A Cane Corso is a beautiful, hearty dog full of energy. Cane Corsos enjoy having things to do and need to remain active in order to be happy. Given how large these dogs are, they’ve earned a reputation for being dangerous. But are Cane Corsos aggressive, or is this a misconception due to size?
Cane Corsos can be aggressive when their owners don’t have the necessary tools to socialize and train them. These special dogs have a lot of unique needs that may not be met if you don’t have experience training large dogs. Cane Corsos may also show signs of aggression due to boredom, a bad past, frustration, or improper training.
As with all dogs, aggression isn’t impossible to avoid. There are ways to prevent aggression, even with big dogs like Cane Corsos, as well as proper ways to deal with it when it occurs.
Are Cane Corsos Aggressive?
Cane Corsos can be aggressive, but this can be dealt with when you remain patient and understand how this unique breed operates. There are some behavioral tendencies that you will have to train out of a Cane Corso, especially if you are hoping to keep them as a family pet. When trained well, Cane Corsos have been known to make wonderfully loving companions.
A Cane Corso’s aggression can be attributed to their heightened senses, as these cause these dogs to be quite alert and observant. They are known to be excellent guard dogs when they are trained as such.
Furthermore, these dogs have a tendency to want to protect their territory and their owners. This could make them wary of strangers approaching their home or coming inside their home. They might also become alert when people they don’t know, or other dogs, come near them when they are out for a walk.
Why Cane Corsos Are Believed To Be Aggressive
The Cane Corso” data-wpil-keyword-link=”linked”>Cane Corso falls into the Molossus family, which mastiffs also belong to. Given that these dogs tend to be large and have a strong work ethic ingrained in them, they are often chosen to be guard dogs or working dogs.
A Cane Corso’s ancestry can be traced back to Greece, where they often accompanied soldiers during battles. They are large dogs that can’t be intimidated, and they have a determined sense of fearlessness when faced with a dangerous situation.
Any large dog that has the ability to cause damage is often considered dangerous regardless of their actual temperament or ability to adapt to socialization and training. There is a general misunderstanding of how dogs operate, despite the extensive research done into how even the most assumedly aggressive dogs can be tamed when treated with love, respect, and patience.
Are Cane Corsos Considered Dangerous?
Sadly, these cute dogs are banned in some countries due to the belief that they are dangerous. There are several countries in Europe where owning a Cane Corso is not allowed. Many states in the United States also don’t allow people to own Cane Corsos. Canada also doesn’t allow Cane Corsos in many of its provinces.
Trying to adopt an animal that is banned is tricky. While all animals deserve a loving home, bringing one home that isn’t allowed in your region could cause the animal to be taken away from you.
As with any other dog, Cane Corsos are typically only dangerous when they feel threatened. There has to be a reason they feel threatened, even if someone’s intention isn’t to scare them. They may feel provoked by being constantly bothered, someone may have crossed a boundary, or they may be triggered by a past experience.
Are Cane Corsos Protective?
Part of what has made Cane Corsos historically superior guard dogs and watchdogs is because of their protective tendencies. They feel it’s their duty to make sure their pet parents are safe at all times. They may feel the need to keep others away from you, either in your home or outside. This will usually only happen with people they don’t know.
If you’re walking your Cane Corso and you notice someone is interested in approaching them, be sure to tell that person not to approach, or tell them how they can approach once your Cane Corso has been socialized.
If the other person doesn’t listen, try to remove your dog from the situation. It’s not fair to let your Cane Corso be in a situation that makes them uncomfortable, especially if it may lead them to be aggressive towards someone because they’re scared.
Can Cane Corsos Be Family Dogs?
Cane Corsos are not known to be aggressive towards children specifically. They can get along well with families of all sizes, so long as every family member treats the dog with respect and love. Cane Corsos are known to develop strong bonds with children, just as they do with their pet parents, and will want to ensure your kids are happy and safe at all costs.
Your best bet to have a happy Cane Corso in your family is ensuring that everyone is involved in training. Everyone should follow the same approach to training, and should use the same command words and reward systems.
If you have very young children that don’t quite understand the complexities of interacting with dogs, it may be best to keep them at a safe distance and not leave them with the dog unsupervised. This isn’t because Cane Corsos don’t like young children; it’s because they are so large that your small child could inadvertently get hurt if they aren’t careful around the dog.
Are Cane Corsos Aggressive Towards Other Dogs?
Your best bet for incorporating a Cane Corso into a family with another dog is to do it as early as possible. Given their territorial nature, it can be hard for a Cane Corso to be welcoming to another pet that comes home after they’ve already been in the home on their own.
It’s also worth sticking with a dog that is of a similar stature to a Cane Corso. Your Cane Corso could see a smaller dog or other smaller animal and think it’s prey, which won’t end well.
How To Avoid An Aggressive Cane Corso
Cane Corsos have a sense of loyalty to their humans, so they can become obedient and even-tempered with the right training. It wouldn’t be recommended that you adopt a Cane Corso if you don’t have experience training a dog. Frustration or a lack of stimulation can lead to an aggressive dog, which can happen if you don’t know how to train these big dogs.
Implementing training as soon as you bring a Cane Corso home is essential. Training should be consistent and constant until appropriate behaviors become second nature to your pup. You also need to work on socializing them to other people to avoid them becoming overly protective of you.
You also need to make sure you are keeping your Cane Corso active. Being such large, energetic dogs, they do best when they have a large, contained yard to run around in. They should also have some sturdy toys that they can chew on and throw around when they need to exert some energy indoors.
How To Train Cane Corsos
Cane Corsos are very smart dogs, so they are able to grasp commands with relative ease. These dogs are also bonders, so when they become accustomed to you, they are going to want to follow your commands in order to make you happy. The younger you are able to start training them, the better.
Socialization with other family members, friends that come over, and strangers that may pass them on walks is super important. You should encourage people to be calm in their approach, since Cane Corsos can be hesitant to warm up to new people at first. Teach them that others are kind and aren’t a threat, and they’ll be much calmer around other people.
When training these dogs, you have to also stay calm and you cannot waver in your training. You will have to train them with a firm, confident voice, so your Cane Corso knows that you’re the boss. That said, positive reinforcement of good behaviors is key to encouraging them to continue being well-behaved. This should include praise and treats or other rewards.
Cane Corsos do not respond well to punishment-based training or aggression towards them. They may not get scared, but they’ll likely become protective and defensive. This could lead to aggression which could get dangerous. If you’re struggling, hire a professional for assistance, and do not give up.
Final Thoughts
When asking are Cane Corsos aggressive, you’ll see a variety of answers and assumptions. Overall, Cane Corsos are powerful, but aren’t necessarily dangerous or naturally aggressive. Like most dogs, they would need to be provoked or neglected in some capacity in order for their aggressive tendencies to come to the surface.
So long as you remain confident but kind in your approach to training, listen to your Cane Corso’s needs, and stay consistent with socialization and training, your Cane Corso won’t be inclined to act aggressively.