Until recently primordial sources mentioning name
Cane Corso were several poetic and prosaic creations dated from
1500. In 1998 Cane Corso Italian Association published a
historical work casting light upon military employment of Cane
Corso, specifically during the battle of Montopoli di
Sabina that was not far from Rome in 1137.
This work contains the records on a kennel existing then and
also on significance of these dogs in the history of Roman
Empire. All this knowledge allows us to consider Cane Corso as
an original inheritor of ancient breed that has carried all its
major qualities characteristics over the centuries. There is a
very ancient animal that keeps the memory about supreme
civilizations of the past.
Cane Corso has evolved over the centuries by natural selection in
close connection with nearby environment and in accord with a
part predestinated for this dog by a man. We talk about
difficult time when successful survival of the breed depended
only on its ability to perform hard work, but human choice on
the animals to be chosen as pedigreed ones was determined only
for economical necessity.
None of extravagances were permitted, and animal value was
specified by a service and a benefit the animal provided. But
namely Cane Corso who we admire today is just the best proof of
biologic-zootechnic postulate according to which morphological
and behavioral peculiarities of the animal, that are connected
with the work being done by it, form its excellent and harmonic
exterior and balanced mind. Cane Corso has not almost changed
since that time.
The forefathers of Cane Corso are Molosses from Epirus and Canis
Pugnax from Rome were used in military services and for
gladiatorial battles. Modern type of Cane Corso has preserved
its combative instinct, persistence and unusual strength to the
full. Intercommunion with a man during different life situations
taught this dog to show aggression only on emergency and
wonderfully interpret gesticulation and behavior of the wider
public.
These remarkable qualities the breed Cane Corso has carried over
the centuries and preserved them in a state of nature. In
southern Italy where from Cane Corso is and where archaic system
of farming lasted for long time, such many-sided dog was
becoming a key assistant for a person. In course of time use of
Cane Corso for military purposes started to reach back.
Technique of big-game hunting changed as well.
Field of conventional use of Cane Corso became more and more
limited. After Second World War population of these dogs was
decreasing tragically. In the early 1970s the situation grew
critical, the question already was about physical survival of
the breed because there were an inappreciable number of its
representatives left. Official cynologic societies even did not
remember Cane Corso breed despite massive efforts of enthusiasts
such as Bonatti and professor Baliotta.
