Meet the
cane corso.

The breed descends from the Canis Pugnax, a Roman Molosser used as a "canis bellum" (dog of war). By 100 BCE, these dogs were common across the Roman Empire. They were often armored with leather and metal collars to charge enemy lines or guard encampments. While the "heavy" version of this lineage evolved into the Neapolitan Mastiff, the Cane Corso developed as the "light" or more athletic version, valued for its agility and speed in combat and large-game hunting.

As the Roman Empire dissolved, the breed adapted to rural life in the Italian countryside. By the 14th century, the Corso became an indispensable multi-tool for Italian farmers. Its roles were diverse:

• Catch Dog: Holding wild boar or cattle by the ear or nose during hunts or processing.
• Livestock Guardian: Protecting flocks from wolves and thieves.
• Property Guard: Its name likely derives from the Latin cohors, meaning "guardian" or "protector" of the enclosure/courtyard.

The collapse of the sharecropping system in Italy and the modernization of farming after World War II nearly wiped out the breed. By the early 1970s, the Cane Corso was considered virtually extinct, surviving only in remote pockets of Southern Italy (notably Puglia). In 1976, Dr. Paolo Breber published an article in an Italian kennel club magazine that alerted the public to the breed's existence, sparking a rescue mission by a small group of enthusiasts.

The breed's introduction to the United States is largely credited to Michael Sottile Sr., who imported the first litter in 1988. This year marked a turning point where the "Society of Cane Corso Lovers" (SACC) in Italy and early American importers began collaborating to stabilize the breed's genetics and establish a formal registry outside of Italy.

After decades of effort to standardize the breed and increase its numbers, the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the Cane Corso in the Working Group in 2010. This provided the breed with a formal platform for competition and standardized health and temperament evaluations.

The Cane Corso's rise in the 21st century has been meteoric. In 2012, it was ranked 60th in popularity; by 2024, it reached #14, and as of 2025, it has climbed to #11—nearly breaking into the top 10 most popular breeds in the United States. This surge is attributed to its "velcro dog" loyalty and impressive stature, though experts often note that this rapid growth has made health screenings (like OFA and PennHIP certifications) more critical than ever to preserve the breed's functional heritage.