Cursinu
Also known as Corsican Dog (Chien corse)
- Height at the withers
- 46 to 58 cm
- Weight
- 20 to 28 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- France (Corsica)
- FCI group
- 5 · Spitz and primitive types
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
Overview
A hardy, medium-sized dog, lean and muscular, with a short or medium-length coat that is most often brindle fawn, the Cursinu is the traditional dog of Corsica. Versatile, it works as a herding dog for livestock, a house guard and a wild boar flushing dog. Attached to its owner and wary of strangers, it needs space, activity and firm training.
History and origins
Present in Corsica since at least the 16th century, the Cursinu was long the indispensable helper of the island’s shepherds, pig farmers and hunters, before declining in the second half of the 20th century in the face of imported breeds. The Association de sauvegarde du chien corse (Corsican Dog Preservation Association), founded in 1989, located and selected the last dogs true to type. The Société Centrale Canine recognized it in 2003 and places it in group 5 (spitz and primitive types); the breed is not recognized by the FCI. Today it has about 150 LOF registrations a year (153 in 2025).
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Leishmaniasis (Mediterranean area)
- Hunting injuries (wild boar)
- Ear infections
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, harsh coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care. Coat colors: brindle fawn, fawn, sable with black overlay, black with fawn markings.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Cursinu FAQ
How big does the Cursinu get?
The Cursinu stands 46 to 58 cm at the withers and weighs 20 to 28 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Cursinu shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Cursinu live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard.
How much exercise does the Cursinu need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Cursinu good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Cursinu live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and leishmaniasis.
