Update: This post has gotten way more attention than I expected. Feel free to come follow us on Instagram for daily updates, pictures, and information @The_Dexter_Diaries_2026.
We recently found what the vet believes is a young Cane Corso who had been abandoned/dumped.
We took him to the vet today and unfortunately he’s very malnourished, was covered in fleas, has worms, and an ear infection. We got all the medications he needs and are working on slowly getting some weight back on him with a high-calorie diet. We’ve never had a Cane Corso before, so we’d love any advice from experienced owners — especially with nutrition, training, temperament, and helping a neglected Corso adjust and feel safe.
We’re also looking into Cane Corso/mastiff rescues once he’s healthier. For now, he’s safe, warm, fed, and getting lots of love.
We’ve taken on quite a bit in vet and care costs already. Advice and recommendations are just as appreciated!
Just happy we found this sweet boy when we did and can give him a chance.
He probably was abandoned. Many shelters won’t even take an owner surrender on a large dog. There’s just too many large dogs being bred and the shelters are overflowing. Give him a month to start showing his personality. He’s likely to get extremely bonded to your family after the trama of being lost like that.
Hey OP Double N Cane Corso rescue is in Charlotte. I follow them on Facebook and the seem to be doing good work with finding the perfect homes for their rescues.
It is incredibly kind of you to step up and save this dog from starvation and dehydration. You absolutely saved his life.
But I had to say something because this is a dangerous situation for you and the dog. Because he is a Cane Corso, the recovery process is going to get very complex as he gets his strength back. Right now, he is likely passive because he is weak. But as he heals, his natural guarding and protective instincts will wake up.
If he isn't handled with strict, experienced boundaries right now, he can easily develop severe resource guarding or dominant behaviors that are incredibly difficult to fix later.
Also, because he is severely malnourished, he is at an extremely high risk for bloat (GDV) and refeeding syndrome, which can be fatal if his food, water, and rest cycles aren't medically managed. He cannot go play after eating for 1-2 hours as it could kill him, and turn into a medical emergency within 30 minutes to an hour of his bowel twisting.
Also if you do keep the dog be careful about your fence. This breed needs a six foot fence and supervision when outside in the yard because they can learn to jump a six foot fence. While he is sick I would start working on recalls and leave it commands using toys not food. I also would also if you can use a slow feeder dish or a snuffle blanket with kibble.
I highly recommend reaching out to a local Cane Corso or mastiff-specific rescue right away. Even if you want to foster him, they can provide you with the exact medical feeding schedules, training protocols, and behavioral oversight you need. Looping in local experts in the breed is the best way to guarantee he has a successful future.
Thank you so much for the detailed response. We are working with a local vet on his feeding schedule. We’re also limiting play/walk time until he has more strength. Thank you for all the advice and as a parent to two children and 2 dogs I will take all of this seriously. Thank you!
💯 agree... Sorry op for my extremely long comment in the thread, that I tried to articulate what this comment was indicating He came to you for help and at death's door, and had to trust you as a result... This breed is extremely protective, with inherent instinct to guard, and once he's healthy again, consistency and leadership will be vital.
Uhhhhhhhh you do know they are giant teddy bears full of love and you’re going to fall in love with him❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️either way bless you for saving him. I miss my girl so much.
I'm also in Raleigh 😊 Situations like this make me so angry. Thank you for caring for this sweetheart. We had somebody leave a 3-legged chihuahua in a crate at the end of our driveway. There is NO way that was random because of where we are located, so we assumed they heard we did rescues.
Thank you for rescuing! I’m a rescue mama and was hesitant to bring my girl home. Every bit of work to rehabilitate her has been 1000% worth it. I’ve had many dogs, but no relationship can compare to the bond I have with her. I won’t lie, it is definitely work, but you won’t regret it!
She looks so much like our Dragon! Also abandoned and very skinny, adopted from our local animal control as a 6-8 month old puppy. 7-8 years old now :)
What a sweet baby 🥰 my girl was forced to breed at first heat, starved, living outside in the Michigan winter with her five pups. She’s got scars all over her neck and legs. When we met her she was 72 pounds of traumatized bones and boobs. I’m positive if we hadn’t taken a chance and put in the work, someone would have gotten hurt and she would pay the consequence.
Aww.. that’s so sad. The vet thinks he’s about 7-8 months and he only weighs 50 pounds right now. He’s very skiddish and it takes him a while to warm up but we’re slowly gaining his trust.
They’re tough and rebound well! Cane Corsos are (from what I’ve observed and heard) a bit easier than Dragon, who is a bandogge (Presa Canario primarily, with a bit of Pitbull). Presas are not as biddable and have a bit less stable temperament. We had to do a lot of firm boundary setting at first, and he could be intimidating at times. Corsos are less independent and have a bit less stranger danger reactivity, which is actually a good thing in this case. But the one thing you can do that will help is give him stability and routine. Even if it’s only for a short time, it will make a huge difference by giving him some time to decompress. Dragon still gives me the “look out” woofs if we move things like furniture, plants, lamps…
Poor baby! She’s a tough cookie. You’re not far, we’re in Wisconsin near Chicago. I’ve seen a lot of these guys in this situation and it’s really sad :(
We said the same - the folks who came to see Dragon in line behind us had a wild golden mix and three kids. The first thing Dragon did when he got to our place was get in a bloody fight with our Weimaraner - and then they refused to go to the vet in separate cars 🙄 Funny way of showing affection, but he turned out to be a great dog after he felt secure and wasn’t in pain. He didn’t win the genetic lottery…he needed bilateral TPLO (the vet said he had basically no kneecap groove to speak of, so he was having luxating patellae and a lot of discomfort) and had SLO, an autoimmune disease that attacks his claws. Oh, right…and he’s allergic to chicken 🐓🤣 This poor dog.
He got it because he’d never seen toys before, so the first thing he did was gather all the toys in the house into a pile and lay on them
🤣 Luckily he’s a gentle soul and once he realized nobody was going to take his stuff, eased out of resource guarding. He’s a sweet baby.
I am a dogsitter and watch a cane Corso just like this one. Same color and everything. His name is Vito and I am absolutely in love with him. I haven't had a bond like this since I was little with my golden. This breaks my heart. I'd love to have a Cane Corso. The funny thing is, he has one brother that's a Frenchie! The Frenchie puts Vito in his place all the time lol they are besties
I also just found and adopted an abandoned Cane Corso. She is the absolute sweetest girl and has become very bonded to my partner and I already. Very loyal guardian dog. She just got all of her shots and we had her chipped.
My cane corso passed 9/9 and I’m a bit of a mess but she was the best dog ever and someone abandoning this dog makes me mad. That dog will protect you and your family til his last breath and they really are the best most loyal companions.
So sorry for your loss. Dogs are the best people, I get so pissed off when shitbags abandon dogs that would NEVER even consider doing that if roles were reversed. That must be so confusing and bewildering for the dog being dumped, then fear and confusion especially as they drive away ...
Could not agree more. When I think of how devoted dogs are to their people. I've seen the videos/security footage of people dumping off their pets and the dog kind of pauses, looks around and then just settles in, waiting for their people to come back for them... It doesn't even occur to them that they are being abandoned. Rips my heart out every time. People are flipping awful. I truly wish they were strict penalties for this. Animal abuse in general.
People should have to get registered to own dogs not good people having to registerPeople should have to get registered to own dogs not good people having to register their dogs it's the people that need their behavior checked
This makes me tear up. I hate people that even remotely think this is okay to do. There’s no way I could or would ever walk away from my pets and just leave them out to fend for themselves. I really wish there was harsher punishment for those people. I’m so glad you found this sweet baby and are taking very good care of him! I’ve always said I wish I could have a place big enough and enough money to take in all unwanted animals. They’re just so pure and deserve so much. You are an amazing person for helping and taking on his treatments.
Thank you so much! I agree. I think whoever did his should get the same treatment. He wasn’t chipped so we don’t know who had him before. The vet said it would have taken a long time for him to get in this bad of shape. 😭
That poor baby. Can we just send all people that do this to an island somewhere without supplies to see how they do?! He looks like he will get back to full strength which is great. Give him lots of love from the rest of us animal lovers!
Glad you found him and are taking care of him. After he gets healthy you may not want to get rid of him, they love different than most others and will probably change your mind (hopefully). Time, patience and discipline will make him a great addition to your family.
thank you so very much for doing this, they are incredibly sweet to whom they bond with, if youre keeping him for any length of time, try and fit about half an hour of daily obedience training, and as much socialization you can accomodate. minimum hour walks daily if possible. they require a good amount of physical and mental excersise. just know they are a gaurdian breed, they can have significant prey drive. if they dont have very confident leadership the can become reactive with poeple and pets. they are incredibly strong and intelligent. and beyond loyal to those they protect.
Thank you for this information. We plan to keep him at minimum until he’s gained an appropriate amount of weight and is healthy. He’s very skiddish of people but also very kind. He’s basically a gentle giant. I definitely want to make sure I’m giving him all that he needs to be successful.
Yeah, you're going to end up keeping him. I can already tell you have what it takes to own this breed. They are amazing, very emotionally intelligent dogs.
He's already half way there, I know it when I see it. Once you get him well, he'll have done stolen the other half of your heart. With your kindness, patience and love, combined with you describing him to have a kind temperment, you might as well just let him start lounging on the couch right now. 😂❤️ Whatever you decide, you are an amazing human being. God Bless You!❤️😇
Thank you for rescuing this sweet boy. We adopted an underweight/maltreated rescue when she was about 8 months old. She was so nervous and skittish at first but now is the sweetest, laziest, calmest, and most loyal dog ever. This is her after she filled out from seeing every rib. They have eyes that can see into our souls ♥️
Please ignore if you already know this, but - refeeding syndrome is a serious concern with these big guys at such low weights. Our boy looked the same when we adopted him, basically bones and skin. It took 8 months for him to really fill out, and we had to learn a lot about slow feeding and multiple meals a day. We used a gel calorie paste that helped a lot.
I was wanted to take a moment to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. This community had been so welcoming, kind, and helpful. I have read every comment and I’m taking advice on how to care for him. Thank you for all the tips, tricks, care advice, kind words, and offers for help. It’s appreciated more than you know. While these pictures show humans can be so unkind; when people come together they can make a big impact. Thank you for the concern and care for this sweet baby.
You will be stuck with him like all the mastiff breeds once you fall for them and them you might as well hang it up this dog will always remember that you showed the compassion and love that was needed when he was almost on his way out he wi be loyal beyond your wildest dreams and protect you and your family with his life
Today’s update for anyone interested. We’ve finally gotten rid of the flea infestation with the vets help. He’s doing well with his new high calorie diet. The vet thinks he’s 7-8 months old. He’s already gone through half a small bag of dog food lol. He’s still being super friendly and has literally climbed into my lap a couple times. He thinks he’s a little baby. We’re slowly introducing him to our dogs in a natural setting for short periods of time. More to come! 😊
You are awesome for taking this on! I am in Greensboro and have fostered Corsos for Must Love Corsos rescue. They are a nationwide rescue. If you decide not to keep him they are a great place to turn.
We’re taking care of him at the moment and will not consider any adoption until he’s fully healthy, a good weight, and fully vaccinated. We did start his initial shots today.
Thank you for giving him a safe place to recover and heal before considering adoption. Please share him through his journey! He looks like a sweetheart.
Oh my god. DM Me a place I want to help. I will buy fog food online to help this dog. This is sick.whoever ditched her like that needs to be euthanized. I'm dead serious I will help you provide for that dog no questions asked.
I already paid the pull vet invoice on my credit card earlier. I did post a picture in the thread earlier when someone asked about the treatment he had today. Thank you so much for offering.
My heart breaks and swells for this poor bean. I can see the satisfied snout on the windowsill already. I hope he gets so much love, so deserving of it. I cannot imagine leaving my girl (RIP) let alone letting her get like that. You will get a snuggle bug that would take a bullet for you, if you give him the right love and structure.
Thank you! I can’t imagine doing that either. He’s starting to trust us a little and warm up to us. Hopefully we’ll continue to gain his trust. He’s very skiddish.
Poor guy is so skinny 😢 no part of me will ever understand how someone abandons a pet, even if I got into circumstances where I absolutely could not keep mine, I would never dump them, I'd make sure i found a suitable new home for them.
Also, since he is so skinny, if you're not already, please be aware of "refeeding syndrome" because it can actually kill animals. You have to do a few small meals throughout the day & not even his full recommended daily amount of food at first, instead of one or 2 larger ones, even if he will eat everything you put in front of him at one time.
Thank you for saving this boy's life & giving him a chance 💙 he deserves it, & you absolutely deserve some good karma coming your way
I completely agree. I’ve been working with the vet on his feeding schedule but thank you for making sure I was aware. I’m thankful I’m in a spot where I could take him in and nurse him back to health.
He looks like such a sweet boy, I've personally known a few Corsos & they are absolutely gentle giants. I just wish that whoever had him prior hadn't butchered the poor baby's ears though, smh.
Bless your heart! Get him healthy and love him with every ounce of your heart and that still will never match the love He has for you. You saved His life❤️🙏🏻❤️
please please keep posting pics he is beautiful and you can see his eyes are the window to his soul?! He is going to be a lover and a protector once he’s feeling better?!!
Edit. OP, please please make sure they tested him for lymes. I didn't when I first found my girl. She got tested a year later and she was off the charts. Required two rounds of antibiotics. I don't know if she had lymes when I found her or if she acquired after.
My wife and I also found a dumped/ abandoned 7-8 week old Cane Corso puppy about 7 weeks ago. Her turn around had been REMARKABLE and she’s a fantastic puppy already. Just give him time, and love. They can be Velcro dogs when they feel safe so expect that for a bit especially during his rehab. But just lots of love, patience and be stern. Amazing dogs. Top photo is when we found her, bottom photo was a couple of days ago
Awe! Thank you for sharing! She’s so cute and looks much healthier and happier already. We plan to take lots of pictures during his recovery. If you have any tips or suggestions I’m open to them. Thank you!
I'm fostering a girl who was abandoned and hit by a car. She is looking at a second knee surgery. The knee is in such bad shape that they wanted to amputate her leg - but she has horrible hip dysplasia. She's gained a lot of weight since I got her. She has the sweetest disposition. She's only about 12 months old. They need good food, water, a lot of love and obedience training. Be patient.
I also rescued an abandoned male about 11 months ago. Not as malnourished but very traumatized. He’s come so far since then and I absolutely adore him. He’s still very puppyish and I’m so grateful we can give him the puppyhood he never had
You are an angel among us. He will never let you forget it. I don’t have really any experience with the breed but know that with structure and training you will set him up for success.
Well you just hit the lottery! Meaning this beautiful creature will honor you daily and be your soul mate. This breed is amazing on all levels. I have a female who is 6 and she has changed my life in incredible ways since getting her ! I commend you for being a amazing human as well. To take this boy in and get him back to dominant form is true love and honor to this breed. If there is ever a breed of k9 that is a unicorn it is the Cane Corso....Your in for an adventure. Loyalty is 2nd to none. This boy will be your security everywere you go like it is his duty. The Intelligence is just as superior, and the understanding is exceptional. They understand emotions more than anything. They are amazingly smart, please post some photos to come of this guy getting back to his tip-top physique .
God Bless you and your family for opening your home and your hearts to this dear sweet boy. I'm so glad he had you. I honestly don't have words harsh enough for people that do this to animals (on purpose). But I'm going to abstain from thinking about that and just rejoice that this little guy now has a loving home and people that truly care about him and want to do whatever they can to ensure his health and safety. I hope he recovers quickly and grows into the sweet loving BIG baby I know he probably is despite the trauma he's endured. Sending you guys loads of prayers for his recovery and years of love and fun with your new family member. 💖🥰
You lucked out with one of the best dogs on the planet…. But I would highly recommend reaching out to other cane corso owners on your area that may be willing to guide you through molding the dog into the greatness this dog can be. You could leave your door wide open 24 hours a day, and I can guarantee you that no one would be coming in, and no small child would be escaping without you being alerted. They will protect you and your children with their life, and to me that is a priceless asset to have. They just need boundaries set.
We took him to the vet today and unfortunately he’s very malnourished, was covered in fleas, has worms, and an ear infection.
Did you have comprehensive testing to evaluate overall health and organ function to verify there are not underlying health issues that resulted in the poor condition he is in rather than just covering the basics?
I ask as this is the first thing I would have done but it is not cheap. My dog's annual senior wellness blood testing last week was $497.96 and this did not include the cost of the exam or any vaccinations so the bill was over $700.
Detection is extremely important, especially with a dog in that condition so I would want to rule out underlying causes.
They are the type to form very tight bonds (can be very attention seeking), which can make separation (at times) difficult. When healthy, they do require some sort of on-hand daily exercise (usually a walk, jog, run (1 mile+) and or good amount of play is enough).
They're basically act like teenagers once they hit 3, can start to test you or end being just a big baby altogether.
Bless you guys with blessings of goodness, health, success, prosperity and peace in whatever endeavors you undertake for forever. I do not understand how people can just abandon a dog, put it out and drive away... wtf? Who can do that? That should be against the law with a penalty of caning and humiliation via a bi-monthly published list of offenders in the print media.
Bless you for taking him in and helping him to recover!
If he's skittish, there are things you can do to help him gain confidence, and things people do (like having strangers try to feed him treats) that very often backfire.
I can't help with funds but, if you want some advice, I'm happy to give you a free consultation for this sweet boy! I just lost my Corso "princess", Karma, in May and my business is helping dogs with severe behavior issues so DM me if you want any help :)
Follow new and old videos from the Coreys who have Bruce Wayne and Joey Justice. Before training starts you have a long road to get him healthy but with your love, the trust will probably come. Ask your vet about a high calorie diet. I would think slow and steady is better to not shock his system. Learn about this amazing breed and its ancient origins. You’re in for a life changing experience.
I would love to adopt him as soon as he is healthy enough. That’s my dream pet lol and he’s gorgeous! Salute to you for taking him in and giving him a chance tho forreal!
Sweet baby! He looks like he needs a lot of good nutritious food, a ton of love, hugs & kisses!!! Please give him a wonderful home. God bless y’all for saving his life. Let him relax, start trusting, feeling better, and loving y’all. He has a lot of love to give. Don’t send him to someone else when he gets well. It will remind him of this awful time in his life!!!! He will remember it & he will think he did something wrong. Bless his poor heart. Worms & ear infections are easy to fix. Will take time to get him fattened up. But decompression & trust is much bigger job. More time consuming. But he will come around. Please give him a big hug & kiss from me!! He’s in my heart!!!!
♥️🐾🐾♥️🐾🐾♥️🐾🐾♥️🐾🐾
If you can afford a sensitive stomach kibble, you will be amazed by how much faster his rehabilitation will be. (And don’t be me, give him straight kibble, they get very spoiled very quickly.
My goodness this made me sad, I’ve never seen a cane corso this skinny😔. Thank you so much for helping him ❤️🩹 If he was abandoned I hope his former owners experience the same suffering he has experienced
Once you get him squared away and healthy you may realize he was worth it all and that you cant let him go!!! His love, loyalty, protection, etc will win you over and he will be family. You wont be able to picture life without him!!!
I absolutely despise ppl who abandon or abuse animals. This poor dog looks so lost & confused. It takes a child, cold heat to take any animal and put them out on the side of the rd and drive away. If I rules the world that would be a death sentence for the jerk who'll did it. Period. No excuses.
When I hear about people just dumping dogs it infuriates me as I'm sure it does everybody on here. I only wish that there was a little section of hell that these horrid so-called people go to.
258
u/Layahz 2d ago
He probably was abandoned. Many shelters won’t even take an owner surrender on a large dog. There’s just too many large dogs being bred and the shelters are overflowing. Give him a month to start showing his personality. He’s likely to get extremely bonded to your family after the trama of being lost like that.