All about the Italian Bullmastiff
The Italian bullmastiff is better known by the name, cane corso. The dog has an incredibly long history as its origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire. The cane corso descended from the Roman Molossur, but originated in Italy.
It is a working dog, whose job was to hunt wild animals and to be a war dog. The breed next became a farm and family dog, protecting the home and helping to drive farm animals to market. The name cane corso comes from “cohors,” a Latin word that means “guard of the courtyard”.
The Italian bullmastiff has a broad face and is very muscular and strong. It comes in several colors, including fawn, chestnut, black, black-red and blue. The dog can grow to be as tall as 26.7 inches and weigh up to 130 pounds. Most cane corsos have docked tails and ears.
Cane corsos make excellent family dogs. They need to be socialized and they need to know that you are the number one dog, not them. They need to have obedience training because of their size and temperament.
Cane corsos are very loving, obedient and protective of their family. They are wary of strangers, which is why they make excellent guard dogs. You should train your dog to obey when you say it’s OK but remain protective until you call him or her off.
The Italian Bullmastiff is loyal, dedicated and they take their job of family protection very seriously. That means that there are some people who do not have the right temperament to own an Italian Bullmastiff. This is a dog that needs obedience training and to know what the family rules are.
He needs a strong-willed owner because the dog himself is strong-willed. The cane corso lives in a “pack” world where the Alpha dog is boss.
Remember that the cute little puppy you saw at the breeders will weight over 100 pounds by the time he is two years old. It is impossible to live with a 130-pound dog who thinks he can do anything he wants to do.
A dog that size that has not been properly taught to be on a leash can literally drag you down the street when you go for a walk. If the dog expresses his assertiveness by being allowed to growl or snap as a puppy when someone picks up one of his toys, think what it will be like if the pup weights 130 pounds and growls and snaps.
The cane corso is a large, wonderful dog but not everyone is up to handling one. They are well-muscled and very athletic and if they get into a fight with another dog, you will not be able to pull them off. That’s why every cane corso must be trained to obey voice commands.
If you are being attacked, you need to be able to communicate it is okay for your dog to protect you, but if something is done inappropriately, he needs to know what stop immediately means.
The Italian bullmastiff is intelligent, calm and will do anything in the world to please you. But if allowed, he will try to be the dominant one in the relationship. Make sure that you are capable of being assertive and acting calmly with a large dog. Also make sure that your family or anyone living in the house with you is not afraid of large dogs.
Every dog needs exercise and this one is no exception. A full grown cane corso needs to briskly walk at least a mile every day and have some time when he can play and do his work, which may be no more than retrieving a ball. The dog needs daily attention and companionship.
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