The Cane Corso's lineage traces directly back to the Roman Molossus, a formidable war dog used in conquests across Europe. These ancient canines marched alongside Roman legions, serving as armored combatants, sentries, and guardians of camps and supply lines.

Historical accounts describe how the Romans selectively bred these dogs for specific traits: immense strength, unwavering courage, and battlefield intelligence. They wore spiked collars and protective armor, often engaging enemy cavalry and infantry with devastating effectiveness.

When Rome expanded into the Italian peninsula, these Molossian dogs interbred with local Italian breeds, laying the foundation for what would become the Cane Corso—a name derived from the Latin "Cohors" meaning "protector" or "guardian of the courtyard."

Following the fall of Rome, the Cane Corso's ancestors found new purpose on Italian estates and farmlands. During the Middle Ages, these dogs evolved into versatile working companions indispensable to rural life.

Their duties expanded to include guarding homesteads from bandits and wolves, protecting livestock from predators, and assisting with hunting wild boar—a particularly dangerous task that showcased their courage and physical prowess.

Italian nobility prized these dogs for their estate protection capabilities, while farmers valued their versatility, intelligence, and independent problem-solving abilities. This period solidified the breed's dual nature: fiercely protective yet discerningly loyal to their human families.

Regional variations developed across different parts of Italy, with distinct lines emerging in Puglia, Campania, and Sicily—each adapted to local terrain and working requirements.

The industrial revolution and two World Wars nearly erased the Cane Corso from existence. As Italy modernized, traditional farming practices declined, reducing the need for versatile farm guardians. Mechanization replaced canine labor, and rural populations migrated to cities.

By the 1970s, the breed had dwindled to critically low numbers, with only a handful of specimens remaining in remote regions of Southern Italy. The Cane Corso faced the very real threat of permanent extinction, preserved only by a few dedicated farmers and enthusiasts who recognized the historical significance of these ancient dogs.

During this precarious period, informal breeding programs maintained the genetic lines, though without standardized documentation. The breed's survival hung in a delicate balance, dependent on the dedication of traditionalists who refused to let this piece of Italian heritage disappear.