Do Cane Corsos tolerate hot weather?

Cane Corso are imposing dogs that are becoming more and more popular all over the world. Because they originated in southern Italy, a warm climate, many dog owners assume that Cane Corso can tolerate hot weather well or even like it. But is this true? In this article, we will go into more detail about whether Cane Corsos like warm weather and when it gets too hot for them.

Cane Corsos have hardly any undercoats and very short coats, so they tolerate warm or hot weather better than breeds with dense undercoat. But from temperatures of 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit (20-25 degrees Celsius), you should take care of your Cane Corso because they also can not regulate their body temperature by sweating but only by heavy panting.

Do Cane Corsos like warm weather?

Cane Corsso definitely like warm weather much better than cold weather. As soon as spring comes and it gets warm, Malou looks for the way into the garden and prefers to lie down there.

We could notice that our Cane Corso loves to lie and relax with us in the garden during warm and even hot weather. Of course, she looks for a shady spot, but the bottom line is that I can say she likes warm weather.

In contrast, cold weather, maybe even rainy weather. She wants to pee and go right back in. Even walks, she makes them only reluctantly.

When is it too hot for a Cane Corso?

Nevertheless, there are Cane Corso that originally come from a warm or hot climate, which quickly gets too warm.

This varies depending on the dog, age, and state of health. But from temperatures of 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit ( 20 – 25 degrees Celsius), you should pay closer attention to your Cane Corso. Ideal temperatures are between 57 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (14 and 20 degrees Celsius). There dogs feel most comfortable and are active.

Cane Corso cannot sweat and regulate their body temperature by panting like all dog breeds.

What many do not know is that panting is not for breathing but actually for body temperature regulation. They “breathe in” rapidly through the nose and out through the mouth. The airflow causes the moisture to evaporate, thus cooling the mucous membranes.

A Cane Corso takes 10 to 40 breaths per minute during normal breathing. It can be up to 10 times as much during panting, so up to 400. This is, of course, very exhausting and energy consuming.

Influencing factors why your Cane Corso does not tolerate warm weather

As said before, several factors can influence when it gets too warm for your Cane Corso. One Cane Corso lies down at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and doesn’t want to move, while another gets too hot at 24 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). The following factors can be the cause:

Obesity

Cane Corso are big and heavy dogs. But being overweight is never good, and it is harmful. Being overweight ensures that the cardiovascular system is burdened. But also breathing becomes more difficult because too much weight presses on the airways.

Age

Very young Cane Corso or already very old have more significant problems with warm weather and overheat faster.

Short muzzle

Cane Corsos also go in the direction of brachycephaly. This describes, in short, the short nose that causes problems with breathing. It is not as pronounced as in many other breeds but is listed for completeness.

How to recognize that your Cane Corso is too warm

As soon as the temperature rises, you should pay closer attention to your dog to realize that he is warm, and it may not be the best time for a long walk:

• If your Cane Corso is panting heavily, it may be a sign that he is too warm and trying to regulate his body temperature.

• Does he not feel like moving? If your dog has no ambition to go for a walk with you, it is a sign, in summer, that he is just too warm.

• Cane Corsos drooling is not new information. But when it is too warm, increased drooling can result from increased panting.

If your Cane Corso is also vomiting, has a glazed look, and even trembles or staggers slightly, it may even indicate heat stroke. Then you should act quickly.

First aid tips for heat stroke:

Since it is often too late if you “only” go directly to a vet, you should try to cool down your dog in parallel.

• Take your Cane Corso to a cool place. If he was in the garden, maybe in the house on the cold tiles.
• Give him water to drink.
• Put him on a damp towel if necessary. Don’t douse him with cold water, though.
• Do not cover it with a damp towel. Heat can build up under it.
• Get out of the car (if he was in there).
• If possible, turn on the air conditioner and open the windows.

Even if the body temperature has normalized, you should take your Cane Corso to a veterinarian and have him checked out.

Protect Cane Corso in warm weather.

When summer comes, there are a few basic rules you can follow daily to protect your Cane Corso from heat and make his life easier:

• First of all, make sure your dog is at a normal weight. Being overweight is not only harmful in the heat but in general. Even if a dog’s weight is often a status symbol for Cane Corso owners, a dog should not be fed fat. Unfortunately, I see this more and more often and can only shake my head.

• Move your walks in midsummer to early morning when it is cooler. You are responsible for the health of your dog. And if you have to get up earlier, so be it.

• Make sure he always has enough water available. The stronger panting provides by the evaporation of saliva for cooling. Thus he must drink naturally more since the mucous membranes dry out faster. Put him additionally a water bowl in the garden so that he does not always have to go into the house to drink.

• If it is rather warm in the house at his place, look for him for his dog bed, an alternative that is perhaps a little cooler.

• If you have enough space, get a dog pool*. It’s also perfect for your Cane Corso to cool off by playing or swimming in the water. Many Cane Corso like to go swimming.

• If you don’t have a yard but a lake or river near you, take your Cane Corso swimming. Let him run through the cool water and cool off.

Conclusion: Do Cane Corsos like warm weather?

Cane Corsos have problems in the summer, in hot weather, just like all dogs. Of course, the short coat and the little undercoat are a small advantage. Nevertheless, from temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), even they can get too warm. Then they become less active, look for quiet cooler places and drink more. Especially overweight and very young and old dogs are susceptible.

@ NataliSon-depositphotos.com (contribution picture)