I had an English Mastiff in the past and was thinking of getting a Cane corso. Any comments on that breed?
I have dominant breed training experience from my English Mastiff, but I realize the Cane Corso is a bit different. Can anyone share some experiences with this breed? Pros/cons? I have a 2 yr old who is around 2 large goldens and has learned to respect them. Besides the obvious small child advice, does anyone have some insight on this breed?
Compared to the Cane Corso, the English Mastiff is a pile of jelly. (Ironically, I’d say that’s what my English Mastiff resembles at the moment, sleeping as he is.)
They aren’t just "a bit different." In fact, Corso and EM owners I know describe them as being opposites. ("Polar opposites," to be specific.) Unlike the EM, Corsos aren’t at all laid-back and mellow. They have high prey drives, an insanely exaggerated instinct to protect and way more energy. As such, they require a whole lot more exercise and mental stimulation. They require a firm leader.. I mean an unwavering, absolute, firm, benevolent, experienced leader.
Not to make them sound like bad dogs, they’re perfectly lovely. Yanno. In the right families. With an excellent lineage and as-close-to-perfect raising, socialization and training as possible, they’re cuddlebugs within the family. And, every breed has its exceptions. Here’s Garden, my favorite cat-lovin’, gentle Cane Corso:
http://www.mastiffonlinecommunity.net/viewtopic.php?t=10199&highlight=
These might be helpful:
http://www.canecorsoinfo.org/temperment.htm
http://chargingrhinocanecorso.com/Ownership.htm
http://www.castleguardcanecorso.com/CorsoInfo/TempTrain.html
http://www.montanacanecorso.com/Info.html
http://www.amorecanecorsos.com/Corsi.html
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/canecorsos.html
They can take ‘protective’ to new heights – I would not do this with a small child and if you were going to do this – I would be VERY CAREFULL to find a stellar breeder. They are much more intense than and English Mastiff.
I love the breed and have seen some nice examples – but I was also attacked by one judging at a show – for no reason.