Dog Breed

Cane Corso

Guard DogBraniacGiant
Primary image of Cane Corso dog breed
Full Name
Cane Corso
Alternate Names
Italian Corso, Italian Mastiff
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Life Span
10 - 11 years
Weight
88 - 120 pounds
Description

The Cane Corso is a sympathetic and intelligent dog breed. Although imposing in nature, they are mostly quiet and calm. Their name translated from latin is guard dog and they really do live up to that name. They are loyal, and have natural guard tendencies with their family and home.

The Cane Corso is a very powerful and athletic dog breed, so needs an "alpha" dog owner who they will respect and follow. On the other hand, if there is trust and mutual respect, the Cane Corso is eager to please it's owner, and can actually be easier to train than the average dog. If the Cane Corso is neglected or does not have an owner it respects, they can become tempered and dangerous. With proper training and exercise, it can be an excellent home companion and guard dog.

Cane Corsos are independent, and a good option for someone who needs to leave their dog at home while they are at work. However, when exercise becomes even more important, as they can become destructive in the home if they are not properly exercised and challenged.

Origin
Italy
Bred For
Hunting large game, herding cattle
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Cane Corso good with children?

    The Cane Corso is about average in how friendly they are with children. They can be friendly and loving with children, but we recommend that they get early socialization, and are not left alone with children for extended periods.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Cane Corso friendly with strangers?

    The Cane Corso is not automatically friendly with strangers and we would not recommend for a living situation with frequent guests.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Cane Corso friendly with other dogs?

    The Cane Corso is not naturally friendly with other dogs, but with a good amount of early socialization as a puppy they can learn to get along with most breeds of dog. Proper training is required before letting the Cane Corso go off-leash or to dog parks.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Cane Corso like to cuddle?

    The Cane Corso is not a cuddle bug, but it can still appreciate affection. It just has different boundaries with physical affection.
    Playfulness

    Does the Cane Corso like to play?

    The Cane Corso is playful both as a puppy and as an adult dog. As they get older they may appreciate their alone time, and may not be in the mood for constant play, but certainly will have plenty of time for play as well.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Cane Corso make a good service dog?

    The Cane Corso would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Cane Corso good for first-time owners?

    The Cane Corso would not be the best fit for first-time owners. A breed is only good for first-time owners if it is raised for home companionship, and is open to training and is motivated to please its owner.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Cane Corso be trained?

    The Cane Corso is about average when it comes to training potential. The Cane Corso can be seen in competitions and can have advanced training, but it would require much dedication and oftentimes professional training.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Cane Corso shed a lot?

    The Cane Corso does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Cane Corso easy to groom?

    The Cane Corso requires very little grooming relative to other dog breeds, their coat is very low maintenance.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Cane Corso need a lot of exercise?

    The Cane Corso has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Cane Corso?

    The Cane Corso is one of the smartest dog breeds. Having a very smart dog is fun, but it is also demanding- they require mental challenge and stimulation just as much as physical exercise.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Cane Corso bark? Does the Cane Corso bark too much?

    The Cane Corso barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Cane Corsos - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Cane Corso a good guard dog?

    The Cane Corso can serve as an excellent guard dog. It is both physically intimidating and also enjoys having a "job" to protect its family and property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Cane Corso good at staying alone? Is the Cane Corso independent?

    The Cane Corso prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The Cane Corso still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Cane Corso a good apartment dog?

    The Cane Corso is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Cane Corso?

    The Cane Corso is a large dog breed. A dog's size is important to consider when it comes to travel arrangements, budgeting for food, and how big of a living space you have.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Cane Corso tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Cane Corso?

    The Cane Corso can tolerate hot weather well. They still prefer having some variation and a cool space to sleep, but overall they can do well in warm climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Cane Corso tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Cane Corso?

    The Cane Corso can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Cane Corso try to run away?

    The Cane Corso does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Cane Corso a healthy dog? The health of a Cane Corso should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Cane Corso is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Cane Corso?

    The Cane Corso has a good amount of energy and it's important to give the Cane Corso daily walks and ideally run time as well. A well-exercised dog is easier to train, and will be happier and have less likelihood for destructive habits.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Cane Corso drool?

    The Cane Corso is one of the dog breeds that drools the most. It may not be the most important factor, but something to consider if you live in a home where that may bother you.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Cane Corso have a large prey drive? Does the Cane Corso like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Cane Corso has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Cane Corso may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the Cane Corso atheltic?

    The Cane Corso is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
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  • Secondary image of Cane Corso dog breed

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Breed Variations

  • Image for the Brindle variation for dog breed

    Brindle

  • Image for the Fawn variation for dog breed

    Fawn

  1. Working
  2. Mastiff
  3. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a purebred dog that belongs to the Mastiff sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Mastiff sub-group: Masttiff breeds are the world's ancient and giant breed. They are thought to have originated from from Tibet and China, although there is evidence that they have been throughout Europe- the Roman Empire and Greece for thousands of years as well. They were used as big game hunters and noble guard dogs. Mastiffs are not particularly high endurance or energy, but quiet intense in short bursts, which is perfect for protection and property protection. Through the years the mastiff has become more friendly and suitable for families, and their calm and composed temperament can actually be more suitable for a house (or even apartment) than it may seem.

Cane Corsos for adoption

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