If you’re reading this, then chances are you must be planning on adding a Cane Corso to your family, or perhaps you just brought a new Cane Corso puppy home. You are in for a treat!
Cane Corsos are extremely intelligent, highly loyal, and beautifully dignified dogs that can really add that extra something to your family. In fact, they’ll be a beloved member of the family for the next 10-12 years, so it’s important that you are fully prepared to accommodate their adult size once they mature.
They are definitely not your average lap dog – even though they may attempt to climb their massive bulk onto your lap if given the chance! And while it may depend entirely on the bloodline of your Cane Corso, you should consider your new friend to be a one-family dog and not expect him to be overly loving towards strangers. He will be at your every beck and call and loyal to you every day of his life, but he may not extend the same love towards strangers.
How Big Do Cane Corsos Get?
Cane Corso dogs were originally said to be descendants of Roman dogs of war. The breed was refined in Italy and used for a wide range of tasks including guarding, game hunting, and farm work. Their eagerness to please, willingness to work, extremely high intelligence, and large size made them excellent all-around candidates for all types of jobs.
But just how big does a Cane Corso get when mature? There are a few variations here, and it may depend on genetics and bloodlines, environmental situations, and the dog’s gender. Male will be larger than female, some American bloodlines may be larger than European bloodlines, and some dogs may end up with more muscle than others giving them the illusion of being larger.
According to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the largest canine organisation in the world, Cane Corso falls into the Working dog category. It should be large and well muscled, while also remaining proportionate with a balanced weight to height ratio. A male should be larger than a female, but not by too much overall.
The official European standard has properly sized and proportioned adult male Cane Corso standing at 64-68cm tall, and weighing 45-50kg. Adult females should be slightly smaller at 60-64cm tall, and 40-45kg in weight. The standard does allow for slight variations within these measurements, however, it will depend on the bloodlines and specific age of the dog.
What Age Are Cane Corso Fully Grown?
Your Cane Corso is a large breed mastiff-type dog with a very thick skeletal frame. As such, he will grow slower than smaller or lighter boned breeds but will take longer to reach his mature adult weight. Cane Corso will continue to grow until they are 18-24 months of age, and should not be considered fully grown until their 2nd birthday.
In both male and female puppies, the musculoskeletal system will not be fully developed until this time, so while they may love playing rough or romping at full speed around the garden, these activities should be limited to a reasonable amount to prevent any injuries to their bones or joints.
- At 1 month old, your Cane Corso puppy should be anywhere from 9-12kg in weight with adorably oversized feet and floppy ears.
- By 6 months old, he will have turned into a 27-29kg boulder with a good bit of muscle and will stand anywhere from 53-60cm tall at the shoulders by this time.
- Two months later, at 8 months of age, your puppy might be closing in on 34kg and starting to look more like a refined young adult.
- By one year old, your little friend will not be so little anymore, weighing from 40-47kg and taking on the leaner look of his adult self.
- As he continues on towards his 2nd birthday, he can continue to grow until he reaches up to 50kg in weight and up to 68cm in height.
Females will be slightly less heavy and a bit shorter than males, but don’t be alarmed if your growing female is reaching these weight milestones herself. Cane Corso dogs can grow at a rapid rate from month to month, even though it takes them almost two years to reach their full size potential.
Puppies will grow at different rates from their littermates as well, and some may be lighter or heavier than the average. When comparing your puppy’s growth rate to other puppies of his breed, it’s better to consult your veterinarian if you think your puppy may be falling behind or growing at too fast a rate to be healthy.
What Health Problems Affect Cane Corsos?
Overall, Cane Corso are generally healthy dogs. All reputable breeders have their breeding stock tested for different health concerns and will only breed the healthiest dogs in an attempt to produce the healthiest puppies. However, being such a large dog, there are some concerns that can arise due to their size.
Because the Cane Corso has such a thick skeletal system and can grow at such a rapid rate from month to month, they can be prone to hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis. Each of these issues can be managed, and some can be prevented as well through the use of joint supplements, physical therapy, corticosteroids, and exercise restriction.
Another health concern some Cane Corso may be prone to are seizure disorders such as idiopathic epilepsy. While the root cause of the seizure may not be known, there are treatment options available from your veterinarian. Seizures will normally show up in a dog between 9 and 24 months of age if your Cane Corso is predisposed to them.
The Bottom Line
The Cane Corso is a large dog with an even larger heart. While they may reach 50kg in weight and 68cm in height, they can be a beloved part of your family provided you are able to house and handle such a large dog.
They are extremely intelligent and need regular mental stimulation, so it’s vital to provide your Cane Corso with a job or daily task he can call his own. Whether it’s obedience or agility trials, herding or tracking, or basic accompaniment while you are doing daily tasks or farm work, this type of regular task can help keep your Cane Corso content and happy.
Overall, a Cane Corso is a healthy dog to have and health problems do not arise often. But when they do, it’s most usually due to their large physical size and growth rates and will present itself in hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and joint disease. Seizures are also a potential health issue to watch out for, though the root cause is not known.
Once you are prepared for the size, intelligence and potential health issues, a Cane Corso is a wonderful companion for the entire family. As long as they can spend time at your side among the family, they are an outstanding breed of dog to share the next 10-12 years of your life with.
