The Cane Corso breed embodies natural grace and beauty, in addition, the animal is unconditionally devoted to its owner.
Information about Molossian breeds comes from ancient history, which also mentions the affection and loyalty of these dogs to people.
Italian Cane Corsos are considered the most ancient of the Molossians.
To choose a dog of this breed, you need to find out more information about the animal, its weight parameters, height and character traits.
Adult dog weight
Cane Corso is a rather large dog. Traditionally, males are slightly larger than females.
So, if we talk about the height at the withers of dogs, then their parameters will be as follows:
- height of males – 64-68 cm;
- height of females is 60-64 cm.
Accordingly, there is a difference in weight, which is approximately 5-10 kg.
A male dog has a body weight of 45-50 kg, and sometimes more. Female – 40-45 kg.
If the readings are lower, it means something is wrong with your pet; it would be a good idea to take him to the veterinarian.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“Males can reach a weight of 42 kg and above, females from 38 to 45 kg. But a dog's weight alone cannot be an indicator of health. It is worth paying attention to your pet’s coat, its activity, appetite, etc. We also need to take into account the fact that dogs can gain weight in the winter and lose it in the summer.”
Story
They say that the first ancestors of the Cane Corso existed back in the Roman Empire, during its heyday. Huge and menacing in appearance, they took part in gladiatorial battles and sometimes served as bloodhounds, helping to find runaway slaves. In the Middle Ages they were brought to Europe and became hunters, enjoying popularity among the nobility.
Closer to modern times, already in the 19th century they lived with ordinary people, looked after children and herds, and sometimes even replaced horses in plowing.
In the first half of the 20th century, they almost became extinct: wars and famine did not allow feeding such large animals.
In the second half, when the breed was on the verge of extinction, an enthusiast was found who took up its revival. His name was Giovanni Nizolli. He looked for representatives, crossed them with each other, and thanks to this, already in 1966 the first breed standard was adopted.
The name literally translates as “yard dog,” and in Italy they still say about a brave person “brave as a corso” instead of “brave as a lion.”
Puppies 1-4 weeks old
Puppies are born weighing approximately 350 to 700 grams . (data from tables of the average animal) .
They grow quickly and already on the 15th day, that is, after two weeks, they weigh 1200-1500 grams. The weight of a monthly Cane Corso is already approaching 4-6 kg.
At 30-45 days, the puppy’s growth reaches 25 cm.
Such indicators will be important for purebred Cane Corsos that are being prepared for various exhibitions.
For example, if a show dog exceeds the standards in weight and height, then his points will be reduced.
Read about breed standards here.
It’s not difficult to develop a chart for a dog’s height and weight if you know who the puppy’s parents are..
Learning ability
The Cane Corso is a stubborn and cunning dog. During training, she tries with all her might to ignore her owner’s commands, especially in puppyhood.
A beginner needs to make an appointment with a professional dog handler - it is impossible to achieve obedience on your own without experience.
If you show persistence and methodically repeat commands on every walk and ensure their implementation, training a Cane Corso will not be difficult - it will master the general training course and protective service.
Start raising a puppy by establishing clear rules of behavior in the apartment. If the puppy does unwanted actions - climbs on the bed or chews slippers - scold him. Encourage positive moments. A smart Corso will quickly understand what they want from him.
Weight and height from 1 to 12 months
First
Puppies are actively exploring the world. Become more mobile .
At this age, it is already possible to determine the character of the pet; some become restless and inquisitive, while other puppies, on the contrary, are lazy.
During this period they weigh 6-8 kg . The height of a one-month-old puppy is within 25 cm.
Second
During this period, you can gradually wean the puppy away from its mother and siblings.
The baby's curiosity increases, he needs to stick his nose everywhere.
The weight of a 2-month-old Cane Corso is about 9 kg, height is 32 cm.
Third
At this age, learning ability increases.
In addition to remembering its name, the puppy can master simple commands for action.
A dog at three months already weighs a lot, it’s about 13.5 kg.
Height reaches 42 cm at the withers.
Fourth
During this period, the dog tries to dominate, begins to growl and even bite during the game.
Cane Corso already weighs from 16 to 18.5 kg, grows up to 47 cm.
Fifth-sixth
During this period, the animal is already approaching an adult dog; it is worth continuing to train the breed. The cables show signs of sexual activity. At this age, the dog reaches a weight of 22-29 kg and a height of 55-56.5 cm.
IMPORTANT!
In the first five months, the puppy rapidly gains weight and height. In 4 months, the Cane Corso's height at the withers doubles, and its weight almost triples.
Seventh
A dog at this age asserts itself and sometimes shows its character and stubbornness. Sometimes the commands that the Cane Corso previously carried out willingly, he refuses to carry out.
The weight of a 7-month-old puppy already reaches 25 kg and above, and the height remains within 57-58 cm.
Eighth
At this age, dogs become timid. The once familiar street noise can frighten them.
It is worth being patient and waiting out this period without particularly punishing the Cane Corso.
The weight is already approaching the level of an adult, and this is in the range of 33-40 kg, the dog’s height is 59-62 cm.
To what age do they grow?
After a dog reaches puberty, its growth and development do not stop.
Indicators may change up to 3 years.
After this period, the Cane Corso can be called an adult animal.
If you keep a dog for yourself and do not try to send it to various exhibitions, then if you have a good appetite and healthy appearance, it is not necessary to constantly weigh your pet.
Vaccinations
Mother's milk, which puppies are fed in the first weeks after birth, provides their immunity. When the lactation period ends, the babies' protection from infections and diseases disappears. It is replaced by immunity independently developed by the puppies.
Popular drugs for vaccination are Eurican, Duramune, Nobivac.
Vaccination is not a method of treating a disease, but its causative agent, so it is important that the puppy is absolutely healthy at the time of vaccination.
What influences development?
The effect on a puppy's height and weight will depend on different factors at each stage of the dog's life..
So, after birth, the baby feeds on mother’s milk, right now his body must receive all the nutritional vitamins and microelements that will become the basis for the dog’s further development. They will affect the height and weight of the newborn.
Accordingly, the mother will need adequate feeding. Subsequently, the puppy switches to adult food, which will play a fundamental role in the proper development of the dog, both physically and mentally.
This breed has weak joints and ligaments, so during the period of active growth, which is 9–12 months, it is worth making sure that the puppy does not overeat and does not gain more weight than normal.
NOTE!
If the Cane Corso is in good condition, when palpating the body, it is necessary to feel the ribs. But at the same time they should not stick out.
If you use ready-made dry dog food, it will be easier for you to control your pet’s weight gain and growth. If you have any doubts about feeding your dog, you should consult your veterinarian.
In between meals, it is not forbidden to give your pet a little treat, for example, low-fat cheese.
Bowls are placed on a hill at the height of the dog’s elbow. As it grows, the height of the hill also changes.
After a meal, you should not disturb the dog; he should lie down to digest the food he has eaten . If you actively walk your puppy after eating, a stomach volvulus may occur.
Not only proper feeding of a Cane Corso up to 1.5 years old can affect the dog’s weight and height. Physical activity is also important.
The frequency of walks should be as follows:
- for small puppies, walks should be frequent but short so that the baby does not get tired quickly;
- Gradually, the frequency of walking is reduced and the time increases.
- from 6 months, the Cane Corso puppy walks for 20-30 minutes;
- Long walks are taken before meals.
It is necessary to avoid injuries, dose the gaming load, and use vitamin and mineral supplements. All this affects the height and weight of the Cane Corso.
In order to promptly identify problems in the dog’s body, you need to thoroughly examine your pet every day for rashes, allergies or fever..
How to care and maintain
For a dog to feel good, it needs to be properly looked after.
- provide a suitable place to rest. He will go there when he gets tired of society, he will hide his most favorite toys there and will go there on the command “place”. Usually they try to choose a secluded, quiet corner, which they usually rarely walk past - in each house such a place is individual. So that the puppy immediately understands where he should sleep and does not worry, it is recommended to place a bed in the chosen place, and on it - something from the breeder’s house that smells like his mother, sisters and brothers.
- comb. Italian Mastiffs are short-haired, but they shed constantly, and their fur is sharp and easily injures soft human skin. Therefore, once a week, the dog is thoroughly combed with a soft massage brush, and then the hairs that have attacked it are swept away into the trash bin.
- take care of claws and teeth. Nails are trimmed once every two weeks, or less often if they do not have time to grow back. Teeth are brushed with a soft brush and a special paste that tastes like bacon or chicken. Since few animals like it when people grab their paws or try to climb into their mouths, you need to accustom your puppy to procedures from a very young age.
- take care of your eyes and ears. The eyes are a weak spot, they often water and become easily inflamed, so every morning they are wiped with a cotton pad, removing discharge, and every evening they are checked for redness. The ears also need to be examined every day and excess wax removed from them.
- take care of your jowls. Due to the structure of the muzzle, the Corso constantly secretes saliva, and once a day the shaven is wiped with a cloth, wiping off sticky marks from it.
The dog needs to be washed as it becomes dirty: usually, after each walk, the paws are wiped, and the whole body is washed only after a full bath in a puddle.
Walk twice a day, morning and evening, for an hour and a half, and actively, so that you have time to run around and get tired. On weekends, it is advisable to travel outside the city, to a place where you can let a large animal off its leash without fear that it will scare someone.
The main rule is that the more energy a pet spends on a walk, the less desire it has to make a mess in the house.
What to do if your weight is below normal
An underweight dog indicates health problems. The first thing the owner must do is get his pet’s blood and urine tested.
CAREFULLY!
The most common cause of Cane Corso underweight can be worms.
Perhaps deworming was carried out incorrectly, the wrong drug was selected or the timing of the drug was administered.
If helminthic infestation was not detected, then the cause should be sought in a chronic or inflammatory process in the body.
For a dog of this breed, the problem may be related to the liver or intestinal tract . A veterinarian will help solve all these problems.
Another reason for a puppy’s weight loss is improperly selected food. Everything is not as harmless as it seems.
These circumstances may not have the best effect on the animal’s liver, since such foods contain a lot of protein, which negatively affects the puppy’s growing body..
The young liver is not able to process large amounts of protein, resulting in hepatitis and hepatosis.
Some unscrupulous manufacturers produce low-quality food or put synthetic additives in it that cause addiction in the animal.
As a result, food allergies and liver damage develop.
In this case, you should urgently change the dog’s diet and show your pet to a veterinarian to diagnose the dog’s liver and other internal organs..
Obesity in an animal
Obesity is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat as a result of metabolic disorders in the dog's body.
The reasons for this condition are as follows:
- Overfeeding.
- Dietary disorder.
- Insufficient physical activity.
- Hormonal disorders.
Pet treatment
If obesity has developed due to a hormonal imbalance, then it is almost impossible to cure Cane Corso disease.
If the dog is obese as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, a special diet low in carbohydrates and fats is developed.
It is recommended to gradually increase physical activity, lengthen walks, and play outdoor games with the animal..
A sudden transition to physical activity can undermine the Cane Corso's cardiac activity. In extreme cases, medications are prescribed to reduce appetite.
To prevent Cane Corso obesity, you need to monitor the dog’s diet and walk it more often..
Baby's health
Taking care of your puppy's health is your first responsibility.
It consists of the following:
- Choose a reliable and qualified veterinarian to whom you will take your dog for examinations and procedures. Read reviews, ask the breeder for recommendations.
- Vaccinations . Timely, in accordance with the scheme (formed by the veterinarian). Afterwards - quarantine for 10-14 days.
- Prevention of parasites . It is carried out once every 3 months and 3 weeks before vaccination.
- Prevention of bites . In the warm season, drops against fleas, mosquitoes and ticks once a month.
So, if you are determined to adopt an Italian Mastiff puppy, you will need to be prepared for some challenges, as well as follow the training and care guidelines. If everything is done correctly, a well-mannered and devoted dog will become a reliable friend and protector for many years.
