WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A CANE CORSO?

The Average Lifespan of a Cane Corso

The average life expectancy of a Cane Corso dog is between 9 and 12 years. This is relatively short when compared to smaller dogs, but higher than other giant dog breeds who live even less long, 7 years on average for the Bernese Mountain Dog, 9 years for the Great Dane, for example. The Cane Corso is known for its rather robust build, which fortunately protects it from some serious genetic problems.

However, no dog is infallible, and certain diseases such as cancer can appear in even a healthy animal. Likewise, they are not immune to accidents, especially road accidents.

How Can I Increase My Cane Corso's Life Expectancy?

There are a few precautions you can take that will help you extend the life expectancy of your Cane Corso as best you can. These recommendations apply to all dog breeds.

Choose a High-Quality Diet

Your dog's food plays a vital role in their health. Low-quality dog food will have a direct impact on your Cane Corso's health, and vice versa. Choose dog food rich in high-quality animal protein, not vegetable protein. Try to avoid buying supermarket dog food, as this tends to be very poor in quality and thus incapable of meeting your dog's nutritional needs.  This doesn't mean you have to break the bank; it's quite possible to find good-quality dog food at affordable prices. Learn to decipher the product labels and select dog food with no added preservatives or sweeteners. You can even opt for tailor-made dog food for your Cane Corso, specially designed to meet all their needs. Remember that your Cane Corso's diet will change over time: a puppy will not eat the same amount of food as an older dog, for example. The good health of your dog should be your main priority when considering their diet.

Get Serious about Vet Check-Ups

Of course, diet means nothing without regular veterinary check-ups. Adhere to your dog's vaccination schedule and keep their antiparasitic treatments up to date to protect them against fleas and ticks. These in particular can transmit Lyme disease. It's also essential to regularly deworm your furry friend because intestinal parasites can weaken their immune system. Also, take good care of your dog's coat. Fortunately, the Cane Corso has a short coat that does not require a great deal of maintenance. Pay attention to their eyes and oral hygiene as well. Finally, make sure to visit your vet every year for a little check-up, especially when your Cane Corso starts to get older.

Prioritise Dog Training

Why would training your Cane Corso extend their life expectancy? Quite simply because, with proper dog training, you will be able to keep control of your pooch during walks, and thus avoid accidents. A dog who understands exactly what is expected of them and knows how to obey commands is much more capable of responding when they're called and stopping what they're doing when asked. In any case, training is an essential step for your Cane Corso, given their impressive size. Cane Corsi have a sociable temperament, but can be stubborn at times, meaning they sometimes want to do just what they please. Training a dog of this large size is vital, not optional, whether it is a companion dog, a guard dog, or a defence dog.

What Diseases are Common for Cane Corsi?

When it comes to health problems, not all dogs are created equal. Large and giant dog breeds are often more affected by certain diseases. And, although the Cane Corso breed is quite robust, it is subject to several health issues, all of which it's important to understand beforehand to better know how to handle them.

• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Unfortunately, this joint problem affects a large number of large dogs. This fairly common disease is caused by a deformation of the joints during growth. Dysplasia is a genetic disease, which is exacerbated by certain external factors, including canine obesity and intense physical exercise. It usually affects both sides of the body; hip dysplasia affects the hind legs, while elbow dysplasia affects the front legs. As a result, your Cane Corso may suffer from lameness or a lack of coordination. They might even have trouble standing up and lying down and, ultimately, dysplasia can lead to paralysis. All serious breeders will have both parents screened to prevent puppies from being predisposed to the disease.

• Primary Epilepsy: Also known as Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE), this type of epilepsy is defined as recurrent seizures with no identifiable cause. Seizures manifest as a loss of consciousness and convulsions that can last for several minutes. This is a common health problem for Cane Corsi. There is no cure for epilepsy, but treatment can be prescribed to help limit seizures and improve the animal's quality of life.

• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV): Also known as gastric dilation, twisted stomach, or gastric torsion. As a large dog, the Cane Corso is more at risk for this. This is a medical condition that affects dogs in which the stomach becomes overstretched and rotated by excessive gas content. When the stomach expands and twists, it turns on itself and blocks the entry and exit routes, causing gas to build up. It is a life-threatening emergency, which can be fatal within hours if left untreated. The dog drools and tries to vomit unsuccessfully. Surgery is the only treatment for this condition, but the prognosis is not always good. Some vets will perform an operation called a gastropexy, which involves surgical attachment of the dog's stomach to the body wall to prevent it from twisting. This does not prevent the stomach from bloating (dilatation) but does stop it from twisting (volvulus) in most cases.

• Eye Diseases: Cane Corsi are affected by several types of eye diseases. Entropion is characterised by the eyelid (usually lower) folding inward. Ectropion is the eyelid folding outward. Cane Corsi are also prone to canine multifocal retinopathy 1 (CMR1), a detachment of the retina that leads to degeneration. Depending on the severity of the disease, the dog may suffer from mild vision problems or complete blindness.