brindle cane corso

The AKC recognized the Cane Corso in 2010, and you can be forgiven for thinking that the Cane Corso is a relatively new dog breed. However, the dog’s heritage goes back to the Greek and Roman empires! Back then, ancestors of the Cane Corso were hard-working dogs that led armies into battle. Later, they were brought to Italy, where they were a mainstay of farms for centuries. They protected livestock, hunted wild boar, and guarded their owners with a fierceness and determination matched by very few breeds.

Today this majestic and rather large, imposing dog is known for being bold, alert, confident, and attractive. The Cane Corso, also known as the Italian Mastiff, Italian Corso, or simply Corso, is a popular but relatively rare breed seen sparingly in the United States. Are Cane Corsos good family dogs? Indeed they are!

If you want to adopt a Cane Corso, they might not be a great choice if you have small children at home. However, dog experts (and Cane Corso enthusiasts) will tell you that the working dog will make a wonderful and protective family pet if well-socialized from an early age.


Are Cane Corsos the Best Option as a Family Pet?

While the Cane Corso can make an excellent family pet, they require an owner who’s experienced with training. Cane Corsos are extremely intelligent, large, and, if not socialized correctly, can be aggressive, especially with other dogs. Adopting a Cane Corso with small children at home is not recommended unless you have superior dog training skills. If you do, they can make a caring, extremely devoted companion that will give their life to protect you

Do Cane Corsos Have a Good Temperament?

Veterinarians and dog experts agree that Cane Corsos have a pleasant temperament. Once mature, they are calm, devoted, and, when trained well, very good with children, strangers, and other dogs. However, they are strong dogs that, if not socialized from puppyhood, can be aggressive. Of course, that can be said about many large breeds.

With a temperament test score of 88,1% according to the American Temperament Test Society, Cane Corsos have an excellent all-around temperament and make great family pets. Their test scores were better than one of America’s most beloved dog breeds, the Golden Retriever.

cane corso resting at the beach
Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Are Cane Corsos Easy To Care For?

One factor that makes the Cane Corso an excellent family pet is that they’re easy to care for. They have very short hair that requires little grooming and sheds minimally. The occasional brushing and bath are as difficult as their grooming gets. Cane Corsos are also flexible in terms of living arrangements and will be just as happy in a large house with a big yard as an apartment. Wherever you live, your Cane Corso will need regular walks and plenty of exercise.

Are Can Corsos Good with Kids?

Most would agree that the Cane Corso is good with kids, but it behaves better with older kids who know how to treat a dog with respect. As a larger dog, the Cane Corso can unintentionally hurt a smaller child when playing, since they are incredibly strong. That’s not to say that they would bite, which is rare for the breed, but in some situations, their sheer strength could be problematic.

Read More: Are Belgian Malinois Good Family Dogs? Are They the Best Option?


Final Thoughts

Are Cane Corsos good family dogs? As we’ve seen today, the answer is a resounding yes! When well trained and socialized from a young age, the majestic breed will be affectionate, loyal, and, unless provoked, docile and quiet. Cane Corso’s are very eager to please end relatively easy to train. They also form an incredibly strong bond with their primary owners, making them fantastic family dogs and powerful protectors.


Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock