Updated Aug 31, 2022
Cane Corso Price
We first noticed in 2017 that Cane Corso popularity was trending upwards. We had already been Cane Corso owners for eight years or so at that time. And the popularity of the breed has just continued to increase since then. Of course, with increased popularity, comes increased prices. As with everything in life.
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In addition to being a large and imposing dog, the Cane Corso is also recognized for its strong guard dog tendencies, which is another desirable trait, which pushes prices higher.
Of course, the true costs of owning a Cane Corso mastiff do not stop with the purchase price. A large dog will typically be more expensive to care for than a smaller breed. You should definitely take into account the various ongoing costs of owning a Cane Corso, and we’ll talk about that a little later. But first, the big question is the cost of getting the Cane Corso in the first place.
Cane Corso Puppy Price
There are several sources that you could obtain your Cane Corso puppy from. And there are varying price bands that reflect the quality of the breeder and his puppies. The cheaper options should be avoided, for reasons we will get into shortly.
The first thing to understand is the importance of dealing with a reputable breeder. It’s a bit like buying a car. We all recognize the difference between buying a new car from a high-end dealership, and something completely unknown from a dodgy yard in a back street.
Unfortunately most of us don’t recognize that all the same principles are at play when you buy a puppy.
But there is a lot more at stake when buying a puppy.
First let’s look at the price range for the kind of breeder you should be looking for, and the quality of the Cane Corso pup that a reputable breeder will be able to provide you.
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Cane Corso Price Range
| Puppy mill or Backyard breeder | Breed standards, lineage and health checks not offered | $500-$1000 |
| Lower tier breeder | Caution. Breed standards slipped. Lineage and health checks maybe OK | $1000-$2000 |
| Reputable breeder | Standard OK + Lineage OK + health checks | $2000-$2500 |
| Reputable breeder | Breed standard + very good lineage + health checks | $2500-$3500 |
| Top breeder | Show quality standard + excellent lineage + health checks | $6000-$8000 |
You can expect to pay from the $2500-$3500 for a pure bred Cane Corso puppy with good breed standard qualities, from a reputable Cane Corso breeder. Maybe even as high as $4000. For this sort of price, you can expect very good lineage and health checks.
The price can go further up from here, as far as $6000-$8000 for a show quality puppy from an exceptional lineage.
At a lower price range, between $2000 and $2500, the breed standards might not be fully met. If you are dealing with a reputable breeder and the puppy has good lineage and health checks, and you don’t need the highest breed standard you may be able to get a dog that suits you in this price range. Not everybody needs a show quality dog.
Below $2000 and you have to be quite careful. Not only will the Cane Corso breed standards have slipped considerably, the quality of the dealer will have to be considered. You may or may not be getting a puppy with good lineage and there probably will not be health checks.
As the price gets lower still, you are heading into the world of the backyard breeder and the puppy mill.
These breeders are really operating on the basis of cranking out puppies for profit. They are not particularly concerned with the breed standard, and probably not too concerned with the well-being of their dogs. Females are bred as often as possible to produce maximum profit. Breed standard, lineage health checks etc, are out of the window.
It is really not advisable to get your puppy from sources such as these. It doesn’t bode well for the puppy, and it usually doesn’t work out well for the new owner. The deal really only benefits the breeder. And substandard practices in terms of breeding and care for their animals should not really be supported.
The Cane Corso is a fantastic breed, which is in high demand. The prices asked for a high-quality puppy from a reputable dealer reflect this situation. It is not really possible to undercut those prices without somebody or something suffering.
Cane Corso Rescue
There is one final option. And that is to adopt your dog from an animal shelter. This has pros and cons. On the plus side, it will obviously be much cheaper. Average costs are $250-$300.
The downside is that you are likely to be adopting an adult dog. You may well end up with a great dog, but you are missing the opportunity to choose and train the perfect puppy.
Cane Corso Cost
As we mentioned above, you also really need to consider the additional and ongoing costs of owning a dog. It’s not just about the purchase price. And, with a large breed such as the Cane Corso, all the ongoing costs are higher than they would be with a small dog.
All of which means that it’s even more important to obtain your puppy from a good source.
If you obtain a puppy at a low price which does not include health checks, you could be in for a lot of very high vet bills.
Not only have you not got the health checks, but the low price makes it more likely that the puppy will not have a good lineage and will indeed be more prone to health problems in future. Hip Dysplasia is one example of a condition the Cane Corso can be prone to, which can lead to thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
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There is also a more sinister risk when you go for a puppy with an extremely low price. There have been many instances of out-and-out fraud. Where a low price has been paid online, and the puppy that has been paid for is never delivered.
All of which starts to build overwhelmingly into a picture where you must choose a reputable breeder, and must also visit the breeder.
Your Cane Corso Breeder
You are placing a tremendous amount of trust in the breeder who provides your Cane Corso puppy. This dog might be with you for as much as a further 11 or 12 years, with an average lifespan. You really need to know what you are getting, and that your puppy has a sound lineage and sound health.
So you must develop a rapport with your breeder, and build some trust. If the breeder is a long way away, it is obviously more difficult to visit. But, it is really important to somehow get to know the dealer, and also to know as much as possible about his breeding stock which is producing your puppy. You really want to meet his dogs, as well, and see how they are, what temperament they possess, etc.
The ideal situation is several visits. At least one, and preferably a couple before you purchase your puppy. And then a visit to pick the puppy up.
Whilst it is possible to have your new Cane Corso puppy flown to you and delivered, this is fraught with risk. Personally, I think it is too important to meet everyone involved — human and animal — and the effort should be made to collect the puppy.
Of course, the closer your breeder is, the easier this will be. So your search for a breeder should start as close as possible and only move out as far as you need to find the one who meets your requirements.
Other Cane Corso Costs
There are various essential pieces of equipment which you will definitely need, but which you may not have considered in advance. These include equipment for grooming, such as brushes and a de-shedding tool. You will either need nail clippers, if you are going to do this job yourself, or a budget for taking your dog to the groomer regularly.
You will need some toys for your new puppy, to keep him occupied and happy. The Cane Corso has one of the strongest bite forces in the canine world, so you need to make sure that any toys you purchase are durable.
You will, of course need a leash and a collar — and maybe even a muzzle, depending on your local laws.
There is one item I would consider essential, that you may not even have thought of. It is a dog crate. And you will need a large dog crate for a large dog breed.
Large Dog Crate
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Summary — Cane Corso Average Price
For the average person, looking to be a responsible Cane Corso Owner, your expected price range will be between $2500 and $3500. For this, you will be able to deal with a reputable breeder, and purchase a purebred CaneCorso puppy, with good lineage and health checks.
Above this, you are getting into the realms of purchasing a show-quality puppy, with perfect breed standards, excellent lineage — the works.
From $2500 down to $2000, you can still purchase a great puppy. You would perhaps be looking at not quite up to full breed standard, or lineage not so good, etc. But you could still expect to be dealing with a good professional breeder.
Below $2,000, you need to be cautious. The breed standard and lineage will be slipping, and the quality of the breeder probably will too.
Below $1000 and you really are better off staying away.
Top page: Cane Corso Breed Info