History of the cANE CORSO
Past & Present

The Cane Corso is an ancient Italian molosser descended from the now-extinct Canis Pugnax, the historic Roman war and hunting dog that gave rise to two distinct types: the heavier Neapolitan Mastiff and the taller, more agile Cane Corso.

 

Originally used for hunting formidable game such as wild boar, wolves, and bears, the Corso was released once hounds had located the prey, gripping and controlling it so hunters could dispatch the animal. As big-game hunting declined, the Corso evolved into a versatile farm companion, herding and driving cattle to market, guarding livestock from predators and thieves, and protecting the family home.

 

This adaptable working dog became an integral part of rural Italian life, valued as a fearless guardian, a reliable farmhand, and a loyal, gentle family companion.

By the mid-20th century, industrialisation and changes in agriculture caused the breed to dwindle, surviving only in isolated regions of southern Italy where families preserved the dogs out of tradition and affection. Their memory, however, lived on vividly. Italians recalled a powerful yet manageable mastiff: bold, intelligent, highly trainable, deeply loyal, and devoted to children and livestock alike.

 

Some regions identified the dog by its function rather than its name: the “straw-stack dog” (Cane de Pagliaio) guarding hay and herds, the goatherd’s dog, swineherd’s dog, butcher’s dog, and hunter’s dog. These were not yet a formalised breed, but a consistent type shaped by purpose and environment.

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Interest in preserving this remarkable dog resurfaced in the 1950s when zoologist Prof. Giovanni Bonatti documented surviving examples in Puglia. In 1957, Professor Giovanni highlighted the need to “breed to save,” sparking renewed efforts. By the 1970s, a small group (including Dr Paolo Breber and Vito Indiveri) began locating remaining dogs and rebuilding the breed through careful selection. Foundational dogs such as Dauno, Tipsi, and the notable brothers Basir, Babak, and Bulan became central to reconstruction; Basir would later heavily influence the written standard. Breeders like Umberto Leone (Di Casa Leone) and the Malavasi Brothers further contributed, with Indiveri encountering many surviving Corsos during his travels across southern Italy and recognising them as the same dogs prized by his grandfather.

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In 1983, these efforts crystallised with the founding of the SACC (Societa Amatori Cane Corso), marking the transition from a general type to an emerging formal breed with recorded pedigrees. Official recognition followed: in 1994, the Cane Corso became the fourteenth Italian breed recognised by the ENCI, and in 1996 it was accepted into the FCI, securing international status.

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The Cane Corso eventually reached the United Kingdom thanks to enthusiasts determined to introduce and preserve the breed. The first person credited with bringing the Corso to Britain was Nino Lo Raso of Lo Raso Cane Corso, who imported early dogs including Capo and Nala from the Malavasi family in 1997. In 1999, the first UK litter was born in quarantine from Ursula, a Dell’Abazia bitch imported in whelp, sired by Fidel, son of Italian Champion Boris. Through the early 2000s, breeders such as Kenny Contado (Olive Retreat) and Joanne Lueck (Boleyn Cane Corso) imported other important specimens such as Italian Ch. Bora, mother of Colpogrosso (aka Twelve).

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From its roots as the Roman hunter and the farmer’s indispensable guardian to its modern role as a devoted family companion, the Cane Corso has remained a dog of courage, intelligence, and loyalty. Though powerful and naturally protective, the true Corso is balanced, affectionate, deeply bonded to its family, and when responsibly bred and raised they are remarkably gentle with children. The legacy of this historic Italian mastiff endures today thanks to the dedication of the families, breeders, and enthusiasts who fought to preserve it from near extinction.