Cane Corso is a Mastiff dog breed descended from Molossian war dogs of Ancient Rome. He was originally bred in Italy as a farm dog and guardian, before taking on the world. The protective nature of Cane Corso is what people are looking for. They can look scary and intimidating, which is why people want to know how big Cane Corsos get.
Here is a fun fact. The name of the dog was inspired by its protective nature. It comes from the Latin language, where it translates to “bodyguard dog” or “guard dog of the courtyard”. And here is another fun fact. For many years, it was the guard dog of the Italian mafia.
Between the two world wars, the breed experienced near extinction. It remained a rare dog breed until the 1970s when a concentrated effort revived the breed.
Fun Facts About Cane Corso
Before we get to how big Cane Corsos get, let’s talk about some fun facts about the breed.
- The Cane Corso is an Italian mastiff breed dating back to Ancient Rome
- Back in Ancient Rome, the dog was used as a Roman war dog, bodyguard, protector of property, and protector of livestock
- Because it was limited to Italy, it was nearly extinct after World War II
- It didn’t make its official way into the United States until 1988
- The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 2010
What Is The Breed Standard?
In 2007, the Federation Cynologique Internationale, FCI, recognized the dog breed. In 2010, The American Kennel Club set the breed standard as well. Cane Corsos experienced one of the most rapid rises in popularity.
When the FCI registered the large breed, it put it as Cane Corso Italiano in group 2: pinscher and schnauzer types, in the subgroup Molossian and Swiss mountain and cattle dogs. The AKC, on the other hand, put it in the working dog group.
According to the breed standard, the Cane Corso weighs between 90 and 110 pounds and stands between 23 and 28 inches at the withers. The dog has to have a muscular, stocky physique and a large wide head.
The stiff coat is black, gray, fawn, or red, and it may be brindled. If it is legal in the country, the thick tail is traditionally docked, and the ears are cropped short.
How Big Do They Get?
Often weighing over 100 pounds, the Cane Corso has a large, muscular body, and observant nature that will scare off most intruders. It is no surprise it is one of the best guard dogs in the canine world. The dog breed has a noble background dating back to ancient Rome, when it would work as a fearless protector.
Now, many prospective owners are wondering how much they weigh, and when will they stop growing. That is something we will try to discuss today.
How To Measure Your Dog?
To measure the height of your Cane Corso puppy, you need to have your dog stand up straight with its legs perpendicular to the floor. Keep the front feet should-width apart, and place them in a square stance with all four feet spaced out evenly.
Measure the height at the withers, which is traditionally the highest point of the shoulder blade for any dog. Use a tape measure to see how tall your dog is by placing one end at the feet, and the other at the tip of the withers.
Being that the Cane Corso is a large dog breed, you might need assistance from a family member or a friend to measure your dog properly.
As for the weight, you can check it by placing your adult dog on the scale and seeing the number it comes up. Make sure the entire body of your Cane Corso pup is evenly distributed on the scale.
Factors That Can Affect The Size
There are two important factors that can determine the Cane Corso breed growth. One is genetics, and the other is nutrition.
Genetics plays an important role in the size of your dog. We mentioned that breed standard dictates that a male Cane Corso should grow between 25 and 27.5 inches, while a female Cane Corso should grow between 23.5 and 26 inches.
But that is a large range. If you look at the puppy’s parents, you can estimate their mature size. Yet, this is not always accurate. There are certain genetic conditions that can also affect or inhibit growth. We also have to mention that genetics are unpredictable, and are passed down through generations. Yet, if you get it from a reputable breeder, you will have a higher chance of predicting the size.
Reputable breeders work tirelessly to produce sizes that are within the breed’s standard.
The second factor is nutrition. If your Cane Corso dog is not getting a well-balanced diet of protein, fats, essential vitamins, and nutrients, it might have slower growth.
Cane Corso puppy should be fed a high-quality diet appropriate for its size. Look at the dog food you are buying, and the label often states the dosage depending on the age of your puppy.
Cane Corso Weight Chart
As we said before, the Cane Corso is a large working dog breed whose size can become difficult to manage if you do not provide proper obedience training and socialization. A giant breed that is not obedient is a risk to everyone around. That being said, let’s take a look at the Cane Corso growth chart. It will help you anticipate the size of your puppy.
Cane Corso Size Chart
| Age | Weight |
| 1 month | 20 – 28 lbs |
| 2 months | 30 – 36 lbs |
| 3 months | 35 – 40 lbs |
| 4 months | 42 – 46 lbs |
| 5 months | 48 – 55 lbs |
| 6 months | 60 – 65 lbs |
| 7 months | 65 – 70 lbs |
| 8 months | 70 – 80 lbs |
| 9 months | 80 – 90 lbs |
| 10 months | 85 – 95 lbs |
| 11 months | 90 – 100 lbs |
| 1 year | 90 – 105 lbs |
Cane Corso Height Chart
| Age | Height |
| 2 months | 12 – 15 inches |
| 3 months | 14 – 17 inches |
| 4 months | 16 – 20 inches |
| 6 months | 21 – 24 inches |
| 1 year | 22 – 26 inches |
| 2 years | 23.5 – 27.5 inches |
At What Age Do Cane Corsos Stop Growing?
As you can see by the Cane Corso growth chart, these puppies reach their full mature height at around one year of age. Yet, some need up to two years to fill out their chest completely and reach their adult weight.
If you compare that to smaller dog breeds, large working animals need more time to reach their maximum size.
