Cane Corso

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. Full-grown, they typically weigh 88-110 pounds and stand 23-28 inches tall.

Cane Corsos are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. 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. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

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. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

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. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Cane Corsos are best suited for a rural property or home with a large yard. 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. They are fairly easy to train.