Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Cane Corso is an ancient Italian Molossian breed descending from the Roman service and war dogs known as canis pugnax. After the fall of the Roman Empire, these dogs retained their role as versatile helpers in rural regions of Italy, especially in Apulia and the southern parts of the country. They were used for guarding property, protecting livestock, accompanying people, and hunting large game. The breed developed naturally, with selection focused on the strongest, most balanced, and most capable working dogs. By the mid-20th century, the Cane Corso was on the verge of extinction, but in the 1970s–1980s targeted restoration work began. Today the Cane Corso is recognized as a reliable working dog that has preserved its historical type and strong working abilities.
General Appearance
The Cane Corso is a large, powerful, yet harmoniously built dog with a well-defined Molossian type, creating an impression of strength, confidence, and composure. The body is slightly elongated, with straight and stable topline contours. The bone structure is strong, the musculature well developed and defined, without coarseness. The chest is deep and broad; the back straight; the loin short and strong; the croup slightly sloping. The head is massive and dry, with a broad skull and a pronounced but not abrupt stop. Movements are energetic, free, and balanced, reflecting power and endurance. The overall appearance of the Cane Corso combines guarding potential, physical strength, and disciplined behavior necessary for working and territorial protection.
Important Proportions
The Cane Corso has a slightly elongated body: the length of the body exceeds the height at the withers by approximately 10%. The depth of chest is at least half the dog’s height. The length of the head is about one third of the height at the withers, which emphasizes the massiveness of the skull while maintaining balance. The muzzle is shorter than the skull but sufficiently deep and broad. The neck is powerful, approximately equal in length to the head, smoothly blending into the shoulders. The limbs are straight, strong, with well-defined angulation that ensures stability and freedom of movement. The tail is set high and thick at the base. All proportions must emphasize the working type, power, functionality, and the ability to perform service tasks for extended periods.
Behavior and Temperament
The Cane Corso is characterized by a balanced, attentive, and confident temperament. It has a strong guarding instinct, capable of independently assessing situations and making rapid decisions. Its behavior combines calmness, self-control, and high readiness to act when a threat occurs. Toward its family the Corso is loyal and careful, demonstrating tolerance toward children and emotional stability. With strangers it is reserved and observant, without unprovoked aggression. The breed requires consistent upbringing, respect, and clear leadership. Its work ethic, endurance, and high trainability make the Cane Corso a versatile working dog capable of effectively guarding territory and accompanying its owner.
Head
The head of the Cane Corso is large, massive, and well defined, with a characteristic Molossian type. The skull is broad and slightly convex, with developed but not coarse cheekbones. The stop is pronounced but not abrupt, forming a smooth transition from forehead to muzzle. The proportions of the head emphasize the breed’s strength and self-confidence. The muzzle is deep and square, broad at the base, maintaining volume toward the end. The lips are moderately full, close-fitting, without excessive looseness. The jaws are powerful and well developed, capable of delivering a strong bite. The expression is serious and attentive, highlighting the dog’s ability to respond quickly to threats. The head plays a key role in defining breed type, reflecting the protective qualities and intelligent temperament of the Cane Corso.
Facial Region
The facial region of the Cane Corso is powerful, deep, and correctly shaped. The muzzle is square, its length being about one third of the head length. The nasal bridge is straight, broad, without narrowing toward the end. The nose is large, black, with wide nostrils, ensuring effective respiration under exertion. The lips are moderately pendulous; the upper lip slightly covers the lower lip, forming a clear but not excessive contour. The jaws are broad and strong, with a correct alignment. The bite is usually slightly undershot; a level bite is acceptable. The facial region must combine power and dryness, without coarseness or excessive length. Each element must emphasize the breed’s strength and its ability to perform serious guarding tasks.
Eyes
The eyes of the Cane Corso are medium-sized, oval, and slightly deep-set, giving the expression seriousness and attentiveness. Eye color ranges from dark to hazel, harmonizing with the coat; very light eyes are undesirable as they break breed type. The eyelids are tight and well pigmented. The expression is calm and thoughtful, reflecting the balanced character and the dog’s ability to analyze its surroundings. The gaze is direct, focused, without anxiety. Round or protruding eyes, loose eyelids, or signs of irritation are unacceptable. Correct eyes enhance the noble, confident appearance of the Cane Corso and its role as a reliable guardian.
Ears
The ears of the Cane Corso are naturally triangular, medium-sized, set high and wide, slightly detached from the skull. In their natural form the ears are hanging, lying close to the cheeks and emphasizing the dog’s serious and attentive expression. In countries where cropping is allowed, cropped ears may be seen, but the standard prioritizes the natural form. The ears must harmonize with the massive head and must not appear excessively long or refined. Undesirable features include overly large, thin, erect, or poorly fitting ears. The ears must enhance the breed type, reinforcing the expression of confidence and self-control while maintaining head balance.
Neck
The neck of the Cane Corso is powerful, muscular, and slightly arched, proportionate to the large head. It has good length, ensuring free head movement and stability during motion. The upper line of the neck blends smoothly into the well-defined withers, highlighting the strength of the front assembly. The skin is dense and elastic; slight folds at the base of the neck are allowed but without excessive dewlap. The musculature is well defined, especially in mature males. The neck must create a harmonious transition from head to body and enhance the impression of power and confidence. A neck that is too short, coarse, or excessively long is considered a fault, as it disrupts balance and working functionality.
Body
The body of the Cane Corso is strong, powerful, and slightly elongated, giving the impression of a stable, confident, and physically prepared dog. The withers are well defined but smooth. The back is straight, broad, muscular; the loin short and strong, ensuring firmness and ability to maneuver quickly. The croup is broad, slightly sloping, with strong musculature capable of delivering powerful drive. The chest is deep and well developed, with long ribs and substantial volume that enables intensive breathing under exertion. The underline is moderately tucked, without excessive dryness. All body elements highlight the breed’s guarding qualities and combine strength, agility, and endurance.
Tail
The tail of the Cane Corso is set high, thick at the base, and gradually tapering toward the tip. In natural form it reaches the hock or slightly lower. When moving, the dog carries it high but not curled over the back. In some countries docking is permitted, but in natural form the tail must remain strong, straight, and harmonious with body proportions. Undesirable are tails that are too thin, short, curled, or kinked. The tail helps the dog maintain balance and expression during movement, being an important element of breed type and reflecting emotional states such as alertness, confidence, or calmness.
Exterior Description
Forequarters
The forequarters of the Cane Corso are strong, well-boned, and straight, forming a stable front. The shoulder blades are long, sloping, and well attached, providing a wide movement range. The upper arm is strong, and its angle with the shoulder blade allows smooth and energetic movement. The elbows point strictly backward, without turning inward or outward. The forearms are straight, dense, and uniform in thickness. The pasterns are short, slightly sloping, resilient, capable of withstanding load during quick maneuvers. The feet are round or slightly oval, with tight pads and strong nails. Weak pasterns, turned elbows, narrow or splayed feet are unacceptable. A correct front ensures stability and working functionality.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters of the Cane Corso are powerful, muscular, and well balanced, providing strong propulsion and stability on any surface. The thighs are long, broad, with pronounced musculature. The stifle joints are strong, with well-defined angulation that contributes to freedom and amplitude of movement. The lower thighs are also long, dry, and dense. The hock joints are low-set, well formed, and stable. The metatarsi are short, vertical, without signs of weakness. The feet are slightly oval, with tight pads and strong nails. Straight angulation, weak joints, cow-hocked or barrel-shaped stance are unacceptable. The hindquarters must emphasize the breed’s power and functional ability, ensuring confident movement and readiness for rapid reaction.
Gait and Movement
The Cane Corso’s movement is free, strong, and stable, reflecting its working type. At the trot the dog shows good forward reach of the forelimbs and a powerful, even drive from the hindquarters, maintaining a stable topline. The back stays firm, without rolling. Movements are economical, confident, combining strength and flexibility. When accelerating, the trot becomes more active, but the dog does not lose coordination or balance. Undesirable are short stride, pigeon toes, splayed movement, crabbing, or movement accompanied by tension or insecurity. Correct movement confirms the Cane Corso’s physical preparedness and its ability to perform guarding and working tasks effectively.
Coat
The coat of the Cane Corso is short, dense, shiny, and closely fitting to the body. The texture is firm and resilient, providing protection from moisture and mechanical effects. The undercoat is present, but its density varies seasonally: thicker in winter and thinner in summer. Hair length may be slightly greater over the withers and along the back, but without forming fringes or long tufts. Soft, fluffy, wavy, or curly coats are unacceptable as they disrupt breed type. The coat must emphasize the muscular definition and strength of the body while maintaining functional and protective qualities suitable for working dogs.
Permissible Colors
Permissible Cane Corso colors include a wide range of shades: black, gray (in various tones), fawn, red, brindle. Limited white markings are allowed—on the chest, chin, and toes. Pigmentation of the nose, lips, and eyelids must be rich and consistent with the coat color; weak or partial pigmentation is undesirable. For brindle dogs, the clarity of stripes and even tone distribution are important. Colors not provided for by the standard, as well as excessively large white patches or blurred patterns, are unacceptable. The color must emphasize the expressive appearance and strength of the breed, remaining clean, rich, and harmonious, without altering the impression of the dog as a powerful and confident guardian.
Size
The Cane Corso belongs to large, powerful working breeds, but its size must remain harmonious and functional. Height at the withers for males is usually 64–68 cm, for females 60–64 cm. Males typically weigh 45–50 kg, females 40–45 kg, though working lines may show slightly greater mass while retaining mobility and strong bone. The dog must not appear excessively heavy or coarse—such deviations reduce endurance and disrupt balance. Height and weight proportions must emphasize strength, stability, and working type. Correct size enables the Cane Corso to perform guarding and working tasks effectively under various conditions.
Faults
Faults in the Cane Corso include any deviations that disrupt the harmony of the exterior and working type but do not critically impair functionality. These include light bone, insufficient musculature, a flat or narrow chest, an elongated loin. Undesirable features are light, round, or overly large eyes, weak pigmentation of eyelids, nose, and lips. Soft, fluffy, or wavy coat is also a fault. Front construction faults—such as turned elbows, weak pasterns, narrow or splayed feet—lower evaluation. In the hindquarters, straight angulation, weak joints, or insufficient drive are faults. Behavioral faults include excessive excitability, unjustified distrust, or insecurity. Each fault is evaluated based on its impact on working ability.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include severe defects that completely compromise breed type, health, or behavior. Unprovoked aggression or panic-like fearfulness is unacceptable—the Cane Corso must demonstrate a stable, confident temperament. Severe bite faults, including pronounced overshot or undershot bite, or the absence of functionally important teeth, are grounds for exclusion. Complete depigmentation of the nose, lips, or eyelids, as well as heterochromia or excessively light iris color, are unacceptable. Forbidden colors, large white patches, or the absence of a mask in brindle dogs are disqualifying. Any physical deformities that affect movement and stability also exclude the dog from breeding.
Important Notes
The Cane Corso is a working breed, and its evaluation must be based on functionality, physical strength, stable psyche, and correct movement. Minor signs of working wear do not lower evaluation if they do not affect health. Seasonal coat changes must be considered. Special attention is given to temperament: the dog must show confidence, composure, and the ability to react quickly without unprovoked aggression. When comparing two dogs, preference is given to the one displaying harmonious proportions, strong breed type, stable temperament, and correct movement. Decorative traits must never outweigh the breed’s working purpose.
Conclusion
The Cane Corso is a powerful, intelligent, and reliable working breed with deep historical roots. It is distinguished by strength, confidence, high trainability, and a pronounced guarding instinct. The standard emphasizes the necessity of harmonious proportions, strong bone, correct movement, and stable temperament. With proper upbringing and maintenance, the Cane Corso becomes a devoted protector and balanced family companion while retaining its natural readiness for work. The breed continues to play an important role in modern working cynology, demonstrating stability, functionality, and the ability to pass strong breed characteristics to its offspring. The Cane Corso remains a symbol of strength, responsibility, and loyalty.
