Buying or Adopting a Cane Corso

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Cane Corso the right breed for you?

Cane Corso Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for a Cane Corso?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Someone home most of the day
• Fenced yard (6-8 feet high, not an electronic/underground fence)
• No young children in the household
• No other dogs in the household
• No cats in the household
• Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), exercise restricted to multiple short (20 minute) walks, fetch games, and playing with other dogs – no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
• Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Cane Corso stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, tracking, schutzhund, lure coursing, weight pulling); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
• An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Cane Corsos are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• An owner who is okay with shedding and flatulence (gassiness!)
• Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Cane Corso to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior or aggression
• Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Cane Corso, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt a Cane Corso?

Cane Corsos have become a pretty common breed in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Cane Corsos rank 40th. Unfortunately, far too many people choose this breed when they're not equipped to handle it. This is not a casual family pet.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
Cane Corsos are available from Dog Rescue groups. But only very experienced owners should consider adopting a Cane Corso from Rescue if the dog has behavioral problems such as dominance or aggression.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
As more novice owners impulsively choose this breed, they'll end up dumping their dogs into shelters when it becomes apparent that the breed is too much for them to handle. Cane Corso Rescue groups do monitor shelters across the country and will try to move Cane Corsos out of shelters and into their rescue network.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Cane Corso from a show breeder, who breeds Cane Corsos to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring.

Or you can buy a Cane Corso from a performance breeder, who emphasizes an energetic temperament and strong "prey (chasing) drives" for hunting, or participating in performance sports like schutzhund and weight pulling. Some breeders are a combination of show/performance, though how they prioritize those two goals can vary greatly.

You can also buy a Cane Corso from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Cane Corso puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have normal elbows
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or a report from a veterinary cardiologist – dated within the past year – certifying that the dog has had an Advanced Cardiac Exam and has a normal heart

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Cane Corso ends up with heart disease and crippled joints.

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
I have never seen a Cane Corso in a pet shop, but it's certainly possible. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right Cane Corso Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Cane Corso puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Cane Corso puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?