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Cane Corso Growth Chart: Puppy Milestones & What To Expect

Are you wondering what to expect about the growth of your Cane Corso over the next few years? Here we explore everything you need to know about your Cane Corso's development and milestones in the first year and beyond.

Emma Braby Picture

Last Updated: March 21, 2024 | 10 min read

Cane Corso hugging owner with red hair.

Are you considering a Cane Corso as your next pet but unsure what to expect? Or maybe you are wondering if you have enough room in your home for this large dog breed. Their name roughly translates from Latin as “bodyguard-dog,” so as you might expect, they are large to giant breeds. Cane Corsos grow to be a substantial size, and not all families can accommodate them.

Cane Corsos are expected to reach between 85 and 110 pounds at maturity. They are handsome and strong-looking dogs with muscles on their muscles. They grow at a fast rate during their first year, and having a reference point regarding milestones and size is a useful tool for most pooch parents. Knowing that your pup is roughly where they should provide many owners with peace of mind.

Our Cane Corso growth chart guide explores everything you need to know about their growth during their first year. We also look at factors that might influence their size and growth rate and what to expect when they stop growing. Finally, we finish off with a few of the most frequently asked questions about a Cane Corso’s size. So, let’s dive into the doggy details.

Cane Corso Breed

Cane Corso Puppy Smelling Round Fruit
If you are considering welcoming one of these dogs into your home, it’s not just their size you need to consider.

Cane Corsos are large canines. Their breed standard does not provide weight parameters. Instead, it states that their weight should be proportionate to their height. At maturity, they typically measure between 23.5 and 27.5 inches tall, from paw to shoulder. Usually, most Cane Corsos weigh between 85 and 110 pounds. They have a short but sleek coat that comes in a wide array of colors.

Cane Corsos are one of the most popular large breeds in America, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). But they are challenging dogs to own and need an experienced dog owner to transform them into suitable family pets.

What To Expect & Reminders

Most Cane Corsos reach their expected size around one year, although some keep filling out until they are two years old. At one year old, they are officially recognized as an adult. Growth charts are a useful tool to help parents keep a track of their Cane Corso pup’s progress. But there is more to a dog’s growth than their weight, which is why it’s important to look at their developmental milestones too.

Please remember that all dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Some pups grow at a steady rate, while others have growth spurts and plateau periods too. Some smaller Cane Corso pups might grow to be one of the largest adults in the litter, and some of the largest pups don’t grow as quickly as others. Most deviations from progress charts are nothing to worry about.

If you are concerned about your Cane Corsos development, please speak to your vet. They can study your pooch’s development and physical health and explore any worrying symptoms affecting their growth. It could be something as simple as not feeding them enough, or they could be infected with a parasite that is stunting their growth. Whatever the cause, more often than not, it is simple to treat.

Puppy Growth Timeline

Cane Corsos grow at a rapid rate during their first year, going from a small(ish) bundle of puppy joy to a large and tough bodyguard pooch. Not all Cane Corso pups follow this growth chart exactly. Instead, it’s an approximate guide for you to monitor their progress. Knowing what progress to expect can help you to provide them with the best care.

Birth To 2 Weeks

Cane Corsos are larger than most dog breeds, even at birth. The average birth weight is anywhere between three and eight pounds. That’s the size of some dog breeds at their adult weight. In the first few weeks of their life, they only sleep and nurse. Puppies are born deaf and blind, so they stick close to their mom’s side. Their ears and eyes usually open around two weeks old.

1 Month

By one month, their eyes and ears should be open, and they are becoming more aware of their surroundings. They begin to explore and recognize different sounds. Some even recognize their name. Pups begin to crawl, but their legs are still a little unstable. Puppies are still nursing, but you can start offering them puppy mush. The average weight of a one-month-old is between 12 and 26 pounds.

2 Months

At two months old, most pups start to stand independently and try their paws at walking. They’re bound to be wobbly still, but their coordination is becoming much better. Most puppies also begin mouthing and teething because their teeth are starting to come through. Playtime with their siblings is starting to get noisy, learning to growl and bark. Socialization is essential for naturally protective breeds like this one. Most Cane Corso pups weigh between 24 and 34 pounds.

3 Months

In the third month, most dogs are feeling more active and confident, moving away from their mother and exploring the big wide world. This is the month when house-breaking and simple commands can begin, as well as leash training your strong pup. Continue socializing them with as many other sights, sounds, humans, and dogs as you can build their confidence and manners. Most Cane Corsos weigh between 30 and 40 pounds now.

4 Months

At this age, it’s important to focus on obedience training, being consistent and strict with it. They are becoming much more confident and cheeky too. Pups are very active and easily stimulated, meaning they require lots of power naps throughout the day. Four-month-olds should have their first lot of vaccinations under their belt. The average weight is between 36 and 46 pounds.

5 Months

At five months, your Cane Corso pup should be comfortable with their routine, including set meal and sleep times. They should also be demonstrating their newly taught obedience skills, showing you they can take orders and behave appropriately. Five-month-old pups are very playful and bouncy and also very clumsy. The average weight of a five-month-old is between 42 and 55 pounds.

6 Months

This is when most pups begin to mellow out, but only a little bit. They are still rearing to go but less so compared to four months. They need regular exercise and stimulation and make sure to continue with their socialization and obedience training. At this age, most Cane Corso puppies weigh between 55 and 65 pounds, which is larger than the average-sized adult dog.

7 Months

At seven months, your Cane Corso is starting to look more like an adult than a puppy and has probably grown into their larger-than-life paws. This is the age where you might think they are forgetting their training, but they haven’t. Instead, they are testing their place in the pack, probably aiming for the position of top dog. Continue with your training and reward good behavior. Your Cane Corso probably weighs between 60 to 70 pounds.

8 Months

At eight months old, Cane Corso pups usually find themselves weighing between 65 and 80 pounds. Getting closer to their adult weight day by day. Keep going with the training, keeping sessions short, sweet, and fun.

9 Months

At nine months, most Cane Corsos weigh between 70 to 90 pounds, and their growth begins to slow down. This is a great time to start researching what adult diet to transition them to at 12 months old.

10 Months

At this age, many puppies become less puppy-like and more teenager-like. This might mean still testing the boundaries and pushing back, which is why it is still important to continue with their training. Their energy levels might drop slightly, but they still need plenty of exercise and stimulation to keep them healthy. 10-month-old Cane Corsos usually weigh between 75 and 95 pounds.

11 Months

You aren’t likely to see as much change in your Cane Corso from now on, but some still experience growth spurts at this late stage. Many puppy-to-adult diet transitions take place toward the end of this month. At this age, expect your Cane Corso to weigh between 80 and 100 pounds.

12 Months

Well done, you have made it to their first birthday. And it probably went much quicker than you could have imagined. At one year old, your pup is now viewed as an adult. Most 12-month-old Cane Corsos weigh between 85 and 105 pounds, but don’t be alarmed if they are slightly under or over this. As long as they are proportionate to their weight and seem healthy, they probably are. Over the next year, they will probably fill out a little more, weighing between 88 and 110 pounds.

Cane Corso Weight Chart

AgeWeight Male & Female (lbs)
Birth to 2 weeks3 – 8
1 month12 – 26
2 months24 – 34
3 months30 – 40
4 months36 – 46
5 months42 – 55
6 months55 – 65
7 months60 – 70
8 months65 – 80
9 months70 – 90
10 months75 – 95
11 months80 – 100
1 year (12 months)85 – 105
2 years (24 months)88 – 110

What Happens Next?

Cane Corso eating plate of food with birthday hat on
A healthy diet and active lifestyle are very important but take it easy on the treats during training.

Your Cane Corso might fill out a bit more over the next 12 months, but not so much that you’ll notice. Cane Corsos love snacks, but it’s important for their joints, cardiac system, and overall health to stay at a healthy weight. If you notice any drastic physical changes, including weight loss or gain, it’s best to see your vet for a health check.

Full Grown Cane Corso

Cane Corsos have a typical lifespan of 9 to 12 years, which is pretty good for such a large breed. Although you won’t see much change in their weight or overall appearance, you might notice a decrease in their energy over time. Especially when they reach seven to eight years of age. When you do, consider transitioning them to a senior diet with fewer fat and calories to maintain a healthy weight.

Factors To Consider

Several factors can impact a dog’s physical development and growth. Some of them you have control of, such as diet and lifestyle. Other factors, such as genetics and health, are down to the luck of the draw, which you cannot control. Let’s take a closer look at what might influence their growth and development.

Genetics

This is one of the most influential factors in their size, growth, and overall health, and one that you have almost no control over. To get a feel for the size your Cane Corso might become, take a look at their parents. If they are large, your pup is likely to grow into a large adult, and vice versa. But this does not always an accurate indicator. Plus, they could inherit a growth-limiting condition or developmental disease from their parents.

Nutrition

Nutrition has a crucial influence on a Cane Corso’s growth and development, and this is down to you. Feeding your Cane Corso a high-quality diet is crucial to their healthy development. High-quality meats should be the first ingredient no matter what type of diet you choose for them. And it should also contain healthy fats such as eggs, fish, or flaxseed, which are vital for puppy development.

It’s also important to feed them an age-appropriate diet for large-breed dogs. This means choosing nutrition that is specifically designed for large-breed puppies until they are 12 months old. Large dog breeds are more likely to develop hip dysplasia, which usually occurs during their developmental stages. Picking an age and size-appropriate diet can help to prevent such conditions.

Growth Spurt & Plateaus

Like genetics, this is something that you cannot control, and most Cane Corsos experience both at some point during their first 12 months. This is partly because of the substantial amount of energy they use to grow. Growth spurts and plateaus are concerning for some owners, but they are a normal part of their development and usually nothing to worry about.

Spay & Neuter

Although these procedures don’t usually impact a dog’s growth, they can impact their lifelong health and development. Doing it at the right time is vital to their health, so be sure to discuss it with your vet at some point during their first few months of life. If you do it too early, it can cause problems such as incontinence. And if you do it too late, it can increase the likelihood of certain cancers and hip dysplasia.

Physical Health & Activity

Your Cane Corso’s physical health is essential to their development and overall health. If you provide your Cane Corso with the best nutrition and medical care and have a safe and happy home, they develop into healthy adults. Cane Corsos that eat a poor diet or have an undiagnosed medical condition don’t grow as they should.

Cane Corsos are a working dog breed and need to lead an active lifestyle. Without it, they might become unhealthy, overweight, and behaviorally problematic. Adult Cane Corsos need around one hour of daily exercise. It’s important to avoid high-impact exercise as a puppy because this can affect their development, leading to joint and bone problems such as hip dysplasia.

Care

All dogs need a safe and comfortable environment to grow in and require plenty of interaction with their family. Cane Corsos who have little interaction with humans and other dogs, mental stimulation, poor training, and lack of exercise, usually develop slowly and unhealthily. Plus, they are more likely to become behaviorally problematic, which is a dangerous issue for a powerful and naturally protective dog like a Cane Corso. You need to offer your Cane Corso lots of time and effort for them to develop into a healthy and happy dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

At What Age Do Cane Corsos Stop Growing?

Most Cane Corsos reach their full size by 12 months, although some continue to fill out during their second year. However, second-year growth is not usually significant enough to notice. Remember that every dog is different and grows at their own pace, experiencing growth spurts and plateaus along the way.

How Long Do Cane Corsos Grow?

Most Cane Corsos measure anywhere between 41 and 55 inches in length. Usually, the longer the dog, the larger they are in overall size and weight. Most, if not all, Cane Corsos reach their full size, including length, by 24 months.

When Does A Cane Corso’s Head Stop Growing?

By 12 months, all the Cane Corsos features in most dogs are fully developed, including their head. It is their muscles and fat that continue to fill out, if at all. The breed standard describes their head as large, and its total length reaches approximately one-third of the height at the withers. The Cane’s chunky head is a huge part of their charm.

Final Thoughts

The Cane Corso is a large dog from puppyhood right until their senior years. They are born larger than some fully grown dog breeds, so if you want to take one of these pups on, you need to have lots of room to accommodate them. They grow at a rapid pace during the first year of their life, sometimes reaching up to 110 pounds once fully grown.

The Cane Corso is a huge breed with a very protective nature, so please be ready for their intense personality. They need an active lifestyle with plenty of human interaction. Training is a lifetime commitment, and for them to develop into healthy adults, you need to provide them with the best start to life. All of this, along with high-quality nutrition, means they should develop healthily according to the growth charts. Remember that all Cane Corsos are different, so only use the charts as a guide. And if you have any concerns, please speak to your vet.

Cane Corso looking sick laying on floor

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1 Comment

  1. I adopted 2 puppies said to be Cane Corso /Catahoula mix. I have 10 year old Komondor, and am familiar with large breed dogs. These pups are amazing. They are right on target with weight and growth charts. Potty training has been a challenge! I am going to DNA my 2 because Daisy seems to fit the formentino cane description and I am worried about future health issues. Dozer is growing faster, at 3.5 months he weighs in at 38 pounds. Daisy is 30 pounds. They are active and quite intelligent. I introduced the crate and they seem to love the security. They put themselves in the crate when they need a power nap, lol.

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