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Standard CaneCorso 2003
(Adopted by the ICCF, now known as the CCAA, on 1/1/2004)
CANE CORSO ITALIANO
Medium-large sized molossoid, sturdy,
compact, with a strong skeleton, muscular and athletic, it moves with
considerable ease. Its head is massive, with a dignified and proud
expression. It has had a selection parallel to that of the mastiff, it
comes from lighter progenitors but has maintained that original
conformation. It has always been a property watchdog and hunter of
difficult game, such as the boar. It originated in the central-southern
regions of Italy where it was used as a cowherd for cows and swine raised
in the wild. It also defended travellers and carters from highwaymen. Its
name is the one by which it has always been known in the south, having the
same root as "corsiero" (courser), the medieval war horse; perhaps it
derives from the Latin "cohors" (courtyard, body guard). Due to
environmental changes, the Courser risked extinction. A few enthusiasts
initiated its recovery which today is complete. Its modern functions are
watchdog, defending people and their belongings. An adaptable and
courageous worker, of proverbial loyalty, alert and reactive, who is able
to withstand difficult environmental conditions and experiences due to its
solid equilibrium,. A strong build but not without elegance. Built on a
rectangle, it absolutely must not resemble the Neapolitan Mastiff. Its skin
adheres to its body and does not form wrinkles.
Brief Historical Summary
Its direct ancestor
is the "Canis Pugnax" (the old Roman Molossian) of which he is the light
version employed in the hunting of large wild animals and also as an
"auxiliary warrior" in battles. For years he has been a precious companion
of the Italic populations. Employed as property, cattle and personal guard
dog and used for hunting purposes too. In the past this breed was common
all over Italy as an ample iconography and historiography testify. In the
recent past he has found an excellent preservation area in Southern Italy,
especially in Puglia, Lucania and Sannio. His name derives from the Latin
"Cohors" which means "Guardian", "Protector".
General Appearance
Medium-big size dog,
strongly built but elegant, with powerful and long muscles, very
distinguished, he expresses strength, agility and endurance. The general
conformation is that of a mesomorphic animal whose body is longer than the
height at the withers, harmonious as regards the form and disharmonious as
regards the profile.
Important Proportions
The length of the
body is about ll% over the height at the withers. The total length of the
head reaches 3,6/10 of the height at the withers. The length of the muzzle
is equal to 3,4/10 of the total length of the head. The height of the
thorax is 5/10 of the height at the withers and it is equal to the height
of the limb at the elbows.
Behavior and Temperament
Intelligent, active
and even-minded, he is an unequalled watch and protection dog. Docile and
affectionate with the owner, loving with children and with the family, if
necessary he becomes a terrible and brave protector of people, house and
property. He is easily trained.
Head
 Brachycephalic. Its total
length reaches 3,6/10 of the height at the withers. The bizygomatic width,
which is equal to the length of the skull, is more than half the total
height of the head, reaching 6,6/10. The upper longitudinal axes of the
skull and of the muzzle are slightly convergent. The perimeter of the head,
measured at the cheek-bones, is more than twice the total length of the
head even in the females. The head is moderately sculptured with zygomatic
arches stretched outwards. The skin is firm and sticking to the tissues
underneath, it is smooth and quite stretched.
Cranial Region
Skull
- Seen from the
front it is wide and slightly curved, seen from the side it draws an
irregular curve that, accentuated in the sub region of the forehead,
becomes flat along the external saggital crest. Seen from the top, it looks
square because of the outstretching of the zygomatic arches and the
powerful muscles swathing it. Frontal sinuses well developed and stretched
forward, deep forehead hollow and visible median furrow. Occipital crest
not much developed. Supraorbital fossae slightly marked.
Stop - Very marked because of the very developed and bulging frontal
sinuses and because of the prominent superciliary arches.
Facial Region
Nose - It is on the same line as the nose pipe. Seen from the side it
mustn't stick out from the front vertical margin of the lips but be, with
its front, on the same vertical line as the front of the muzzle. It has to
be voluminous, rather flat on top, with wide nostrils, opened and mobile,
wet and cool. The pigmentation is black or dark grey.
Muzzle - Very broad and deep. The width of the muzzle must be almost
equal to its length, which reaches 3,4/10 of the total length of the head.
Its depth is more than 50% the length of the muzzle. Due to the parallels
of the muzzle sides and to the fullness and the width of the whole jaw, the
anterior face of the muzzle is flat and square. The nasal bridge has a
rectilinear profile and it is rather flat. The lower side profile of the
muzzle is determined by the upper lips, the suborbital region shows a very
slight chisel.
Lips - Rather firm. Seen from the front, the upper lips form at their
disjunction an upside down "U" and, seen from the side, hang moderately.
The commeasure is rightly evident and it always represents the lowest point
of the lower side profile of the muzzle. The pigmentation is black.
Jaws - Very wide, strong and thick, they can have a very slight
shortening of the upper jaw with a subsequent light prognathism (undershot
bite). The branches of the lower jaw are very strong and, seen from the
side, are quite curved, the body of the lower jaw, well accentuated
forward, points out well the marked chin. The incisors are firmly placed on
a straight line.
Cheeks - The masseter region is full and evident, but not hypertrophic.
Teeth
- White, big, complete in growth and number. The bite should
be slightly undershot (max 5mm) or level. A scissor bite would be tolerated
only if all parameters (length of the muzzle, parallel muzzle sides, the
upper longitudinal axes of the skull and of the muzzle are slightly
convergent) The canines would be divergent and very distant among them (in
the males, in the apex of the crown, they would need to be not less than
5,5 cm/5,7 cm apart).
Eyes - Of medium size compared to the size of the dog, in a
sub-frontal position, well spaced. Rima palpebrarum nearly oval, adherent
eyelids with the borders pigmented with black, the eye mustn't let the
sclera be seen. Third eyelid strongly pigmented. The color for the subjects
with a black muzzle (black, tawny and brindle) iris as dark as possible.
For the subjects with gray muzzle (gray, tawny and brindle) light brown
color, lighter colorations are approved.
Ears - Of medium size in relation to the volume of the head and to the
size of the dog; covered with short hair, of triangular shape, with rather
pointed apex and thick cartilage, in a high position, much above the
zygomatic arch, with a wide bottom, hanging, they stick to the cheeks
without coming down to the throat. Quite outstretched and slightly
protruding at the joint, they become semi-erect when the dog is watchful.
They usually get amputated in an equilateral-triangular shape.
Neck
Top line - Slightly arched.
Length - 3,6/10 of the height at the withers, that is equal to the total
length of the head.
Shape - Of oval section, strong, very muscular, with a marked
disjunction form at the nape. The perimeter, at half length of the neck, is
about 8/10 of the height at the withers. Harmoniously joined with the
withers, shoulder and chest, the neck has its ideal direction at 45ƒ from
the ground and at right angle with the shoulder.
Skin -
The inferior part of the neck introduces more abundant but
elastic skin.
Body
- Compact, strong
and very muscular. Its length is 11% over the height at the withers, with
allowance of ±1%.
 Top line - The back region is rectilinear with a slightly lumbar
convexity.
Withers - They clearly rise on the dorsal line and over the rump level,
are high, long, wide. They are lean and joint harmoniously to the neck and
to the back.
Back - It is wide, very muscular as the whole upper line of the trunk,
slightly climbing from the back to the front and with a strictly
rectilinear profile. Its length is approx. 32% of the height at the
withers.
Loins - The lumbar region has to be short, wide, well joined to the
back and to the rump, very muscular, very solid and, seen from the side,
slightly convex. Its length, slightly higher than its width, is equal to
20% of the height at the withers.
Croup - It is long, wide, quite round due to the considerable growth of
the muscles. The length, measured from the ridge of the hip to the ridge of
the nates is equal to 32% of the height at the withers. Its average width
is equal to 23% of the height at the withers, its inclination on the
horizontal line, on the basis of the ilium-ischiatic line is of 28ƒ/30ƒ, on
the basis of the line from the ridge of the hip to the insertion of the
tail is of 15ƒ/16ƒ. Therefore the rump is slightly inclined.
Chest - Wide, well inclined and open, with well grown muscles. Its
width, in close relation with the width of the thorax, reaches 35% of the
height to the withers; the breast-bone is at the same height as the tip of
the shoulders. Seen from the side, the chest is outstretched forward
between the fore legs and slightly convex.
Thorax - It has to be well grown in the three dimensions with long,
oblique, wide and well hoped ribs with wide intercostal spaces. The 4 false
ribs are long, oblique and open. The thorax reaches down at the elbow and
its height is equal to half the height at the withers. Its width, measured
at half of its height, is equal to 35% of the height at the withers and
decreases slightly towards the sternum region without forming a carina. The
depth (saggital diameter) is equal to 55% the height at the withers. Its
perimeter is over 35% the height at the withers.
Underline and
belly - The sternum region is lean, long, wide
and seen from the side it outlines a semicircle with a wide radius which
caudally goes up smoothly to the abdomen. The abdomen region is neither
hollowed nor relaxed and, seen from the side, rises up from the sternum
edge to the groins with a smooth curve. The hollow on the side is not very
marked. Tail - It is inserted quite high on the rump line, it's thick at
the root and not too tapering at the tip, and if stretched is not too much
over the hock. When not in action is low. Otherwise is horizontal or
slightly higher than the back, it must never be bent to form a ring or in a
vertical position. It gets amputated at the 4th rib.
Limbs
 Forequarters - Perpendicular, seen from the front or in profile. The height of
the limbs at the elbows is equal to 50% of the height at the withers. Well
proportioned to the size of the dog. Strong and powerful.
Shoulder - Long, oblique, strong, equipped with long, powerful and well
divided muscles, is adherent to the thorax but free in the movements. Its
length, from the top of the withers to the ridge of the shoulder, is equal
to 30% of the height at the withers and its inclination on the horizontal
line is between 48ƒ/50ƒ. In relation to the median plane of the body the
ridges of the shoulder-blades are slightly swerved.
Arm - It is slightly longer than the shoulder, strong, with very well
grown bones and muscles, well joined to the trunk in its top 2/3, measured
from the ridge of the shoulder to the tip of the elbow, it has a length
equal to 31/32% of the height at the withers and an inclination with the
horizontal line of approx 58ƒ/60ƒ. Its longitudinal direction is parallel
to the median plane of the body. The angle between the shoulder-blades and
the humerus is between 106ƒ and 110ƒ.
Elbows - The elbows, long and protruding, adherent but not too close to
the ribcage, covered with lean skin, must be like the humeri, on a strictly
parallel plane to the sagittal plane of the trunk. The tip of the elbow
(olecranon epiphysis) is located on the vertical line lowered from the
caudal (or back) angle of the shoulder-blade to the ground.
Forearm - It is perfectly vertical, oval section, with several muscles,
in particular in the top-third, with a very strong and compact bone
structure. Its length, from the tip of the elbow to the one of the arm is
equal to 32/33% of the height at the withers. Its perimeter, measured
straight underneath the elbow, is equal to 39% of the height at the
withers, the carpus-cubital groove is quite marked.
Carpal joint - Seen from the front, it follows the straight vertical line of
the forearm; it is lean, wide, mobile, thick. Its perimeter reaches 26% of
height at the withers, at its top margin the pisiform bone is strongly
projected backwards.
Pastern - It is quite smaller than the forearm, is very strong, lean,
elastic, slightly flexed (it forms with the ground an angle of approx.
72/73ƒ). Its length must not be over one sixth of the height of the
forelimb at the elbow. Seen from the front, it follows the perpendicular
line of the forearm and of the carpus.
Forefeet - They have a round shape, with very arcuated and gathered toes
(cat's foot). Lean and hard soles. The nails are strong, curved and
pigmented, there is a good pigmentation also in the plantar and digital
pads.
 Hindquarters - Perpendicular, seen
from the front or in profile. Well proportioned to the size of the dog,
strong and powerful.
Thigh - It is long and wide, with prominent muscles, therefore the nate
ridge is well marked. Its length is over 33% of the height at the withers
and the width is never lower than 25% of such height. The thigh-bone axis,
quite oblique from the top to the bottom and from the back to the front,
has an inclination of 70ƒ on the horizontal line and forms with the coxal
axis an angle which is slightly more than right (coxo-femural angle).
Second thigh - It is long, lean, with a strong bone and muscle structure, has
a well marked muscular groove. Its length is equal to 32% of the height at
the withers and its inclination from the top to the bottom and from the
front to the back is of approx. 50ƒ on the horizontal line.
Stifle
- The angle of the stifle joint is of approx. 110ƒ. Its
direction is parallel to the median plane of the body.
Hock joint - It is wide, thick, and clean, with well marked bone. The
protruding hock ridge shows clearly the continuation of the leg groove. The
distance from the ridge of the hock to the sole of the foot (to the ground)
shouldn't be over 26% of the height at the withers. Its direction, in
relation to the median plane of the body is parallel. The tibio-metatarsal
angle is of approx 130ƒ.
Hock (Metatarsus) - It is very thick, lean, rather short, cylindrical, and is
always perpendicular to the ground, seen from the side and from the back,
its length is equal to approx 15% of the height at the withers (tarsus and
foot excluded). Its internal side has to present itself without spur.
Hind feet - They have a slightly more oval shape than the fore ones and
less arched toes.
Gait/Movement
- Long steps,
stretched trot, some steps of gallop, but with inclination to stretched
trot.
Skin
- It is, rather
thick, has limited subcutaneous connective tissue and therefore is adherent
everywhere to the layers underneath. The neck is practically without
dewlap. The head mustn't have wrinkles. The pigment of the mucous membranes
is black. The pigment of the soles and the nails must be dark.
Coat
Hair - Short hair but not smooth, with vitreous texture, shiny,
adherent, stiff, and very dense, with a light layer that becomes thicker in
winter (but never crops up on the covering hair). Its average length is
approx. 2/2,5 cm. On the withers, the rump, the back margin of the thighs
and on the tail it reaches approx. 3 cm without creating fringes. On the
muzzle the hair is very short, smooth, adherent and is not more than 1/1,5
cm.
Color - Black, plumb-grey, slate, light grey, light fawn, deer fawn,
dark fawn and tubby (very well marked stripes on different shades of fawn
and grey). In the fawn and tubby subjects there is a black or grey mask
only on the muzzle and shouldn't go beyond the eye line. A small white
patch on the chest, on the feet tips and on the nose bridge is accepted.
Height and Weight
Height at the
withers - For males from 25.6-26.8 inches
(tolerance +/- 0.75”) for females from 24.4-25.6 inches. (tolerance of ±
0.4”.)
Weight - Males from 103 (97) to 117 (123) pounds. Females from 88 (84)
to 101 (106) pounds. The lbs in the parenthesis reported weights to the
tolerances in height.
Faults
Any departure from
the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with
which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its
degree and diffusion.
Eliminating Faults
Head - Accentuated parallelism of the axes of the skull and the muzzle
very marked converging axes of the skull and the muzzle, converging side
lines of the muzzle, scissors bite, pronounced and disturbing undershot
mouth.
Nose - Partial depigmentation.
Tail
- Forming a ring
or in a vertical position.
Size - Oversize or undersize.
Gait/movement - Continued amble.
Disqualifying Faults
Head
- Diverging axes of the skull and the muzzle, overshot mouth
nose bridge resolutely hollow or ram-like.
Nose - Total
depigmentation.
Eyes -
Partial and bilateral palpebral depigmentation, wall-eye, bilateral
strabismus.
Sexual organs
- Monorchidism, cryptorchidism, obvious incomplete growth of one or both
testicles.
Tail -
Tailless, short-tail, artificial or congenital.
Hair -
Semi-long, smooth, fringed.
Colors - All
colors not prescribed, white patches too wide.
Note - Males should have two
apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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