The coat of a Cane Corso that is blue is gray. They may be any shade between white and black, and they often have white or brindle markings. While the blue Corso’s disposition is on par with those of the other standard breed colors, there is evidence to suggest that their health and lifespan are not the same. Everything you need to know about blue Cane Corso dogs, including how they get that beautiful color and whether or not it affects their personality, health, or lifespan, is covered in this in-depth guide.
The breeder has taken a like to the moniker “Mr. Grey” for this tiny blue puppy. What more can we learn about him?
The definition of a Blue Cane Corso has eluded me
The term “blue Cane Corso puppy” may also be used to describe a young dog of this breed.
- Cane Corso, the Blue King
- King Corso puppy, blue
- alternately, a baby Italian Mastiff that is blue.
A Cane Corso that has been dyed blue isn’t really blue. A blue Cane Corso is really gray, so don’t get your hopes up. The American Kennel Club officially recognizes seven colors for the Cane Corso breed:
- black
- black brindle
- gray
- gray brindle
- fawn
- red
- red brindle
- chestnut brindle
Cani Corsi are unique among dog breeds in that the breed standard explicitly refers to gray dogs as such. Dog owners often refer to gray dogs as “blue” instead of “gray.” While “gray” is the correct color for Cane Corso dogs, “blue” is still often used, so we’ll stick with that.
Blue Corsos may be any shade of gray, from light to dark, and the breed standard doesn’t assign any special weight to one over the other. A Cane Corso may also have a blue brindle coat pattern, which consists of thin, vertical stripes of gray and fawn. Additionally, the breed accepts minor white markings on the chin, neck, chest, and toes.
Genetics of the Blue Cane Corso
Puppies born to Cane Corso dogs with the dilute gene are always born blue. They produce eumelanin, the same kind of pigment a black Corso does. However, the production of pigment is inhibited by the dilute gene, resulting in a drab gray color. Puppies only show the effects of the dilute gene if they get it from both of their parents, since it is recessive. They’ll keep it to themselves if they get it from only one parent. They may pass the gene on to their kids without diluting their coat.
Blue brindle Cane Corso pups have a more complicated inheritance pattern due to the presence of gray and fawn stripes and the dilution of their primary color. In certain cases, the brindle gene is recessive to non-brindle genes and dominant in others. The sable gene is also located elsewhere in the dog’s DNA, and its existence is required for expression. While a seasoned breeder with a thorough understanding of their dogs’ family trees should be able to estimate the probability of brindle pups in their litter, it is seldom an exact science.
Lastly, the origin of the little white spots seen on certain Corsi remains a mystery. Large white spots on other breeds are caused by a different group of genes, thus the underlying genetics likely aren’t the same. However, there seems to be a familial component, indicating heredity.
Is it unusual to find a Cane Corso that is blue?
Given that color dilution is recessive, it’s unlikely that Cani Corsi would mate with complete strangers. Of course, that isn’t how it works; dog breeders carefully choose the stallion that will produce the healthiest offspring for each dam. Since the inheritance of color dilution is well established and predictable, it is easy to design breedings that will almost certainly result in blue pups.
While it’s true that certain Cane Corso breeders have a preference for one coat color over another, most experts think that temperament and health testing are much more important than coat color when it comes to choosing a mate. In a study of long-lived Cane Corsos, 13.4 percent of the dogs were blue and 11.2 percent were blue brindle, so you can imagine how common they have grown.
Characteristics of a Blue Cane Corso
The Cani Corsi breed is known for being fierce and protective. As of this writing, no correlation between blue and any other hue and observable character qualities has been established. An old strain of working mastiffs is the ancestor of a blue King Corso. They served as herders, rovers, protectors, watchdogs, and flock guardians. Intelligent, self-reliant, physically powerful, and courageous canines were the most sought after (and hence the most likely to be utilized to produce the following generation of pups). It was expected of them that they would be protective of their human relatives and friends, while yet being suspicious of strangers and sounding an alarm at any sign of an intruder.
Even now, a blue Cane Corso’s demeanor may be traced back to his heritage. They have a strong sense of familial loyalty and would do everything to safeguard their loved ones. Blue Cane Corsos may weigh up to 100 pounds as adults, yet their owners insist their cherished pets still seek out laps whenever possible. However, they are bright and independent thinkers. We used to rely on them to act on their own own, guided only by their natural impulses. Today, unskilled dog trainers frequently have a hard time getting their dog’s attention away from its natural behaviors and onto them. As adult Corsi may weigh up to 90 pounds, they are no little dog. This is why a lot of people say that they aren’t the best choice for a first dog.
Sustaining a healthy Blue Cane Corso
Blue Corsi are susceptible to the same parasites, injuries, and obesity that affect dogs of all breeds throughout their lives. Additionally, they have an increased predisposition to following genetic disorders:
- Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip socket bone, which leads to arthritis, pain and lameness. Over 1 in 3 Cani Corsi are estimated to have some degree of hip dysplasia, placing them among the most severely affected dog breeds.
- Elbow dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia is a malformation of the elbow joint. Approximately 1 in 5 Cosri are affected.
- Shoulder problems. Cani Corsi are also vulnerable to painful joint problems in their shoulder. Approximately 1 in 25 Corsi are affected.
- Degenerative myelopathy. Degenerative myelopathy is a hereditary neurological condition which gradually paralyses the hind legs. At the time of writing there is no treatment for it. Roughly 1 in 25 Cani Corsi are affected.
- Color dilution alopecia. This condition is directly related to expressing the dilute gene which makes them gray. Through a mechanism currently unknown, some hair follicles ‘self destruct’, causing bald patches in their coat.
- Autoimmune thyroiditis.
- Cancer.
- Heart disease.
- Bloat.
Several of these problems are orthopedic problems, which are largely attributable to their enormous size. The most meaningful ways in which you can protect against them are to:
- Choose a puppy from health tested parents.
- Keep them at a lean, healthy weight.
- Provide lots of physical activity to maintain good body condition.
When fully mature, how long do blue Cani Corsi live?
Researchers have looked at the correlation between Cani Corsi coat color and longevity more than in any other dog breed. These are the results for a sample size of 232 canines:
- Blue dogs lived for 9 years on average.
- The oldest survived to 17 years old, and half died sometime between their 6th and 10th birthdays.
- For blue brindle Cane Corso puppies the outlook was slightly improved. They lived for 9 years and 10 months on average, and half died between their 7th and 11th birthday.
- For comparison, the average lifespan of all Cani Corsi taken together was 9 years 3 months.
- The color with the longest average lifetime was black brindle (10 years 4 months).
Researchers have identified a set of genetic markers shared by the Cane Corsos with the greatest lifespans, suggesting that offspring of these dogs would likewise live longer on average. There is now evidence that these genes are more prevalent in brindle breeding lines than solid blue ones.
Price of a blue Cane Corso, please
Cane Corsi pups may be purchased for £1,000 (about $1,500) as of June 2022. These costs should include for things like veterinarian care for mom and her pups, supplementary food for mom and her puppies, a big enough nursery, etc., as well as any necessary health testing for both parents. Puppies with a history of show success in their family tree and early indications of similar success get the highest prices.
Normal gray Cane Corso pups shouldn’t cost more from reputable breeders. This is because dishonest breeders will seek them out in order to profit from the trait’s easy duplication. These people are sometimes referred to as “puppy farmers,” and the pups they produce often have undesirable behavioral and/or health issues.
In reference to your Blue Cane Corso
Due to the dilution of the black pigment in their fur, a blue Cane Corso appears gray. About 25% of all Corsi pups are either blue or blue brindle. Their personalities are standard for the breed, but they run the danger of developing color dilution alopecia. On average, a Blue Corsi may expect to live between 9 and 10 years of age, and a blue brindle dog is likely to live longer than a solid blue dog. People with dog-training knowledge and plenty of free time would be most suited to owning this breed.
Do you have a blue Cane Corso already? If you have any, please share them with us in the comments area. I need to know their name.