What is a White Cane Corso
The White Cane Corso is rarely seen and is also known by a number of different names. The most common name given to a White Cane Corso is Straw and it is likely this color what is being referred to when people mention White. It is believed this color came from cross breeding many years ago, with the Abruzzese Sheepdog the most likely candidate.
The White color comes from the E Locus and is a recessive color which makes it rarer to see. In order for a recessive gene to display it requires both parents to pass on a copy of the gene. This does not however mean that both of the parents need to be White in color to produce a White puppy. If breeding two White Cane Corso with each other it is highly likely that the puppies produced will also be White. However if you take a White Cane Corso with a Cane Corso that carries the gene but isn’t White then you should still expect almost half of the Offspring to be White.
Finally it is still possible to produce White Cane Corso even without a White parent. They both would need to carry a copy of the gene which is possible due to it being recessive. It would be less than 1 in 4 of their offspring that would be White in this instance but it is not rare enough for it to be unlikely.
Are White/Straw Cane Corso Rare?
Due to this being a Non-standard color for a Cane Corso it is unsurprisingly rare. It is rare due to a number of reasons but they have been specifically bred historically for a unique role. Due to one of their jobs previously being to guard a farm a number of farmers preferred the White/Straw colored due it’s ability to blend in with the light and dry colorings of an Italian farm.
Due to the recessive genes required to produce the White Cane Corso this contribute to it’s rarity. In circumstances where there is a dominant and recessive trait the recessive is a lot more rarely seen. This in combination with this being a color which has been cross bred into the Cane Corso adds to the rarity.
There is reluctance among some breeders to breed colors which aren’t approved by their respective Kennel Clubs. This is another factor which adds to the rarity of the color.
Are White Cane Corso Albinos?
Whilst it is possible for some White Cane Corso to be Albino it is not the norm for a White Cane Corso to be an Albino. Albinism is able to afflict any color of Cane Corso and removes all the pigment from their fur. It is a completely separate set of genetics that leads to Albinism compared to the White color.
Due to lack of pigmentation across not only the coat but the dogs other features they will look different to a White Cane Corso. An Albino dog will have visible blood vessels and much lighter features such as nose, eyes and around the mouth. Unfortunately this can lead to additional health issues.
How to Groom a Cane Corso
Grooming requirements for a Cane Corso are fairly light when compared to some other breeds. There are however a number of items you will want to take care of to ensure they remain in good health.
Bathing
Despite there short coat they do shed and bathing can help manage this and maintain a healthy skin and coat. We recommend bathing them between once every 4 weeks – 8 weeks dependent on their lifestyle. If they are more active and regularly in wet muddy conditions then this may need to be increased. A Non-Intrusive ear cleaner is the b
Ear Cleaning
Earwax and other debris can easily build up for a Cane Corso especially if they are cropped. It is important not to use anything which is going to compact any debris in the ear such as cotton buds. We recommend getting a specialised ear cleaner that will break down the dirt and allow it to flow out. A Non-Intrusive ear cleaner is the best option.
Teeth Cleaning
Brushing should be done regularly roughly every 2-3 days. It is very important that you do not try to use human toothpaste but specially designed toothpaste for dogs. This often comes in a meaty flavour.
Nail Clipping
It is important to keep your dogs nails at the correct length as if they are overgrown it can lead to joint issues and discomfort. We recommended you trim them roughly every 2-4 weeks dependent on how much they wear due to their lifestyle. A number of people are nervous due to the potential for inflicting pain and making them bleed. We recommended using specially designed nail trimmers that limit the amount cut to reduce this risk.
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.
