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With an intimidating appearance and an extremely loyal nature, the Cane Corso is one of the most notable guard dogs in the industry. But if you’re convinced that you want a Cane Corso, you still have an important decision to make: whether you want a male or a female.
But what’s the difference between the two breeds, and how do you know which sex is best for you and your family? We break down everything that you need to know to make the best possible decision.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
- Average height (adult): 25–27½ inches
- Average weight (adult): 100–110 pounds
- Average height (adult): 23½–26 inches
- Average weight (adult): 90–100 pounds
Cane Corso Pet Breed 101
If you’re looking for a super protective pup, look no further than the Cane Corso. Translated from Latin, the name literally translates to “bodyguard dog.” Their temperament certainly matches!
They’re fearless dogs that are extremely intelligent and trainable, but they’re not for the faint of heart. Not only are they massive at around 100 pounds, but they’re also almost entirely muscle and give off an intimidating appearance.
While they’re incredibly loyal and loving to their owners, if you don’t have a firm hand with them, they can rule the roost. Theodore, an experienced pet-handling hand is best.
But if you have what it takes to put them in their place, they’re one of the most protective and loyal dogs out there. They have the physical ability to keep you safe and the regal, confident, and intimidating appearance to keep intruders at bay.
Romans used them as bodyguard dogs, and for the last 2,000 years, humans have perfected that temperament in them.
Male Cane Corso Overview
Personality / Character
In the dog world, males tend to be a bit more aggressive, and with the Cane Corso, that characteristic holds true. This more aggressive temperament makes early socialization with them even more crucial, but you need to have a confident hand with them from the get-go.
Just keep in mind that no matter what you do, these are fearless dogs that are prone to aggressive tendencies. These aren’t dogs that you want to play-fight around because if they see something as a threat, they’ll have no problem stepping up to mitigate.
Training
While training a male Cane Corso isn’t the hardest task in the world, you need to have a confident hand and stay consistent. Their more aggressive nature makes them more likely to lash out if you don’t train them properly.
When you pair this with their intimidating size and nature, they can cause inexperienced handlers to shy away. With a Cane Corso, you need to assert your dominance as the master, and you need to ensure that they never forget it.
Please note that this does not mean aggression. Positive reinforcement will still work with a male Cane Corso, but you may need to restrain them from time to time.
Health & Care
While there aren’t a ton of health differences between a male and female Cane, that doesn’t mean they’re identical. Males need to worry about testicular cancer and prostate problems.
Neutering removes the organs that can create these issues to begin with, so a trip to the vet has many health benefits for a male Cane Corso.
Breeding
The female carries the burden of breeding. A male Cane Corso needs to be present to get the process started, but once they’ve had their fun, their instincts tell them to move on to the next female in heat.
In short, male Cane Corsos don’t have any parental instincts. You can invite them to interact with their young, but they won’t do it out of a fatherly obligation.
Finally, keep in mind that if you’re interested in breeding dogs, the female dog owner has all the rights to the pups.
- Large size creates a more intimidating guard dog
- Relatively few health problems
- More aggressive nature
- Large size creates a more intimidating family dog
Female Cane Corso Overview
Personality / Character
While female Cane Corsos are less aggressive than their male counterparts, that doesn’t make them docile. They are a bit easier to train because of their less-dominant nature, but they also tend to be a bit more temperamental.
Their temperamental behaviors subdue a bit once a vet has spayed them, but it’s not a foolproof solution. Just don’t let your Cane Corso get away with her mood swings, and ensure that you properly train and socialize her so you won’t have to worry about having her around when visitors come over.
Training
It’s a fact that female Cane Corsos are typically easier to train than their male counterparts. Male Cane Corsos have a dominant streak that you have to overcome. Females have this same streak but it’s not as all-consuming.
This enables their natural intelligence and loyal nature to shine through, which is great for training. Just keep in mind that you still need to socialize them early and often while keeping up with daily training. While they’re easier to handle than a male Cane Corso, it’s still far from a walk in the park.
Health & Care
If a vet spays your female Cane Corso early on, they won’t have any extra health concerns compared to their male counterparts. However, if you don’t, they’re more prone to various severe health conditions, like cervical cancer.
Females are also more prone to minor health conditions like urinary tract infections, but if you keep an eye on their overall health, you can spot these conditions early and get them the medications that they need.
Breeding
Females carry all the burden when it comes to breeding. They enter heat about once every 6 months, and they can have litters that range from one to six puppies. But if you are serious about breeding Cane Corsos, you’ll need a female to make the puppies.
You’ll also need to cover the vet bills and checkups to ensure that everything goes smoothly with the pregnancy.
- Milder temperament is easier to manage
- Easier to train
- More health concerns
- Can be a bit temperamental
- Related Read: Cane Corso vs Rottweiler: Which to Choose?
Which One Is Right for You?
In the end, the decision between a male and a female Cane Corso comes down to your confidence to handle these pups. Both males and females have a dominant and loyal nature, but males are generally a bit more challenging to train and tame. Still, if you’re confident in your abilities and can train a male Cane Corso, they tend to be a little more emotionally stable.
Ultimately, there’s no wrong choice between a male and female Cane Corso. It comes down to you and how much you can handle.
Just ensure that you have what it takes to care for these dogs before you head out and purchase one because they don’t always fare the best if you decide to send them to a shelter.
You might also be interested in:
- 150+ Cane Corso Names: Male, Female, & Italian Ideas with Meanings
- Bullmastiff vs Cane Corso: Key Differences (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: GALINA TARASENKO, Shutterstock (top); Stivog, Shutterstock (bottom)