Owning a pet is not cheap, especially when owning a Cane Corso. These puppies come at a price, and it doesn’t stop after the initial purchase. There are many additional maintenance costs. But what do you need to pay for?
Let’s talk you through the cost of owning a Cane Corso dog.
Cane Corsos are relatively rare, so you can expect to pay a high price. The price will also differ from breeder to breeder, and buying a purebred is more expensive than a pup from a shelter.
Cane Corso prices in Australia can be anything between $1,500 – $4,000 for puppies, depending on breeders. If the puppies come from show-quality and purebred parents, you could pay around $5,000 and $8,000.
There are two main options for buying a Cane Corso in Australia, and the price range between them varies quite dramatically. The first is to buy through a registered breeder, and you can expect to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000 for a well-bred Cane Corso puppy, depending on breeder reputation, lineage, and more. If you’re lucky enough to find a Cane Corso in an adoption shelter, the price is usually much lower, averaging $300 – $800.
Given this price range, it can be tempting to buy from an unregistered breeder, but this is something you should avoid at all costs. Unregistered breeders often lack proper health screening and don’t tend to follow best breeding practices, which can lead to behavioural and health issues down the track. So, make sure you only ever buy a Cane Corso (or any other dog) breed from a registered breeder or through a shelter.
A Cane Corso puppy being sold by a reputable breeder registered with the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) will set you back around $3,000 – $7,000. Things like pedigree, lineage, and even coat colour go into determining this price, and we’ll look at these in more detail further down the page.
It’s quite rare to find Cane Corsos in adoption shelters, but if you do come across one, you’ll likely pay between $300 and $800 in adoption fees. This fee will usually include vaccinations, microchipping, desexing, and basic training, and younger dogs are likely to be priced higher than older dogs.
There are a few different factors that determine how much each Cane Corso is priced at, including:
The breeder’s reputation plays a huge role in pricing, and breeders who are registered with the ANKC will follow ethical breeding practices, socialise puppies, and conduct health screenings on both the parents and pups to check for hereditary diseases. All of these things add up to a higher cost, which will be reflected in the price of the puppy.
Another thing that will influence the price is whether or not the Cane Corso comes from a family with champion bloodlines or from imported European genetics, both of which will push the price up towards the $7,000 mark. Likewise, working-line Cane Corsos that have been bred for protection work or competitive dog sports may also demand a higher price.
The most common Cane Corso colours in Australia are black, fawn, and brindle. However, they also come in colours like light grey and stag red, each of which is still recognised by the ANKC breed standards but will fetch a much higher price due to their rarity.
Naturally, puppies will cost more than older Cane Corsos, simply because there is more demand for them. Older dogs (usually considered as 6 months old and above) tend to come with a reduce price tag, especially those found in shelters as they are typically much harder to rehome and may have medical issues requiring more expense in ongoing care.
Those are only the initial purchase costs of a Cane Corso. You’ll also need to think about the essential items they need to be happy, comfortable, and healthy, some of which are one-off purchases and others ongoing expenses. Here’s a general breakdown of what to budget for:
Dog crate: $150 – $300 for a heavy-duty, XXL crate made from a material like steel or aluminium.
Dog bed: $80 – $150 for a supportive bed with memory foam padding that can support a Cane Corso’s joints.
Dog collar/lead: $40 – $80 for a strong, wide collar or a martingale collar or harness that is designed to avoid excessive pressure on the neck and give you more control when walking.
Feeding bowl: $20 – $50 for a non-tip, slow-feeder bowl to prevent rapid eating, bloating, and digestive issues.
Dog toothbrush: $15 – $40 for a dog-specific toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste.
Dog car harness: $50 – $100 for a crash-tested safety harness strong enough to restrain a Cane Corso during car journeys.
Puppy treats: $10 – $50 per month for natural training treats and freeze-dried meats or natural chews for mental stimulation.
Puppy training pads: $20 – $60 for large disposable or washable puppy pads used for house training.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $20 – $60 for a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo designed for dogs with sensitive skin.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $30 – $70 for a rubber curry brush to keep your Cane Corso’s coat looking shiny and clippers to keep their nails in good condition.
Considering an adult Cane Corso should weigh 45kg – 60kg, depending on their size and sex, they’ll need around 1kg of food per day. This means, following the different diet types below, the average monthly cost of feeding a Cane Corso could be between $75 – $300.
The actual price will vary depending on your dog’s age (with puppies eating less), the diet you choose, the food quality, and the brand. Portion size will also affect the price, and the best thing you can do is consult your vet for diet and portion size advice tailored for your Cane Corso.
It’s easy to think that you’ll only ever need to go to a vet if your Cane Corso becomes ill or has an accident. But there are year-round routine procedures and preventative care that you’ll also need to budget for to keep your dog healthy. These include:
Annual vet checkups: $80 – $150 for a weight check, wellness advice, general check up, and detection of early issues like dilated cardiomyopathy or hip dysplasia.
Vaccinations: $100 – $250 per year for routine vaccinations and additional boosters.
Worming and parasite protection: $10 – $30 per month to protect your Cane Corso against fleas, ticks, and various nasty worms.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $300 – $600 per procedure, depending on the extent of the work needed.
Pet insurance: $50 – $100 per month, with the higher end covering things like treatment for pre-existing conditions and emergency medical care.
Because Cane Corsos have short coats, they don’t need brushing or grooming as much as longer haired dogs. However, professional grooming is still recommended every few months to take care of their skin and prevent issues like hot spots, dermatitis, and impetigo. Here are some average costs for grooming:
Hydrobath prices: $40 – $80 for a thorough wash and rinse with a medicated shampoo designed to prevent certain skin conditions from forming.
Full groom prices: $60 – $100 for a wash with medicated shampoo, blow-dry, skin conditioning treatment, ear cleaning, and nail trim.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $30 – $60 for a quick tidy up of the ears, nails, and any facial folds.
When fully grown, Cane Corso are big, strong dogs, and if they aren’t properly trained, they can develop behavioural issues like safeguarding or aggression. This means training is absolutely essential, and there are different courses available, each with its own average pricing:
Basic obedience training prices: $200 – $500 for a multi-week course that covers commands like sit and stay, as well as recall, impulse control, and lead walking.
Puppy training class prices: $150 – $300 for a 6-week program designed to focus on socialisation, interaction, confidence-building, and basic good manners.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $80 – $200 for a private session focused on specific issues like reactivity, protection, and excessive barking.
There’s no doubt that owning a Cane Corso comes with a hefty price tag, not only in the initial purchase price but with ongoing food, training, and grooming costs. Over the course of a Cane Corso’s 9 -12 year lifespan, these costs add up to a significant amount, so you’ll need to be confident that you’re able to foot the bill for this long. If you are, you’ll have a loyal, devoted, and well-behaved that will bring you years of joy!
The Cane Corso dog is a wonderful breed; they are popular and, therefore, rather costly. Various factors contribute to their high price.
The Cane Corso breed comes in multiple colours, some common and others rare. A Cane Corso puppy with an Isabella, Chocolate, Liver, or straw coat will cost you much more since these coat colours are extremely rare.
Finding a black or a fawn Cane Corso is much easier, so these pups will not cost you as much.
If the puppy comes from a strong bloodline, then you can expect to pay a hefty price as this doggo is unique and has an elite lineage, meaning that this pup will likely be as fantastic as his parents are.
There is also a price difference between mixed and purebred.
It also costs to ship the dog over to you. If you are in Sydney, Australia, and the pup is kilometres and kilometres away, it will cost you. It also depends on how rare or easy it is to get the breed in your area.
Purchase a baby doggo from a registered and reputable breeder who has registered the pup and has registration papers, early socialization and training, and pre-adoption health screenings. The price may be higher.
You also know that you are buying a healthy pup from somebody reliable and trustworthy, so it is worth it!
People who breed dogs should have paperwork for everything, including worming, shots, and any potential health problems. Both the parents and the puppies should have papers. A good breeder will have the time to answer all of your questions.
Also, ask about the temperament of the parent dogs, ask for references, and ask to tour the breeding facility to see if it is a good place. Choose a transparent breeder who shows that they care for their puppies and where they’ll land.
There are many more costs involved in owning a dog other than the upfront fee of buying the dog. You should expect to pay about $4,500 – $5,000 in the pup’s first year as they require training, check-ups, supplies, vaccinations and more.
After their first year, your Cane Corso will likely cost you $2,000 annually.
This magnificent breed is a large breed, meaning they eat quite a lot. Budget around $500 – $600 for food for your pup every year.
Your pup’s first year of medical expenses and vet care will likely cost you $600 – $800. Some vet fees can be around $1,000 as a Cane Corso is a large dog. However, the healthier the pup, the less vet care they will need.
Pet insurance is essential as it can ease these fees and give you a safety net.
The grooming needs of Cane Corso are minimal as they are low maintenance; you can brush their coat on your own. However, you can opt for a professional groomer from time to time and expect to pay $75 – $100 for each visit.
Cane Corso’s are amongst one of the most expensive dog breeds, but their incredible nature and temperament make it all worth it. You will surely have big, cuddly, and protective dogs. The breed is desirable in Australia, so you will be lucky to get your hands on one.
Having a dog is a rather big investment here in Australia. Adult dogs and puppies have their own feeding, grooming, medical, and leisure needs that come at a price. Before committing to one, you must make yourself aware of all the costs involved in owning a Cane Corso.
It is an expensive breed, so you need to know what you are getting yourself into. However, owning one will probably be the best decision you ever make!
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