The blue brindle Cane Corso is absolutely beautiful. It has a gray coat with black stripes, which gives it a striking appearance. It’s one of the most unique Cane Corso colors, but there are some things you should know before choosing a blue brindle Cane Corso.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso Facts
The blue brindle Cane Corso is a magnificent dog. It’s formidable in size and demeanor. It’s large size, heavily muscled body, and protective temperament can make the Corso appear intimidating. However, they are also very loyal, and will protect their family with their life if necessary.
The Blue Controversy
You’ll see some breeders claiming to have “blue brindle” dogs, and others claiming there’s no such thing. It turns out, this is simply a matter of semantics, or the meaning of the word.
Many breeds have an official blue breed color, although the actual color is gray, instead of blue. This is likely because blue sounds cooler than gray, and the colors are closely related.
When it comes to the Cane Corso, blue isn’t the official color. Instead, the AKC lists it as gray. So, when someone mentions a blue brindle Cane Corso, it’s actually officially gray.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso
Now that you know what is meant by blue, let’s take a look at the blue brindle coloring. Blue Corsos have two copies of the recessive gene that dilutes eumelanin. Eumelanin is what gives black Corsos their color.
Grey Corsos produce eumelanin just as black Corsos do. However, because they have the dilute gene, the color shows up as gray or blue.
Imagine mixing black paint with white, and you’ll have an understanding of the blue Corso color.
Brindle coloring is also a gene. It is a pattern gene, instead of a color gene. This gene causes black strips to appear over the base color, which is blue in a blue brindle.
The brindle coloring can be light or dark. It can also appear as reverse brindle, which causes the dog to look black, with blue stripes. In either case, a blue brindle dog will have a blue base, and black stripes. Reverse brindle only refers to how the dog looks.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso History
The Cane Corso breed began in ancient Greece. The Corso and its close relation, the Italian Mastiff, are believed to have came from the original mollosians.
The Romans discovered the breed, and brought them back home to Rome. Eventually, they fought alongside soldiers in the Macadeonion War.
After the wars were over, the Corsos found other ways to benefit the Romans. They were excellent guard dogs, helped with livestock, and hunters.
It was thought they became extinct in the 1900s. However, they were rediscovered by chance during the 1970s. Since then, breeders in love with the Corso have worked to reestablish the breed.
The first club for the breed was established in Italy in 1983, Society Amorati Cane Corso (Society of Cane Corso Lovers) was founded.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso Price
The price of a Cane Corso can vary greatly. A few things that affect price are the dog’s age, whether it is registered, and their blood line. Of course, color also impacts the price.
The average cost of a Cane Corso is $1500 to $2000, with some costing as much as $6,000.
Gray Corsos are the most expensive, at about $3,000 for a puppy. Brindle Corsos are typically a bit less expensive, at $2,100. A blue brindle Corso can cost between $2,000-$3,000 for a registered puppy.
Adults and unregistered puppies will be less expensive. An unregistered gray brindle Corso can cost as little as $1,000-$1,500. Adult gray brindle Corsos can cost about $2,000-$3,000.
Of course, puppies from prized bloodlines will also be more expensive. A blue brindle Cane Corso from a prestigious blood line can cost as much as $6,000.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso Rarity
Blue Brindle Cane Corsos are more rare than most colors. The brindle pattern isn’t that rare, but the blue coloring is.
Brindle is a dominant gene. A parent can have one brindle gene and one solid color gene, or two brindle genes. If two brindle parents have puppies, at least half of the puppies should be brindle. If the parents have two brindle genes each, they will only have brindle puppies.
The gray coloring is a bit more difficult to achieve. Blue brindle puppies require two dogs with the black gene, who also have the dilute gene. Because the dilute gene is recessive, both parents must have the gene for the puppies to be gray.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso Life expectancy
Cane Corsos have a life expectancy of 9-12 years. Brindle Corsos typically live a bit longer than other colors.
The black brindle Corso lives the longest, an average of 10.3 years, with other brindle Corsos living 10 years on average. Solid color Corsos have a lower life expectancy, at around 9 years.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso Size and weight
The average Corso weighs about 100 pounds. Their weight ranges from 90 to 120 pounds. Generally, the males are a bigger at 25-28 inches tall. Females are typically 23-26 inches tall.
They are surprisingly agile, with large bones and a heavily muscled body. with weights ranging from 90 to 120 pounds. Males are usually 25-28 inches tall, and females grow to 23 to 26 inches.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso Health
The blue brindle Cane Corso is prone to a few health problems. Most of these problems affect the breed as a whole, while a few are related to their blue coloring.
Joint Problems
Joint problems are a common problem for larger dog breeds, including the Corsos. These include hip and elbow dysplasia and arthritis. Genetic screening can determine the risk of your dog developing these conditions.
Eye Conditions
Corsos are prone to a few eye conditions. These include cherry eye, Entropion and Ectropion. Cherry eye occurs when the tear gland in the third eyelid swells, causing a red mass to form. Entropion and Ectropion are eyelid conditions.
Bloat
All large or barrel chested breeds are at a higher risk of bloat. Bloat is a life threatening condition. When bloat occurs, the gas in the stomach can’t be released. Gas continues to build, causing pressure in the stomach to increase.
If it’s not treated, this pressure can cause the stomach to twist, which can be fatal. The causes of bloat aren’t completely understood. However, it is known that eating too quickly can increase the risk along with breed.
Skin Problems
Generally, Cane Corsos aren’t prone to skin issues. Blue Corsos are the exception to this. The dilute gene makes them prone to skin issues that aren’t a concern with other colors.
Conditions like mange and skin allergies are common for blue Corsos. They may also develop Color Dilution Alopecia, or CDA.
This causes patches of hair thinning or hair loss. This can also cause flaky or itchy skin. The condition is hereditary, so dogs with CDA shouldn’t be bred.
Blue Brindle Cane Corso Behavior/Characteristics
The blue brindle Cane Corso is a great dog for families if they are properly trained and socialized.
Temperament
They are very protective, which is no surprise. They were bred to be guard dogs, after all. Even though they are highly protective, they are not aggressive.
In fact, they do very well on the American Temperament test. This test reveals the dogs’ aggression level and other factors. 88% of Corsos pass this test, compared to 85% of Golden Retrievers.
They are also known to be calm in new situations. This calmness is one of their best features. They truly are like canine bodyguards. A bit reserved and always calm under stress. However, when needed, they will defend their owner with gusto.
Personality
Remember that each Cane Corso has its own personality. No two Corsos are exactly alike, just as no two humans are the same. It’s important to get to know your dog, in addition to what you can learn about the personality of the breed in general.
Some Corsos are very calm and reserved, and arent’ interested in playing games. Others will happily fetch a ball until your arm gets tired. Some are enthusiastic, while others are laid back.
How to care for a Blue Brindle Cane Corso
Caring for a blue brindle Cane Corso takes a lot of work. They require plenty of mental and physical exercise, and they must have a job to do.
Head of the Pack
To care for a Cane Corso, you’ll need to establish yourself as head of the pack. You must earn your dog’s respect and affection. Corsos typically have a calm demeanor, and they respond to calm but authorative owners.
Training
The blue brindle Cane Corso is a formidable canine. They are excellent dogs, but they must be trained well. It’s important to train them early, before they reach their full size.
Start with basic commands, like sit, stay, and drop it. As they grow, you won’t be able to force them to do things. Of course, this isnt’ a way to interact with your dog anyway. By training them early and well, you will know they will be well behaved as they grow.
Socializiation
Socialization is essential for Cane Corsos. Because they are extremely protective, they must know what to protect against. If you don’t teach them friend from foe, they will form their own opinions, which may be very different from yours.
If they are introduced to other dogs and people from a young age, they will be accepting of strange people and dogs as they get older.
However, if they aren’t socialized, they may become aggressive when they encounter someone they don’t know.
Exercise and Stimulation
Cane Corsos need 1 to 2 hours of exercise each day. This can include walks or play sessions. They also need mental stimulation. Playing games with them and obstacle courses provide both mental and physical exercise.
Puzzle toys and training can also provide them with the mental activity they need.
Give Them a Job
Lastly, Corsos need a job to do. This can be fairly simple. Learning new tricks or commands can give them a sense of accomplishment and usefulness.
They are excellent guard dogs, and this is an ideal job for them. They are also great hunting companions, and can even help out around the farm.
How do you buy a Blue Brindle Cane Corso?
When buying a blue brindle Cane Corso, you have a few options. The easiest method is to find a reputable breeder. You can also contact shelters in your area, although it may be difficult to find a blue brindle Corso this way. This is because they are a rarer color.
Deciding if the Cane Corso is Right for You
The first step is to decide if you can care for a Cane Corso properly. They are excellent dogs, but they do have needs and requirements. You’ll need to be firm but calm, and spend time training and socializing them.
You’ll need an area for them to exercise. This may be a large yard, or a local dog park. Walks are great, but they require off leash time to be at their best.
Finding a Breeder
If you want to buy a blue brindle Cane Corso, your best bet is to find a reputable breeder. There’s a few steps to this. You can easily find breeders by performing a eGoogle search.
However, you’ll need to be sure they are reputable. Start by checking out their website. If you are comfortable with them, it’s time to speak to them.
Ask them what measures they take to breed healthy pups, and the conditions the dogs live in. You should ask if they are a member of a club, like the Cane Corso National Breed Club, or CCAA.
You’ll also need to ask if the puppies or parents are AKC registered. Lastly, you’ll need to visit the puppies home. This will let you know if they are breeding and caring for the dogs correctly.
Corso Costs
Lastly, be sure that you have the money to buy and care for your Corso. In addition to purchasing the dog itself, you’ll need to buy the things they will need.
This may include food, a dog bed, and toys. They will also need a vet visit. Another factor to consider is any unexpected costs. If your pooch gets sick or injured, you may find yourself with an expensive bill to care for them.