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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.

Mastiffs are far from the imposing beasts they may appear to be. This breed is the heaviest dog around, but judging by their personalities, most of that weight lies in their hearts. Mastiffs are kind, gentle souls who protect if needed but would choose a hug over hostility any day.

English Mastiffs are generally not the best fit for families with young kids. Mastiffs are good with children and get along well with other dogs and pets with socialization. Their good-natured temperament lends well to families with children, and they often put up with playing, pranks, and hijinks without batting an eye. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

In spite of their imposing size, the adult Mastiff doesn’t need a ton of exercise. These dogs enjoy walks around the block, a light job, or playtime in a large, fenced-in yard. Mastiff puppies shouldn’t be overly exercised because they need all of their energy to grow strong bones and put on weight. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

Mastiffs have a short-haired, fawn (light-yellow brown) coat that ranges in color from silver to apricot to dark brindle. These dogs are recognizable by their black mask, ears, and nose. Because their hair is so short, the Mastiff’s coat needs little attention; brushing them with a rubber brush once in a while should do the trick. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

English Mastiffs are best suited for a house with a good-sized yard. Mastiffs are ill-suited for hot weather and prefer life indoors where they can relax on a soft pillow or cold tile. Because of their size, Mastiffs aren’t practical for apartments and will be more comfortable in homes with a yard. They are moderately trainable with consistent effort.