Upon meeting a Cane Corso for the first time, there won't be any doubt that you have encountered something remarkable. These incredible dogs exist with the unmistakable dignity that comes from centuries of selective breeding and primary purpose. In the U.S., as dog ownership trends come and go like the wind, the Cane Corso stands tall in the line of breeds that will please those looking for a truly remarkable canine partner.

This tale of this Italian mastiff making its way to America does not simply mark the introduction of yet another breed to be own and forget but a saga of preservation, zeal, and the indefatigable human desire to co-create lives alongside our four-legged companions. In the face of ever-increasing complexity in our world, many Americans now turn to breeds like the Cane Corso that offer protection and companionship, strength and sensitivity. The Cane Corso satisfies all of this while also requiring significant and serious thought from potential owners.

Ancient Elements, Contemporary Context

The Cane Corso's story does not originate in America, but in the sun-drenched fields and rugged landscape of southern Italy. These are not dogs bred for the show ring of suburban lawn. They were working dogs whose work, at times, meant life and death for their human family. My head draws on images of campesinos in the Italian countryside centuries ago. Farmers needed dogs to protect their livestock from wolves and wild boar. They needed guardians to patrol vast estates, and they needed companions with sturdy builds who could help with the laborious tasks associated with rural living.

The name itself has history. In Italian, "Cane" simply means dog, while "Corso" is derived from the Latin word "cohors," meaning protector, or guardian. Some linguists suggest "Corso" may relate to "cursus," as in an ability to pursue threats. Whatever the true meanings, there is a message: these were dogs that were bred for work.

But like so many other working dogs, the tale of the Cane Corso was nearly lost when Italy modernized after World War II. As machines replaced many farm dogs, numbers of Canes Corsos dropped to alarming levels. In the 1970s, some Italian enthusiasts made the effort to try to save the breed and in the process placed the amazing dogs on the world stage - and eventually into America, where in the late-1980s- the Cane Corso was re-introduced in America through the importation projects of some enthusiasts who recognized that these powerful intelligent dogs had an intrinsic importance.

Unlike some breed introductions that may occur through a commercially based introduction, the Cane Corso entered America through some serious dog people understanding the working culture of the breed and who were interested in preserving authentic Cane Corso.

The American Kennel Club Journey

For breed being recognized as a sport dog with the American Kennel Club is no simple matter, and the path the Cane Corso took to full acceptance by the AKC demonstrates the breed's general popularity and the seriousness of the AKC to review, recruit and selectively add new breeds to their registry. The paths to AKC/FCI popularity began in 2007 when our breed entered the AKC Foundation Stock Service. This meant the breed was on a sort of probationary status allowing them to do showing, performance events, etc., while building their numbers to be recognized.

Three years later, in 2010, Cane Corso was moved to the Miscellaneous Class, a temporary waiting area for breeds to show proof of stability. In 2010, the breed achieved full AKC registration as a Working dog. The timeline may seem quick in comparison to some other breeds, but heavy dog relocators were responsible for rapidly building their breed group standing in American dog culture. They created a breed standard, organized clubs, and properly collaborated with responsible breeders to increase the population.

The Cane Corso also demonstrated impressive results as an early contestant dogs are generally not personal backyard breeding projects and that they should face consistent and successful breeding plans. Today, while registrations in AKC fluctuate year after year, the Cane Corso ranks among the more popular working breeds in AKC attestation. More importantly, a significant loyal base of owners appreciate an authentic blend of modern breed characteristics; the popularity of the breed goes well beyond mere numbers.

Understanding the Modern American Cane Corso

In nearly every major American city, or the suburban space in even more occurring suburban spaces (even the suburbs of New York and Los Angeles), one can spot cars slowing down to see a Cane Corso on the street. Distinguishing what you are seeing requires looking past the true physical stature of the Cane Corso to mentally gauge the character of the breed underneath it.

Physical Characteristics

The ideal Cane Corso breed standard male is 24-28 inches at the shoulder (with females being smaller than males 23-27 inches). The weight is found chiefly in the ranges of 88-110 pounds (although values can exceed weight standards). What usually strikes most people the first time they encounter a Cane Corso is not just the size, but how they carry that size. There is an overall energetic presence that engages a perceptive gaze, a confidence that permeates their stride, and a lethargy with which they take in their surroundings.

The breed standard describes the Cane Corso breed as something noble, majestic, and powerful, and American Cane Corso generally don't let us down in this regard. Cane Corso heads are an impressive size, with broad skulls and well muscled heads that aid in achieving a mastiff-like appearance with these characteristics. Canis Corso are an athletic breed that is struggle exactly like any other breed of mastiff so not thinking they are push up and down through life with looking intimidating.

Coat and Colors

For coat colours, American coat colours tend to lean toward the traditional Italian colours of black, various shades of grey, fawn and reds. Some dogs are even quite showy and sport brindle markings which can give striping appearance. The coat itself is short with dense hair. Short hair is better for working conditions which are understandable for the grazing habits of the American butcher; while few Americans can resist having a dog that requires hardly any maintenance beyond the initial grooming of their ride-a-long or canine companion. In other words, physical appearance doesn't apply to the basics of a dog's coat.

Temperament

The temperament of a good American bred Cane Corso family dog has strong genetic potentials built into it through many centuries of breed selective breeding. American Cane Corso are naturally protective, but not aggressive, confident but fearless, and loyal to their family while retaining the proper level of suspicion to strangers.

The Working Heritage Lives On

Although few American Cane Corsos work farms like their Italian ancestors, the breed's working instincts remain strong. In the U.S. these dogs are using their natural abilities in a number of contemporary roles.

Personal Protection

The most obvious contemporary uses for the breed's abilities is for personal protection. Protection dog trainers rate the Cane Corso as one of the best breeds for family protection work. The Cane Corso is a natural territorial breed that is intelligent and very trainable so they are an excellent fit for any family looking for serious personal protection. Some breeds are so difficult to train to be reliable that you need the "training" phase to teach appropriate responses. Ultimately, many interventional Cane Corsos will show the appropriate protection response instinctually and require very little formal training.

However, this natural protective ability has consequences. American owners learn very quickly that socialization is a must for a Cane Corso puppy so doing it is not an option. The Cane Corso has to be positively exposed to a number of individuals, situations, and environments as a young puppy to be a balanced adult dog. The ramifications of an un-socialized powerful breed can be serious for both the dog and the human family.

Law Enforcement and Search & Rescue

Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. are beginning to test this breed in several different roles and some police departments are patrolling with Cane Corsos due to their impressive presence and nerves. Although they are not as abusive for detection work as the German Shepherd or the Belgian Malinois they are beginning to be deployed for those tasks in some police departments.

The search and rescue groups in the U.S. have also found the breed. With a balance of strengths such as strength, stamina, and intelligence the Cane Corso is an effective partnership in difficult rescue scenarios. Cold weather resistance and physical durability allows them to work in weather impossible to other breeds.

Therapy Work

It may seem strange because they are such a big dog, but many Cane Corso are used as therapy dogs and emotional support animals, you may think this is strange! Remember they have a calm confidence and are capable of strong bonds with their handlers giving them distinction for selected therapy situations. Several organizations in the US are now training Cane Corso specifically for therapy dogs for military Veterans suffering from PTSD.

American Training Approaches

Training a Cane Corso in America requires understanding not just the characteristics of the breed, but also the values of modern American society. Cane Corso's have not been bred to take commands from strangers! They were bred to be protectors and make decisions. This background impacts all aspects of how you train the dog. As smart dogs, we need to train and develop ways to establish ourselves as leaders while respecting their intelligence.

Early Training and Socialization

American dog trainers who regularly train Cane Corso impress upon consistency and getting started early. Puppy kindergarten is important for any breed! Puppy kindergarten is critical for Cane Corso. The window for socialization narrows at 14-16 weeks and remember, Cane Corso puppies take a long time to process our world! They need a plethora of non-threatening positive experiences during this important time period.

Since these are powerful dogs, it will be especially important to teach as many basics as possible in this time period. A 110-pound Cane Corso being handled by someone who does not have reliable recall or control of the leash, will be quite a management challenge.

Training Methods

Trainers all over America helpfully share that in the beginning owners should seek professional training for their Cane Corso. It is extremely difficult to deal with problems once your Cane Corso has learned and established these behaviors. Positive reinforcement training works very well for Cane Corsos, and whilst they can be quite intimidating looking, the majority are sensitive dogs that respond better to praise and positive reinforcement than they do with harsh corrections.

Cane Corsos are also smart enough to get bored, so certified American trainers use varied and positive training styles to keep things fresh and interesting for dogs.

Dog Sports and Activities

Many owners discover that Cane Corsos are very successful and thriving in formally organized dog sports. Cane Corso's athleticism and intelligence makes the breed very capable in these sports (although size and different classes separate them from smaller breeds). Weight pull competitions really show their strength, while rally obedience and tracking show their intelligence and ability to learn.

There is a segment of Cane Corso owners interested in protection sports and people have sought out organizations like the PSA (Protection Sports Association) and IPO (Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung) so their dogs can demonstrate their natural abilities in a controlled space. Protection sport provides an outlet for Cane Corso's natural instincts to protect while forcing them to recall specific behaviours.

Health Issues Related to Ownership in America

Like all large breeds, Cane Corsos have some health problems that Americans should be aware of. As this breed has exploded in popularity in America, there has been irresponsible breeding by some, so it is important for potential owners to consider responsible health testing and careful selection of breeders.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

For example, hip dysplasia occurs within most large breeds and Cane Corso is no exception. Responsible American breeders will screen breeding dogs with the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) or the PennHIP (Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) standards for research into hip dysplasia and can locate dogs with acceptable hip structure and possible reduced risk of producing puppies with hip problems. Elbow dysplasia is also another concern for large breed dogs, in particular due to the activity levels of Cane Corsos. Again, proper health testing of breeding dogs helps minimize risks, but owners should understand that no breeding program can completely eliminate these issues.

Eye Problems

Eye problems, including entropion and ectropion (eyelid conditions), occur in the breed. Cherry eye, while not serious, can require surgical correction. Regular veterinary eye examinations help catch these issues early, when treatment is most effective.

Heart Disease

Perhaps slightly more troublesome for American owners is the possibility of certain heart diseases in the breed. It has been shown that cane corsos are at risk for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), but not as much as many other large breeds. Some veterinary cardiologists have recommended heart screenings of breeding dogs, and some early detection protocol for pet dogs.

Bloat

Bloat is also a very serious risk for all deep-chested breeds, known formally as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) which is an emergency surgery that can be life-threatening and may actually kill the dog without prompt treatment. Both American owners are beginning to recognize the early signs, and are forming good habits for the dogs' routines like smaller and more frequent meals or fasting and avoiding exercise of any length after meals.

Lifespan

Cane Corso's average lifespan of has typically been around 9-12 years, which supports the reasoning to believe this is consistent with large breeds. Ultimately, with the same care, health screening, and consideration for adverse health outcomes, an American owner can have a dog that lives well into their teenage years.

The American Breeding Community

The rapid advancement of Cane Corso's popularity in America has created a diverse and rich breeding community from the most palatable preservationists to equally commercial motivations of profit over expedience in the future of the breed. For anyone considering to add a Cane Corso to their family, understanding the breed community is critical.

Reputable Breeders

At the top of the food chain; owners with import foundation dogs from Italy, who have spent decades refining their breeding against an authentic history of dogs they were trying to maintain and they would breed in that manner. Most likely members of the Cane Corso Association of America and have limited breed. They screen the health of their dogs, keep breeding combinations to a minimum based on temperament and conformation, and usually maintain a wait list for puppies. These breeders are committed breeders of their dogs, competing in conformation, work/testing in practicals, and having a paper trail regarding their dogs' health and temperament. The puppies often come at a higher price point than average puppies, but they come with health guarantees, socialization, and lifetime support because of their commitment.

Less Reputable Breeders

Because of the breed's popularity, it has attracted "less than reputable" breeders as well. Puppy Mills and backyard breeders promoting "rare" colors or oversized dogs to unsuspecting buyers and lacking the awareness of the breed's intended form. These breeders often do not health test their breeding stock, provide little to no socialization (at home; clean and family-friendly or preferably out and about in public with other friendly dogs), and provide little to no support upon purchase (i.e. generally, they will not permit returns). This places the puppies pricing anywhere from less than $1000 to over $5000 and the variance of quality is drastic. It is important for American buyers to determine what are proper breed characteristics and proper breeding practices are to assist them in making informed decisions.

Regional Differences

America does also have regional issues. The West Coast typically has a higher quantities of breeders breeding to working traits, while the East Coast has a higher quantity of breeders that breed to conformational and temperamental traits. The South has seen the quickest rate of expansion as a breed of the Cane Corso, but quality and practices still vary widely.

Living with a Cane Corso: American Experience

The experience of owning a Cane Corso in America is often drastically different than the experienced expectation of potential owners. The Cane Corso demands typically much more than feeding and a place to reside. The Cane Corso requires some purpose, mental activity, and consistent instruction from their human family.

Housing Considerations

The first factor to think about is housing. Cane Corsos can live in different situations, but doing best with a secure yard to patrol and exercise is paramount. Apartment living is possible, but not without difficulty and especially challenging for owners who can adequately exercise and provide mental stimulation all while managing space restrictions. Many cities in the US have breed restrictions that would impact Cane Corso ownership and it is important for prospective owners to research this thoroughly.

Exercise Requirements

They need a lot, but not extreme, exercise. A typically healthy adult Cane Corso will need about an hour of exercise daily. However again, it is quality exercise, not just time in the backyard. Long walks are preferable to letting them run around on their own. Hiking, and interactive play sessions with you and the dog is more ideal. While physical exercise needs to be met, mental stimulation is often more important. Cane Corsos are highly intelligent animals who need jobs, problems to solve and variety applied to their routines. Many American owners discover that keeping their Cane Corso happy and behaving well involves making good use of puzzle toys, frequent interactive training, and new experiences.

Grooming and Maintenance

Cane Corsos are easy to groom, which is appealing for busy American families. Their short coat does shed year round, but only needs to be brushed weekly. Although, they are serious droolers, mostly after drinking water or eating. Much to their owners' demise, they learn to keep towels handy and accept that they may find they need to wash their clothes and furniture occasionally.

Financial Considerations

The cost of food can be a large ongoing expense. A large adult Cane Corso can each approximately 4-6 cups of high quality dog food daily, and some owners enjoy feeding with premium or specialty diets. In fact many owners regularly pay excess of $100 monthly for quality food and nutrition.

Overall veterinary expenses are typically above average, primarily because of the breed's size and some of the breed-specific health risks. Routine services such as spaying or neutering or similar services may cost more with large breed dogs, and there are certainly emergency scenarios such as bloat that require special financial consideration where expenses can be greater than $5,000.

Insurance Considerations

Insurance is becoming important for Cane Corso owners. Some home owner's insurance companies will exclude or impose higher premiums for coverage with certain breeds, specifically mastiff-type dogs. Owners should check with their existing home owner's insurance before bringing home a Cane Corso puppy.

Regional Differences in Adaptation

The traits that make Cane Corso dogs breed unique also provide interesting opportunities for adaptation regionally where they live. The climate and geography within the United States provide Cane Corso dogs opportunity for adaptations based on the environmental circumstances. The Cane Corso dog is capable of adapting to a number of different weather conditions, but each region has its own unique set of opportunities and challenges.

Southwest Climate

In the Southwest, owners need to manage the extreme heat in the summer months. Given the short hair of the breed, and the dark color, they tend to overheat, which suggested that owners reported early in the morning and evening to meet successful Cane Corso exercise programs during summertime. Most owners would use cooling mats to lay on, elevated beds, and portable water systems for outdoor situations.

Northern States

The northern states have a little bit of a different ideal temperature range, but they differed mainly to winter conditions. In some regards, Cane Corso are better suited for cold weather, rather than hot. Their short coat does not offer a great deal of protection during extended harsh weather conditions however, and once again owners were using dog coats and booties that were less about fashion statements, and more about practicality.

Coastal Regions

Coastal regions typically offer great conditions for the breed maintaining a manageable temperature range and offering opportunities for beach exercise. The only block quote item that likely presented any challenge for owners in coastal regions was their dog's exposure to saltwater in that it would require more frequent bathing and possibly more attention to their paws.

Rural vs. Urban Living

Country owners of Cane Corsos will likely notice that Cane Corsos adapt to farm or ranch living very quickly, and display many of their typical working instincts. Cane Corsos are great for livestock protection and property protection in these types of living situations, however they will need a proper introduction to farm animals and clear understanding of what is allowed.

City owners of Cane Corsos will likely have a bit more to manage with living with Cane Corsos, but can still be very successful living in an urban environment. City dogs will need an extensive amount of socialization to help mitigate the large crowds, moving vehicles, and endless amount of distraction and stimulation that constantly come with living in urban environments. Many city owners will get creative in meeting their dogs' exercise and mental stimulation needs in less space.

The Show Scene and Competitions

The American dog show world has embraced the Cane Corso with open arms, and taken advantage of opportunities for these dogs to compete at the highest levels. Since being granted formal recognition by the AKC, the Cane Corso has established itself as an elite level dog and produced several Best in Show winners while remaining a serious breed within the Working Group.

Conformation Shows

American dog shows create opportunities for breeders and owners to showcase the quality of their dogs and compare it to the breed's standard. The Westminster Kennel Club, is the most elite dog show in America, and is now hosting some impressive Cane Corso entries, showing the breeds continued development in America. Specialty shows, sponsored by the Cane Corso Association of America, provide even more focused competition. Specialty shows will typically have entries from across the country, and provide an opportunity for education about appropriate breed type and characteristics. International judging perspectives are sometimes brought to American dog shows with judges imported from Italy, to give their perspective of "authentic" Cane Corso breed development.

Conformation showing has impacted American breeding programs by rewarding dogs that possess desirable breed-related characteristics. Critics of American dog show preferences imply the dogs have diverged from the "working" Italian type. The discussions related to this matter are wider issues in the context of the overall discussion of how we preserve working breeds in the context of showing.

Performance Events

The use of performance events has risen among American Cane Corso aficionados looking to showcase their dogs as a working breed. Exhibitions of weight pulling demonstrate the dog's working ability, while agility trials attract participants looking to show off their athleticism and trainability. Performance events may provide an opportunity to start proving outlets for the breed's energy and intelligence and permit us to reinforce the human/dog bond.

Therapy Dog Work

Therapy dog work has emerged as an unexpected avenue of performance-based suburbia for the Cane Corso. Dogs and their handlers entrust themselves to a relationship where the dog's handler takes the lead role and directs the animal. The Cane Corso's steady temperament, confidence, as well as capacity to study their handler's behavior, have fostered ideal therapy dog characteristics. Generative Vintage Diaries established some relationships where Cane Corso provided therapy dog services in walk in clinics, books stores and Accident and Emergency departments. Subsequently several of the larger national therapy dog organizations also established relationships with well trained Cane Corso to participate in their therapy dog programs.

Cultural Impact and Representation in Media

Cane Corsos are impacting American culture from more than just dog parks and show rings. As noted earlier the impression compositions of Cane Corso is likely to be affected by movies, television shows, and social media. Considerable public's conceptions of and how they perceive the breed will be impacted by these formats, which are used to cut across the fabric of society.

Hollywood and Television

The breed has been minimally positively described by Hollywood; in some instances providing well trained dogs to a production, other instances flaunting aggressive or dangerous pedigrees and portrayed these dogs in the field. It is suggested that responsible representatives promoting the breed mends all the exposure and information around Cane Corsos to attempt to suppress negative portrayals through facts and educational materials along with positive examples of various breeders.

Social Media Impact

Social media has made an important contribution to awareness and popularity, and has enlarged the presence of Cane Corsos. Cane Corso Instagram accounts tend to have large numbers of followers, and dogs going viral on social media for their intelligence or gentleness with children help push public perceptions in a better direction, but some aspects of social media also create misinformation about the breed and may glorify impulse purchases by ill-prepared owners.

Celebrity Ownership and Literature

The Cane Corso breed has had a number of celebrity owners, although many are private and enjoy dog ownership away from the public eye. When public figures responsibly highlight their Cane Corso owners, they have the potential to create positive impressions and awareness regarding the breed.

American literature also has Cane Corso appearances more recently, both fiction and nonfiction, not only in and about dogs but in the public's relationship with dogs and especially Cane Corsos. More Cane Corsos in literature will help mark a territorial place for the breed in American dog culture and provide educational opportunities for the engaged reader.

Challenges and Controversies

Discussions of Cane Corsos in America cannot be made without discussing the challenges and controversies that have emerged with its popularity in many ways. All these issues form an upheaval for owners, breeders, and even the collective reputation of the breed.

Breed-Specific Legislation

One of the biggest challenges facing American Cane Corso owners is breed-specific legislation. Some municipalities have labeled these dogs as "dangerous" dogs and place restrictions or bans on them. These laws are based on a number of isolated incidents involving poorly bred or trained dogs that are now the bane for all owners, no matter how well or poorly their own dog may have been bred or trained.

Insurance Discrimination

Another challenge is insurance discrimination. Some insurance companies will not underwrite or will charge more for homeowners with certain breeds, especially mastiff breeds, and this adds to economic pressure related to ownership opportunities and challenges for families waiting to decide on the breed.

Irresponsible Breeding

The legacy of bad breeding practices creates welfare issues that are hard to put an end to. Puppy mills and bad breeders produce dogs with health problems, temperament issues, and poor socialization. As those dogs become available to families by being sent to shelters with exaggerated stories about their temperament, they help emphasize negative stereotypes about the breed and create headwinds for legitimate rescue and foster efforts.

Color and Size Controversies

Within the American breeding community, there have been color controversies, where some breeders promote "rare" colors, such as blue or formentino (a diluted fawn), and sell those dogs at a premium. Many breed purists and puritans would argue that those colors were not bred in the traditional Italian lines and that they come with their own health challenges.

Size inflation is another thought, as some American lines may have produced dogs that have significantly increased the size of the Cane Corso breed standard. While they will certainly be show stoppers at the dog park, the size increase also leads into its own problems and risks for health and may not be representative of breed type.

Education Challenges

Again, the rapid popularity growth that the Cane Corso breed has experienced makes continued education efforts difficult as so many new owners are ill-prepared to manage the dogs they acquire, and this is no benefit to anyone (the dogs themselves, their families, or the breed).

The Future of Cane Corsos in America

The future of the Cane Corso in America is - in many ways - both hopeful and concerning. The Cane Corso has been established within the American dog culture and has become recognized as legitimate part of that culture. Achieving quality and preserving authentic bred characteristics will require substantial commitment by a small band of enthusiasts moving forward.

Education Priorities

Education is the number one priority to ensure the breed's own success in the future. American owners need access to accurate knowledge related to breed characteristics, training requirements, and health related challenges. For example, the Cane Corso Association of America is a key vehicle for helping to educate stakeholders and share information, and has a vested interest in promoting standards and doing the right thing for the breed.

Health Research

Health related issues will be able to expand as veterinary research continues to uncover specific genetic issues and eventually lays out screening measures and protocols. The American research community will also make its own contribution towards understanding breed specific health concerns and hopefully all Cane Corsos will benefit from emerging knowledge as organizations and their archive contents are made available internally, within MYCC to the public, and externally.

Breed Preservation

Preservation of breed standards must deal with maintaining working characteristics and ensuring that those formerly working dogs can acclimatize to the American way of life. The forward-thinking mentality with respect to breeding decisions is to maintain important qualities that differentiate Cane Corsos in efforts to produce Cane Corsos who can excel as family companions.

Developing more working opportunities designed for American lifestyles may help emphasize the historical working dog roots they originated from. Programs that allow pet owners to participate in activities that tap into their dogs' natural instincts serve both the dogs and their owners well.

Legislative Advocacy

Legislative advocacy will continue to be important as more communities consider breed-specific restrictions. Education and positive examples from responsible

owners can help counter negative stereotypes and promote fair treatment of the breed.

Making the Right Choice: Is a Cane Corso Right for You?

Bringing a Cane Corso into your American family is not a casual decision. They can make extraordinary companions to the right owners; however, these fantastic dogs require an outstanding commitment in time, energy, and resources in return.

Ideal Owner Characteristics

The type of Cane Corso owners we like to work with typically already understand how large, strong dogs behave and take to training and socialization; they have a home that meets their basic housing requirement, sufficient space and is secure and is able to offer physical exercise and room for movement; they are also able to guarantee mental stimulation and purposeful activities (the more breed appropriate, the more enriching); have the financial means to provide quality foods, veterinary services, and professional training; and will have the time and resources to ensure daily exercise and positive interactions.

These qualities are ideal Foundations, but there is one more thing that truly matters to a successful Cane Corso owners: they really like what it means to own a dog that has a significant protective nature while appreciating the responsibilities of being a highly capable guardian. Cane Corso owners want to become ambassadors for the breed in showing that Cane Corsos, when intentionally bred, trained, and socialized, can be terrific family dogs.

Not Suitable For

This breed is not right for everyone. First time dog owners, families with very young children who will not be monitored by an adult for a time, and people looking for low maintenance pets should probably consider other breeds instead. We hope without fear of irony that people appreciate the commitment to cultural to Cane Corso ownership. The commitment doesn't stop when your Cane Corso turns 10 - 12 years old, but they become an integral part of your family and expect a lifetime of love and attention.

Conclusion: A Breed Finding Its Place

Perhaps the most significant part of the Cane Corso's journey to America is not the breed's history, Capra puppies, or new colors organized by American breeders, rather they are moments we share with these wonderful guardians, whether at home, commercially, or recreationally. Americans are still getting to know this remarkable breed and we are all on that path together as we share their narratives in American society.

Certainly, there are growing pains along with current challenges, and not every story is, or will be, a happy story. The dedicated breeders who are trying to preserve the characteristics of the breed, and the families who are learning their intimidating guardians are also wonderful companions have helped America learn about this breed. It has not been completely smooth and certainly has some controversy, but if it is one thing that will not change, it is the appeal of their loyalty, strength, and intelligence.

Whether the Cane Corso will have a future remains to be seen based on the decisions they make as breeders, owners, and organizations in the coming years. If families and individuals continue to educate themselves, breed responsibly, and are represented positively, then, certainly, the Cane Corso can have a great future remaining to be valued family companions. And for the many of us that really understand and appreciate what this dog offers, Cane Corso represents something rarely attained in our world today: an authentic connection to our own heritage, purpose, and the feeling we get from sharing life with a great animal.

In a nation built by immigrants who brought their cultures and traditions across the ocean, the Cane Corso story is still being written in one family and carefully bred litter at a time. The Italian farmers that originally created this breed for work probably could never have imagined their working dogs would walk streets of American cities in new continental purpose nor compete in complex and elaborate dog shows. Somehow in all the shifts based on context and purpose, something important about the Cane Corso has stayed the same: their capacity to connect with their human families while being the guardians and dignified, strong animals that made them a vital partner in an altogether different world.

As America changes and evolves the Cane Corso can remain a reminder that some things–such as loyalty, and courage, or defending those we love—do not change and are still important, regardless of the setting. And for the growing number of families that are fortunate to live with these wonderful dogs, perhaps that is the most useful lesson of all.