What You Need To Know

THINGS TO CONSDER BEFORE OWNING A CANE CORSO

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The Cane Corso breed is from Italy and has been further developed in the U. S. It has a rich and well documented history as a working breed on farms and estates, as well as hunting and guard dogs.   

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SIZE AND ACTIVITY LEVEL

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The Cane Corso is a working breed just like the Rottweiler, American Bulldog, Dobermann Pinscher, German Shepherd, etc. They are a large breed dog, usually ranging between 90-140 pounds, with smaller and larger dogs being seen. These dogs need a job, such as guarding a home or property, hunting, or vermin control (keeping raccoons, foxes, coyotes, stray dogs, and other unwanted animals away from home and/or property). If they are not given a job to do, then appropriate exercise such as playtime in the backyard, fetch with a ball, swimming, hiking, or jogging is necessary to stimulate their bodies and minds, give them an outlet for their energy, and keep them fit and healthy.  If they are not given the chance to do these types of things, behavior issues can arise.

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TEMPERAMENT

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Again, this is traditionally a working mastiff breed.  They have a natural suspicion of strangers and strange activity in their area. While not every Corso will make a top notch security or personal protection dog (just like not every Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Malinois or Dutch Shepherd will either), it is still hardwired into their DNA to bark, growl, and even possibly bite to protect, sometimes with no training at all, when they feel their owners or territory are in danger. This should be considered when thinking about owning a Corso. If you keep your house doors unlocked and have friends come and go as they please, or your gates to your back yard are the same, then the Corso is not the dog for you. They should be supervised at all times.

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ANOTHER WORD ABOUT TEMPERAMENT

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It has long been said, and used to be in the standard, that the Corso should be "aloof" with strangers. That word was, and is still being used in other breed standards and descriptions as a way to cover up the fact that a lot of Corsos (PLENTY of other breeds too!) have, and had in the past, temperament issues, aka being skittish, shy, or scared of strangers and strange environments, and make it acceptable. It is inexcusable to breed dogs with this temperament, as it can be passed on to future generations.  A well bred AND socialized Corso should not be fearful or skittish, and should be accepting of people into it's home or surroundings, or in public, that it's owner says are OK. 

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A big part of how your Corso, or any other dog turns out, is in how it is raised. We are big believers of socialization and exposure at a young age. We like to have our pups meet as many people and be in as many different environments and scenarios as possible in the first year of life. When this is done, it can build confidence and stability in your pup, while also teaching it who and what is OK and normal, and what is not. 

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It is not realistic to expect every Corso or dog of ANY breed to make the ultimate end-all be-all protection or working dog, but with proper breeding, socialization, and exposure, it can definitely help create a more confident and stable dog, that IF it has proper working temperament, will only enhance those capabilities. A responsibly raised Corso should be an enjoyable member of it's household.