Can Cane Corsos Swim? Breed Characteristics & Facts

Cane Corsos are powerful, athletic dogs known for their intelligence and loyalty. Males grow between 23.5 and 27.5 inches at the shoulders, and most weigh between 80 and 120 pounds. They usually have strong, square bodies and sizable heads. They’re found in several colors, including black, fawn, red, and gray. Many have black or gray masks, and white patches are also commonly seen.

If you’re thinking about adding one of these beautiful dogs to your family, you may be wondering if they’ll be able to join you during swims at the local lake. While Cane Corso can swim, it’s not a skill that comes naturally to them as they often have trouble keeping their large, heavy bodies afloat. If they learn to swim somewhat efficiently, most can only spend relatively short periods paddling before tiring out. They’re not usually fans of water, but they often enjoy splashing around in shallows with their favorite human companions.

Do Cane Corsos Have Waterproof Coats?

Most Cane Corsos have short, thick, double-layered, extremely water-resistant coats that keep them nice and snug in cold, wet weather. They grow thick undercoats during the colder months of the year. Most Cane Corso dogs require regular weekly brushing for most of the year. Daily grooming is often needed during high-shedding periods to keep things under control.

Do Cane Corso Have Webbed Feet?

Cane Corsos don’t have webbed feet, and they weren’t bred for water pursuits. Their ancestors were Roman war dogs used to guard goods and livestock. They’ve also worked as hunters and herders, where webbed feet wouldn’t have been useful.

Do Cane Corso Like Baths?

Bathing is usually not high on the list of the breed’s favorite activities. Most will avoid human-initiated baths if possible. Cane Corsos generally need to be bathed occasionally. Hitting the tub too often frequently sometimes results in dry, itchy skin. Having everything necessary for a successful bathing session on hand before trying to get any canine cooperation often speeds up the process and lowers reluctant dogs’ resistance.

Make sure to use a canine-friendly conditioner and shampoo to lower the chance of skin irritation. A no-rinse shampoo is another option for keeping dogs smelling their best between baths.

Do Cane Corsos Like to Cuddle?

Most of these large dogs love to cuddle. While they may not attempt to sit on laps like some large-breed dogs, they’re happiest when nice and close to their favorite people. Many enjoy curling up with companions on the couch and happily join their humans in bed for a quick nap. While they can be quite affectionate, they aren’t always the best option for families with small children or cats, as the breed has a high prey drive which can be problematic.

How Powerful Are Cane Corsos?

Cane Corsos have seriously powerful jaws! Their bite force clocks in around 650 pounds per square inch (PSI). Rottweilers have baby-strength bites in comparison—328 PSI on average. That’s not all! Cane Corsos are usually extremely large, powerfully built dogs, and some weigh more than 120 pounds.

Because they’re so strong, have such powerful bites, and have high prey drives, good training is essential. As a result, the breed isn’t considered an excellent choice for first-time dog owners.

Do Cane Corsos Need Lots of Exercise?

Cane Corsos love to be active, particularly outdoors. They often do well if given access to a fenced backyard where they can spend a few hours burning off energy and engaging with the world. They usually need between 1 and 2 hours of daily physical activity.

Most enjoy long walks and off-leash playtime. Because they’re so large, without a bit of training, they often don’t do well with activities like jogging or running that require a good deal of endurance. Start with short distances and slowly increase how far and fast you run or bike with your pet to increase their stamina over time. Agility training is another great option that engages canine minds and provides physical activity.

Can Cane Corsos Live Outside?

Cane Corsos are hardwired to become attached to their companions, and they often don’t do well when not receiving enough love and attention. While these dogs usually thrive when they have lots of safe outdoor space to enjoy, like a fenced-in backyard, most love spending time indoors curled up close to their people, where they can watch and participate in household activities.

Most healthy dogs are fine outdoors in above-freezing temperatures. But depending on the animal’s age and health, even relatively moderate temperatures can be uncomfortable. Older and ill dogs sometimes have trouble keeping themselves warm, often becoming chilly even when the mercury is above freezing.

Dogs often become cold on overcast, wet, and windy days. Even the heartiest dogs can develop hypothermia and frostbite if they stay outside long in sub 20ºF temperatures.

In Summary

Cane Corsos are large, strong dogs that can reach more than 27 inches at the shoulders and weigh close to 120 pounds. The modern breed’s ancestors were used primarily as guard dogs, and they have nice thick double coats to protect them from the elements.

Although they often enjoy playing in shallow water, particularly if their favorite people are also involved, they aren’t great swimmers since their deep chests and weight make it difficult for them to move through the water efficiently. Most become tired after swimming for short periods. They aren’t huge fans of water, and many are difficult to coax into the tub during bath time.

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Featured Image Credit: Agutti, Pixabay