The Cane Corso is an Italian breed of mastiff. It is used for personal protection, tracking, law enforcement, as a guard dog, and as a companion dog.
Life expectancy: 10 – 12 years
Origin: Italy
Temperament: Reserved, Stable, Quiet, Even Tempered, Trainable, Calm
Colors: Black, Chestnut Brindle, Fawn, Grey, Black Brindle, Red
Height: Female: 58–66 cm, Male: 62–70 cm
Weight: Female: 40–45 kg, Male: 45–50 kg
At nearly 28 inches at the shoulder and often weighing more than 100 pounds, with a large head, alert expression, and muscles rippling beneath their short, stiff coat, Corsi are at a glance intimidating creatures. Their imposing appearance is their first line of defense against intruders. As one writer put it, “An understated air of cool competence, the kind of demeanor you’d expect from a professional bodyguard, is the breed’s trademark.”
Corsi are intelligent, loyal, eager to please, versatile, and intensely loyal to their humans, but are also assertive and willful, and can end up owning an unwitting owner. As with any other big guardian dog, responsible breeding and early socialization with people and other dogs is vital.