History: An ancient Italian breed, the Cane Corso ('kha-nay kor-so') is a working dog, also known as an Italian Mastiff. It is a large breed dog, strongly built but elegant, with powerful and long muscles.  

In medieval times, the Cane Corso was used as a big game hunter. His power, courage and agility made him especially valuable in hunting wild boar. It is also reported that he was used on stag and bear. 

With the decline in big game hunting, the Corso found a home with Italian farmers. He was often used as a drover, moving animals to market or to the slaughterhouse. On the farm, he protected livestock from both human thieves and animal predators. He also doubled admirably as a guard dog for the home. 

This breed is very loyal and willing to please.The Cane Corso is highly intelligent and very trainable, active and even-minded. 

Despite the breed's size, they make excellent housedogs but do need room for exercise outdoors as well. They are generally quiet around the house. The Cane Corso definitely needs socialization, and it is strongly urged that owners obedience train their dogs. Properly raised and trained, the breed is suspicious of strangers, but wonderful with the family. When raised correctly, the dog should be submissive to all members of the family. The Cane Corso Italiano is great with children in the family. Docile and affectionate with the owner. They are protective yet gentle. The Cane Corso has a very stable temperament. It makes an excellent guard dog and watchdog.

It will not wonder from the home. They stick close to their masters. If necessary he becomes a terrible and brave protector of people, house and property. The Cane Corso is not a fighting dog. They were bred as working dogs for hundreds of years. Therefore they will not go out "looking" for a fight, but on the other hand they will not back down from other dogs who try to dominate them.

The Cane Corso requires an experienced owner who knows how to display a natural authority over the dog. It can be aggressive with strangers and other dogs if not socialized or if it sees itself above humans in the pecking order. It should be carefully socialized when it is a pup.  If a Cane Corso is fully trained, with an owner who is firm, confident and consistent, setting rules the dog must follow and placing clear limits to what he can and cannot do, along with providing the proper daily mental and physical exercise, the Cane Corso will be an amenable companion. Learn what makes the canine animal tick and treat his breed accordingly. Suspicious of strangers, but wonderful with the family. A well balanced Corso will put up with strangers if the owners are present. 

Corso ears were originally cropped to help them ward off wolves while protecting livestock. Their ears are much more sensitive than the rest of their bodies. Generally, they're practically impervious to pain otherwise, so many Corso owners are often disappointed to find that electrical "invisible fence" containment systems don't deter their dogs.