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photo caption: a sabertoothed
looking wild boar
BRIEF HISTORY
Its direct ancestor is the "Canis Pugnax" (the old Roman Molossian) of which he is the light version employed in the hunting of large wild animals and also as an "auxiliary warrior" in battles. For years he has been a precious companion of the Italic populations. Employed as property, cattle and personal guard dog and used for hunting purposes too. In the past this breed was common all over Italy as an ample iconography and historiography testify. In the recent past he has found a excellent preservation area in Southern Italy, especially in Puglia, Lucania and Sannio. His name derives from the Latin "Cohors" which means "Guardian", "Protector".
Photo Caption: This dog, Storm, is a nice example of a beautiful black Cane Corso Italiano with a small blaze of white on her chest.
I have noticed that Cane Corsos tend to be more suspicous of men than women. No, they do not greet every woman with kisses, but they are more willing to accept them.
Due to their strength, endurance and stamia, the Cane Corso makes an excellent carting dog.
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Harley is my 4 year old Cane Corso Italiano. The Cane Corso (con-e-core-so) is a mastiff that was nearly extinct in its native Italy and is still today considered a "rare" breed.
The Cane Corso would accompany their masters in hunts for large game and even for bringing down powerful and aggressive prey such as wild boar. Wild boar are basically sabertoothed looking wild pigs. Even with the strength and courage to bring down the wild boar, the Cane Corso is gentle and loving with their family. They are quiet and docile in the house, easy to train, lack the stubbornness of the Rottweiler (my other dogs), suspicious of strangers and very protective.
Because of their appeal, there have been unscrupulous people that have bred the Italian Cane Corso with Bullmastiffs and Rottweilers. These ill-bred dogs fall under the new name of American Cane Corso. The American Cane Corso is larger and meaner. They also lack the stable temperment and easy training of which the Italian Cane Corso is known. Of course, Breeders of these illbred dogs want the reputation of the Italian Cane Corso without the work of earning it and will argue that they are the same dog and will be offended by the notion of a subgenre of Cane Corso.
My own experience with this breed has been nothing short of amazing. He is incredibly easy to train. He is never stubborn and will do anything I ask of him. He trusts me implicitly and even hands me his paw to trim his nails. He follows me everywhere I go, yet doen't beg for attention. He is happy to lag behind me a step or two and lay next to me once I've sat down. However, he needs to be watched carefully when strangers approach or come into the house. I must assert myself a bit by standing in front of him and greet the "potential bad guy" or else he becomes protective and will scare the hell out of my visitors. Once assured that they are not foe, he is then again my trustworthy companion. As long as they don't act in an aggressive manner, he will mainly ignore them or briefly sniff them and be done with them.
Cane Corso's have a "wait and see" type of attitude. They don't usually start fights, but they won't back down from one either. I have never seen Harley cower or show fear. Yet, I rarely have to raise my voice to him. In fact, a soft no from me will stop him in his tracks. The only time I have to raise my voice is if he is "into it" with another dog or is protecting me from what he believes to be a stranger. He gets so caught up, that I literally have to touch him gently and use a louder voice to get his attention. He always allows me to pull him away without fuss.
The Cane Corso isn't a dog for everyone. They drool and it is nearly impossible to leave him with someone and go on vacation, for example. He does not listen to other people -- even with family, he will do what they ask if he feels like it. Fortunately, he almost always feels like it. The only time that he would not listen is if he were being protective. I am the only (alpha) that he will allow to step up and take control of the situation. He believes that the rest of the family are subordinates. Because of his stable temperment, this is not a problem. He is tolerant and extremely patient -- even with a nippy and yapping little 3 lb dog trying to take his chew toy.
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