Cane Corso crowned the UK’s most searched for dog – but experts warn it could become the ‘next XL Bully’ crisis.
The Cane Corso has been named the UK’s most searched-for dog breed of 2025 – but animal welfare experts fear the imposing Italian mastiff could follow the same troubled path as the recently banned XL Bully.
Bred in Italy as a guard dog and weighing up to 50kg, the Cane Corso’s muscular build, guarding instincts and lack of Kennel Club recognition are fuelling concerns.
According to analysis by PetProov.com, a pet ID-verification platform, the Cane Corso now racks up more than 192,000 Google searches every month – more than Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels and Labradors combined.
“History is repeating itself,” warned PetProov founder Kate Margolis. “We saw what happened with the XL Bully: a powerful dog became a status symbol, bred indiscriminately, and sold online to households that weren’t prepared. The Cane Corso is on the same trajectory – unless we act responsibly, it could be the next dog to face restrictions.”
Unlike Kennel Club-recognised breeds such as Labradors and Spaniels, the Cane Corso has no official breeding standards or registration checks in the UK, leaving the door open to unscrupulous sellers and backyard breeders. PetProov says this puts buyers at risk of scams, poor welfare conditions and ending up with dogs unsuited to family life.
While the Cane Corso has the potential to be a loyal and affectionate companion, experts stress that responsible breeding, careful ownership and early training are essential to prevent the breed from becoming the UK’s next canine crisis.
The Cane Corso tops PetProov’s list of 2025’s most searched-for breeds, alongside Cockapoos and Cavapoos – also unrecognised by the Kennel Club. By contrast, Labradors, long considered the UK’s most family-friendly breed, are down in 17th place in search rankings despite leading Kennel Club registrations with more than 34,000 puppies in 2024.
UK’s top ten most searched-for dog breeds in 2025
- Cane Corso – 192,000 (not KC registered)
- Cockapoo – 110,000 (not KC registered)
- Golden Retriever – 101,000
- Cavapoo – 95,000 (not KC registered)
- Cocker Spaniel – 83,000
- Belgian Malinois – 78,000
- Chow Chow – 76,000
- Rottweiler – 74,000
- Shiba Inu – 66,000
- Pomeranian – 66,000
Margolis urged prospective owners to look beyond trends and social media appeal: “Dogs aren’t fashion statements. The Cane Corso may be popular online, but it’s not a breed for the average household. Without the right training and environment, powerful breeds can quickly become unmanageable – and that’s when bans come into play.”
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