Del Lavoro Forte
Cane Corso
More info and historical photos coming soon.
It is believed that the Cane Corso Italiano's ancestors were ancient dogs that were brought to Rome to fight lions in the great Roman Coliseums and were to serve as "warriors" in the Roman Army. The ancestors came to be known as the Roman Molossian. From this ancient breed, it can be argued that two other breeds were developed. One was a very massive, slow moving beast that became the building block for the Mastino Napoletano. The other was a lighter, less cumbersome dog. From this athletic molossian stemmed the foundation of what we have come to know today as the Cane Corso Italiano. This unbelievable animal quickly became known and valued for its quickness and agility. Their power and courage made them obvious choices as hunting partners for Italian game hunters while on the hunt for wild boar, stag, and even the occasional bear. Italian fanciers proudly claim the Cane Corso to be "the only true coursing mastiff." With the decline in big game hunting, the Cane Corso found a home in the Italian countryside with Italian farmers, where they put their herding and guardian instincts to work. Their ability and desire to protect their family and home became even more evident during these times.
As a result of technological advances and improved weaponry in the world of big game hunting, coupled with the spotlight of international unrest there was a dramatic decrease in the Cane Corso population during the First and Second World Wars. It wasn't until the 1970's and 80's that a small group on Italian enthusiasts began to re-establish the prestige and create a breed standard. This breed was not recognized by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI) until 1994 and by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1996. Since then the Italian breed has enjoyed a steady increase in popularity. Which in evident by their recent acceptance in the U.S by both the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Cane Corso Italiano can be seen in many show rings and working venues throughout the world.
The Cane Corso is a confident dog that is wary of strangers, but once properly introduced it is extremely affectionate. They love children and genuinely want to keep them out of harms way. Keep in mind, however, that this is a large and powerful breed and should never be left alone with a child. An overly excited Cane Corso could e easily knock over a child. As with every dog breed, responsible ownership is a MUST! This breed is not recommended for inexperienced dog owners.
Today the Cane Corso continues to prove its reputation as a remarkable canine. When compared to other mastiff breeds, the Cane Corso's athleticism, agility, and speed places them in a league of their own. The Cane Corso is a highly intelligent dog that thrives on close personal interaction. It is truly a loyal breed that will go above and beyond to please their family, but early socialization is still a MUST in order to prevent/control any dominant behavior. This breed requires plenty of exercise and loves to be challenged. The Cane Corso can be found excelling in shutzhund, weight-pulling, obedience trials, flyball competitions, and even in police work. All of the attributes mentioned of the Cane Corso justify this superb breed as one of the top working breeds in the canine world.
A brief historical look at the Cane Corso