What is a Black Cane Corso?
A Black Cane Corso is one of the most common colorings of the Cane Corso. The Black coloring is present due to a dominant gene located in the K Locus, this means that only one parent needs to pass on the gene for it to be present.
A Cane Corso is also known as an Italian Mastiff. It is closely related to the other Mastiff breeds in both size and stature with similar qualities. It is very much a working dog that has been used in a variety of roles from a war dog back in Ancient Rome to an all round farm dog more recently. They are however most at home in recent times being a big loving family dog.
in studies it has shown that when breeding two matching Cane Corsi. For example Black and Black, this combination produces the same colored offspring more often than any other combination. It’s unsurprising given these stats that Black is the most common color for a Cane Corso.
All Black Cane Corso – The Black Cane Corso Panther
Whilst is is normal for a Cane Corso to have some areas of lighter color this is not always the case. In rare cases due to a rare set of genetics it is possible for their coat to be Pure Black in all areas. This a rarely seen combination which usually commands a premium price due to it’s imposing look.
Whilst The Black Cane Corso Panther is no different than any other color it holds a certain status due to it’s comparable looks to a Black Panther. It is also notable that it carries a similar weight to that of an actual Black Panther which adds to the comparison. Further to this they also come in at a similar height. It is unsurprising that at night they could easily be mistaken for a real Black Panther. Luckily looks is where this comparison ends. A Cane Corso is a loving caring family dog whilst we would certainly advise against having an actual Black Panther as a pet.
How Much is a Black Cane Corso?
Buying a Purebred Cane Corso from a breeder will likely set you back between $1,500 – $4,000. With Black being a common color and often the least in demand they will often come in at the lower end of this range. There are however a number of factors that can affect this. Certain breeders will charge extra based on certain bloodlines which are steeped in winning awards.
There is also dogs such as the All Black Cane Corso which can often be sold for more. Their Black Panther like looks can often bring in more interest from potential buyers leading to a higher price.
What is Stronger a Cane Corso or Pitbull?
Pitbull’s have a reputation for being one of the strongest breeds of dogs. However a Cane Corso has a bite force of up to 700 PSI compared to 235 PSI for a Pitbull. A Cane Corso also is larger in size than a Pitbull and would have greater strength due to this.
Black Cane Corso Health Issues
As with most dogs there a number of health issues to be aware of when raising a Cane Corso, they are afflicted by a number of issues which are common especially around larger breeds.
Hip Dysplasia
This leads to a reduced range of movement in the hind legs along with a reluctance in jumping, running and climbing stairs. Ensuring they stay at a healthy weight and are fed a high quality diet will help delay the onset.
Elbow Dysplasia
In addition to Hip Dysplasia the Cane Corso can also be afflicted in the Elbow. Similar to the hips the onset of this can be hastened by additional stress on the joints from being overweight. It is important to feed a Cane Corso a diet rich in supplements such as Omega 3, Glucosamine and Chondroitin as this is proven to support healthy joints.
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
This is largely associated with eating large meals rather than several smaller meals. Studies have shown that dogs which are fed one large meal a day are more likely to be afflicted. In addition it has been observed that foods high in oils such as sunflower or animal fat can be a contributing. Whilst this illness can be life threatening in the worst of cases there are additional ways to reduce the risk. Elevated feeding is recommended as a way to reduce this pressure in addition to several meals a day.
Cherry Eye
This is a problem which can be fairly common within a Cane Corso. It is where the third eye lid becomes inflamed or irritated. It displays itself as a small red lump under the eye similar to a cherry. This often displays itself through puppyhood and will require vet treatment to either remove or re-attach.
Epilepsy
A condition which is present in a number of breeds including the Cane Corso. It will display as sudden and recurrent seizures if you spot these signs you should consult your vet.
Black Cane Corso History
These large powerful Mastiff’s are steeped in history stretching back to the days of the Roman Legions. These large dogs that can weigh up to 130 pounds were an integral part of the war effort with their keen capability to fight alongside the Legionnaires. They frequently were strapped with oil to run through the enemy lines allowing archers to ignite the oil through their lines. Their role however has evolved over the centuries since.
After the fall of Rome these important dogs acclimated to life in roles around farms and animal- husbandry. They often were left to carry out tasks such as guarding homes and livestock whilst keeping wildlife at bay such as wild boars. This dog is unsurprisingly popular in it’s native Italy and is very much embedded in the Italian identity.
There was still a time in recent history where the move away from farm- life led towards it’s extinction. around the 1950’s and 1960’s with no clear part in society they were infrequently bred and on a steep decline. It was only when some of the last remaining Cane Corsi, were spotted by breeders that their population began to rise again. One of the first breeders to reintroduce the Cane Corso was motivated by the nostalgia around them from remembering how his Grandfather formerly used to raise Cane Corso.
It wasn’t until as recently as 1988 that the first Cane Corsi, were imported to America. When a Neapolitan Mastiff breeder travelled to a Sicilian wedding he spotted this large athletic canine herding cows. This led to him enquiring further about the dog with the local farmer and he was so impressed by it’s characteristics he took some back to America and their popularity has grown ever since.
