Cane Corso Grooming

The Cane Corso has a short-haired, stiff, double-layered coat that doesn't require a lot of grooming--though with this dog's size (an average of 110 pounds), there's honestly a lot of dog to maintain!

Here you'll find details on caring for the Cane Corso coat, including info on brushing and bathing. You'll learn how to maintain these big dogs' teeth, ears, and paws, and you can discover more about ear cropping styles.

Get answers to your questions about Cane Corso grooming in the following sections!

The Cane Corso is a big dog--but luckily, Cane Corso grooming needs are comparatively small.

These dogs' short, stiff, double-layered coats only need brushing once or twice a week for most of the year; the double coats shed seasonally, so daily brushing will be necessary during the spring (and sometimes fall) shedding seasons. Brush the coat with a bristle brush or grooming glove, moving in the direction of hair growth.

Baths will be necessary every 2-3 months, unless the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is needed. These dogs also drool quite a bit, so their chests and necks may need additional cleaning because of the slobber. When bathing your Cane Corso, be sure to use canine shampoo, and rinse the shampoo completely. Not doing both these things can irritate the dog's skin.

The Corso's coat is simply too short to sport any hairstyle other than natural.

And while owners can easily learn all the Cane Corso grooming requirements themselves, it's a good idea to take the dog to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Cane Corso at home.

The Cane Corso coat, though double-layered, is short-haired--so proper haircuts aren't really possible.

One way owners can add some style to their Corso's look, though, is with ear cropping. This process of cutting a puppy's ear cartilage to make the ears erect has been around for centuries, and is popular with the Cane Corso and other guardian breeds. The procedure is performed by veterinarians on puppies no older than 12-16 weeks, and requires a good bit of aftercare to make sure the pup's ears stay healthy. Consult a vet for more info.

The four Cane Corso crop styles, from shortest to longest:

• Battle Crop: The ear is cut to an inch or less; provides no protection from dirt and debris
• Short Crop: 1-3 inches; leaves about one-third of the original ear
• Show Crop: The most popular; 3-5 inches; often used for show dogs
• Long Crop: Five inches or longer; leaves three-quarters or more of the original ear

Besides its teeth, your Cane Corso will need regular maintenance in these areas:

• Teeth: Just like a human's, Cane Corso teeth will need regular brushing to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, and to minimize that Cane Corso bad breath! Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush--but be sure to use canine toothpaste, as the kind made for humans can make dogs sick if they swallow it.
• Ears: If Cane Corso ears aren't cleaned periodically, they'll collect dirt, grass, and other debris--which could lead to infections and even hearing loss. Clean the dog's ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and always use cotton balls (never a Q-Tip!) to wipe out the solution.
• Drooling: Dogs of this breed drool regularly. Owners can keep rags, towels, or baby wipes in rooms where the dog spends time, to use to clean up excess slobber--and if the drooling gets too excessive, tie a bandanna or towel around the dog's neck to help keep its chest and neck clean.
• Nails: If Cane Corso nails click on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. Use standard clippers to cut the dog's nails as close to the toes as possible. Be sure not to cut into the nail's quick (the blood vessel running through it), though, as doing so can make the nail bleed and be painful.
• Paw Pads: Your Corso's paw pads can become dry, cracked, and tender, since they bear the brunt of this breed's considerable weight. The issue is worse if the dog walks or runs a lot on hot asphalt or snow and ice. Apply canine paw pad moisturizer to the pads weekly to keep them soft, moist, and healthy.