| Cane Corsos: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Cane Corso personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Cane Corso, including these excerpts:
"Often described as a "coursing mastiff," the Cane Corso outdoes the other mastiff breeds in athleticism, agility, speed, energy level, and sense of adventure.
This robust dog needs his share of exercise, but above all he requires personal interaction and lots of companionship. He lives for his family and may become destructive if left alone too much.
Cane Corso puppies should be friendly and trusting with strangers. With proper socialization, they become more aloof and discerning as they mature.
As with all mastiffs, socialization is an absolute requirement to promote the correct temperament, which is protective, but in a calm, stable, discriminating way.
Though the Cane Corso was not used for dog-fighting, dog aggression can be a problem. He should be thoroughly socialized with other dogs from an early age.
The Cane Corso is more attentive and more responsive to training than other mastiffs, and though quite dominant, will respect an owner who is confident and consistent.
Cane Corsos have tighter skin than other mastiffs and drool less. Some love to dig, and most enjoy splashing in water, whether it be the pond, a mudhole, the lawn sprinkler, or their water bowl. These are not dainty dogs."
History
Descended from the now-extinct Roman Molosser (the war and fighting dog of ancient Rome), the Cane Corso hunted big game, controlled unruly cattle, and protected his home.
Size
22-28 inches and 80-140 lbs |
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Cane Corsos
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is massive and powerful
- Has a short easy-care coat
- Makes an imposing watchdog
- Is serious and self-assured with strangers, yet generally mild-mannered unless aroused
- Needs only moderate exercise
- Compared to other mastiffs, is more energetic, more athletic, and more responsive to training
A Cane Corso may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- A huge dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car
- A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet, lie on your lap, and lean his weight against your leg
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young
- Destructiveness when bored or left alone too much
- Aggression or suspiciousness toward strangers when not socialized properly
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Shedding
- Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, grunting, loud snoring
- Slobbering and drooling
- Gassiness (flatulence)
- Serious health problems and a short lifespan
- Extremely high prices
- Legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits)
A Cane Corso may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Cane Corso... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing the proper balance of exercise. Young Cane Corsos need enough exercise to keep them lean and healthy, but not so much that their soft growing bones, joints, and ligaments become over-stressed and damaged. Adult Cane Corsos need more exercise to keep them in shape, but not in hot or humid weather for fear of overheating. The proper amount of exercise can be difficult to regulate in giant breeds.
Since you have to minimize their exercise, young Cane Corsos can be very rambunctious. They will romp with uncoordinated gawkiness all over your house. You need to substitute extra quantities of companionship and supervision. Otherwise, left alone, young Cane Corsos become bored and destructive -- and their powerful jaws can literally destroy your living room.
- Providing enough socialization. Most Cane Corsos have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Cane Corsos go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
| If you have children, I do not recommend a Cane Corso. Young Cane Corsos (up to about two years old) can be bulls in a china shop. When they romp and jump, they do so with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. In addition, Cane Corsos may try to protect their own children from other children, which could lead to tragedy if kids are simply roughhousing and your Cane Corso decides to stop it. With such a massive dog, I wouldn't take the risk. |
- Animal aggression. Many Cane Corsos will not tolerate another dog of the same sex, and some won't tolerate the opposite sex either. Some Cane Corsos have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
- The strong temperament. Cane Corsos are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Cane Corsos are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Cane Corso to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Cane Corso Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Shedding. Cane Corsos shed more than you might think. Their short, coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your carpeting, upholstery, and clothing.
- Cane Corso sounds. Many Cane Corsos snort, grunt, and snore loudly.
- Slobbering. Some Cane Corsos, especially those with loose jowls, tend to slobber or drool, especially after eating and drinking.
- Sorting through multiple clubs. There are several Cane Corso clubs, each claiming to be "the only true organization" for the Cane Corso in the United States. Each group supports its own standard for appearance, size, and temperament. Unfortunately, political backbiting abounds and you'll have to do a lot of research to pick your way through a minefield of claims, counterclaims, and accusations, some valid, some petty.
- High prices. Though the Cane Corso has become quite common in the United States, breeders are still charging $1500 and up.
- Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Cane Corsos who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my Cane Corso Health Page for more information.
- Serious health problems. From hip and joint diseases to eye diseases to heart disease to skin conditions, the Cane Corso is risky in the health department.
- Legal liabilities. Cane Corsos may be targeted for "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. Your friends and neighbors may be uncomfortable around this breed. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable.
| Frankly, most Cane Corsos are "too much dog" for the average household. This is a serious working dog with tremendous strength. Very few people really have the knowledge, facilities, or skills necessary to manage this breed. |
| Not all Cane Corsos are alike! |
- There are energetic Cane Corsos, and placid Cane Corsos.
- Hard-headed Cane Corsos, and sweet-natured Cane Corsos.
- Serious Cane Corsos, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Cane Corsos, and Cane Corsos who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Cane Corso puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Cane Corso... |
There are plenty of adult Cane Corsos who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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