The Cane Corso is a popular dog breed known for their intelligence and protective personality. In addition to this, they also have different coat color patterns that are unique and fascinating.
The coat colors include Black, Black Brindle, Fawn, Gray, Gray Brindle, Formentino, Red, and Chesnut Brindle which are all recognized and accepted by the American Kennel Club.
If you are interested in adding a Gray Cane Corso to your family, there are a few things to know before you buy or adopt one.
Read on to learn about the Gray Cane Corso including their personality, the different colors they come in, life span, associated health problems, their price, and where to buy them.
What is a Gray Cane Corso?
A Gray Cane Corso is Cane Corso with a base coat color that is a soft gray. The Gray Cane Corso has a distinct nose pigmentation that is a gray color which is also another physical identifier of the coat color.
What Does a Gray Cane Corso Look Like?
The Gray Cane Corso is a striking and powerful dog with a distinctive physical appearance. This Italian Mastiff is known for its robust and muscular build, exuding strength and athleticism.
It’s head is a prominent feature, characterized by a broad skull and a well-defined stop. The Cane Corso’s muzzle is square and substantial, with a strong jawline and a black nose. Their short coat is a soft gray.
One of the most distinguishing aspects of the Cane Corso is its ears, which are often cropped to stand erect, although many countries have banned ear cropping. Gray Cane Corso with ears cropped are still common.
Read More: The Cane Corso ear cropping styles
The breed’s eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and typically brown or amber in color, conveying a sense of alertness and intelligence.
Gray Cane Corso blue eyes
Cane Corso puppies are all born with blue eyes because the melanin pigment in their eyes is not yet fully developed.
Therefore a Gray Cane Corso with blue eyes is simply a puppy with blue eyes whose eye color completely changes at around three months of age to dark brown, light brown, or amber.
Only at a young age Gray Cane Corso puppies in appearance have a gray coat with blue eyes. The Gray coat color can vary in color intensity from a deep gray to a pale light shade of gray.
The coat color also gets deeper as they get older. So don’t worry when your puppy’s coat changes to a deeper hue of gray as they age. It is normal to have a light Gray Cane Corso to a dark Gray Cane Corso.
See Also: Cane Corso red eyes (Explained)
How big does a Gray Cane Corso get?
A Gray Cane Corso grows up to be a large dog. A full-grown Gray Cane Corso male stand between 24 to 27.5 inches (61 to 70 cm) at the shoulder with an average weight of 90 to 110 pounds (41 to 50 kg) while the adult Gray Cane Corso female stands at 23.5 to 26 inches (60 to 66 cm) with a weight of 80 to 100 pounds (36 to 45 kg).
The above weight and height numbers are estimates which should not be taken as exact numbers. This is because all Cane Corso puppies regardless of their coat color grow at different rates even puppies from the same litter.
Growth depends on a puppy’s diet, genes, and environment.
Read More: Why is my Cane Corso so skinny? Here’s why
How does the Gray Cane Corso occur?: Gray Cane Corso Genetics
Gray Cani Corsi are identified by their unique coat color. Gray Cane Corso puppies are produced from the breeding of two Gray Cani Corsi, Gray with Black Cani Corsi, and from two Black Cani Corsi.
The coat color of all dogs starts with two basic pigments, that is, black (Eumelanin) and red (Phaeomelanin). The different coat color variations come from the manipulation of these two basic pigments by other coat color genes.
The Gray coat appearance of a Cane Corso is a diluted version of the black pigment from black to gray. It takes two recessive alleles (dd) to lighten the black coat pigment from black to Gray.
There are two gene alleles that are associated with the dilution, these are the D ( dominant full-color) and the d (recessive dilute). Gray Cane Corso puppies are produced when the two parents each have a recessive dilute allele (d) which a puppy inherits, one from each parent.
Both parents do not have to be Gray in color, however, they must pass on the recessive dilution gene to the puppies.
Are Gray Cane Corsos rare?
The Gray Cane Corso is not considered rare, however, they can be difficult to produce because the gray color is recessive meaning it takes two Cani Corsi with the recessive genes to produce another.
This does not mean it is impossible because, through effective breeding practices, breeders are able to produce Gray Cane Corso puppies.
Variations of Gray Cane Corso color
Gray Cane Corso puppies come in different color varieties. The gray coat color is the most recognized color, however, in addition to this, the following are the additional Gray Cane Corso color variations:
Gray Brindle Cane Corso is a combination of Gray and brindle coat colors. The Gray Brindle Cane Corso has a base coat of golden yellow, light fawn to deep golden red covered with gray stripes. They also have a Gray nose.
Formentino Cane Corso / Blue Fawn is a fawn coat color with a gray sheen, a combination of the fawn coat color and gray coat color characteristics.
Learn more about other Cane Corso colors to understand their appearance, how to spot them, and how they come about from our Cane Corso coat color guides:
Gray Cane Corso Temperament
The coat color of a Cane Corso does not influence their personality. A Cane Corso will have the temperament of the Cane Corso dog breed.
This means they have the same gentleness, intelligence, loyalty, assertive and protective qualities as the breed. This is the Gray Cane Corso temperament.
They are loyal and loving dogs to their families underneath their intimidating stature, when trained and socialized.
The personality of an individual Cane Corso will also depend on how they were bred and raised.
Gray Cane Corso health concerns
The Gray Cane Corso is prone to certain health problems because of its coat color. Research has shown that a dog’s coat color can influence its susceptibility to specific health problems.
Gray Cane Corso dogs are susceptible to Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), which is a genetically inherited hormonal condition that causes hair loss or thinning which may also include dry and itchy skin.
The condition is commonly experienced by dogs with dilute coat colors. This includes Gray and Fawn coat colors which are diluted versions of black, brown, red, and tan coat color pigments.
Genetically, a Cane Corso carries a recessive gene (dd) that leads to dilution of the black coat pigment to Gray coat color.
The Gray Cane Corso and other dog breeds with dilute coat colors that are predisposed to CDA include:
- Blue Dobermans
- Dachshunds
- Irish setters
- Italian greyhounds
- Chow chows
- Yorkshire terriers
- Standard poodles
- Salukis
- Chihuahuas
- Bernese mountain dogs
- Boston terriers
- Schipperkes
- Newfoundlands
- Shetland sheepdogs.
The cause of CDA is not well understood by veterinary science. The condition causes hair follicles to self-destruct which prevents the growth of new hair. This presents as patches of hair loss on the coat.
In addition to this, skin problems start to appear around the affected areas. If a puppy has this condition the symptoms start when they are at least 6 months old or older.
The symptoms include:
- Uniform or varied hair loss
- Bald patches on the coat
- Scaling of the skin
- Redness on the affected skin area
- Presence of lesions with bacterial infections
- Inflammation and crusting around their problematic area
- Itching around the affected area
Once a Cane Corso puppy has been diagnosed by a veterinarian to have CDA, the treatment offered consists of management of the symptoms.
The condition does not have a cure but can be managed to prevent the exposed skin from itching or getting infections.
This includes a prescription of shampoos, skin rinses coupled with ointments for dry skin, supplements, and hormone therapy.
It is important to note that not all Gray Cane Corso puppies will have CDA and the presence of CDA does not affect their overall health. Generally, Gray Cani Corsi are healthy despite being genetically predisposed to this condition.
Ideally, Gray Cane Corso puppies should always come from health-tested parents with no family line of CDA.
Gray Cane Corso puppies as a Cane Corso breed are also prone to common Cane Corso health problems as a large breed dog. These health problems include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Heart disease
- Epilepsy
- Bloat
- Demodectic mange
- Obesity
Although the Gray Cane Corso is susceptible to these health issues they are generally healthy dogs.
How Long Do Grey Cane Corsos Live?
The Gray Cane Corso’s life span is 9 to 12 years. One of the best ways to ensure a Gray Cane Corso’s health and longevity is to promote their physical activity through regular exercise, high-quality diets, and regular health checks.
Gray Cane Corso Price
The cost of a Gray Cane Corso ranges from $2000 to $4000. On average, the Gray Cane Corso price is $3000 from a reputable breeder. The Gray Cane Corso is the most expensive Cane Corso color.
The price you pay for a Gray Cane Corso puppy will also depend on the breeder and their location. Always purchase your puppy or dog from Cane Corso breeders that practice ethical breeding.
This prevents the purchase of puppies from puppy mills which could result in buying unhealthy puppies at very high rates.
Rescuing or adopting costs will always be less compared to purchasing from a breeder. Gray Cane Corso puppies for adoption are also available from reputable rescue centers.
Gray Cane Corso puppies for sale can also be found on the American Kennel Club’s marketplace which is a resource for approved and certified breeders.
Some of the reputable Cane Corso breeders include:
Summary: Grey Cane Corso
The Gray Cane Corso’s coat color is one of the Cane Corso breed colors that is recognized and accepted by the American Kennel Club.
The Cane Corso has a pleasant personality. Despite some of the health issues that they are susceptible to due to their coat color, most are healthy.
When considering buying this fascinating Gray Cane Corso coat color, make sure you purchase them from responsible Gray Cane Corso breeders who conduct all the health checks. You will be provided with their health status which ensures that your puppy or dog is healthy and off to a good start.
The Gray Cane Corso’s coat color is indeed captivating and like a dog, they are a loyal and protective companion to own.