Without a doubt. Cane Corsos or better known as Italian Mastiffs are tough canines. If you need a guard dog, this breed should be the first one on the list to be considered. Being protective is in their nature, but of course, good guidance and ownership will have a larger impact on how effective they become in securing your family’s safety as well as your properties.
Learn more about why you should get a Cane Corso puppy now, especially if you’ve been searching for the right guard dog for ages already. Keep reading!
Why Cane Corsos Were Bred as Guard Dogs
A bit of the Cane Corso’s history is worth discussing so we would truly understand why he is widely used as a home protector. Long ago, ancient Greek dogs known as the Molossus existed. These days, they are already regarded as extinct or rare. Such a breed always has the reputation of being massive, ferocious, and incredible. It was the Molossi tribe that owned most of these legendary canines and when Rome conquered Greece, events took a different turn.
The Roman Empire then seized most of the Molossus dogs. Significant happenings took place and these eventually led to them breeding the ancient dog with the native ones from Italy. Thus, the Cane Corso was born. Due to how impressive the Cane Corso was in personality, looks, and size, the Romans began using them in battles. During that time, the Italian breed was highly sought after and they were regarded as “war beasts” due to how savage they can be.
Fearless and undeniably strong, Cane Corsos are a good match against the king of the jungle when both are placed inside the arena.
If we further dissect the name, we will come to know that his name is derived from the word “Cohors” which is a Latin term for “guardian”. Meaning, Cane Corso roughly translates to a “guardian dog”. This explains why his name is the most befitting of all.
Male or Female: Which Cane Corso Is a Better Guard Dog?
Both genders excel in guarding, but as we would usually hear from others, you have to choose one that suits your personality and preferences better. There will always be a set of differences exhibited by the male and female Cane Corso, so deciding may not be easy at all.
Male Cane Corso
Generally, it is better to have a male Cane Corso if your objective is to have your home or other properties well-protected. Assets are attractive to burglars, intruders, or unwelcomed guests, and who knows how many of them lurk nearby as they look for an opportunity to break in. With this possible circumstance in mind, having a bigger and tougher dog is needed. A well-trained Cane Corso will highly likely meet all the requirements.
As an owner, there is no reason to fear such an intimidating dog. Of course, you have to ensure he’s bonded well with you to help him mature with reliable and stable emotions. One thing you should take note of is that males can be clingy and would often act like velcro dogs, but that’s not something someone would complain about, right?
He will treat kids well with care and guarantee their safety for as long as he’s around.
Female Cane Corso
The female Cane Corso has a different priority in mind- her family. She is highly people-oriented and has less interest in scouting around the yard. Mostly, you’ll see her inside your home either playing or watching your kids. She’ll mature more quickly than males and that’s a good thing. That means you can train her early on how to guard properly without posing a threat to harmless individuals.
She may be smaller in proportions, but her instinct to protect, especially once she turns into a mother, will be beyond measure. Quick, agile, and always alert. A good pet for first-time dog owners. The breed’s courage remains igniting, more so when danger sparks. When there is nothing to worry about concerning safety, the female Cane Corso will be busy mothering your children.
Would a Cane Corso Turn On His Owner?
It’s less likely to happen due to the breed’s extreme loyalty to its owners. Nevertheless, firm handling is necessary as he can become aggressive and uncontrollable when there’s a lack of socialization and training. Always have the authority or else, he’ll try to impose his will on you. Notoriously hard-headed, make sure you have enough experience or knowledge about big dogs before going for the Cane Corso breed.
Just a sort of information, irresponsible dog ownership can cause a Cane Corso to develop undesirable behaviors such as the following:
- Biting
- Barking
- Growling
- Lunging back and forth
- Snarling
5 Reasons Why a Cane Corso Is an Ideal Guard Dog
It’s always important to get to know the dog you are eyeing for. In the case of the Cane Corso, we always hear from people that he’s indeed great in guarding, but why is this so? Here are 6 reasons that would tell you why:
- He Got the Size. With a height that ranges from 23 to 27 inches and a weight that can be around 88 to 110 pounds, whose knees wouldn’t end up shaking? The breed follows after the massive size of the Molossus.
- He Has a Territorial Instinct. Cane Corsos are loving and fun to be with if he’s around his family, but there’s no way he would enjoy the presence of a stranger, especially if no proper introduction was made.
- Dependable at All Times. The breed is always alert and ready for action. He’s not labeled as a couch potato thanks to his energy levels that aren’t low at all. Whenever you need help, such as if you were attacked or an unknown person approaches your home, he’ll be the dog nobody should mess with.
- He Is Even Tempered. The great thing about the Cane Corso breed is that although he looks menacing, his personality remains predictable. He has loads of desirable traits, but they may be outnumbered if he sees that his family is in danger.
- Intelligent. He wouldn’t have a history of excellent guarding if being intelligent is not included in his characteristics. Cane Corsos know when and how to react in various situations.
Should I Train a Cane Corso on How to Guard?
Absolutely. His instinct needs honing and drills must start at a young age, so he gets used to training routines. This Italian breed is notably stubborn and it will be harder to handle him if he gets trained at an older age. Let him learn how to obey commands, especially the ones you’ll give verbally as well as sessions that will encourage him to become a good guard dog.
What we should always bear in mind is that although he has the history and roots of being a guardian, he should know how to do the task properly. He may have the idea of what to do when he’s needed, but the process of protection may be faulty. That can be dangerous not just to others but to your family as well.
