Sonny

Rottweilers (or “Rotties) may have a bad-to-the-bone reputation, but their diehard protectiveness comes from a positive place. These large and powerful pups make it their mission to keep you safe but are surprisingly calm when they aren’t on high alert. Full-grown, they typically weigh 80-135 pounds and stand 22-27 inches tall.

Rottweilers are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. Socialization is the top priority if your Rottie is going to be around kids or other animals. Rottweilers can be good playmates for children, cats, and pets, but they need to be socialized early and have positive experience when they’re young. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

Rotties need daily exercise to get their energy out and their heart pumping. It’s safe to take them running with you in the open country or the woods, as they don’t like to wander far from their families. Rottweilers are very smart and also love sports like swimming, running beside a bicycle, and playing fetch with a ball. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

The Rottweiler has a distinct outer coat of short, thick, coarse fur with a thick layer of hair underneath. All dogs in this breed are black with brown markings. You may find ones with long hair or white chest markings, but these traits are not as common. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Rottweilers are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.

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.