How Much Does It Cost to Own a Cane Corso?
Cane Corsos are affectionate and protective friends.

Cane Corsos are affectionate and protective friends.
The Cane Corso is an Italian breed of mastiff. They descended from Roman war dogs and were originally bred to be working dogs, used for hunting and guarding livestock. Because of their history, these large dogs are often described as powerful and formidable.
But Cane Corsos are also known for their affectionate and devoted nature towards their owners and families. With proper training, early socialization, and supervision they can make excellent family members and guard dogs.
Don’t mistake a Cane Corso for a couch potato. They’re a working breed with relatively high energy that requires regular physical activity and mental stimulation.
Personality | Intelligent, Affectionate, Majestic |
Size | Large |
Weight | 80-120 pounds |
Lifespan | 9-12 years |
Lifestyle fit | Large house with a yard, or access to open spaces |
Average lifetime cost | $10,000-20,000 |
A purebred Cane Corso from a breeder can cost between $1,500 to $4,000. For rarer coat colors you could expect prices in the range of $2,000-5,000 or more.
The lifetime cost of owning a Cane Corso can vary significantly based on things like their health, grooming needs, and overall lifestyle.
Here’s an estimate of the expenses you might expect to incur over a Cane Corso’s lifetime, which typically ranges from 9 to 12 years:
There are a handful of reasons why adding a Cane Corso to your fur fam can get pricey. For instance:
Cane Corso pet insurance, like coverage offered by Lemonade, can help cover the costs of your pooch’s vet bills.
You pay a monthly premium and in exchange, you can protect your fur fam without stressing as much about the costs. A dog insurance policy can cover a range of costs related to accidents, illnesses, and preventative care. At Lemonade, there’s even a special plan for puppies to help with all of your early pet parent costs.
Vet bills can add up, especially for major procedures (but we’ll discuss that in more detail below).
Also keep in mind that it pays to sign your Cane Corso up for insurance when they’re a small puppy, before they may be diagnosed with any pre–existing conditions. (A pup with pre–existing conditions can still get insurance, though the policy would not pay to treat those specific conditions).
Your Cane Corso can get a Lemonade Pet policy as soon as they are two months old.
Cane Corsos, like any dog breed, can be prone to certain health issues. Due to their unique physical features and genetic predispositions, they’re more susceptible to the following problems.
What is it?: A genetic health condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, leading to pain and mobility issues.
Common signs: Limping or favoring one leg, decreased mobility, and difficulty standing up and lying down.
How much does treatment cost?: The treatment options for hip dysplasia in Cane Corsos vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some of the treatment options include:
What is it?: Also known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), this potentially life-threatening condition occurs when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food, and then twists on itself, blocking the entrance and exit. This twisting prevents blood flow to the stomach and other vital organs, causing the tissue to die and releasing toxins into the bloodstream. Bloat is considered an emergency and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Common signs: Abdominal distension, restlessness, unproductive vomiting, and signs of shock.
How much does treatment cost?: If your Cane Corso has bloat, surgery is often required to untwist the stomach, remove any damaged tissue, and prevent the recurrence of the condition. The surgery can cost $2,500 to $5,000 or more, which includes the surgical procedure itself, as well as pre-operative testing, post-operative care, and hospitalization.
What is it?: When the gland that produces tears in the eye becomes swollen and protrudes from the inner corner of the eye, resembling a cherry. Cherry eye can be caused by genetics, trauma, or inflammation in the eye.
Common signs: Red, swollen mass in the corner of the eye, excessive tearing, and rubbing or scratching at the eye. The affected eye may also appear to be irritated, and your pooch may show signs of discomfort or pain.
How much does treatment cost?: Treatment options for cherry eye in Cane Corsos include medication, massage, and surgical removal of the gland. Surgery is typically the most effective treatment option, as it helps prevent the recurrence of the condition. The surgery could cost $500-1,500.
According to the American Kennel Club, the breed standard colors for a Cane Corso include:
Any purebred dog can be pricey. And Cane Corsos can get more expensive if you’re looking for a particular type or look.
While the health of your pup should be your primary concern—more below on what questions you should ask a breeder!—you might also be interested in a Cane Corso with a particular look or color. Here are some of the coloration varieties to consider, but keep in mind that they may not be recognized by major kennel clubs.
A blue Cane Corso is a variety of the breed whose most noticeable physical characteristic is its coat color, which is a blue or grayish-blue hue. The color can vary from light to dark shades, and may also have brindle or black markings.
It’s controversial whether blue Cane Corsos exist at all.
The word “Formentino” comes from Italy (remember the Roman war dog relation?), and is used to describe the color of fermented wheat.
Formentino Cane Corsos have a light tan or fawn-colored coat that is sometimes described as a “pale brindle.”
While they may resemble the red Cane Corso, this pooch has a rich chocolate-colored coat that can range from a light milk chocolate to a dark chocolate color. The main distinction is the lack of pigmentation in their noses and the skin around their eyes give the game away.
This pooch’s light-colored—almost lilac—coat can range from a pale cream to a fawn-like beige color.
When considering a Cane Corso breeder, it’s essential to ensure they are reputable and prioritize the health and well–being of their dogs. They’ll also be able to provide some info on your future pup’s bloodline.
This will help you avoid unsavory operations and so–called “puppy mills.” (And needless to say, never buy a dog from a pet store.)
Here are some questions you should ask a Cane Corso breeder to determine their credibility:
Like most purebred dogs, Cane Corsos are at higher risk of certain genetic health issues. Plus, it can be pretty expensive to pay for common first–year expenses like vaccinations for rabies and heartworm, regular checkups, and a spay or neuter procedure.
This is the part where we let you know that Lemonade strongly promotes adopting pets over purchasing them from breeders. There are plenty of needy dogs out there, and mixed–breed dogs can often be healthier than their purebred counterparts.
That said, we love all dogs, always. And insurance will give you peace of mind and keep your Cane Corso healthy. You can get a quote from your favorite insurance company (we’re talking about Lemonade) in just a few minutes—it’s quick, simple, and even a little fun…
This’ll come in handy the next time you’re on Jeopardy.
With Lemonade pet insurance, Cane Corso parents can customize their policy to get the coverage their furry friend needs.
For starters, a basic Lemonade pet health insurance policy includes accident and illness coverage. This will help cover the costs of tests, treatments, and medication if your Cane Corso has an unexpected accident or illness. You know, like if they decide to take up skateboarding.
A base policy is great for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future, but Lemonade also offers affordable preventative care, designed to keep your pet healthy, and helps cover expenses you’re probably already paying for. By adding a preventive care package to a Lemonade policy you’ll also get access to live medical chat and be covered for all types of routine care—like your annual wellness exam, checkups, blood tests, several vaccinations, and other routine health care for your pet.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
Please note: Lemonade articles and other editorial content are meant for educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon instead of professional legal, insurance or financial advice. The content of these educational articles does not alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. While we regularly review previously published content to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date, there may be instances in which legal conditions or policy details have changed since publication. Any hypothetical examples used in Lemonade editorial content are purely expositional. Hypothetical examples do not alter or bind Lemonade to any application of your insurance policy to the particular facts and circumstances of any actual claim.