Dog bite attacks by Cane Corsos have increased dramatically in recent years. The breed was officially recognized in the miscellaneous class by the American Kennel Club in 2010.
Cane Corso’s ranked 60th in popularity based on AKC registrations in 2012.
The Cane Corso is a muscular, short-haired mastiff type dog. It’s origin dates back to the 15th century in Italy. The name is derived from the Latin “Cohors”, meaning guardian or protector. The breed was developed for protection and hunting. Males weigh between 99-110 lbs. and females between 88-99 lbs. Height is between 23-26 in. at the shoulders. Colors are fawn or bluish gray. The breed is frequently mistakenly as being a pit bull type dog.
The temperament of the breed has been described as being “very loyal, willing to please, highly intelligent, very trainable, unequaled as a watch and protection dog, terribly brave protector of people, house and property, will not back down from other dogs who try to dominate them.”
Experts partial to the breed stress that breed is not a fighting dog and that individuals have the potential to make great companion / family dogs. From an animal behavior perspective adequate socialization and training need to be instilled at an early age and an owner needs to adopt a leadership style that emulates confidence and consistency.
Cane Corso’s are reported to have a very high pain tolerance. Ownership of Cane Corso’s are restricted in the Netherlands and Dutch Kennel Club only grants pedigreed certificates to individuals who have past a standardized temperament test. Moreover, some municipalities and many insurance carriers in the United States have “blacklisted” the breed.
- Fatal dog attack by Cane Corso on 4 y.o. boy in Brooklyn, New York
- Second-degree murder charges in Cane Corso fatal dog bite in Michigan
- Near fatal dog bite attack by Cane Corsos in Virginia
- Fatal dog attack by Cane corsos in Italy
- Cane corso causes horrifying knock-down injury to 62 y.o. lady
- Cane Corsos maul teenager in California
- YouTube video about Cane corsos
- Single Cane Corso kills its owner, a 62-year-old man, in California, August 2022
