The Cane Corso, famously known as the Italian Mastiff, boasts a majestic appearance that makes it a mighty dog.
The dog’s athletic build, sheer size, and look can be pretty intimidating. However, Cane Corsos are intelligent, docile, and affectionate family dogs.
If you’re planning to bring a new Cane Corso puppy home, you may want to consider variations of this breed.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Formentino Cane Corso so you can decide whether or not it’s an ideal family dog.
Other articles you would like: Are Cane Corsos Hypoallergenic? and Is Your Cane Corso Too Skinny?
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What Is a Formentino Cane Corso?
A Cane Corso formentino is a distinctive Cane Corso dog breed cherished for its attention-grabbing color.
“Formentino” is an Italian word that describes fermented wheat’s color. Formentino is a dilution of the fawn (also called carbon-colored) coat.
The actual coat color of this dog is a dilution of fawn coloration with a gray or blue nose and a mask that doesn’t extend to its eyes.
Formentino Cane Corso’s eyes may be light blue or clear colored. Additionally, it has gray patches scattered over the shoulders and back.
Its coat is unique, highly desirable, and one of the rarest Cane Corsos.
If you’re seeing this dog for the first time, you may think it’s an entirely different breed. When buying a Formentino Cane Corso pup, beware of some breeders who might sell it as a different breed.
Like other Cane Corsos, this dog has a large, boxy head and short ears. Depending on how majestic a formentino Cane Corso is, it may have slightly saggy skin and rippling muscles in some spots.
Male Formentinos can stand 27.5 inches (70 cm) from the ground to the shoulder and weigh over 100 lbs (45 kg).
The Formentino lacks the brindle pattern, a common feature with its brindle cousins. People associate the brindle pattern with a longer lifespan.
As a result, the dog has a shorter lifespan, an average of 8 years, compared to the brindle Corsos which have a 10-year lifespan on average.
What To Know Before Buying a Formentino Cane Corso Puppy?
Introducing such a beautiful and precious pup to your family can be heartwarming. However, disappointments may arise if you don’t know what to expect when raising a Formentino Cane Corso puppy.
If you’re a first-time parent, avoid buying your Formentino pup from some backyard breeders who want to make a profit by selling you the wrong breed.
Visit a reputable Cane Corso breeder who’ll sell you a perfectly bred dog and take you through the history of your pup’s parents. If possible, your breeder should allow you to see the parents, and this helps you know the type of dog you’re taking home.
A Formentino is a rare dog to come by; breeders must wait for the pup to develop. The best way to arrive at a pure Formentino Cane Corso is to wait for the puppy to change its color as it develops.
Unlike smaller breeds, a Formentino pup will grow fast, and you’ll soon have a large, masculine dog at home. Puppy-proofing your home and yard will go a long way to protect your puppy from possible injuries.
The puppy will grow into an energetic and active dog that may be curious and often get into trouble.
Space matters a lot when raising a Formentino Cane Corso. The dog remains active for long hours and requires enough space to move around. Ensure you have a spacious, fenced yard where your growing pup can play.
Lastly, prepare financially because a formentino pup comes with demands you may not expect from smaller breeds. Set aside funds for Cane Corso food, training sessions, vet bills, pet insurance, leashes, collars, beds, and toys.
Formentino Cane Corso Price
The Formentino is a rare Cane Corso breed, but its a rare color, it may be cheaper than a Black Cane Corso.
Most reputable breeders charge based on Cane Corso’s health, lifespan, temperament, and form. A Formentino Cane Corso can be cheaper since it doesn’t conform to the breed’s standards.
When looking for a healthy Formentino puppy from a reputable breeder, expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000. The actual Formentino cost may be higher depending on the puppy’s pedigree.
Avoid breeders who advertise this dog as a ‘rare color’ and charge more than other Cane Corso variations.
Why Are Formentino Cane Corsos Rare?
The formentino Cane Corso is a rare dog breed because it results from recessive genes. Recessive genes are traits that lay hidden in both parents and appear in the offspring.
When two purebred formentino Cane Corsos interbreed, puppies born can be purebred formentinos.
However, it’s hard to come by, making this dog rare. Besides the formentino, there’re other rarer colors such as straw, Isabella/tawny, and chocolate/liver. Out of the three Cane Corso variations, straw Cane Corso is the rarest.
Are Formentino Cane Corsos Suitable for Children?
The Cane Corso formentino is an intelligent, docile, and affectionate dog towards everyone at home, including children. They love attention and will easily identify people who are devoted to them.
However, there’re several factors to consider when raising a Formentino Cane Corso that’s affectionate and protects your children.
Puppy socialization at an early age will be crucial in developing desirable characteristics in your dog. Socialized formentino puppies will likely grow into well-behaved ones you can trust with your children.
Expose your puppy to other dogs and more people at an early age so they can create bonds with them.
When buying your puppy, ask your breeder how the dog socializes with its litter and its exposure to bigger dogs. If the pup has problems socializing with other canines, training will help shape how it behaves around your children.
Avoid leaving the dog and your child unsupervised. Formentino Cane Corso can explode in size and will love playing around, and the dog may accidentally knock down and injure your child during play.
Formentino Cane Corso Feeding Needs
Due to their incredible sizes and love for activity, Formentinos require considerable amounts of quality food. The recommended daily amount is between 4 and 5 cups of high-quality dry food.
Use a Cane Corso feeding chart to get the proper amounts for formentino Cane Corsos of different ages and weights.
Avoid feeding your Formentino large meals at once to avoid bloating. Feed your Formentino puppy four meals a day and work down to two meals a day when it becomes an adult.
And since Cane Corsos are food-motivated, your dog may trick you into providing more food.
Overfeeding a puppy or adult Formentino Cane Corso can make it overweight and increase the odds of diabetes and arthritis.
Feed your formentino a raw diet consisting of muscle meat, raw eggs, organ meat, vegetables, fresh fruits, dairy products, and whole/ground bones.
A raw diet allows your dog to boost energy levels, have a healthier coat, and provide the necessary nutrients for growth.
Formentino Cane Corso Activity Needs
If you’re bringing a formentino Cane Corso home, brace yourself for an active dog. You should expect your Formentino to jump and run around.
You’ll always have trouble with a Cane Corso if you don’t have enough space for your dog to play. Lack of daily exercise and mental stimulation increases your dog’s physical and behavioral problems.
Your dog may chew on blankets, stare at the walls, jump up and down, become restless, and avoid people.
Take your Formentino Cane Corso out for walks, or spend time playing with it in your yard. Formentinos require about one hour of daily exercise to help them use their energy.
If your dog insists on more activity, providing it with interactive toys can help. Ensure there’s enough space for the dog to play with the toys.
Formentino Cane Corso Grooming Needs
If you don’t like brushing and combing your dog daily, a Formentino Cane Corso can be an excellent dog.
The dog has short hair and a coarse coat that doesn’t require daily grooming. However, if you want your Formentino’s coat to remain shiny and neat, brush it at least once a week. Use a slicker or soft-bristle dog brush to get the best results.
Like other Cane Corsos, formentinos are light shedders and will shed twice a year.
That means you don’t have to worry about vacuuming your house like you would with a Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd, or Chow Chow, among other heavy-shedding breeds.
Besides grooming your Formentino’s coat, you should regularly trim and grind its nails. Clean the Formentino’s ears to get rid of dirt or wax buildup. Failure to clean formentino ears may result in ear infections.
Lastly, brush your dog’s teeth regularly to maintain its dental health.
Formentino Cane Corso Health Issues
A formentino Cane Corso is generally a healthy dog, but it’s prone to the following health problems.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia in formentino Cane Corso results from the poorly developed hip joint. The hip joint deteriorates and pops out of its joint socket. A dog suffering from hip Dysplasia experiences severe pain and can create mobility issues.
If not treated early, hip dysplasia can cause arthritis. In severe cases, hip dysplasia may require surgery that can be expensive and traumatic for your dog.
Elbow Dysplasia
Similar to hip dysplasia but affecting the elbow joint. If your dog has elbow or hip dysplasia, a formulated diet can reduce the severity of the condition. A formulated diet can prevent the onset of elbow dysplasia if it’s a hereditary disease.
Eye Problems
Formentino Cane Corsos may suffer from “cherry eye,” a common term for bulging third eyelid gland. They may also suffer from ectropion and entropion, conditions relating to the eyelid hairs scrapping on their eyeballs.
Bloat
Bloat, also called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), is typical in large and deep-chested dogs.
Bloat causes your Formentino’s stomach to fill up with gas and twist around on itself. This condition cuts off blood flow to vital organs. If not treated in time, bloat in formentinos can be fatal.
Other health conditions your formentino may experience include skin allergies and demodectic mange.
Conclusion For “Formentino Cane Corso Guide”
A Formentino Cane Corso is an attractive dog, thanks to its coat which looks like a dilution of fawn coloration. Like other Cane Corsos, Formentinos are large, energetic dogs with intimidating looks.
A Formentino can be a good choice if you can handle a food-motivated, hardworking dog that requires frequent exercise.
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For more information about the Cane Corso Breed, check out the video below:
