Choosing to add a furry friend to your growing household is a long-term commitment, and picking a breed that fits your lifestyle is the key to a happy home. With over 160 American Kennel Club-recognized breeds, that decision can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help you meet the breed that’s right for you. If you’re looking for an affectionate yet strong family guard dog, learn everything you need to know about the Cane Corso.
- Affectionate
- Loyal
- Quiet
- Family oriented
- Excellent watchdog
Overview
Also known as the Cane Corso Italiano, this dog was bred in Italy to hunt wild boar and is a rare but well-respected breed. Named after the Latin word “cohors,” meaning “guardian,” the breed is very protective yet kind. Newer to the AKC, it was officially accepted under the miscellaneous breeds in 2008. Docile and affectionate toward all members of the family, the Cane Corso makes a wonderful family guard dog.
Breed standards
- AKC group: Working group
- UKC group: Guardian Dog group
- Average lifespan: 10 – 12 years
- Average size: 90 – 110 pounds
- Coat appearance: Waterproof, shiny, short and dense, similar to a cow
- Coloration: Black, various to all shades of gray, fawn, red and brindle
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Other identifiers: Medium-sized but large-boned and strong muscular body; thick skin; broad muzzle; muscular jaw; black nose; cropped or chin-length ears; long legs; black paws and nails
- Possible alterations: May have pink nose, fringed or longer coat.
Is this breed right for you?
Active, the strong Cane Corso requires a lot of exercise. An excellent family dog, it gets along well with children but has a serious instinct to chase other animals, including cats. While it does well living in an apartment if it receives adequate fitness, the Cane Corso would also be satisfied living outdoors. Loyal to its owner and extremely gentle, it is best that it has an owner that is well-versed in the breed and is stern in its training. Typically, it is best that the Cane Corso is taught to be submissive to its owner and family. In addition, this breed should be socialized young to avoid its protective instinct kicking in with invited guests. Requiring only an occasional brush, the Cane Corso is very easy to groom and only lightly sheds. However, it is known for drooling, especially when overheated.
A dream day-in-the-life
A simple breed, it does not require much to make the Cane Corso happy. An affectionate dog, it will be happy to be surrounded by its family throughout the entire day. Going for a quick walk or run, it is likely to guard the home while keeping on the trail of its owner. Around the home, it will be docile and go nearly unnoticed, until it gets into bed with its owner at night.
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