Cane Corso: The new 'status dog' after XL Bully ban?

A year since new laws restricted the keeping of Xl Bullies in Scotland, there are concerns that another breed is becoming the new “status dog”.

The Cane Corso is an Italian breed of mastiff. Weighing up to 50kg, they can have a bite force of 700 psi – stronger than a lion’s, which is 600 psi.

Traditionally, they served as guards and are believed to be descendants of Molossian war dogs from Ancient Rome.

Unlike the XL Bully, there are currently no restrictions on owning a Cane Corso in the UK.

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There have been several high-profile attacks involving the breed over the years.

Former Love Island winner Jack Fincham was handed a six-week prison sentence for dangerous dog offences after his black Cane Corso Elvis bit a runner.

Last October, a ten-year-old girl was taken to hospital after a Cane Corso attacked her on Maukinfauld Road, Parkhead in Glasgow.

In May 2022, a Cane Corso named Diesel was ordered to attack a man in a car in Bishopbriggs. The dog dragged the victim out of the vehicle by his arm.

Before the XL Bully ban came into force, the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) opposed it and warned the legislation targeting a specific dog type was not the most effective way to protect the public.

There is no Kennel Club standard of the breed – which means XL Bullies have to be identified by size, weight and certain characteristics and can be misidentified.

The charity said the ban would not prevent potentially out-of-control and dangerous dogs from getting into the wrong hands or breeders from creating another aggressive and powerful crossbreed.

The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals dog welfare expert and dog control lead Dr Samantha Gaines also warned “attention would shift onto another large, powerful breed” making the Cane Corso a “status dog”.

There is also no Kennel Club standard for the Cane Corso breed.

There are currently no plans to restrict the Cane Corso, but the Scottish Government said legislation is in place to protect the public from dangerous dogs.

A spokesperson said: “Responsible dog ownership is required for all breeds of dog to help keep communities safe.

“There are a range of laws that can be used to encourage responsible dog ownership in Scotland including the dog control notice regime operated by local authorities. We are working with relevant authorities to help keep communities safe within the existing legal framework.”

The Scottish SPCA said it is fully supportive of laws to protect the public but is “deeply concerned” about the rise in dog control incidents.

A spokesperson said: “We know that any breed of dog can be potentially out of control and dangerous in the wrong hands. We need action and solutions that protect the public as well as safeguarding animal welfare but banning dogs because of the way they look isn’t the answer.

“We do not want to have the same conversation about plans to ban yet another type of dog.

“Instead, we will continue to call on the Scottish Government to work closely with the Scottish Sentencing Council when it comes to properly punishing anyone found guilty of owning a dog that has been involved in an attack.

“We will continue to call on the police and courts in Scotland to properly enforce existing legislation through jail sentences and automatic bans on dog ownership.”