Animal welfare experts warn one dog could become « the next XL Bully » to face government restrictions. Analysis by the pet ID-verification platform PetProov.com reveals the imposing Italian mastiff now attracts more than 192,000 Google searches every month, more than Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels and Labradors.
With its sheer size, guarding heritage, and lack of Kennel Club recognition, experts fear the breed is heading down the same dangerous path that led to the XL Bully ban.
Kate Margolis, founder of PetProov.com, said: « History is repeating itself. We’ve already seen what happens when a large, powerful dog surges in popularity without the right checks and balances. The XL Bully became a status symbol, bred indiscriminately, sold through online ads, and pushed into homes that couldn’t cope. Now the Cane Corso is on the same trajectory – and unless we act responsibly, this could well be the next dog to be banned. »
Unlike Labradors, Spaniels or Retrievers, the Cane Corso is not recognised by the Kennel Club, the official kennel club of the United Kingdom. This means there are no official breeding standards, health checks, or registration data, leaving a vacuum easily filled by unscrupulous sellers and backyard breeders.
PetProov warns buyers face a high risk of scams, mis-selling, and ending up with dogs bred in poor welfare conditions. Its ID-verification app is designed to help families avoid those traps by checking breeder legitimacy before money changes hands.
The Cane Corso was bred in Italy as a guard dog, capable of weighing up to 50kg. With its broad head, muscular frame and protective instincts, it can be affectionate with family, but also strong-willed, energetic and challenging without experienced handling and early training.
« Dogs aren’t fashion statements, » said Margolis. “The Cane Corso may be trending, but it’s not a breed for the average household. Without the right training, welfare and environment, powerful dogs like this can quickly become unmanageable – and that’s when governments step in with bans. We need to learn from the XL Bully crisis, not repeat it.
The rise of non-Kennel Club recognised breeds (Cane Corso, Cockapoo, Cavapoo) means families increasingly lack official records to check health and welfare.
« Choice isn’t the enemy, » added Garry Clarke, Chief Product Officer at PetProov. « But if three of the UK’s five most searched breeds don’t have Kennel Club oversight, that leaves buyers exposed to fraud and poor breeding. We’ve seen families lose thousands of pounds, and worse, end up with dogs that simply aren’t safe or suitable. »
« The Cane Corso may be 2025’s hottest breed online, » said Margolis, « but without responsible ownership and breeding, it risks becoming Britain’s next canine crisis – and potentially, the next dog to be banned. »
The UK’s top trending breeds
The Cane Corso is not alone in raising red flags. PetProov’s top ten list reveals a growing fascination with extremes, from the Belgian Malinois, a high-drive working dog used by police, to the Chow Chow and Shiba Inu, social media favourites prized for their looks but often stubborn and aloof.
Top ten most popular dog breeds in 2025 (Google searches):
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Cane Corso – 192,000 (not KC registered)
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Cockapoo – 110,000 (not KC registered)
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Golden Retriever – 101,000 (KC registered; 10,201 puppies in 2024)
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Cavapoo – 95,000 (not KC registered)
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Cocker Spaniel – 83,000
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Belgian Malinois – 78,000
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Chow Chow – 76,000
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Rottweiler – 74,000
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Shiba Inu – 66,000
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Pomeranian – 66,000
Meanwhile, Britain’s most reliably family-friendly breed, the Labrador, sits down in 17th place, despite topping Kennel Club registrations with over 34,000 puppies last year.
