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.
Cane Corso fast facts
| 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 |
How much does a Cane Corso cost?
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:
- Initial costs of puppyhood (puppy price, vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchipping, supplies): $2,000-6,000 (or more for rare colors/patterns)
- Food: $500-1,000 per year
- Annual veterinary care (check–ups, vaccinations, flea/tick/heartworm prevention): $300-1,000 per year
- Grooming (nail trimming, baths, and occasional professional grooming): $100 per year
- Pet insurance (optional): Varies, but generally cheaper if you sign up early in your Cane Corso’s life
- Training classes (optional): $75-300 per class or private sessions
- Boarding or pet–sitting (if needed): $20-100 per day or negotiated rates for extended periods
- Miscellaneous expenses (toys, treats, fancy shoes, bedding, etc.): $500-1,200 per year
Why are Cane Corso’s expensive?
There are a handful of reasons why adding a Cane Corso to your fur fam can get pricey. For instance:
- Rarity: Cane Corsos are not as common as some other breeds, which can increase their price.
- Health testing: Reputable breeders will often test their dogs for various health issues to ensure that they are producing healthy puppies. These health tests can be expensive, and the cost is usually passed on to the buyer.
- Breeding costs: Cane Corsos can be difficult to breed, and reputable breeders will often invest a significant amount of time, effort, and money into breeding and raising their puppies. This can increase the cost of the puppies.
- Show quality: Some Cane Corsos are bred for show or competition, which requires a higher level of breeding and training. These dogs can be more expensive due to their show-quality characteristics.
- Demand: Cane Corsos have become increasingly popular in recent years, which has driven up their price due to high demand.
What’s Cane Corso insurance?
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.
Some common health concerns Cane Corso’s face—and what they cost
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.
Hip dysplasia
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:
- Weight management: Overweight dogs put more stress on their joints, exacerbating hip dysplasia. One of the simplest treatments is weight management, which involves feeding your pooch a healthy diet and ensuring they get enough exercise. This can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars a year for dog food and basic supplies to several thousand dollars for specialized diets or equipment.
- Medications: There are several meds available that can help manage your pup’s pain and inflammation from hip dysplasia. These can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, and pain medications. The cost of medications can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year.
- Surgery: In severe cases of hip dysplasia, surgery may be required. There are several types of surgery available, including hip replacement, femoral head ostectomy (FHO), and triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO). The cost of surgery can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
Bloat
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.
Cherry eye
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.
Other common health issues Cane Corsos face:
- Elbow dysplasia
- Entropion
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Demodectic mange
Different coats for Cane Corsos
According to the American Kennel Club, the breed standard colors for a Cane Corso include:
- Black
- Gray
- Fawn
- Black Brindle
- Gray Brindle
- Red
- Chestnut Brindle
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.
Blue
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.
Blue fawn or Formentino
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.”
Chocolate or Liver
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.
Isabella or Tawny
This pooch’s light-colored—almost lilac—coat can range from a pale cream to a fawn-like beige color.
What questions should I ask a reputable Cane Corso breeder?
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:
- Can you provide references from previous clients or your veterinarian?
- Are the Cane Corso puppies registered with a reputable breed organization—such as American Kennel Club (AKC), CKC, or UKC?
- Do you perform health tests and screenings on the parent dogs?
- Can I meet the puppy’s parents?
- How do you socialize your puppies?
- What kind of support do you offer after the puppy goes home?
- How long have you been breeding?
- Can I see the puppies’ living environment and the facility where they are raised?
- What vaccinations and veterinary care have the puppies received?
- Do you have a contract or health guarantee for the puppies?
Should I get pet health insurance for my Cane Corso?
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…
Fun facts about Cane Corsos
This’ll come in handy the next time you’re on Jeopardy.
- If you bring a Cane Corso into your life, you’ll certainly be in good company. Celebs who’ve owned the breed include Megan Thee Stallion, Sylvester Stallone, Tracy Morgan, and Quentin Tarantino.
- Cane Corsos have had a recent surge in popularity and have even made their way to TV—like on Game of Thrones and Atlanta.
- As historic dogs in Italian history and culture, Cane Corsos have been featured in Italian literature and art, including paintings by Bartalomeo Pinelli.
Why is Lemonade great for Cane Corsos?
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.
