A huge, powerful dog, the Cane Corso can trace its origins back to Roman times. The name comes from Latin, and derives from “cane”, meaning dog, and, “cohors”, meaning protector, so it literally means, protection dog.
This is an ancient breed with a documented history going back to at least 1500 A.D. They were used by the Romans for all types of work including, guarding, herding, droving, and hunting. They were also commonly used as dogs of war, fighting alongside the Roman legions, and it is likely they featured in gladiatorial fights against wild animals.
During World War II, the breed’s numbers were seriously decimated, and they may well have become extinct were it not for the S.A.C.C. (Societa Amatori Cane Corso), an organization that was formed to revive and preserve the breed.
The Cane Corso is an incredibly powerful dog that stands up to 27 inches at the shoulder and can weigh as much as 115 pounds. These dogs look extremely intimidating, but are not aggressive by nature, although they will most certainly respond if attacked.
With those close to them they are extremely protective, affectionate and loyal. They are good with children, and make excellent pets. They are also highly intelligent, and respond well to training.
The Corso has a very unique coat that is almost leathery to the touch. Coat colors include black, brindle, fawn, and gray. White patches on the chest, toes and nose are also permitted by the standard. The overall impression of the dog is of athleticism, power and strength, rather than bulk. The neck is thick and heavily muscled, with a short muzzle and immensely strong jaw.
With any dog this powerful, training is an absolute must. Cane Corsos, especially males, can be dominant dogs so it is important to start that your puppy gets obedience training.
Also be sure to maintain discipline in the home and don’t let the dog get away with liberties. These dogs do best with an experienced owner who is able to exert dominance and keep them in check.
Socialization is also imperative because, as a breed with a strong protective nature, they are naturally suspicious of strangers.
The Cane Corso is an active dog who requires daily exercise. The ideal living situation for a Corso is with an active family that includes the dog in activities. Be careful though not to over-exert the dog (especially in hot weather) because they overheat quite easily, due to their shortened muzzle.
It goes without saying that this dog will not be happy cooped up in an apartment. A house with large garden is preferable, but the dog will still need a long daily walk on a leash.
Good names for a Cane Corso can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online dog names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of boy dog names to pick from.

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