How Big Is A Cane Corso?

The Cane Corso is a large, muscular Italian mastiff-type dog known for its solid build and guardian instincts.

Quick size snapshot

Adult Cane Corsos commonly stand about 25–27.5 in (64–70 cm) at the withers for males and about 23.5–26 in (60–66 cm) for females^[1].

Typical adult weight commonly falls near 99–110 lb (45–50 kg) for males and roughly 88–99 lb (40–45 kg) for females^[1].

Visually, a well-built Cane Corso often appears similar in mass and height to large Rottweilers but is generally sleeker than English mastiffs, while retaining a broad chest and heavy bone structure^[1].

Breed standards

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard lists formal height expectations for males and females in centimeters, with males generally taller than females; the FCI standard gives a specific height range for adult males and females that judges use in Europe^[2].

The Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) mirrors the historic Italian standard and specifies a comparable height range and type expectations, with allowances for working-type dogs to fall slightly outside show measurements^[3].

The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard provides U.S.-focused height guidelines that translate to about 25–27.5 in (64–70 cm) for males and 23.5–26 in (60–66 cm) for females and emphasizes proportion and balance over raw weight numbers^[4].

Acceptable deviations are usually small—often 1–2 in (2–5 cm) depending on the club—and many breed judges and working-breed evaluators accept slightly different dimensions if the dog maintains correct proportion and function^[2].

Physical dimensions (height & weight)

Males typically reach the upper end of the height range and carry heavier bone and muscle mass, commonly weighing near 99–110 lb (45–50 kg) at maturity, while females average about 88–99 lb (40–45 kg)^[5].

Proportionally, a Cane Corso should have a chest circumference wider than its height at the withers and a well-muscled neck and shoulders that give a squat, powerful silhouette rather than a long or narrow frame^[4].

Because raw weight can be misleading, veterinarians assess body condition score (BCS) alongside weight; two 100 lb (45 kg) Corsos can differ markedly in health if one is lean and muscular and the other has excess fat^[5].

Growth stages and timeline

Large-breed dogs generally hit roughly 50% of expected adult weight by about 16 weeks of age^[6].

By about 24 weeks (roughly 6 months), many large breeds reach approximately 75% of adult weight, and by 36+ weeks (9 months and older) they often approach 85–95% of adult weight, with final musculoskeletal maturity continuing afterward^[6].

Growth plates for large breeds like the Cane Corso typically begin closing between 12–18 months and may not be fully closed until around 18–24 months, which is why heavy or high-impact exercise is restricted during that period^[5].

As an example using a 110 lb (50 kg) expected adult male: at 8 weeks a typical puppy might weigh roughly 20–25 lb (9–11 kg) depending on litter and parents, at 16 weeks near 55 lb (25 kg), at 24 weeks near 82 lb (37 kg), and by 36+ weeks near 99 lb (45 kg) before finishing adult muscling^[1].

Signs of delayed growth include persistent thinness, disproportionate limb length, or continued wide growth-plate radiographic gaps beyond the expected window; accelerated growth with excessive weight gain also raises orthopedic risk and should prompt veterinary evaluation^[5].

Measuring your Cane Corso accurately

Measure height at the withers with the dog standing square on a flat surface, recording from the highest point of the shoulder blades to the floor using a rigid measuring stick or carpenter’s square; repeat and average two readings for reliability^[7].

To weigh large dogs at home, use a pet or livestock scale when available, or use a human bathroom scale by stepping on the scale holding the dog and subtracting your own weight from the combined total; this method is accurate to within a few pounds if the dog remains still^[1].

Track growth by plotting weights on a growth chart or spreadsheet and comparing to expected percent-of-adult curves; consistent weekly or biweekly records give a clearer picture than sporadic measurements^[6].

Genetics and breed lines that affect size

Parent size and pedigree strongly predict adult size; puppies from two larger parents tend to finish at the high end of the breed range while those from smaller parents typically finish lower in the range^[3].

Italian (show) lines commonly emphasize classic proportions and may favor slightly heavier bone, while some American and working lines place a premium on functional athleticism and occasionally result in leaner, sometimes taller dogs differing by about 1–2 in (2–5 cm) in height on average^[4].

Selective breeding for certain traits can concentrate size-related genes in a line; occasional outcrossing tends to introduce variability in adult height and weight that breeders often track in litter records and pedigrees^[3].

Nutrition, exercise, and health influences on size

Growing large-breed puppies need diets formulated for controlled growth; overfeeding during the rapid growth phase increases the risk of orthopedic disease^[7].

As a practical hydration guideline, adult dogs typically require about 50–60 mL/kg/day of water, while growing puppies may require closer to 90 mL/kg/day depending on activity and diet, and clinical fluid calculations should use mL/kg/day units for accuracy^[5].

Exercise that builds controlled muscle (regular leash walks, structured strength work) helps develop the breed’s characteristic mass; however, high-impact jumping and long fast runs should be avoided until growth plates close at roughly 12–24 months^[5].

Certain medications, endocrine disorders, or early spay/neuter decisions can influence growth rate and final size, so veterinarians advise individualized plans and monitoring when growth deviates from expected curves^[7].

Size-related health concerns and lifespan implications

Large breeds, including the Cane Corso, are at increased risk for hip and elbow dysplasia, which makes pre-breeding radiographic screening and certification advisable through orthopedic programs^[6].

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat, GDV) is a recognized emergency in deep-chested breeds and carries a substantial risk; clinical sources report that prompt surgical intervention reduces mortality but that perioperative mortality can still occur in a notable minority of cases^[5].

Lifestyle measures—maintaining lean body condition, slow feeding, avoiding vigorous exercise immediately after large meals, and early orthopedic screening—are evidence-backed strategies to reduce the incidence or severity of size-related problems in large-breed dogs^[6].

Comparing Cane Corso to similar breeds

Rottweilers typically weigh around 95–135 lb (43–61 kg) for large males and may overlap or exceed Cane Corso weights depending on the line^[4].

Dobermans are generally lighter and taller-leaning, commonly around 60–100 lb (27–45 kg), making them sleeker and less massive than a Cane Corso of similar height^[4].

True mastiffs (English mastiff types) are substantially larger than the Cane Corso, often exceeding 140 lb (64 kg) and sometimes reaching 200+ lb (90+ kg), which affects housing, transport, and handling needs^[4].

Choosing a puppy or adult based on expected size

Ask breeders for parents’ heights and weights, litter average weights at standard checkpoints, and any orthopedic or cardiac screening results to estimate a puppy’s expected adult size and health profile^[3].

• Request pedigree information and, if available, growth curves or weight records from the breeder for the puppy’s first 8–16 weeks.
• Ask whether the litter was fed a large-breed growth formula and whether any puppies deviated markedly from littermates in size or mobility.
• Consider whether your home, vehicle, and handling ability match a dog expected to reach 88–110+ lb (40–50+ kg) in adulthood.

Estimating adult size from a puppy’s weight can use percent-of-adult rules (for example, some breeders estimate adult weight by doubling the 14-week weight for large-breed puppies), but these rules are approximations and should be paired with pedigree data and veterinary guidance^[1].

Typical Cane Corso height and weight summary by sex

Sex	Height at withers	Typical adult weight	Common maturity timing
Male	25–27.5 in (64–70 cm)	99–110 lb (45–50 kg)	Full musculoskeletal maturity by 18–24 mo[5]
Female	23.5–26 in (60–66 cm)	88–99 lb (40–45 kg)	Full musculoskeletal maturity by 18–24 mo[5]
Working type	May be leaner; heights similar	Often lighter by ~5–10% vs show type	Similar growth timeline but more athletic conditioning[3]

Sources

• vcahospitals.com — VCA veterinary resources and breed profiles.
• fci.be — Fédération Cynologique Internationale breed standards.
• enci.it — Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) standards and breed information.
• akc.org — American Kennel Club breed standard and comparison data.
• merckvetmanual.com — Merck Veterinary Manual on growth plates, GDV, and clinical guidance.
• offa.org — Orthopedic Foundation for Animals resources on hip and elbow screening.
• aaha.org — American Animal Hospital Association nutrition and growth recommendations.