Rare Breed Monday: Cane Corso

Image from akc.org

The Cane Corso is a muscular dog breed native to Italy, and the breed's name means "Guardian" or "Protector." They are also called the Italian Mastiff.

Prior to 1988 the dogs were only known in Southern Italy and were considered very rare. Today they are somewhat more common.

Cane Corsos have been used for hunting of large wild animals, and they excel as guard dogs for both humans, home, and cattle. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they are also large and athletic and need an ample amount of exercise. They bond closely with their families and are generally good with children, but they can be suspicious against strangers, and early socialization is recommended.

The dogs have a short coat, but it's not smooth; it is coarse and thick, and virtually waterproof. They don't shed much and only require an occasional brushing.

~ Maria Sadowski ~