Cane Corso

Breed Group: working

"Everything about me is big, especially my protective side!"

Breed Profile

Cane Corsos are giant dogs with strong instincts to love and protect. They’re affectionate and playful with their owners, but if a stranger infringes on their family or territory, prepare for a scary showdown. When these dogs go into protection mode, they mean business.

Behavior

The Cane Corso is a smart, loyal, and protective dog that’s versatile and trainable. These dogs are even-tempered and confident yet alert, which makes them great guard dogs or watchdogs. They are not normally aggressive but won’t hesitate to leap into action when necessary. Plus, they have an especially high tolerance for pain, which may come in handy if they need to protect.

Coat

The Cane Corso has short, dense, stiff fur in black, gray, fawn, or stripes. They also can have a black or grey muzzle or white markings on their chest and feet. Cane Corsos are light shedders, so they don’t need much grooming. A little brushing here and there is all they need to keep their coat looking good.

Lifestyle

Cane Corsos are calm, loyal, and affectionate toward their family, but they need to be watched around smaller kids because of their size. They should be socialized at an early age to minimize aggression with strangers and other dogs, but even with training, Cane Corsos may be on edge around those they don’t know. Due to their large build, these dogs are not a good fit for apartments. They’re content living indoors or outdoors as long as they have enough interaction and a safe place to stay.

Activity

The Cane Corso is an athletic breed that needs a lot of exercise. They have a great deal of stamina, which makes them great companions for walks, long jogs, or hikes. These pups are big and strong, so if you allow them to live or play in a yard, make sure it has a secure fence to avoid escapes.

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is a big, powerful Mastiff breed that hails from Italy. Weighing in at well over 100 pounds, this dog’s size alone could scare most people away. Cane Corsos were bred to hunt and guard, so they make the perfect watchdog or guard dog. However, they need a strong owner (both physically and mentally) to keep them in line. Despite their size, the Cane Corso is loving and gentle toward their family. They are not fond of strangers or other animals, however, so they may be aggressive around them. If you can show these athletic dogs who’s boss, they’ll be your fast friend and protector for life.