How Many Puppies Can My Cane Corso Have? (Vet-Reviewed) Average Litter Sizes & FAQ

The Cane Corso is a magnificent dog in many ways. It’s massive, strong, fearless, watchful, and makes an excellent protector. When raised in a caring environment with proper socialisation and training, Cane Corsos make phenomenal family pets. That’s why it’s no surprise some owners want to breed their Cane Corso and have puppies. The typical Cane Corso female can deliver on average between six and eight puppies, with numbers going as high as 12, but this can vary greatly depending on the mum’s age, health, nutrition, and genetic factors.

That’s more or less average, although Cane Corsos have been known to have fewer and, in some cases, many more puppies. Below, we have info, tips, and insight into how many puppies a Cane Corso can have and how to help them do it!

How Many Pups Are Possible for a Cane Corso?

The average litter size for a Cane Corso is six to eight puppies. However, that’s not to say that a Cane Corso can't have more or less. One of the most impressive (and slightly horrifying) examples was a Cane Corso in Russia that gave birth to 19 puppies!

Of course, many other Cane Corsos have had more than eight or ten pups because those numbers are only the average. However, determining beforehand how many pups your particular Cane Corso will have is practically impossible.

Image By: otsphoto, Shutterstock

What Factors Determine a Cane Corso’s Litter Size?

Several things factor into any dog’s litter size, including a Cane Corso. These factors need to be considered before you breed your dog. You should note, though, that none or all of the factors below might affect the outcome. Yes, genetics is unpredictable.

1. Your Cane Corso’s Age

Like most large breed dogs, your Cane Corso will reach sexual maturity at about 18-24 months, but the best time to breed is between 2 and 5 years of age. That’s when most Cane Corsos are the most fertile and have reached their full size. Also, a Cane Corso’s first litter may be smaller than average.

2. The Gene Pool

The more diverse the gene pool your Cane Corso has access to, the better. For example, if you can mate your Cane Corso with a male from a family tree that is unrelated to your female, that’s fantastic. The reason is simply that inbreeding, over time, causes health problems and smaller litters.

3. Your Cane Corso’s Overall Health

It makes sense that a healthier dog will have a healthier and sometimes even larger litter. That goes for Cane Corsos, also. This includes regular vaccinations and deworming protocols, so speak to your veterinarian about the health requirements you should fulfill as well as recommended genetic and health testing before breeding your dog, to ensure healthy puppies.

4. Your Cane Corso’s Diet

The more nutritious and complete the food you give your precious pet, the healthier they will be, ensuring the health of their litter. A diet rich in high-quality protein, good fats, and antioxidants will help your Cane Corso have a healthy litter. Speak to your vet about appropriate diets for your pregnant Cane Corso as well as the ideal body condition score and weight, as underweight and overweight females are likely to be less fertile. Never give your dog any food supplements such as vitamins or minerals before discussing it with your vet, as they may do more harm than good, particularly in pregnant females.

Several other factors, including size, determine how many puppies a Cane Corso can have. Larger breeds of dogs generally have larger litters. Cane Corsos are more likely to have larger litters than small dogs like the Maltese or Chihuahua.

How Many Puppies Can a Cane Corso Have Per Year?

Like most large-breed female dogs that go into heat once or twice per year, your Cane Corso, once she’s sexually mature and fully grown, can have up to two litters a year. Technically, a Cane Corso could have over 18 puppies in a year (or more), but this is not very common. Most reputable and responsible Cane Corso breeders do their best to keep the litters to one per year or fewer.

The reason is that pregnancy, whelping, and nursing puppies are a huge physical strain on a Cane Corso, putting a lot of wear and tear on her body. Giving her time to heal between litters makes sense and is more humane. Indeed, the most caring breeders only allow their Cane Corso females to have one litter per year for this very reason, or even one every other year. If you decide to let your Cane Corso have puppies, most veterinarians agree that once a year is a good choice.

Is There a Method to Determine How Many Puppies Your Cane Corso is Having?

Although ultrasound can determine if a Cane Corso is pregnant, it can't accurately tell how many pups are inside her. The only way to know exactly how many puppies a Cane Corso is having is to have her X-rayed. You should also note that X-rays usually aren’t taken until after the first 45 days of your Cane Corso’s pregnancy. Any earlier and her pups won’t have skeletons yet; without those, you won’t see anything.

Conclusion

As we saw today, a litter of 6 to 8 pups is average, although Cane Corsos have been known to have several more or fewer. Also, their first litter is usually smaller, something to keep in mind if this is your dog’s first litter. At the end of the day, it’s unknown exactly how many pups your Cane Corso will have, thanks to the magic of genetics and canine procreation. If the Cane Corso that had 19 puppies on her first try in Russia taught us anything, it’s that you can never know exactly how many pups your Cane Corso will have. It’s better to be prepared for any outcome and be thankful for every healthy, happy Cane Corso pup that shines their light into your life. See Also:

• Cane Corso Health Issues to Watch For: 7 Common Vet-Reviewed Concerns

• Is a Cane Corso Smarter Than Other Dogs? Intelligence & Training Abilities Explained

Featured Image Credit: Sbolotova, Shutterstock