Why Does My Cane Corsos Stink? (And How To Fix It)

Have you started noticing an unpleasant smell coming from your dog even a day or two after giving him a bath? It’s not an uncommon issue and there are various reasons why a Cane Corso stinks or smells bad. I want to share with you the most common reasons for the Cane Corso bad smell problem and the best solutions for each case.

Why does my Cane Corso stink? The most common reason for a Cane Corso’s bad smell are skin issues, ear infections, gland infections, bad mouth hygiene, irregular baths or they just rolled in something smelly on purpose.

With those in mind as the most common problems, let’s take a closer look at each one of them and see what are their main causes, what can we do to solve the problem and how can we keep it from happening again.

“Dog Smell”

Everyone who has owned a dog knows that they have a unique smell. They smell like dogs. That smell is normal for them, it’s their natural scent, but for us humans who are accustomed to our freshly bathed human smell, it could be overwhelming.

What is “dog smell”? To us humans, all dogs smell the same, but they don’t smell the same to each other. Dogs naturally produce secretions, its function is to create a scent with which dogs can recognize one another and “scent mark” their territory. Dog’s skin also produces oils, which are essential for the health of their skin and hair. Along with natural odors from their ears and paws, all these things add up to create the familiar “dog smell.”

If this is the smell you are talking about,t the solution is simple: regular brushing and bathing should do the trick. Use a shampoo that actually removes the smell. Most shampoos have a strong fragrance that just overrides the “dog smell”, but they usually wear off quickly and they are irritating to your dog.

Another tip is to rub your dog in coconut oil after a bath. Shampoos tend to remove the natural oils dogs produce, so coconut oil is a good replacement for the lost oils. Use a brush to evenly spread it around your dog’s coat.

“Dog Smell” is a healthy odor that is natural to dogs, and they are not a problem. But there are unhealthy odors that are problematic.

Ear Infection

If you’ve noticed that your dog is constantly scratching its ears, shaking its head, and having a constant itchy feeling, that might be the first sign of an ear infection. Check to see if one or both ears are the sources of the bad smell to make sure it’s an ear infection.

Causes: Although Cane Corsos are not prone to getting sick all the time or having allergies, an ear infection is something that can happen to all dogs due to outside influences.

Moisture or wax building up is a great breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria. 

Excess cleaning can also be a cause of micro-injuries that can lead to infections, so clean only when needed and clean gently.

Solution: If you notice your Cane Corso has an ear infection, make sure to take him to the vet so he can provide it with the correct treatment. Always follow the vets’ instructions for further treatment so the infection goes away completely without a chance of it coming back right away.

Prevention: To prevent ear infections from even happening make sure to clean your dog’s ears regularly. Get an ear cleaning solution and some cotton or a towel and gently clean your Cane Corsos ears. After you’re done, make sure to wipe off the moisture with a dry piece of cotton.

Skin Issues

If you can’t locate the exact source of the smell like ears, mouth, or the back end, and you can still notice your Cane Corso stinks, it’s possible that he might have a skin infection.

Causes: Cane Corsos can be prone to developing skin conditions that are normal with all short-haired breeds. One of the main problems that can develop is Pyoderma, a skin infection that can be noticed by seeing rashes, scabs, and even hair loss in certain places.

Another common skin problem a Cane Corso can experience is canine seborrhea which is known for having a very unpleasant smell. It mainly appears in areas under the armpits, around elbows and ankles, and under the belly.

Solution: As with any infection or health problem, the first thing to do is visit the vet so he can properly diagnose the issue and give your dog the right treatment. Skin problems are usually solved quickly with the right shampoo, antibiotic treatment, or a change in the diet.

Prevention: Constantly taking care of your Cane Corsos hygiene is important. Pay attention to all the signs like constant itching, scratching, and redness on your dog’s skin.

Bad Breath (Bad Mouth Hygiene)

Usually, all dogs have bad breath and that’s normal to a certain degree. But if you’re noticing your Cane Corso has an unusually bad breath, he might be experiencing a big problem. With big dogs that like to chew on everything, allowing a mouth disease to happen is a bad mistake.

Causes: Bad Mouth Hygiene is the number one cause here. Just like humans, dogs need to keep their teeth clean and healthy to prevent diseases that can cause permanent bad breath.

Solution/Prevention: Brush your Cane Corsos teeth regularly and often. And since you’re a Cane Corso owner, I know it can be a bit of a struggle to brush their teeth, but you can also use dental chews that my dogs personally love to chew on.

Gland Infections

In case you noticed the bad smell is coming from your dog’s rear end, and it’s not the usual fart, but a really bad smell, your Cane Corso might have an anal gland infection.

Causes: Dogs use these glands to communicate with each other, but these glands can get infected and start producing a very bad smell. There are many different health issues that can cause this.

Rolling In Smelly Stuff

When talking about how weird Cane Corsos can get, we never fail to mention them rolling in smelly stuff on purpose. It’s just something they like to do. They usually do it right after you bathe them because they want to get their “old” smell back.

Don’t be surprised if your Cane Corso runs outside as soon as you give him a bath and rolls in a pile of dirt, poop, or even dead animals.

The only solution to this is good and constant training. To this day, my two Cane Corsos, even though they are fully trained, like to run and roll around in a pile of something smelly.