Cane Corso, colors. GENETICS OF COLOURS OF THE CANE CORSO

History of the origin of the breed

Dogs of this breed have a fairly long history, although they were officially recognized only recently. Just like many other Great Dane breeds, Cane Corsos are considered descendants of the most ancient Asian dog breeds, which, in their important characteristics, are similar to Tibetan mastiffs.

Interesting information! Before the outbreak of World War II, dogs of this breed were very actively used to protect farms, were used in livestock protection processes, and were also indispensable for hunting.

Typically, due to their important characteristics, they took part in hunting large game. These dogs were especially popular in the Himalayas, as well as in the regions of Tibet. In addition, participating in the protection of various trade caravans, these dogs quickly became accustomed to various countries of the Euro-Asian continent.

Reds

In this case, red is red of varying intensity and warmth. Its severity depends on the richness of the colors of the dog’s ancestors. The following variants of red-red are known:

light, almost beige, sand;
dark, turning to cinnamon;
murguy.

Owners of such a mask are characterized by a “mask” on the face (eyes, nose, cheeks, chin) - from “red”, blue to black. Small spots on the chest, legs, and “socks” on the paws are allowed.

Photos of red Cane Corso:

Description of the Cane Corso breed

This breed is considered legendary and deservedly so, but despite this, at one time they forgot about it, and it was on the verge of extinction. As always, there were real enthusiasts who managed to restore this breed to a level where it was no longer in danger of extinction. Selection work began when it was possible to find single specimens of purebred Cane Corso representatives.

Thanks to the process of active restoration of the breed, an association of Cane Corso lovers (Societa Amatori Cane Corso) was created. Modern males of this breed have a height at the withers of about 68 cm maximum, and females - about 64 cm. Moreover, their weight is: males weigh about 50 kg, and females - 45 kg.

Appearance

The appearance of the Cane Corso breed can be described quite briefly: a powerful and strong animal, at the same time very elegant. These are dogs that are distinguished by their above average body size, as well as the presence of lean and prominent muscles. Important characteristics of the breed include the size of the head, which is up to 36 percent of the size of the animal at the withers.

The owners of this breed value its high endurance and unique functionality most of all. At the same time, the dog does not have various excesses regarding its body shape, but has a unique performance capacity.

Coat type and color

The breed is distinguished by the presence of both guard hair and undercoat. Moreover, the undercoat must be clearly expressed, which applies to all purebred individuals.

Nowadays, the Cane Corso breed is classified as a guard dog, so it serves day and night and in any climatic conditions, protecting important territory and important objects. If a dog does not have an undercoat, it means it will not withstand sub-zero temperatures. One can say about the Cane Corso breed that it has a high-quality undercoat, so the dog is reliably protected from extreme conditions.

It is important to know! If a dog of this breed does not have an undercoat, then such individuals are classified as defective dogs, so they do not take part in further breeding. The fact that there is no undercoat indicates that the animal has nothing to do with purebred individuals.

The structure of the guard hair is represented by the core and cortex, in the form of granules with pigment. The outer part of the hair is covered with a special shell - the cuticle. The hairs of the undercoat are completely devoid of a core, and the cortical layer contains a small amount of pigment. In this regard, the undercoat has a lighter color. The variety of colors is associated with the presence of a special pigment, melanin, which is found in special cells called melanocytes.

The FCI-No. 343 breed standard specifies that Cane Corso dogs must have black, lead grey, slate grey, light grey, light fawn, red fawn, auburn and brindle coat colours. Representatives of the breed of red or brindle color must have a black or gray mask on the face, which should not extend beyond the general line of the eyes.

Minor inclusions of white are allowed, located in the chest area, on the back of the nose, and also on the tips of the paws.

Breed standards

The breed standards recorded in the FC documents are valid only from January last year. According to breed standards, these dogs must have:

Large and typically mastiff-shaped head, with a slightly upturned muzzle.
A wide skull with the presence of a frontal groove, a convex forehead in front, which has a noticeable flattening within the parietal region.
Pronounced transition from forehead to muzzle.
The nose is black and large, as well as wide and well-opened nostrils, which are in line with the nasal bridge.
Square, massive muzzle, with a blunt but parallel lateral relief.
Noticeably drooping upper lips that extend to the lower jaw.
Quite large, massive and curved teeth with a dense overbite.
Medium-sized, oval, straight-set, slightly convex eyes with close-fitting eyelids. At the same time, the iris of the eyes has a dark tint, and the eyes themselves are distinguished by a penetrating and quite attentive gaze.
Triangular, drooping ears with a wide base and set high above the cheekbones.
Strong, muscular neck, the length of which is equal to the length of the head.
Pronounced withers that rise above the croup.
Well developed chest reaching to the elbows.
The tail is set high and very thick at the base, which the animal holds high when moving.

The animal's forelimbs are quite long, with oblique and very muscular shoulders. The humerus is strong and the forearms are almost vertical and strong. The wrists are flexible and the paws are cat-like. The hind limbs end in long and wide hips. The back line is convex, and the lower legs are strong and fleshy. The movements are quite wide and sweeping.

Cane Corso - All about the breed

Behavioral nature of the Cane Corso

Dogs of this breed, like other representatives of Molossians, have a fairly strong character. At the same time, individuals tend to show independence, along with signs of stubbornness. Despite this, Cane Corsos rarely show signs of dominance in relation to their owner, although in some other similar breeds these indicators are clearly expressed and without proper and targeted training, individuals are enviably stubborn.

As a result of long-term observations, it was found that the character of this breed is quite docile and, with reasonable, professional training, the dogs are obedient and easy to control. If you keep an animal in the family from an early age, raising the dog competently, then it will grow up to be an affectionate and sociable friend of the whole family. The Cane Corso will always appreciate the time spent on him and will repay him with a patient attitude towards the youngest members of the family.

Interesting to know! These dogs are considered reliable and intelligent watchdogs who will never bark at passers-by, only lending their voice when necessary or at the request of the owner.

This is a strong, athletic animal that will always take part in outdoor games or simply run around, since it is characterized as mobile and active, which is associated with an incredibly high level of temperament. The significant advantages of the Cane Corso include the dog’s devotion to all family members and affection for its owner. At the same time, the dog has watchdog and security qualities that have not yet been lost.

How long do they live?

Dogs of this breed are not considered long-lived, so their average life expectancy is 12 and a half years. At the same time, even with advanced age, Cane Corsos always remain cheerful, playful and cheerful, continuing to lead an active lifestyle until their last days.

General appearance and important proportions

The representatives are positioned as large dogs, the height of males is 64–68 cm with a weight of 45–50 kg, and the height of females is 60–64 cm and 40–45 kg. The standard allows a deviation from the recommended height at the withers by 2 cm in any direction. Visually, these are very athletic dogs, muscular, the characteristics of “strong and strong” suit them best. Despite their size and power, they must retain some elegance and cannot look awkward.

The general description of the pet indicates important proportions that a purebred representative must maintain:

rectangular body, the length of which should be 11% greater than the height at the withers;
The length of the head should be approximately 34–36% of the height of the particular animal at the withers.

Proportions of the head and skull

The animal's belonging to the Molosser group explains the specific features in its appearance. Thus, Italian Cane Corsos have a large head, on which the lines of the skull and muzzle converge, but do not create unnecessary folds. The stop zone should be clearly defined, and the brow ridges should be well developed. The standard describes the following important features of the head of a representative of the breed:

the skull is wide, the lines of the cheekbones are equal in length and width;
the forehead is convex in front, there is a groove in the middle, which begins in the area of the transition to the muzzle and continues to the middle of the skull;
the muzzle is square (length equal to width), significantly shorter than the cranial area of the head (the ratio should be as close as possible to 1:2);
the nose is black, but the new edition of the standard states that if you have a gray mask, the color of the nose can be appropriate;
The upper lips in a calm state of the dog from the front have the shape of an inverted arc, hanging slightly at the sides;
the jaws are necessarily powerful and curved, with a standard slight overshot (no more than 5 mm);

The Cane Corso should have a slight undershot (up to 5 mm)

Neck and body

Representatives of the breed look very powerful and, as is typical for dogs of this type, have a strong and muscular neck. An important point is that its length should be the same as the length of the dog’s head. The dog's body should be strong, and its back should be straight with a developed muscle corset. The withers of the Italian Cane Corso are clearly defined, and the loin is short. The chest of a purebred representative should be developed and reach the level of the elbows.

Keeping a Cane Corso at home

This popular Italian breed does not require special housing conditions, and it will feel great both in a city apartment and on the street, in a specially equipped cage. Despite the ease of care, you still have to adhere to a number of recommendations for care and hygiene. It is very important to provide the animal with nutritious food.

Care and hygiene

Despite the fact that the Cane Corso breed is short-haired, it is still necessary to take care of the coat. The dog needs regular massage, as well as combing out dead hair. This will preserve the dog’s natural shine and beauty of its coat. To clean the fur, you can use a special medium-hard brush. It is necessary to comb the fur in the direction of its growth.

Ear hygiene comes down to standard actions to remove dirt or natural secretions, in the form of earwax. As a rule, the ears are cleaned with small cotton-gauze swabs. They are soaked in heated vegetable oil or in a special solution of chamomile with hydrogen peroxide.

It is important to know! Caring for a dog's oral cavity requires special measures, since tartar may form. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to clean the dog’s mouth with pastes and brushes specially designed for this purpose.

If discharge in the form of purulent formations accumulates in the eyes of an animal, then this should not be classified as a pathology. These secretions should be carefully removed using a gauze cloth, which should preferably be moistened in a special solution of medicinal chamomile. If tartar does appear on the teeth, it can only be removed with the help of a professional.

What to feed your Cane Corso

Already from 3 weeks of age, the dog should be accustomed to a classic diet. Naturally, the puppy is fed according to a schedule, several times a day, dividing the diet into equal parts. Dishes for food and water should be at the same level as the chest on special stands. Natural food should include the following nutritional components:

Lean meat.
Sea fish.
Boiled eggs.
Low-fat milk.

Up to 2 and a half months of age, meat should be given, minced by scraping. For this age, lean beef, rabbit or chicken are suitable. Upon reaching 6 months of age, the animal’s diet should be expanded to include offal, as well as raw beef bones, including sea fish and dairy products. Buckwheat, oatmeal or rice porridge is prepared with milk. Foods such as cabbage, carrots and beets are high in vitamins and minerals. These include some berries and fruits.

Dry commercial food is also suitable for providing your pet with adequate nutrition. For an adult dog, the daily ration is calculated based on the requirement of about 20-40 grams per 1 kg of the animal’s body weight. It turns out about 1 kg of dry food per day.

Diseases and breed defects

This breed of dog may suffer from eversion or entropion of the eyelids, excessive tearing, and cherry eye. In this case, there is also bloating and epilepsy, problems with the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, as well as the manifestation of allergic reactions.

There may also be deviations in the parallelism of the muzzle and forehead, as well as anomalies in the shape of the muzzle, which may be expressed in an overly upturned or wedge-shaped shape. There is also partial depigmentation of the nose, a clear undershot or scissor bite, a hooked tail, against the background of deviations in growth standards.

The main disqualifying defects include a drooping muzzle, lack of pigmentation of the nose, hooked nose and underbite, lack of pigmentation of the eyelids, blue eyes, squint, including a stubby tail. The quality of the wool should not go beyond the requirements, so the wool should be short, not smooth and not have obvious fringes.

Education and training

The process of raising a Cane Corso should boil down to teaching the animal to follow the commands of its owner, regardless of the circumstances. Considering the fact that the breed is quite intelligent, harsh training methods should under no circumstances be used.

Important to remember! If you raise a dog of this breed correctly and professionally, then it will never bring problems to the owner, including his family members. In this case, emphasis should be placed on game-based learning methods, showing a certain persistence in executing the required commands. Excessive rudeness can lead to unmotivated stubbornness.

At the initial stages of training, the puppy must master basic commands, such as “Near”, “Sit”, “Lie down”, “No”, etc. At this stage, the puppy should get used to the leash and the basic requirements of discipline.

Training a Cane Corso puppy First training

Life expectancy and health

The life expectancy of these dogs, regardless of their color, is 10-11 years, and this is not at all bad, given their large size, fairly heavy bones and the fact that the breed was restored artificially.
In general, Corsos have a tendency to diseases common to all large and heavy Molossians: dysplasia, dislocations, sprains, entropion .

In addition, they may have gastric volvulus, epilepsy and stroke of varying severity.

CAREFULLY!

They also have tumors, which are benign only in 50% of cases.

Along with the common diseases that all Cane Corsos are prone to, gray dogs of this breed also have an increased tendency to allergies and some weakening of the immune system compared to other Corsos.

It is especially important to consider that an allergic reaction can be very strong, so owners of gray dogs better have the necessary medications on hand to relieve attacks.

And feeding such a pet should be approached especially responsibly.

The owner of such a dog should pay close attention to its health and take the necessary measures at the first signs of deterioration..

Cane Corso breed: where to buy

Nowadays, purchasing a purebred puppy of this breed is very problematic. In addition, choosing a puppy is a problem that can only be handled by a professional. Under no circumstances should you rely on your basic knowledge or simply on the recommendations of breeders.

It is very good if kennels that practice breeding dogs of a famous breed use imported producers related to the ancestors of real Cane Corsos. This will be proof that they sell dogs with typical behavior, high performance, strong bones and graceful movements. Parents of puppies must pass all tests and be verified by producers who are not prone to dysplasia.

What to pay attention to

When choosing a Cane Corso puppy, you should pay special attention to such factors as:

The parents of the puppy have all the documents indicating that they have passed all tests for the presence of elbow and hip dysplasia, with an official conclusion from an RKF specialist.
The parents have all tests related to the absence of mental defects, which must be certified in a separate document.
A parent pair participating in breeding work must have a “very good” rating obtained at a breeding show.

As a rule, babies from multiple litters are larger in size, and they are stronger and more well-fed. Despite this, puppies must be absolutely healthy, active and playful, have an excellent appetite, show curiosity and not be cowardly. Nowadays, it is more common to sell animals that solely in appearance resemble breed standards.

These pets may develop various negative behavioral problems over time. This could be either a defect in the work of the breeders, or problems with raising the animal, which is more likely, since not all owners bother themselves with the problems of raising and socializing the animal.

All puppies offered must have all vaccinations and ears and tail docked. Babies can easily be determined whether they correspond to the breed type by their good anatomical structure, as well as by their clean and calm look. Such individuals are practically socialized and have a stable and strong psyche. All that remains is to properly raise the animal in the family, in a calm environment. Accompanying documents must indicate that the puppies have all vaccinations. The owner must have documents such as birth certificates, veterinary passports and a standard purchase and sale document in his hands.

Cost of Cane Corso puppies

It is quite natural that puppies whose pedigree includes producers of the most famous world-famous kennels, such as “Della Porta Dipinta”, “Del Rosso Malpelo”, “Cane Per La Vista” and “Best Griffs Off Destiem”, are the most expensive. The most expensive puppies, and therefore the most promising, quite often become titled, both abroad and in our country.

As a rule, the cost of a purebred puppy starts from 1 thousand dollars and no lower. At the same time, individuals with rare coat colors are much more expensive.

About character

Standard colors do not in any way affect the character and mental abilities of Italian Mastiffs. A genetic failure, due to which a Corso puppy is born with a white coat - albinism, has a negative impact on development, socialization and health. Albinos are very sensitive to light. They see poorly in the sun, which is why they can lose orientation in space. Because of this, such dogs are more timid and irritable than those with the usual coat colors.

Cane Corso, born with standard shades of “fur coat”, become excellent helpers for the military, police and rescue workers. Italian Mastiffs are easy to train and take well to education. Being in a family, they easily get along with other animals and find a common language with children. They will become aggressors only in cases of obvious danger and in the absence of suitable upbringing.

Owner reviews

Naturally, not everyone welcomes the fact of keeping dogs of similar breeds at home. This dog is not small, so it needs enough living space. What if there are two dogs? According to experienced dog breeders, it is permissible to keep 2 dogs of the same breed in the house, but you need to know that 2 bitches get along quite easily and without problems in the same territory. If we talk about male dogs, they do not get along well and often conflict with each other. One can only imagine how dangerous these conflicts are, given their origins.

The Cane Corso breed is distinguished by the fact that physical activity, in the form of frequent and long walks, is very important for normal life. Despite the characteristics of the breed, even novice dog breeders can have it. In this case, it is better to visit training grounds and contact professionals.

Note to everyone! Those who want to have a Cane Corso dog at home should know that external characteristics, mental characteristics and behavioral characteristics, as well as working characteristics, are inherited by the animal. Therefore, the best option is to purchase a puppy from a specialized nursery.

This approach allows us to minimize the risks associated with purchasing an animal that does not meet breed standards. If you choose a puppy wisely, and then also raise it wisely, you can get a faithful and affectionate friend for life. It is better to purchase a puppy after reaching 6 months of life, since by this period the teeth change, so you can determine the nature of the bite, including the color of the eyes. By this point, it is already possible to easily determine deficiencies in the structure of the limbs, as well as the nature of movement.