The 50kg status dog breed described as ‘an XL bully on steroids’
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Bred to be a guard dog, descended from Roman war dogs, the cane corso is the new pet of choice for those looking for a formidable status symbol. From Love Island’s Jack Fincham to footballer Marcus Rashford, the breed is becoming more popular than ever before.
![[2EB78JB Close up of a brown Italian Mastiff Cane Corso dog sitting at the back of a car facing camera with eye contact.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235170140-a47c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
And it’s been claimed that the UK’s ban on XL bullies has led to increased interest in this alternative breed. The cane corso, an Italian mastiff breed, is traditionally used as a guard dog and can weigh up to 50kg (8st). The breed is fully legal in the UK and isn’t subject to the same restrictions as XL bullies.
![[young dog of the cane-corso breed on a walk on the lawn in early spring]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235170155-a912-e1736175830767.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
There aren’t any official numbers showing how many cane corsos are in the UK – the Kennel Club doesn’t recognise the breed, for instance – but canine behaviour specialists say they’re seeing the dogs more frequently. Rob Alleyne, who runs the Canine Instructor Academy in Suffolk, told the Times that he and colleagues are seeing cane corsos more often, describing them as ‘like an XL bully on steroids’.
He said: ‘It’s a killing machine and they’ve become much more popular now. ‘[The ban on XL bullies] has just pushed people towards an even worse dog that doesn’t need to be registered and God help us if they become too popular. ‘I certainly know my trainees are now seeing more cane corso dogs [in their own training classes] than they used to.
