The Black Cane Corso is highly prized for his striking, sleek, all-black coat. As a result, some fanciers were led to believe that he has a rare coat colouration. However, this could not be further from the truth.
Black Coat Is Not Uncommon in the Cane Corso Breed.
The Cane Corso dog breed is a carrier of the autosomal dominant black gene called the CBD103 gene.
It has three alleles, one of which is dominant black with a genotype of KB. The other is a recessive yellow or non-solid black possessing a Ky genotype.
Cane Corso puppies that inherit one (KBKy) or two copies (KBKB) of this gene will express a solid black coat.
A study shows that breeding two all-back Cane Corso dogs produced over 70% same-coloured offspring. Less than 30% of pups in the litter were composed of different colourations.
These scientific pieces of evidence indicate that the Black Cane Corso is not a rare dog.
Arguably, the possible reason for the novelty of his coat colour is because it magnifies his imposing and menacing appearance. However, some breed enthusiasts do not agree with these speculations since they believe it contributes to the stigma surrounding the breed.
A more plausible cause of the Black Cane Corso’s popularity is the absence of his dark colouration in other Molosser dog breeds.
The Black Cane Corso Is a Purebred Dog.
Since the dominant black gene naturally occurs in the Cane Corso, breeders do not need to resort to crossbreeding to achieve a solid black coat colouration.
This means most of the Black Cane Corso dogs you will come across are purebred canines. We say ”most” and not all because some pawrents fall victim to the deceptive advertisements of scammers and shady breeders.
They ended up bringing home mixed-breed black dogs that were intentionally falsely marketed as purebred solid Black Cane Corsos.
Keep in mind that simply exhibiting a black coat does not 100% guarantee that a dog is a true Black Cane Corso. So we strongly recommend getting a Black Cane Corso puppy DNA tested before officially claiming him.
The Black Cane Corso’s Colouration Is Recognised By Major Kennel Clubs.
Black is one of the officially acknowledged coat colourations of the Cane Corso breed along with:
- Black brindle
- Brindle
- Fawn
- Grey
- Grey brindle
- Red
Most Black Cane Corso have completely black pigmented eyelids, noses, lips, and paw pads.
However, do note that the breed standards of the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) allow small white markings, but their acceptable placement differs.
AKC does not call for disqualification if these patches are found on the chest, chin, throat, toes, and back of the pasterns. On the other hand, FCI accepts small white markings located on the chest, tip of the toes, and on the bridge of the nose.
If you are considering letting a Black Cane Corso join dog show competitions, keep this important information in mind.
The Black Cane Corso’s Coat Has a Unique Problem.
Generally, Cane Corsos have a dense double coat to protect them from harsh weather. However, many Black Cane Corso dogs deviate from this standard.
Black hair absorbs more heat, which increases their risk of overheating. As their bodies’ way of compensating, their undercoats tend to be shorter and sparser for more breathability.
This is classified as an incorrect coat for the breed. However, AKC and FCI do not mention if this physical trait is considered legible for disqualification. The breed standards of the latter state that semi-long, smooth, or fringed hair is viewed as a fault.
The Black Cane Corso Needs Extra Care During Hot Days.
Despite having thinner undercoats, Black Cane Corso dogs remain highly susceptible to heat exhaustion because of their coat colouration. Pawrents need to be very cautious when taking these dogs outdoors.
If the temperature outside measures around 104 degrees Fahrenheit and over, the Black Cane Corso may overheat easily. So keep him indoors until the day gets appropriately cooler for safe outdoor exercise.
We advise choosing dog walking routes with plenty of shade and bringing adequate amounts of drinking water with you.
It is also a good idea to let the Black Cane Corso wear a white shirt. Pale and light colours such as white deflect the sun’s rays and allow your dog to feel cooler for a longer period.
When travelling by car during hot days, have the Black Cane Corso wear a cooling vest. If he is kept in a crate, placing cooling pads inside will help him maintain normal body temperature.
The sweat glands of dogs are located in their paw pads. Wiping a damp, cool cloth on the Black Cane Corso’s paw pads also works in cooling him down.
The Black Cane Corso’s Colouration Does Not Affect His Personality.
The Black Cane Corso’s temperament is similar to other Cane Corso dogs. They are extremely loyal canine companions with a big soft spot for their family.
The Cane Corso takes his job as a protector seriously. This massive Italian breed keeps an eye out for possible threats and will not hesitate to neutralize them.
This trait does not mean Black Cane Corso dogs are inherently aggressive. Although their personality is intense, they do not go out of their way to harm people unless provoked.
However, poor training and socialisation from irresponsible owners can lead young Black Cane Corso puppies to have a poor sense of security with their surroundings.
Thus, they may perceive almost everything around them as a dangerous threat, which can lead to life-threatening accidents like dog attacks.
For this reason, a highly dedicated dog owner who can provide ample amounts of training and socialisation is the ideal partner for Black Cane Corso dogs. These canines do not fit in well with pawrents who are in search of low-maintenance pets.
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The Black Cane Corso Can Be Challenging to Train.
The Black Cane Corso is an assertive and strong-willed canine companion. He has a habit of challenging his owner’s leadership in the hierarchy. Failure to stand your ground will lower his inclination to follow your cues and commands.
For this reason, novice dog owners are not recommended pawrents for the Black Cane Corso. This canine is more suitable for experienced and confident dog owners who can impose firm boundaries consistently.
His attentive nature makes him more amenable to training compared to other Mastiff dog breeds. We strongly discourage using punitive corrective measures since they play a big role in the development of behavioural issues such as aggression.
Despite his intimidating appearance, the Black Cane Corso is a sensitive soul. He does well with well-executed positive reinforcement.
Large dogs with intense personalities like him especially require lifelong training to make sure they maintain a stable temperament.
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FAQs About the Black Cane Corso
1. Are All Cane Corsos Black?
Not all Cane Corsos are black. But you will likely come across this colouration more often than other accepted coat colours of the breed.
Black coats are very common in Cane Corsos because they can possess the dominant black gene. Unlike recessive genes, Cane Corsos need to only inherit one copy of the dominant gene to express the colour it represents.
2. Are Solid Black Cane Corsos Rare?
Solid Black Cane Corsos are not rare. However, they are highly sought after by dog fanciers.
The reason behind their coat colour’s popularity is unclear. Some believe it is because many individuals like how black coats elevate the intimidating aura of the Cane Corsos.
Others attribute the rarity of all-black colouration in other Mastiff breeds are the main cause.
3. Can Cane Corso Come in Black and Tan?
The Cane Corso can come in black and tan, but this coat colour is not accepted in some major kennel clubs like the AKC and FCI. Hence, he cannot be shown in competitions of these organisations.
4. Is the Black Cane Corso an Aggressive Dog?
Although he has an intense and protective nature, the Black Cane Corso is not an aggressive dog. It is solely the responsibility of the owner to ensure that he grows up into a calm and assertive dog through consistent training and socialisation.
Choosing the right Cane Corso puppy should also be a part of the equation. Backyard breeders and puppy mills do not strive to produce pups with stable temperaments, which are more likely to develop behavioural problems.
So be careful when selecting Black Cane Corso puppies for sale. Make sure they come from a reputable breeder who upholds ethical breeding practices.
Conclusion
Despite popular assumption, the Black Cane Corso is not a rare dog. The Cane Corso breed is capable of naturally carrying the dominant black gene. Puppies only need at least one copy of the gene to be born with black coats.
Have some degree of caution towards breeders who advertise the Black Cane Corso colouration as uncommon. It would be safer to steer clear from them since they might be running a fraudulent business.
Always know the right questions to ask when looking for a reputable breeder to avoid getting scammed.
