble after the earthquakes that regularly hit the Italian peninsula.

Dominating, but not brawling, his calm and balanced temperament contrasts with his physique. What he fears is loneliness. He likes to be surrounded and the family environment suits him very well, provided he is socialized and raised from an early age. On the other hand, the Cane Corso can be aggressive towards other male dogs as well as towards strangers. Thanks to his deterrent appearance, vigilance, and loyalty to his master (his dedication, even), he is an excellent watchdog, whether for the farm or the family.

Scientific literature regarding the health of the Cane Corso breed is scarce. This animal is known to have an average lifespan of around a dozen years, which is consistent with other breeds of this size. 

La hip dysplasia which affects many large dogs does not spare the Cane Corso. A retrospective study carried out on dogs of 31 breeds in France even showed that the Cane Corso is the most affected by this joint pathology, with a prevalence of around 60%. This very poor result is confirmed by a study by The Cane Corso Coalition (58% of dogs affected), while theOrthopedic Foundation for Animals ranks the Cane Corso as the 10th most exposed breed to this dysplasia. So abrupt exercises with a dog that has not completed its growth should be avoided, as should climbing and descending stairs. (1)

Like other large breed dogs, the Cane Corso is frequently prone to ectropion (an outward curling of part or all of the edge of the eyelid that results in chronic corneal inflammation and conjunctivitis) , Stomach Torsion Dilation Syndrome, Cardiomyopathy and Subaortic Stenosis.

Living in an apartment may be suitable for this dog, who is not hyperactive, if he can get out enough every day. The Cane Corso does not belong to any of the categories relating to the Law of 6 January 1999 on dangerous dogs. However, his master must be very vigilant about his education and his behavior with strangers towards whom the dog can be hostile, even aggressive.