The Cane Corso is on the list of potentially dangerous dogs in many countries. That’s because they are considered fighting dogs. And, we must agree, even the calm, even-tempered Cane Corso can be dangerous just because of its size and strength if it is raised incorrectly. But, the emphasis is on “raised incorrectly”. Now, these dogs aren’t only considered dangerous, but they are also very expensive and seen like a breed only the rich can afford. But, let’s be honest, the prices of all purebred dogs have skyrocketed, so all dogs are expensive nowadays! What is the true Cane Corso price?
We’ve talked a lot about dog prices and how much a dog really costs. You can check out those articles too before reading this one:
- Great Dane price: Giant dogs with a giant price tag?
- English Bulldog price: What you need to know
- Golden retriever cost: The REAL price of a GR dog
- How much does a Husky cost?
- Red Goldendoodle: Rare and expensive!
- How much do French Bulldogs cost?
In this article, we’ll see how much money you really have to pay if you want to get a Cane Corso puppy! And, we’ll also tell you a bit about this breed.
Cane Corso price – Breed overview
The Cane Corso is a very large dog. This majestic breed has an overall body length of roughly 41.5-55 inches, standing height of 32.5-43 inches. But despite being so large, these dogs have a thin and lean build. Males weigh between 99 and 110 pounds, while females weigh 85 to 99 pounds.
A Cane Corso may seem threatening due to his size and muscular build, but he is anything but that. He is calm and balanced, with stoic serenity and a high stimulus threshold, always friendly and affectionate to his people and their families. The Cane Corso also gets along great with children and likes to play. He even gets along well with the cat in the house if he has known her from puppyhood.
But you must not confuse his calm manner with laziness. He cannot deny his past as a working dog. He is a very active dog who wants to do a lot, is intelligent, docile, and loyal to his humans. As a rule, he follows its instructions. But also remember, he is also very self-confident, tends to dominate and if you do not act confidently and consistently. The truth is the Cane Corso will want to take over the regiment.
As a watchdog, he is very territorial and will defend his territory and the people he loves above all if need be. He is very sensitive and can feel very precisely when a situation is really dangerous. Towards strangers, regardless of whether they are humans or animals, they tend to be cautious or even dismissive.
What affects the price of Cane Corsos
Color
The majority of Cane Corsos are black, however they can be found in other colors as well. If you manage to get your hands on a Cane Corso that doesn’t come in black, you can anticipate him to be priced rather high, as they are a bit harder to find.
However, rare coat colors aren’t always a positive thing. It’s crucial to understand that some coat colors aren’t accepted by major kennel groups like the American Kennel Club for a reason. Some colors could indicate that your dog isn’t purebred, or that he will be prone to some health issues. Colors other than black that you could go for without questioning are: Chocolate, white and merle.
Gender
Male Cane Corsos are more popular than female Cane Corsos since they are larger and have fewer health problems. The Cane Corso is known for being a muscular and robust dog breeds, and those features are even more visible on a male dog.
Male Corsi can cost anywhere from $1500 to $2500, and female Corsi can cost anywhere from $1500 to $2300. The male-to-female ratio in the litter you’re interested in will also effect the puppies’ final pricing.
Age
The age of your future dog will have a huge effect on his price as well. Like you can already guess, older dogs will be less expensive than young puppies. That’s because most people want to start fresh when bringing a puppy home, and take the training process into their own hands. Which clears up why young puppies are more desirable, and therefor more expensive.
However, sometimes getting an older dog isn’t that bad at all. That’s because older dogs are already potty trained, and you won’t have to go through that awkward (but yet adorable) puppy phase.
Bloodline
Dogs are classified into two groups: pet quality and show quality. Show quality dogs are especially bred to take part in all kinds of dog shows, and they will therefor be more expensive. This isn’t to argue that pet-quality Cane Corsos aren’t good dogs; just the contrary. Almost every Cane Corso dog you see is fit for a pet! Only a few of them are reserved for show quality dogs.
Cane Corsos are actually not well-liked at dog shows. They’re typically purchased as watchdogs or security dogs, and they’re unlikely to be acceptable for most dog rings.
If a dog is descended from champion bloodlines he will be even more expensive! His price can reach $10,000! Even Nevertheless, a typical dog owner would not purchase these canines because the regular person just wants a lovable pet, and not a champion dog.
Health testings
The main reason you’d want to get a dog from a reputed breeder is for health testings. A responsible Cane Corso breeder would constantly perform numerous health exams on their breeding stock to ensure that it is in good health.
There’s no guarantee that a dog you’re interested in isn’t prone to a variety of health issues and disorders if no health tests are performed, but we will talk more about that later. Breeders will have to pay for genetic testing on both the parent dogs and the Cane Corso puppies out of their own pockets. That’s why the price of Cane Corso puppies will be more expensive when buying from a reputable breeder.
What do I need to pay attention to when getting this breed?
First, to answer the question of how much a Cane Corso costs. Well, there is no right answer to what the right Cane Corso price is. If you want a Cane Corso puppy, or any breed of dog for that matter, you should get it from a high-quality breeder. Obviously, reputable breeders will charge you more for a puppy.
So, the average Cane Corso price is anywhere between $1000 and $4000. The Cane Corso price depends on the area you live in, if there is only one Cane Corso breeder in your are, then he can put any price he wants. The puppies parents, the color of the puppy and so on. If you want a certain coloration or bloodline, it may even be higher. For example if you want a Blue Cane Corso puppy it could easily cost more than the average $4000.
When people read that a puppy costs between $1000 and $4000 dollars is that they think that’s all they will have to pay. But that’s not true, obviously. You will have to pay for vet visits, vaccinations, deworming and so on. So you’re looking at an additional cost of around $200.
Also, keep in mind that anything below those $1000 should make you suspicious and you shouldn’t accept the offer. Because no breeder can afford to sell his dogs at a bargain price. These cheap prices come at the expense of the animals.
Reputable breeder
Cane Corsos are prone to hereditary diseases, and a reputable breeder will make sure he is selling you a healthy puppy that has been tested and cleared for hereditary health problems.
You can also recognize an honest breeder by the fact that he gives you the opportunity to visit him and get to know the little puppy’s parents and siblings. He will be at your disposal for all questions, not only when making a purchase, but also beyond. Do not be surprised that the breeder asks you questions about your life situation.
The AKC (American Kennel Club) website will be able to offer you with a list of local Cane Corso breeders. People that are committed to breeding with ethical standards provide background information on their dogs’ pedigrees, temperaments, and even the grandparents of their puppy to select a suitable coupling.
Puppies that are purchased from backyard breeders at inexpensive prices are usually not the healthiest. Although this may appear to be a low-cost option, it could end up costing you a lot of money and effort. Because puppy mill puppies are not dewormed or vaccinated, unethical breeders fail to provide sufficient health care for their puppies, who may develop health problems soon after birth.
If you need more help in how to recognize a good breeder, we can help you out! We’e covered that topic in many of our articles:
- Reputable breeders: Choosing the right one
- Breeders near me: How to find the right
- 15 Questions You Should Ask the Breeder
- Puppy Scams: How To Spot Scammers?
- How to protect yourself from a puppy scammer!
- All the red flags: How to spot a puppy scam online
Puppy Mills & Backyard Breeders
Backyard breeders do not sell pets from their own backyard. They are known as such because they lack suitable breeding facilities and frequently lack the requisite skill in breeding these enormous dogs. Backyard breeders are frequently dog owners who have refused to get their dogs neutered or spayed, resulting in litters of undesired puppies from which they wish to profit.
Most backyard breeders love their dogs, but they lack the knowledge and experience needed to effectively breed them. They don’t do any health checks and don’t know how to properly train their puppies.
These breeders may try to sell you a Cane Corso mix breed while claiming the dog is purebred. As a result of all of this, backyard breeders can sell their pups for far less than reputable breeders. The majority of their Cane Corsos will set you back around $1,000, although you can find them for less.
Puppy mills, often known as commercial breeders, are businesses that solely profit from the sale of puppies. Their sole purpose is to create as many puppies as possible in the shortest amount of time so they may sell them and profit.
Puppy mills are unconcerned about the puppies they breed. They see them as a means of making money, nothing more. This is why, despite their low costs, we would highly advise against purchasing from them. In fact, puppy mills sell Cane Corsos for as little as $700.
While the low price may seem appealing, keep in mind that you have no way of knowing what condition the dog you’re buying is in. Because puppy mills do not undergo health screenings, many of their dogs are carriers for various inherited health issues.
Rescuing a Cane Corso via adoption
Adopting a Cane Corso is almost always the most cost-effective choice. Except if you are adopting a dog from overseas. In that case you will have to pay additionally for transportation and all of the needed papers.
Purebred Cane Corsos under one year old will cost around $600 on average, while canines older than that will cost around $250. Many times, only a minor adoption fee is requested to cover immunization costs.
When adopting, it is recommended that you meet the Cane Corso you are interested in before taking them home. Adults may have a set temperament and protective behaviors that are difficult to change.
Cane Corsos were once developed as guard dogs, and they are still bred for that purpose today. While these dogs aren’t aggressive by nature, if they are trained to embrace their more destructive behaviors, they could act aggressively. Especially towards strangers.
When properly educated, these violent instincts may be controlled and only expressed when you, your family, or your house are in danger. However, you have to make sure to train your dog to control his protectiveness even in those circumstances.
Unfortunately, Cane Corsos can become aggressive in unexpected or inappropriate ways. They are generally suspicious of strangers, aggressive toward men, and extremely protective of tiny children. As a result, it’s critical that you meet the dog first and get to know its personality.
A competent adoption center will be familiar with the dog’s disposition and can suggest a family based on their lifestyle and dynamics. They’ll be able to help you out. Some Cane Corsos have a hard time around other dogs, especially smaller breeds. So if you have a small dog at home already, adoption agencies may not consider you a potential adoptive parent.
Additional Cane Corso Costs
Feeding a Cane Corso won’t be cheap
While you might be thinking that buying a Cane Corso isn’t cheap, we have to warn you that feeding this dog will be even more expensive. So you will have to prepare yourself for that as well. Research how much it will cost to feed your dog because this is a monthly expense you won’t be able to avoid.
The Cane Corso is a large dog with a voracious appetite, weighing between 90 and 110 pounds on average. So needless to say — these dogs can eat quite a bit.
Depending on its size and activity level, the Cane Corso consumes 4-8 cups of food each day on average. Consult your veterinarian to determine what is best for your dog.
Dog food costs between $2 and $3 per pound. Let’s say you pay $55 for a 30-pound bag. This equates to about 120 cups of dog chow.
Let’s say your Cane Corso consumes 6 cups of food every day. That means a 30-pound bag of food would last 20 days. So, for a total of roughly $1,000, you’d need to buy about 18 bags of food per year.
Not to mention the treats. To complement their food and reward them for good conduct, a large breed like this need a few treats every day. They thrive on positive reinforcement training, and snacks are a huge part of that as well.
A month’s worth of quality treats costs between $10 and $15 for a large bag. And if you are just starting to train your dog, and need more treats that usual, it could be even more expensive than that.
Health & Vet Costs
Fortunately, the Cane Corso is a robust dog breed with only a few health issues. They are, however, susceptible to Elbow dysplasia, Hip dysplasia, Joint issues, and Arthritis, as are many giant dog breeds. This breed is also prone to eye problems. Another thing that all large dog breeds are prone to is bloat.
Reputable breeders, on the other hand, will be able to provide health examinations for their Corso puppies, demonstrating that they are clear of any genetic illnesses. Because these health certificates are expensive to complete, they will raise the price of the dog.
You’ll still have to take your dog to the vet for annual exams after the initial expenditures. These fees will typically range from $125 to $265. The routine exam, required vaccines, a heartworm test, and comprehensive bloodwork if your dog is of a specific age are usually included in this price.
However, some Cane Corsos may still get ill, as hard as you try to keep their health in good condition. In that case, the treatment for your dog won’t be cheap. These are the average cost of treatment for their most common health issues.
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are two prevalent inherited orthopedic health issues that can be avoided by purchasing from merchants that perform the required DNA tests. They can progress to arthritis if left untreated. The cost of treatment is projected to range between $500 to $13,000, depending on whether your dog requires pain medication.
Gastrointestinal Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat) is a disease that necessitates immediate surgery. This can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. Eye conditions like entropion, ectropion, and cataracts can be addressed with medication or surgery. As a result, the therapy can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500.
Should I get a Cane Corso in the first place?
The initial purchase of a puppy is the most expensive part of owning a Cane Corso. For pedigree animals, these canines can command exorbitant rates, so if you have the chance to adopt, you can save a lot of money.
Adult Cane Corsos can also be obtained for several hundred dollars if you are ready to take home a fully matured Corso from a rescue center.
In the United States, the Cane Corso is gradually gaining popularity, and more and more people are welcome these magnificent animals into their homes.
The dog has been employed as a defender for hundreds of years, and those instincts are still present in today’s Cane Corso. In fact, the breed has earned the nickname “bodyguard.”
Given their size and protective, dominant temperament, effective training and socializing for this breed should begin immediately early. This will ensure that they live up to their promise as a devoted, affectionate, and loyal breed with a golden heart.
The term “noble” is frequently used to describe the Cane Corso, and we couldn’t agree with it more. These dogs are the embodiment of elegance with their tall and slim bodies. The breed has a fascinating past, and we are fortunate that it has survived near extinction.
If you want a large dog, that is able to protect you and your family, run next to you while you exercise, but also cuddle up on the couch while watching TV, then the Cane Corso could be the perfect dog for you!
Final words
While owning any dog is costly, caring for a large dog like a Cane Corso is unquestionably more costly than caring for other dog breeds. Depending on the pedigree, purchasing a puppy can cost thousands of dollars, and caring for them is not inexpensive either.
Feeding a Cane Corso is no easy task; they can easily consume 30 pounds or more of dry dog food per month, making this your most expensive monthly expense. These enormous dogs’ pet insurance is also far more expensive than most other breeds, with basic coverage starting at $100.
With this in mind, it’s critical to budget for more than the initial purchase price and to know that owning these canines is relatively costly. Having one of these formidable animals as a pet is a rare pleasure, and they will be your devoted defender for many years.
You can save money on Cane Corso care by training and exercising your dog yourself, grooming them yourself, and playing with and socializing with them more often. Additionally, if you get your dog from a reputable breeder, they will ensure that they are overall healthy, saving you money on healthcare expenditures in the long term.
Either way, owning this breed will come with it’s additional costs, so take your time considering if this breed really is the right one for you.