Updated Aug 26, 2022
A Cane Corso is historically a hunting dog — an activity that clearly involved a lot of running. However, as breeding processes change to reflect the modern requirement for a family dog, many of the characteristics of ancient Cane Corsos change, too. In general, the Cane Corso is likely to be a ‘softer’ dog than its ancestors.
Can You Run With A Cane Corso? Yes, you can run with a Cane Corso. As long as your Cane Corso has reached adulthood, is in good health and well-conditioned, you can take your dog for a run. A Cane Corso puppy should not be running. And you should always have the dog on a leash every time you set off to run, to be sure he is under control.
In this article, we will look at whether a Cane Corso has the endurance levels necessary to keep up with an active owner, how far a Cane Corso can run, its speed, energy levels, its temperament, and learn a little history about the Cane Corso running culture.
Are Cane Corsos Good Running Dogs?
The AKC classifies the Cane Corso as a working dog. This means that the dog is bred to be active.
Although Cane Corsos did participate in hunts and therefore would have needed endurance, their strengths lie more in speed and agility — sprints rather than marathons.
But, in general, the Cane Corso is a good running dog and it is also a very good hiking dog.
There are, however, some important factors to keep in mind.
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(1) Well-Conditioned
For regular running, your Cane Corso must be well-conditioned. If he doesn’t start out that way, he will soon become fitter as he gets acclimated to running.
But if he is not in good shape to begin with, start out easy. Just as with humans — with short distances.
(2) Not Overweight
It is very important that your Cane Corso is not overweight. A Cane Corso is already a large and heavy dog, and his joints must stand up to that. Running while overweight will put too much extra strain on his joints, with potentially serious consequences.
There is also the issue of strain on his heart. Keep him lean. Again, if you think about it, this is just the same as it is with humans — you don’t see overweight distance runners.
(3) Run On Softer Surfaces
This issue is also the same as for humans — the running surface has a big effect. The potential damage to human joints from running on hard surfaces is well documented.
Choosing soft surfaces for your running is even more important for your Cane Corso than it is for you! Trails, woods, grass — all these are good choices which will help avoid damage to joints.
(4) Alternating Fast/Slow
Alternating periods of running/jogging and walking will probably be best for your Cane Corso. The breed is susceptible to overheating, and a slow-down period helps keep that under control.
If you are a hard core long-distance runner, there will be better choices for a canine running companion. For the average person with less extreme, less strenuous running requirements, the Cane Corso will be a fine running companion.
How Far Can A Cane Corso Run?
A big factor in how far a Cane Corso can run is weather conditions. When the weather is too hot, a Cane Corso will not run for long, and might be panting or drooling excessively. It is advisable to restrain your dog in such conditions.
A Cane Corso will be able to run further if the conditions are cooler. Running is a way to generate more heat to the body, under colder conditions. In ideal weather, a healthy and well-conditioned Cane Corso will happily run between three and five miles.
How Fast Can A Cane Corso Dog Run?
You will be surprised by how fast the Cane Corso breed can run. Despite being a large dog, a Cane Corso is astonishingly fast. They are by far the fastest of all the mastiff breeds. It is no wonder they were used as hunting and security dogs.
A commonly quoted statistic is that the average speed of a Cane Corso is around 32 miles per hour. But I think you have to take that with a pinch of salt. After all, the fastest dog in the world is a Greyhound, with a top speed of 45 mph. And that cannot be sustained for long. Cane Corsos are fast, but not that fast.
And there will be a big difference between a Cane Corso that is trained and conditioned, and your average family dog.
Note also that, just like human beings, speed will vary with each individual. You will have fast dogs and also those that are slower.
Do Cane Corsos Require A Lot Of Exercise?
Cane Corsos can be athletic and are very agile for their size. They love to play, and enjoy activities which allow them to put their talents to good use. As long as an adult Cane Corso is healthy and, he can keep pace with an active owner.
However, as we have noted before,they are a large and heavy dog, and excessive exercise could be detrimental to their bones and joints. You should watch out for any signs of fatigue that your dog might display to prevent him from getting exhausted.
Cane Corso Energy Level
Cane Corsos are typically thought of as high-energy — and they can be. But they are more likely to fall into the medium-energy category. They also may have different energy levels depending on the time of year and season.
Even when they are full-grown, they still benefit from stimulation through play and various exercise, activities. Many owners aim to allow their dog to exercise every day.
Although it isn't essential to a healthy lifestyle for your dog, being active can be very beneficial. Exercise is important for every breed of dog. It helps to maintain a healthy temperament and good overall health.
You will soon learn how much exercise your Cane Corso needs each day and which activities would be most beneficial for him. Your dog's happiness and health can be improved by giving him the right amount of exercise.
However, our Cane Corsos are a different story. They are nothing like as active as you might expect. Nevertheless, they are healthy and happy. Part of this will just be that every dog is different. And part of it will be that they adjust and adapt to whatever lifestyle they are exposed to.
Cane Corso Temperament
The AKC describes the Cane Corso as a loving and affectionate dog especially with people with whom he or she is familiar. We couldn’t agree more.
However, they can be aloof and reserved with strangers. They can get very suspicious of strangers but are unlikely to be aggressive towards them. When a stranger appears, they assert confidence and are always vigilant.
If you are running with your Cane Corso, you are likely to cross paths with strangers. It is important that you have your Cane Corso on the leash and under control. It’s not that there are likely to be problems, it’s just that the Cane Corso is a large dog and any bad behavior has potentially significant consequences.
Also, the movement of other runners and bicycles can trigger a Cane Corso’s prey drive, and cause him to try to give chase. If your Cane Corso exhibits this tendency, you must train him so that this is under control.
As a Cane Corso owner, in general, early socialization is important. If you are planning on taking your cane Corso running, socialization is even more essential.
Can Cane Corsos Run Long Distance?
Cane Corsos can run long distances, it all depends on the age, fitness conditioning, and health. For instance, a Cane Corso puppy below 12 weeks should not run at all. Older puppies can run as they approach maturity. A typical adult Cane Corso can probably run about five miles, while some healthy specimens able to run over 10 miles at a go.
Do Cane Corsos Like To Run?
Yes they do. They are athletic dogs and love to run and play. Cane Corsos run to not only stay healthy and active but to also be happy. Running helps your Cane Corso to be vibrant at all times and it also improves how they socialize. It is also important for you as a Cane Corso owner to watch out for them, and prevent them from overdoing it.
History — Hunting Required Lots Of Running
We touched on this briefly above, but we should expand a little.
As most of the data and history suggest, the Cane Corso hails from the ancient Roman Empire where it was used as both a guard dog and a hunting dog. And then re-purposed for work on remote Italian farms, as a hunter and protector of livestock and humans.
So, this breed is originally designed and intended to keep up with high-energy activities such as running. In essence, hunting requires a lot of running. It will involve covering a lot of ground at low to medium speeds and also short sustained bursts of high speed in chasing prey.
It is possible that these working Cane Corsos could be running over 30 miles a day while hunting. Even now, if you do not keep your Cane Corso on a leash, it may run after ‘prey’. The Cane Corso dog breed is a running dog and it can benefit from manifesting its nature every day.
On the other hand, as we mentioned above, modern breeding practices have altered the nature of today’s Cane Corso considerably. One exception would be if you get your Cane Corso from a breeder who specializes in producing working dogs.
Otherwise, the deliberate ‘softening’ of the breed to accommodate today’s family dog requirements will most likely have had an effect on the nature of your Cane Corso.
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