Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The main function of Cane Corso fur is to protect the organism from cold and heat and the influence of sunlight, rain, and snow. In addition, the fur protects from injuries.

There are difference between Cane Corso fur and Cane Corso hair coat:

– a double coat is referred to as a fur coat;
– a single coat, like that of the Poodle, is referred to as a hair coat.

While Cane Corso should has undercoat, its why we call it fur.

The quality of a Cane Corso fur depends on its state of health, proper nutrition, regular brushing, and hygiene. It can be improved with preparations recommended and prescribed by a veterinarian. A Cane Corso hair coat is one of the main indicators of a dog’s health. That’s why Cane Corso puppies should be used to brushing early. The undercoat protects it from climate changes and different temperatures.

When the fur is starting to change?

Starting from 3rd month of age, the Cane Corso puppy begins to change hair. From the tip of the muzzle, over the withers, and spine to the tip of the tail. This change is easily noticeable because in some places there is a harder, longer, and shinier coat that differs from the downy and less shiny coat. After the first winter period, the dog completely changes its fur. Depending on the diet and care of the dog, the color and coat are formed between the first and second years of life.

Coat color within the breed is subject to selection. The FCI and AKC standards clearly state what is and is not. Unfortunately, what is not allowed the standard does not explain to us – why it is not allowed. In some of the upcoming articles, I will explain why. Let’s get back to the fur. The standard tells us that the Cane Corso hair coat must be short, shiny, and very dense. With a slight undercoat of glassy texture.

UPDATE:

As I will talk later in the article about texture, this is mistaken in the FCI standard regarding a “slight undercoat of glassy texture”, undercoat has to be soft but the top coat is glassy in texture. These things are explained later in the article. Thank you Peppino Accrogliano’ for your sharp view!
While AKC Cane Corso standard is right about this “The coat is short, stiff, shiny, adherent and dense with a light undercoat that becomes thicker in cold weather.”

A hair coat that is too short or too long compared to the optimum usually represents disqualifying defects of the breed. Also, it should be known that the length and color of the Cane Corso fur are a unique selective genetic material. Nevertheless, through good and wrong breeding selection, many color modifications have been created, and then different dogs differ in height, hardness, shape, and color of hair. For example – Merle Cane Corso, or Carbon Cane Corso.

As the standard says, the Cane Corso body is covered with two hair coat types: top coat and undercoat (protective coat).

The top coat is always longer, thicker and coarser. It is only noticeable on the dog’s body because it covers another type of hair. The top coat gives color to the dog. The undercoat should be shorter, and thinner with a soft texture. It is the main thermal insulation and it is as much as similar in color to the top coat. Sometimes you see dogs that have a red undercoat which makes this type of shade and color on black dogs:

Mostly Cane Corso puppies, when born, are with thick or soft, so-called “mouse” hair coats. It is important to emphasize that the Cane Corso fur changes depending on the seasons and the area where the dog lives.

Some breeds have different undercoats, but the Cane Corso breed is important to us. According to the thickness, the Cane Corso hair coat can be thicker or thinner ( finer ), and according to the length, medium long and short. In addition, the hair can be straight and wavy. According to the softness, the coat can be woolly, soft, sharp, bristly, rough, with a soft and silky sheen, “dull” or without a sheen. Defining the hair length, and pigmentation (color). It is key to defining the breed, and the strict selection keeps the breed recognizable. According to the Cane Corso breed standard, long, wavy, and curly hair coats are not the breed’s characteristics.

For how long time Cane Corso hair coat growth?

Cane Corso fur growth is controlled by multiple physiological mechanisms. A dog’s hair coat does not grow continuously like a human but in certain time intervals. You should know that a Cane Corso hair coat grows for a short time, and then there is a period of rest and death. Before a new cycle begins, molting occurs. On average, it takes about 4 months for the hair to grow. Hormonal disorders, disease states, vitamin deficiencies, and parasites can lead to the parallel growth of hair and its poorer quality. If the owner suspects that the foal has a coat quality that is below average, they should seek veterinary advice.

The influence of nutrition and the external environment is of great importance for the quality of the Cane Corso fur. Dogs living outside and exposed to different weather conditions have better quality hair coat.