If you are thinking about getting a Cane Corso, you may be wondering if they drool.
Cane Corso do drool. But not as much as certain other Mastiff breeds like Bullmastiff or English Mastiffs.
Plus, not all Cane Corsos drool equally, as some may drool more than others depending on a number of biological and environmental factors.
In this ultimate guide, I’ll walk you through why Cane Corsos drool and what you can do to keep their drooling to a minimum.
Table of Contents
Drooling In Cane Corsos
Dogs, like other mammals, have salivary glands, but they find it more challenging to keep their saliva in and swallow due to their poor lip seal and the shape of their chin. Plus, panting (a dog’s natural cooling mechanism) also contributes to drooling, as it requires them to keep their mouths open.
Certain breeds of dogs drool a lot more than others, especially breeds with large jowls such as Bloodhounds, Bulldogs and Mastiffs. Large, droopy jowls collect saliva, or water when a dog drinks, and these slowly drip out and down.
Also Read: Do Cane Corsos Shed?
Cane Corso is a dog breed of the Mastiff family. So, they do drool, but not as much as other Mastiff breeds or most other jowly and slobbery breeds.
The main reason for their rather ‘moderate’ drooling is because they have comparatively tighter and shorter jowls.
So, in general, Cane Corsos won’t have a lot of that gooey stuff constantly hanging down their chins but individual genetic differences can cause a particular Cane Corso to drool more frequently and intensely, and have looser and droopier jowls than most of the members of its kind.
What Triggers A Cane Corso’s Drooling?
Now we know that a Cane Corso might not have strings of drool hanging down from its chin all the time, it’s time to know when and why it will.
Hunger And Anticipation Of Food
A Cane Corso will surely drool when it is hungry and sees or smells food. That is quite a natural response to prepare for the initial stage of food ingestion. This is an instance where they truly show their slobbery side.
After Drinking Water
When Cane Corso laps up some water, some of it would get trapped in its jowls, get mixed with the saliva that might have already accumulated there, and dribble out.
Panting
Panting to cool off when it is too hot or after playing is another instance when you would see a Cane Corso drool. The open mouth makes it harder to hold the saliva in and swallow.
Emotional Triggers
Cane Corsos, like many other breeds of dogs, tend to drool when they are happy, excited, or even anxious.
That is why they are likely to slobber all over you when you come home, and show some drool when you take them to the vet.
Motion Sickness
A ride in your car can cause your Cane Corso to drool as well, and probably throw up after that, if it’s not used to being moved like that.
Health Issues
If a Cane Corso drools more frequently and intensely than it usually does, it could be due to a health problem. If the drool is colored and smelly, there is an even higher probability of the dog being sick.
Some health problems that can cause more intense and frequent drooling are,
- Poor oral hygiene. Gingivitis and dental cavities are examples.
- Foreign body stuck between teeth
- Infected salivary gland.
- Growth in the salivary gland, oral cavity, or somewhere else in the digestive tract.
- Seizures
- Ear, nose, throat, or sinus infection
- Indigestion
- Rabies
- Ingestion of toxic substances
The list keeps going on. Read more about these on our Cane Corso health problems page.
If the drooling is a symptom of a serious health problem, the dog might show other signs such as poor appetite, lethargy, irritability, paralysis, agitation and aggression, moaning and whimpering, etc..
If this is the case, take your furry friend to a vet immediately.
Tips To Keep Your Cane Corsos Drooling To a Minimum
If you are thinking about getting a Cane Corso puppy but are a little put off by the breed’s even moderate level of drooling tendency, you will be happy to know that there are some things you can do to minimize drooling and make it less of a nuisance.
Here are a few tips:
Establish Good Eating Habits
Only feed your Cane Corso at set times. Feed him at the same place, preferably outside and try to stick to that schedule to prevent him from waiting in anticipation.
Don’t give treats outside the meal times. The longer your dog waits for food, the more it will drool and the more times they are given food, the more they drool.
Train And Establish Boundaries
Train your dog at an early age to rest his chin on a towel after drinking water. And keep his water bowl outside.
Also Read: Cane Corso Growth Stages
Teach your Cane Corso which part of the house or which furniture is out of bounds when he is still a puppy. That way you can have some control over where he might leave little puddles of drool or send it flying with head shakes.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Brush their teeth regularly and use a good mouth rinse. You could also give them dog chews to strengthen their teeth.
Make sure to train him to tolerate you brushing his teeth and looking inside his mouth at an early age.
Help Them Cool Down
Help him cool down in hot weather. You could spray some cold water on them or even let them take a quick swim. You could also:
- Keep them inside
- Dab them with a wet towel
- Keep them hydrated
- Use a fan
Take Them On Car Rides
Get them used to car rides at an early age. Let him sit at the front beside you to reduce anxiety and take short breaks during the ride if possible.
And don’t feed them before a car ride.
More Tips
Here are few more things you could do:
- Keep a drool rag handy and wipe your Cane Corso’s chin as he drools.
- Tie a bib around his neck to absorb some of the drool.
- Lay down washable rugs where he drools often.
Bottom Line
Cane Corso is a dog breed that does drool, but less than most of the breeds infamous for drooling. There are individual Cane Corsos that drool more than most members of the breed due to genetic diversity.
If your Cane Corso suddenly starts drooling more than usual, and the drool looks different and smells, and his behavior is changed, take him to the vet immediately.
If you are thinking about getting a Cane Corso puppy but hesitant because they do drool, remember, there are ways to minimize the drooling and make it more manageable. But to be honest, If you are someone who really hates dog drool, A Cane Corso might not be the kind of dog for you.
A Cane Corso’s somewhat moderate drooling is a small price to pay for the unparalleled loyalty, love, and protection these magnificent and intelligent animals can provide.
