The Cane Corso is a large breed that served as a guard dog on the farms of Italy. Cane is pronounced
“kah-nay”, not the same way as “cane” in sugar cane. Cane means dog while Corso, pronounced “kor-so”, means protector.
With a history dating back to ancient Greek tribes, this breed has only been recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010, but its popularity has been steadily increasing.
This article will provide you with the initial cost of owning a Cane Corso as well as recurring costs in terms of food, hygiene, and veterinary visits.
Coat colors and registration types will also be discussed to help you decide on your future purchases.
Contents
One-Time Expenses for Having a Cane Corso
The American Kennel Club sells puppies 5-16 weeks old with various recognized colorations. An 8-week old, black male/female that is up to date on vaccines, dewormed, dew claws removed, tail docked, and microchipped will cost $1,800.
The puppy is already registered at the American Kennel Club and the International Cane Corso Federation and comes with a 2-year health guarantee and a leash and collar. A 13-week old blue or brindle colored male/female that is up to date on vaccines, dewormed, ears cropped, with a 2-year health guarantee on hips will cost $2,300.
Cheaper puppies are available at Greenfield Puppies for as low as $725 for a 14-week old blue puppy that is up to date with deworming and vaccines, registered with the ACA, and has a 30-day health guarantee. It will cost $1,095 for a 10-week black old puppy that is up to date with deworming and vaccines, registered with the ICCF, and has a 30-day health guarantee.
And what about other upfront costs like shelter, accessories, and licenses? We’ll discuss them one by one.
- Shelter Costs
Pet dogs are usually given freedom to roam around the household. This is beneficial for a Cane Corso because it is a large breed that requires a lot of playing space for its daily activities that are necessary to maintain weight and strength.
However, crates are still necessary for addressing puppy issues such as destructive biting and potty training. The crate may also be used when transporting your pet in a plane across different states or countries, or when bringing it to the veterinarian.
Since a Cane Corso can grow up to 28 inches in height, it is necessary to buy a large cage. Do not worry if your pet is still a puppy. Dividers can be used to adjust the available space until it becomes an adult.
A 48″ long x 29” wide x 32” high two-door steel dog crate with a carry handle, slide bolt latches, an ABS plastic pan bottom, and a divider panel will cost $65.
It is good to have a non-slip mat that you can place on the floor, couch, crate, or on the car which your pet can use to relax and at the same time preventing these surfaces from accumulating dander and fur. A 55″ x 39″ x 1.2″ washable bed mat that is made from durable plush fleece will cost $45.
Stainless steel food and water bowls are better than ceramic and plastic bowls because these are not conducive to bacteria and do not have glazes which may contain lead. A 2-piece set of 32-ounce stainless steel bowls with rubber bases to protect the floor and prevent slipping will cost $11.
- Dog Accessories
A heavy-duty braided nylon rope leash with an anti-pull bungee extension for shock absorption will cost $17 while a dog harness with 2 leash attachment points, a padded chest and belly panel, and 4 points of adjustment will cost $40. This combination will allow you to comfortably walk your large dog.
A Cane Corso is not aggressive, but it does not mean that it cannot be provoked. You may want to use a muzzle as a precaution. A well-ventilated mesh muzzle made from genuine leather and nickel plated hardware will cost $27. This will not only avoid accidents but it will also prevent eating off the ground or destructive biting tendencies.
A personalized stainless steel pet id tag costs $8. A tag will help identify your pet when it gets lost but unfortunately, it can fall off or be removed. A pet microchip is a modern way to “tag” your pet. A microchip is a small RFID transponder placed under the skin of your dog. It does not need to be replaced and will function throughout your dog’s lifespan. Having your pet microchipped will cost $19 to $38.
- License and Permits
Registration certificates and health certificates are the most common papers for pet dogs. The registration certificate is a documentation of the dog’s pedigree via a recognized registry. A basic registration to the American Kennel Club will cost $35.
The health certificate, on the other hand, is a proof that your pet is free of infectious diseases and that its vaccinations are up to date. It is signed by an accredited veterinarian after examining your pet and may be necessary when transporting your dog across states or countries. A consultation and necessary vaccinations may cost up to $300.
What Usually Comes With the Purchase?
When you buy a Cane Corso, it will come with both a registration certificate and a health certificate. The dog will also be up to date with vaccinations and deworming. Depending on its age when you buy it, you may have to continue with the remaining shots. Other dogs will come with a microchip already installed.
Depending on your preferences, the dog may have its dew claws removed, ears cropped into equilateral triangles to stand erect, and tails docked at the 4th vertebra. These are debatable surgeries and are not recommended by some. These are performed at the breeder and are free of charge.
Cane Corso Maintenance and Recurring Costs
- Food Costs
The Cane Corso can easily weigh over 100 pounds as an adult. To sustain its muscle mass and weight, a proper diet must be given. The food must be nutritious to sustain good health but low on calories to prevent the dog from becoming overweight which exacerbates joint problems.
A Cane Corso is especially susceptible to hip dysplasia. This breed is also prone to bloat. To prevent bloating, distribute the feeding into several small meals instead of a single large meal and avoid exercising immediately after eating.
A 15-pound bag of “large breed” puppy dog food will cost $76 while a 15-pound bag of “large breed” adult dog food will cost $44. The difference in price comes from the fact that puppy formulation has a different nutrition balance, especially phosphorus to calcium ratio, as well as extra nutrition.
Most commercial dog food will have prebiotics, omega fatty acids, herbs and botanicals, a vitamin and mineral premix, as well as other supplements. Commercial dog food will reduce the need for supplementation like Omega-3 or vitamin D.
An 8-ounce pack of freeze-dried treats that is grain and gluten-free will cost $22 to $25, depending on whether it is made from beef liver or chicken breast. Treats should not comprise more than 10% of the dog’s caloric needs and should be broken into smaller pieces so it can be given to your pet often without overfeeding.
- Hygiene Costs
To maintain dental health, brushing with dog-specific toothpaste and toothbrush 2-3 times a week is recommended. A 3.5-ounce tube of enzymatic dog toothpaste with a triple-headed toothbrush will cost $9.
A Cane Corso does not need to bathe often. One bath every month will be sufficient; but you can choose to bathe your pet more depending on the situation. A 20-ounce bottle of natural moisturizing shampoo with a non-toxic, soapless formula made from certified vegan organic ingredients will cost $14.
Even though a Cane Corso is a light shedder, it still has a dense double coat that needs to be brushed once a week. A simple brushing with a soft brush will suffice. A double-sided pin and bristle brush will cost $17.
If the dog cannot file its nails on its surroundings, then you will have to trim it once or twice a month. Dog nail clippers with a safety guard to prevent over-cutting and a nail file will cost $13. If you accidentally cut the quick while clipping, styptic powder can be used to stop the bleeding. A 1.5-ounce bottle will cost $6.
- Medical Costs
Aside from wellness checks that cost $50, medical costs will come from vaccinations and boosters. Some diseases are debilitating and easily spread so vaccines are necessary.
Your pet will be required to have DA2P ($18 to $35) and Rabies ($19 to $25) shots. There are other shots that are not as critical but will be very helpful such as Bordetell ($12 to $35), Canine Influenza Virus, ($24 to $39), Leptospirosis ($35), and Lyme ($35) vaccinations. You should consult your vet for the sequence and scheduling of these vaccines as well as the yearly boosters of your pet.
Heartworm tests will cost around $29 and 1 year worth of medication will cost $6. Heartworm preventive medication may be started at 8 weeks old so testing will not be necessary. Roundworm or hookworm deworming will cost $21 while tapeworm deworming will cost $35.
There are also medical conditions that are very common to the Cane Corso breed. Hip dysplasia is common on overweight pets but is also frequently found on normal sized and healthy-looking ones. Surgery can cost from $1,700 to $4,500.
The breed is also prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus or “bloat”. It is a serious condition that requires immediate action as it can be fatal in just several hours.
Bloat occurs when the dog eats too fast, filling its stomach with gas, food, and/or fluid which make it expand and put pressure on other organs. It may prevent blood flow to the heart and stomach lining, tear the stomach, or prevent proper breathing. Surgery for bloat can cost $2,000 to $6,000.
When its immune system weakens, a Cane Corso will also be prone to infestations. There are products that will be readily available in your vet’s office but you can also use commercial products if you inform your vet.
Staphylococcus intermedius can usually be found on the skin of dogs and can become overabundant in warm, moist environments or when the immune system is compromised. This can lead to bacterial skin infections or pyoderma.
This disease will need to be treated with oral antibiotics or antibacterial creams. A 12-fluid ounce bottle of broad-spectrum antibacterial shampoo containing 4% chlorhexidine will cost $19.
Similarly, demodectic mites are normally found on the skin of your pet. Their numbers are kept in check, but when the immune system is compromised, there can be a population explosion of these parasites.
Aside from itching and hair loss, the mites can cause secondary bacterial infection. A 30-ml bottle of 100% pure, all-natural proprietary blend of therapeutic grade essential oils for mites will cost $25.
- Toys
A 2.6″ bite-resistant bouncing ball that is good for chewing and fetch will cost $13. Another good toy for a Cane Corso is a tug rope mounted on a spring pole. This simulates a tug-of-war game but allows the dog to hang as well. This strengthens the dog as well as burns off excess energy and destructive tendencies. A heavy duty tug toy with a flosser rope will cost $48.
Factors That Can Affect the Cane Corso Price
The coat affects the price of the Cane Corso. The main colors are black and fawn. Genetic pigment dilution creates blue from black and formentino from fawn. Colors may come in lighter and darker shades.
Brindling may also be observed on all these colorations. This is a coat pattern which is darker than the base coat and irregular in shape. This resembles “tiger stripes” and is used by the Cane Corso to camouflage in the underbrush when hunting.
White markings are commonly found on the chest, throat, chin, bridge of the nose, and the tip of the toes. However, large white patches are undesirable.
Other colorations are “rare” because these are caused by recessive genes. One example is the black and tan coloration similarly found on Rottweilers. Some dog owners prefer these coats because of the perceived rarity which drives the prices up.
A breeder may specialize on these rare colors because they can cost a lot but you must consider that none of these colorations are recognized by the Cane Corso Association of America and the American Kennel Club. They cannot be registered for breeding nor participate in any events.
Another factor is the registration of the dog. The American Kennel Club has two different registrations for dog owners. A full AKC registration is provided if you plan on entering the dog on a conformation show and breeding it, while a limited AKC registration will only allow you to enter on minor AKC events. If your dog produces offspring, a limited registration will not allow you to register the litter.
Other factors may be visible to the breeder, such as behavior and temperament, but may not be immediately obvious to the buyer. These factors can become a sales pitch for some as they advertise their puppies as socialized, family raised or raised around kids.
Important Things to Remember
Please avoid non-reputable breeders as they may produce a litter with coats that are not standard. However, the issue may not be simply cosmetic. Improperly bred dogs are more prone to medical problems such as hip dysplasia.
Reputable breeders cannot ensure a 100% dysplasia-free litter but their success rates are higher by proper control of the breeding lines. They are confident in their lines that some will even sell the puppy with a health guarantee on the hips.
Finally, read more on the personality of the Cane Corso before buying one. This will prevent a mismatch wherein you suddenly feel that this dog breed is not for you, which ends up in disappointment for you and the dog.
