Do Cane Corsos Shed a Lot? Find Out If They Need Some Extra Care!
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One big concern for dog owners looking to adopt a big dog, such as the Cane Corso, is how much shedding they will have to deal with. Luckily, Cane Corsos are considered low to moderate shedders! Although they do still shed, their maintenance and grooming requirements are nowhere near the level of other large breed dogs, such as the German Shepherd or the English Mastiff. However, as a large dog breed with short hair, Cane Corso owners will still have to deal with more shedding as compared to smaller dogs with short hair.
In this article, we will discuss this lovable giant’s shedding in greater detail, as well as grooming and maintenance tips for living with a Cane Corso!
Cane Corsos’ Shedding Pattern
The Cane Corso is a large dog breed with short hair. While it may not seem like it, Cane Corsos have a double coat, which helps them adapt to the different climates and temperatures that they live in. While they have two distinct shedding seasons when they shed the heaviest, they shed minimally throughout the rest of the year—making their shedding manageable for their owners
The Cane Corso’s shedding seasons occur during the transition of seasons, such as spring and fall, when they also shed their undercoats. Their undercoats are thickest during the colder seasons and thinnest during the warmer seasons. Some molting may also be expected during their shedding seasons, depending on how extreme the climate is where they live.
Other dogs, such as the English Bulldog and the German Shepherd, are known to shed throughout the year. Although Cane Corsos shed throughout the year even outside of their shedding season, their shedding is considered very minimal in comparison with other year-round shedders with short hair. Simple grooming, a healthy diet, and exercise can all help minimize their year-round shedding.
Are Cane Corsos Hypoallergenic?
Since the Cane Corso is not considered a heavy shedder, does that mean they are hypoallergenic?
The short answer is, unfortunately, no. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, as all dogs release some form of allergen in varying degrees. While Cane Corsos are not frequent shedders, they still release allergens through their saliva and dander. Although very minimal, Cane Corsos still shed dande.
Though Cane Corsos may not be considered hypoallergenic, that does not mean that people who suffer from allergies can no longer adopt a Cane Corso. They are still fairly easy on people with allergies and irritations if they are kept well-groomed. Cane Corsos can still be considered by individuals who suffer from allergies, provided they take the necessary steps in keeping both their Cane Corso and their home clean and properly maintained.
The 5 Factors Affecting Shedding
As low to moderate shedders, there are multiple factors that can affect how much and how often a Cane Corso sheds. As dog parents, it is important to understand if our dog is shedding more than the usual amount and be able to identify what is causing this change. The following are factors that may affect your Cane Corso’s shedding:
1. Seasonal Changes
As mentioned earlier, Cane Corsos shed the heaviest during the spring and fall, when there is transition from cold to warm temperature and vice versa. During these seasons, their undercoats are also replaced to thinner coats in the heat and thicker coats in the cold.
2. Climate and Temperature
As not all climates have four seasons, especially in places that experience minimal changes in temperature throughout the year, Cane Corsos can adapt accordingly to where they live. They can grow longer and thicker coats in colder climates, as well as shorter and thinner coats in warmer climates.
3. Age
Cane Corsos shed differently as they grow older. Puppies shed much less than adults and will increase their shedding as they grow older. Older adult Cane Corsos shed more than their younger counterparts.
4. Diet & Exercise
A healthy lifestyle can also reflect on a Cane Corso’s physical appearance. Receiving a healthy and balanced diet, along with daily exercise of 30 minutes to one hour a day, can greatly improve the quality of their coat, and reduce any risk of health complications affecting their skin.
5. Pests & Skin Conditions
Health conditions affecting the skin can also affect the quality of their coat and their shedding. Allergies, irritations, and pests like fleas can cause more frequent shedding. Proper hygiene, grooming, and the best treatment for pests is recommended to prevent any skin conditions that can affect their coat.
Grooming Needs
For such a big dog, the Cane Corso is rather low maintenance. Weekly brushing should be enough to keep their coats healthy throughout the year, and baths are only recommended as needed. Like all dogs, routine veterinary check-ups are recommended to monitor your Cane Corso’s well-being.
During the shedding seasons, however, they may need more frequent grooming sessions due to the increased frequency and amount of their shedding. Expect that they may need daily brushing as opposed to the usual weekly session during the spring and fall seasons.
A medium-sized bristle brush or rubber brush is enough for your Cane Corso’s short hair. Brushing can also serve as an opportunity to bond with your Cane Corso. The effort for grooming your Cane Corso is very minimal, yet this can serve as quality time with your dog!
As for their nails, daily exercise can keep their nails properly worn down. Have their nails properly checked and clipped during routine check-ups to prevent any discomfort!
How to Minimize and Manage Shedding
Finding dog fur all around the house can be a headache for most dog owners. Although considered light shedders, you may still find trails of fur around the house from your Cane Corso. Proper grooming not only keeps their coat nice and healthy, but it also removes the dead skin and shedding fur. This will greatly minimizes the amount of fur that you have to clean around the house!
The use of high-quality dog shampoos during baths can also help. Proper hygiene also helps keep their fur moisturized and healthy while removing dead skin and loose fur. This also minimizes the risk of skin complications, along with the proper diet and exercise.
Finding Cane Corso fur around the house may still be unavoidable. Investing in a vacuum or routine sweeping is recommended to keep your house clean, while also reducing the risk of allergies for those individuals sensitive to dog fur!
Conclusion
The Cane Corso is a large dog breed with short hair. They are considered low to moderate shedders and only require a low level of maintenance to keep their coat healthy. While they are considered low maintenance, they still do have designated shedding seasons when they shed the heaviest.
While Cane Corsos are considered low maintenance amongst other dog breeds, they still need proper grooming, exercise, and a healthy diet to ensure that they are looking beautiful while living their best life!
Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock
