Cane Corso Grooming Guide
Bathing, Ears, Coat & Teeth

by Ken Alden

Cane Corso grooming is a somewhat difficult task that requires proper knowledge to excel in. Since all Cane Corsos bear a short double coat, their grooming requires special attention, and their size can make things a bit of a challenge.

Cane Corso Grooming Tips...

• Proper baths using dog shampoo should be given every 4-7 weeks.
• Brushing it's coat and teeth should be done at least 2-3 times a week.
• Clean nose and mouth using cotton or a napkin every other day.
• Their nails need to be trimmed with a dog clipper every 2 weeks.

So what’s the best way to groom a Cane Corso? Well for starters, Cane Corsos are very active and usually don’t stand still for grooming sessions. It’s preferred for Cane Corso puppies to be trained for grooming, either by commanding or offering treats, making the job a whole lot easier when they grow up. 

Grooming Cane Corsos can be tough. You could consider taking them to a vet, but that option is quite expensive. Plus, your dog might not even like it there. That’s why grooming them at home is a good idea. All you need is a proper guide and some handy tools! 

Let’s start with some bathing tips! Read More Below...

Pro-tip: Ever try lifting a Cane Corso? Their weight can hurt not only your back but their joints when they hop down from cars, sofas or even your bed. To protect your back and theirs check out the best Mastiff ramps on Amazon.com now.

How Often Do You Bathe A Cane Corso?

Cane Corsos need to be bathed every 30 days or so, but if your dog gets dirty from playing in the lawn, never hesitate to give him a bath. Their coat may be short, but it’s really thick and resilient to cold weather. Besides, a dirty coat is the main source of infection in most dogs.

Molting on your dog’s coat might occur once or twice a year. During this time, make sure to bath your pooch once every 6-7 days to ensure proper hygiene.

Now that we know how often Cane Corsos need a bath, let’s jump in and learn a few Cane Corso grooming quick tips that can make your job as easy as pie.

Cane Corso Dog Bath Prep Work

Always remember that Cane Corsos are reluctant to bathing. So you might want to speed up the process as much as possible. You can actually groom your pooch in a couple of minutes if you’ve prepped everything before starting.

Your Cane Corso will make a run for it as soon as you leave the bathroom to pick up something. And it only gets worse if you’re gone after giving a bath.

If you want to avoid having a soaking wet house, bring a towel, shampoo & napkin to the bathroom. Fill the tub with lukewarm water before beginning. It’s the little things that make this task effortless. 

Bath Commands

Cane Corsos are known to be pretty bossy and stubborn. They’ll try to leave the bathtub if you don’t give them a strict command. Try teaching your dog to not only remain calm but listen to your orders. Be firm with the dog, let them know you’re going to give them a bath regardless of how they feel. They need to comprehend this situation, and it’s your job to help them do so. 

Fill The Tub Beforehand

It’s a fact we’ve mentioned before and you’ve probably understood by now; Cane Corsos don’t like water. So naturally, it makes them less inclined to come inside the bathroom when a tap is running. A much better option is to run the bath beforehand. Wait a couple of minutes, grab all the necessary items and then call your dog in.

Cane Corsos are quite smart and won’t be tricked the same way many times, but if you’re sneaky enough, you can pull this off. Just make sure to be assertive and dominant when ordering them to get in the bath after this.

Use The Sink For Puppies

Bathtubs are great for adult bathing, but when they’re little pups, always use a sink. Bathtubs are 5 times the height of an average Cane Corso puppy. It’s terrifying for any dog to be surrounded by rushing water in an area several times their size. 

If you don’t want your puppy to be uncomfortable the whole time it’s bathing, we’d strongly suggest using the sink or a shower pipe in the bathtub with an open drain. It’s just for the first 2 months, and your Cane Corso will grow to a size fit for bathtubs in no time. Besides, if you traumatize a puppy with bathing when it’s little, they’ll end up being stubborn and non-cooperative forever.

Place A Towel In The Bathtub

Dogs usually don’t like the texture of a ceramic bathtub, especially when they’re wet and lathered with soap. To prevent them from falling over or trying to escape, place a towel at the bottom of your bathtub. It gives your dog a good grip and they wouldn’t mind bathing as much. 

Use Two Towels

This is a simple trick you can do to avoid the dog wetting your entire home. As soon as you’re done rinsing the soap off your Cane Corso’s coat, throw a towel on their back. This will absorb the dripping water. Order your dog to shake the remaining water away and then dry them with a fresh towel. 

Use Warmer Water

Warmer water helps clean away loose but undetached hair on your dog. This significantly reduces the quantity of hair your pooch sheds around the house. Just don’t use water that’s too hot. Dogs have a lower temperature tolerance than humans. 

Pro-tip: Cane Corso anxiety, aggression, destructive chewing, jumping up, fearfulness, and other behaviors can be controlled with the right training program.

Here’s a great course that addresses these issues along with many other dog training basics: Check it out now!

What’s The Best Cane Corso Shampoo?

Shampoos with a pH of 7 are preferred since they match Cane Corso’s skin’s pH. Acidic shampoos can damage their hair and cause bleaching and fading of color. Slightly basic shampoos also work, but they’re not as effective. 

To help you out, we’ve collected a list of best dog shampoos for your Cane Corso;

Buddy Wash Relaxing Green Tea & Bergamot Dog Shampoo (from Amazon)

It’s formulated with botanical extracts and is free from soap. This is a 2-in-1 shampoo-conditioner, which makes the task much easier. 

4-Legger’s Hypo-Allergenic, Organic Lemongrass Shampoo (from Amazon)

This one is for dogs who are often prone to allergies. It’s non-toxic and contains a blend of essential oils. 

Pet Pleasant Natural Puppy Shampoo with Lavender Essential Oil 
(from Amazon)

This is good for Cane Corso puppies. It’s free from dyes and perfumes. It also has a natural, tearless formula. 

Cane Corso Coat Care Tips

Now on to the coat.

Cane Corso has a rather dense, waterproof coat with two layers. It has a soft undercoat followed by a short, coarse topcoat. The coats are usually in contrast color and should be naturally glossy.

To achieve that shine, your Cane Corso needs a little grooming every now and then. We’ve mentioned before that Cane Corsos require 3-4 brushing sessions per week. This should remove any loose hair. 

Cane Corsos don’t really shed for most months. Yes, you may find a hair here and there, but it’s pretty negligible when compared to other breeds like Pomeranians, Labradors or Golden Retrievers. But they do shed like crazy during molting periods. The molting period usually occurs twice a year, during fall and spring as the dog sheds the older coat for a thicker or thinner coat that is appropriate to the season. Daily grooming is really essential during this period. Brushing once a day is a must.

For the shedding season, you can purchase a shedding blade. This nifty tool helps clear heavy tufts of topcoat. Brushing after bathing is a good idea.

If the topcoat is already damaged or feels rougher than usual, you can buy the Healthy Breeds Cane Corso Avocado Herbal Spray (from Amazon)

This particular spray is formulated using natural avocadoes. It’s known to cool and hydrate the skin while giving soothing relief to dry patches and flea bites. You can use it as often as you need to, and there’s no formal routine you have to follow.

Speaking of flea bites, whenever grooming your Cane Corso, make sure to inspect for any fleas or lice. You might notice some changes in the dog’s behavior such as exasperation and extreme itching. If you spot this and find flea or lice, quickly buy a treatment such as Vet’s Best Flea + Tick Natural Home Spray (from Amazon)

Use the spray and make sure you don’t miss a spot. Wait for about 30-40 minutes and give your dog a long bath followed by proper brushing. 

                              Learn even more about these topics....

• This page of ours discusses Cane Corso shedding control
• This helpful page on this site delves even further into flea and tick control

Cane Corso Ear Cleaning Tips

Earwax and mud, amongst other debris, easily accumulate in a Cane Corso’s ear. This can lead to many ear infections and hearing problems. That’s why you should clean your Cane Corso’s ears every 3-4 days.

An easy trick to cleaning your dog’s ears is to grab a cotton ball, dip it in oil (olive, almond, coconut, etc) and start cleaning around the earflaps before carefully moving to the inner part. If you haven’t cleaned your dog’s ears for a while and notice a build-up that could potentially become an infection, call your vet straight away. If they allow you, you can use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to clean your Cane Corso’s ears. 

If you’re looking for safer and better options, ear drops are a bright idea. Here are our picks for the best ear care products;

Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone (from Amazon)

This is one of the bestselling ear cleaning products for dogs. It contains 1% hydrocortisone which can treat inflammation of the ears and acts as an antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral solution. 

Beaphar Ear Drops for Cats and Dogs (from Amazon)

They’re safe for both cats and dogs. They can tackle wax buildup, ear mites, and many other issues effectively.   

Aroma Care - Dog Ear Cleaner Wipes (from Amazon)

These wipes give a drop-free solution to ear cleaning. They can easily remove any sort of buildup, however, they’re only suitable for adults dogs over the age of 3 months. 

Cleaning Cane Corso’s Nose and Eyes

When it comes to Cane Corso grooming this breed naturally sees an accumulation of purulent discharge in their eye corners, even if they’re totally healthy. To remove this discharge, use a napkin or some sort of thin fabric. Don’t use cotton balls, as its fibers can be irritating to eyes. 

Similarly, if there’s any discharge in or around the nose, use a soft fabric or tissue to wipe it instead of cotton, which just makes the dog sneeze a lot.

Pro-tip: Cane Corso's (and their owners) love dog crates…and for good reasons. Crates keep dogs from mischief while you're away, are perfect for house training, for traveling by car, and provide the dog a place to de-stress. Check out the best Mastiff crates on Amazon.com now.

Cane Corso Teeth Cleaning Tips

Dental health is a very significant part of Cane Corso grooming as well as its health and wellness. Cane Corsos are the most prone to dental issues and can contract many oral diseases if their dental health is neglected. 

Here’s a couple of tips regarding your dog’s dental health;

• Schedule a yearly dental cleaning visit with your veterinarian, asking for a thorough check-up and oral cleaning.
• Brushing needs to be done every 2-3 days minimum. This is essential in preventing tartar and plaque buildup.
• You can brush any way your dog feels comfortable. It doesn’t matter if it’s up-down, zig-zag or circular motion. Just make sure to brush every part.
• Don’t worry if brushing doesn’t go according to plan. It’s a weird sensation for any dog, let alone a stubborn one. The trick is choosing the right sized brush and dog toothpaste.
• Never use human toothpaste. That contains chemicals toxic to dogs.
• Buying quality dental chews also does the job. It makes the dog’s breath fresher, prevents tartar buildup, saves from decay and strengthens teeth. Dogs liking dental chews is a bonus, too.
• Lastly, feed quality food. Find tasty treats that do not stick to teeth and cause decay. Avoid by-products and grains. Go for foods that are a part of a dog’s natural diet.
  
  

Cane Corso Nail Trimming Tips

Cane Corsos are very vigorous breeds. They walk around all the time, and as such, don’t need regular nail trimming. But if your Cane Corso stays at home a lot, its nails will grow faster and excessive in size. Breaking a nail is extremely painful and is very common in overgrown nails.

Cutting a Cane Corso’s nails is no easy task. It’s best done by professional groomers and vets. But if you’re planning to do it yourself, follow the steps below;

1. Before you begin, clean the legs and paws of your pooch.
2. Bring a bright source of light with you, like a lamp or LED torch.
3. Grab a dog nail trimmer and some pet treats
4. Sit on the floor, make sure the place is well-lit.
5. Take one leg and place it under the light.
6. Carefully find the point where the vein of the claw lies.
7. Cut the front part of the claw just before the vein is seen.
8. Give your dog a treat after each nail you trim.
9. Repeat this for all the other claws.
   

Just make sure to use a nail trimmer that gets a swift, clean clip. If you don’t have one, you can order the Epica Professional Dog Nail Clipper (from Amazon) It’s one of the best nail clippers in the market, has stainless steel clipping blades and had a protective design that prevents overcutting. This tool makes nail trimming much easier when trying to trim the nails of this large breed.

In Between Time Maintenance...

Since everyday isn't bath day, you'll need to do a bit of Cane Corso grooming by brushing your dogs coat in order to reduce shedding and dander. We recommend doing this at least 2-3 times a week and even daily during shedding season.

Here's a few glove and brush recommendations...

Best Grooming Brush For Cane Corso

Ruff 'n Ruffus Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush (from Amazon)

Unlike Cane Corso grooming gloves, slicker brushes can untangle any knots and mats. They can penetrate deeper than just the topcoat and help in removing loose hair lying on the skin. The also collect debris found in the skin, in case you don’t have time for a proper shower. The brushes are also great at stopping mat formation. However, you should go to the vet if there’s a large, really complex knot.

Pet Grooming Brush (from Amazon)

De-shedding tools are only to be used occasionally (and cautiously). They’re wonderful during shedding season and during molting, but they can damage your dog’s skin and coat otherwise. De-shedding tools can be harmful to puppies as well as adults. It’s better to consult your vet about this and buy a de-shedding tool specifically designed for short-haired dogs.

Pet Grooming Glove (from Amazon)

Grooming gloves are an amazing tool for caring for short-haired dogs. They might not be good at dealing with mats or knots in the hair, but using them often can prevent them from forming. Gloves are designed to pick up loose hair and dirt from the topcoat, efficaciously reducing the chance of infection and cleaning accumulation of loose hair. And as a plus, your dog will feel like it’s being massaged or petted. Who said grooming couldn’t be a bonding moment?

Just like with bathing, Cane Corso grooming should be a fun experience. From the time when they’re puppies, train them to like being brushed and sprayed. Give them treats. Take them out for a walk after it. You could make it a positive experience that your dog cherishes.  

Cane Corso Grooming...Final Thoughts

When it comes to grooming your Cane Corso it need not be a big project especially if you have the right products and a grooming system in place.

The first time might be a bit of a challenge because of inexperience but once you've done it a few times it will get easier each time, especially when you think of all the money saved by not taking your dog to the groomer. 

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I’m Ken Alden. This website
is a labor of love from years of research and personal experiences with Mastiffs.

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