Are Cane Corsos The Right Breed For You?

You may have heard them referred to as the coursing mastiffs, because no other breed has quite the same athletic prowess, energy level, speed, agility, and overall general good-natured curiosity. The Cane Corso can be a demanding pet; this dog will need plenty of exercise, personal attention and camaraderie. Cane Corso puppies tend to reveal the breed's basic nature with their friendly and trusting ways. These dogs will need a bit of socialization to help them develop some boundaries, but they tend to remain a social animal throughout their lives and if left alone too much, they may become destructive.

Most mastiffs require socialization in order to develop a healthy temperament, or one that is calmer, stable, discriminating though still protective and Corsos are no exception. This breed may have issues with aggression, making socialization from an early age even more important. But every enthusiast will tell you just how easy it is to train these dogs; they are more responsive and attentive than other mastiff breeds, and show respect in the presence of confidence and consistency.

Being the owner of a Cane Corso comes with a high level of responsibility: besides working to avoid aggression and providing the proper amount of socialization, be aware that these animals may come equipped with a strong temperament and a deep, loud voice. Some may snore which can be endearing for some dog lovers, but not so pleasant for others. This breed has tighter skin than most mastiffs, but sometimes they do still drool.

The puppies tend to be sweet and just as adorable when you bring them home, but often grow up to be strong-willed dogs with dominant personalities. Because they can be protective in the presence of strangers, enough socialization with friendly people is required for the dog to learn the behaviors of those who pose no threat to the dog. If they aren't socialized enough, this breed may remain suspicious of anyone outside their family. In extreme cases, these dogs without proper socialization may engage in defensive biting of strangers, a behavior that expresses their fear of the unknown.

Exercise keeps these dogs fit and healthy, but too much may have a negative effect on a young dog's soft bones, ligaments and joints. A pup may be a bit of a handful because even though it is responsible to cut back on their exercise activity, they will be left with plenty of energy which they may just take out on your home. Even at a young age, this breed requires plenty of supervision and companionship so they must be kept occupied or the results could be destructive. Adult dogs require more exercise to stay in proper shape, but they do not appreciate weather that is too hot or humid and there is a real danger of overheating.

If you are considering becoming the owner of one of these energetic and protective animals, first check into the local legalities surrounding the breed. Some areas "ban" these dogs and some home insurance policies frown upon Corso owners. Owning this breed can be a rewarding experience, but owners must be willing to put in a certain amount of effort into the relationship.

Stewart Wrighter learned the importance of purchasing aCane Corso Mastiff through a reputable breeder. He recently visited aCane Corso puppies facility in an effort to find a family pet.