Cane Corso Breed Profile
From Family Protector to Show Dog
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The Cane Corso, also known as the Italian Mastiff, has long since proven its worth as a family protector and true working dog. It is a direct descendent from the Roman war dogs. The breed continued to be used on farmsteads for hunting, farm work, and guard duties. The industrialization of the Italian countryside almost resulted in the loss of this great breed. It has been painstakingly brought back from the brink of extinction since the 1970's to become one of the most rapidly growing breeds internationally in the terms of popularity as more and more people recognize its worth as a family companion and protector. The first Cane Corsi were brought into the United states in 1988 and AKC gave full recognition to the breed in 2010.
AKC describes this breeds personality as " Smart, trainable, and noble of bearing; assertive and confident, Corsi are peerless protectors." "Corsi are smart, trainable, eager to please, versatile, and docile and intensely loyal with their humans." While this breed is definitely not for the novice dog owner, in the hands of a confident, strong leader and with good socialization and proper training they can be matched only by the German Shepherd Dog in terms of intelligence and trainability. They are extremely patient with children and normally get along well with other dogs. This breed tends to be aloof with strangers (not due to shyness, simply remaining indifferent and observant) but friendly and outgoing with those that they know. That being said, in a threat situation they will defend their family to the death. Due to their low center of gravity and large body mass, a Corso is a near impossible foe for a threat neutralize when in defense mode. They are incredibly fast and agile for so large a breed. They have greatest bite force of any breed.
This is a working breed. As such, the Corso needs sufficient exercise and mental stimulation or it will devise a way to entertain itself. They must not simply be relegated to the back yard. This breed is meant to live and interact with its family.
PLEASE do not consider this breed if you are not willing to put in the time, effort and energy to properly socialize and train your dog.
While among the very elite of the dog world in the terms of family companion and protection if properly trained and socialized, as with any large aggressive breed, failure to fulfill your responsibilities will result in danger to you, your family, your neighbors, and strangers.
Below is the akc website link for the breed standard:
http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/CaneCorso.pdf?_ga=2.208313873.2037599014.1501963685-1156683990.1500340042
