Corso's are only for the most experienced handlers?

[belawyer]

I just read this article about dogs that are commonly mistaken for pit bulls

https://pethelpful.com/dogs/10-Breeds-Most-Commonly-Mistaken-For-Pit-Bulls

So in the article it says Corso's are, "...not recommended for any but the most experienced handlers because of his great size."

So the same article list at least 4-5 other dogs that are equal or larger size then a Corso. So why did this author feel the need to make the above statement about only the "most experienced handlers" should own a corso?

 

[Nik]

Mastiffs in general are a guardian breed so it typically more advisable for someone with experience to own a mastiff. That isn't to say that there aren't people who go in knowing what to expect and are educated but inexperienced who can't do well. But, generally if you have the experience you know what to expect and are more prepared.

I will also say most those lists of breed articles tend to be garbage. There are legitimate reasons why mastiffs are better suited to experienced owners but I wouldn't put size at the top of that list since there are also large breed dogs that I do feel are well suited to less experienced owners.

I do think there are a lot of people of the mind that little dogs are better for those who are unprepared because they can't do the damage a large breed can do... There is truth to that. The damage they can do to a human and to property is limited to their size. But, I think it's wrong to assume that small dogs are good for people who don't want to put in any work or learn anything. That is how you end up with a lot of very poorly behaved small dogs that are super annoying. Its owners thinking training is not important because of size. That's also how you end up with a bunch of chihuas and such in shelters. The owner is surprised their dog destroys stuff and bites people when it is their own fault for not putting any work in.

 

[Joel]

I just read this article about dogs that are commonly mistaken for pit bulls

https://pethelpful.com/dogs/10-Breeds-Most-Commonly-Mistaken-For-Pit-Bulls

So in the article it says Corso's are, "...not recommended for any but the most experienced handlers because of his great size."

So the same article list at least 4-5 other dogs that are equal or larger size then a Corso. So why did this author feel the need to make the above statement about only the "most experienced handlers" should own a corso?

While I'm relatively new to the Corso, I'm not new to dogs in general. I think that article is totally misleading, while I agree that there are a lot of breeds that are mistaken for Pits, I also think Pits have a bad rap and for the most part are very good dogs! Now as with any dog they must be properly socialized and that magical Imprint is between 8-12 weeks! When the dog views you as leader, I think us as owners make the mistake of " well he or she is so cute" and we spend that first month just playing and no training! If a pup is not socialized or trained then you have a train wreck on your hands, no matter the breed of dog! Now in reference to training, what is the " Most Experienced" ? I view myself as a very good trainer with no real outside help or formal education, mine has just been years of experience! You must be able to read a dog! That starts with you and I!

 

[Nik]

While I'm relatively new to the Corso, I'm not new to dogs in general. I think that article is totally misleading, while I agree that there are a lot of breeds that are mistaken for Pits, I also think Pits have a bad rap and for the most part are very good dogs! Now as with any dog they must be properly socialized and that magical Imprint is between 8-12 weeks! When the dog views you as leader, I think us as owners make the mistake of " well he or she is so cute" and we spend that first month just playing and no training! If a pup is not socialized or trained then you have a train wreck on your hands, no matter the breed of dog! Now in reference to training, what is the " Most Experienced" ? I view myself as a very good trainer with no real outside help or formal education, mine has just been years of experience! You must be able to read a dog! That starts with you and I!

I absolutely agree that pits do not deserve the reputation they have. And training from day one is essential with any dog and even more so with larger breeds.

 

[Michele]

Pit Bulls do not deserve the reputation that they get. The problem is (and I think this goes for any breed of dog that someone wants) people do not want to do the research on the breed beforehand. They like the look of a dog, etc. and they go with that.

Always do your research first and be sure everyone in the household is on board. Also, be sure the environment where you live is suitable for that breed of dog.

 

[Joel]

Pit Bulls do not deserve the reputation that they get. The problem is (and I think this goes for any breed of dog that someone wants) people do not want to do the research on the breed beforehand. They like the look of a dog, etc. and they go with that.

Always do your research first and be sure everyone in the household is on board. Also, be sure the environment where you live is suitable for that breed of dog.

Totally agree, most folks go solely off looks and never do one ounce of research, hence the train wreck or worse they give up the dog! When it was never the dogs fault!

 

[belawyer]

Totally agree, most folks go solely off looks and never do one ounce of research, hence the train wreck or worse they give up the dog! When it was never the dogs fault!

sorry everyone. I wasn't trying to create another let's get on our pit bull soapbox forum! I think everyone on this forum is likely pro-pitbull since we're a large breed mastiff forum. No arguments there. The topic of discussion was the bold claims they made in the article making it sound like you needed to be some professional dog trainer to handle a Cane Corso. From what I've read the trainability is not much different from labs or they may even be more intelligent than and easier to train than a lab...

 

[Nik]

sorry everyone. I wasn't trying to create another let's get on our pit bull soapbox forum! I think everyone on this forum is likely pro-pitbull since we're a large breed mastiff forum. No arguments there. The topic of discussion was the bold claims they made in the article making it sound like you needed to be some professional dog trainer to handle a Cane Corso. From what I've read the trainability is not much different from labs or they may even be more intelligent than and easier to train than a lab...

When it comes to trainability I don't believe intelligence equals easy to train. I think the thing that makes labs easier to train is that they tend to be very eager to please and not quite as stubborn. I believe CCs are similar to DDB in that they are typically on the stubborn side. My Diesel who is 1/2 DDB is extremely stubborn but also ridiculously smart. It just takes persistence when it comes to an intelligent stubborn breed. The thing with Diesel (and from what I have read this is normal of stubborn and intelligent dogs) is that he picks up what I want easily. He learns the commands quickly and understands me easily. The problem is that he always seems to be asking "What's in it for me? Is it worth my time to obey or do what she wants?" With persistence and lots of NILF you can teach these stubborn smarties that yes it is worth it for them. But it is very different from having a dog that simply wants to please you just to please you. I have had that as well and motivation is never an issue with those dogs.

 

[Nik]

sorry everyone. I wasn't trying to create another let's get on our pit bull soapbox forum! I think everyone on this forum is likely pro-pitbull since we're a large breed mastiff forum. No arguments there. The topic of discussion was the bold claims they made in the article making it sound like you needed to be some professional dog trainer to handle a Cane Corso. From what I've read the trainability is not much different from labs or they may even be more intelligent than and easier to train than a lab...

Here is a better explanation as to why Corsos are not great for novice owners (grabbed from a description of Cane Corsos):

Some dogs are simply easier than others: they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies. Dogs who are highly sensitive, independent thinking, or assertive may be harder for a first-time owner to manage. You'll get your best match if you take your dog-owning experience into account as you choose your new pooch.

When I read the above description it sounds very like my Diesel and also exactly like personality descriptions I have seen of DDBs... I don't have experience with the other mastiff breeds (aside from DDBs and Cane Corso ) so I might be wrong but I think this tends to be the case for all mastiffs.

 

[Smokeycat]

When it comes to trainability I don't believe intelligence equals easy to train. I think the thing that makes labs easier to train is that they tend to be very eager to please and not quite as stubborn. I believe CCs are similar to DDB in that they are typically on the stubborn side. My Diesel who is 1/2 DDB is extremely stubborn but also ridiculously smart. It just takes persistence when it comes to an intelligent stubborn breed. The thing with Diesel (and from what I have read this is normal of stubborn and intelligent dogs) is that he picks up what I want easily. He learns the commands quickly and understands me easily. The problem is that he always seems to be asking "What's in it for me? Is it worth my time to obey or do what she wants?" With persistence and lots of NILF you can teach these stubborn smarties that yes it is worth it for them. But it is very different from having a dog that simply wants to please you just to please you. I have had that as well and motivation is never an issue with those dogs.

From my experience with both my dogs and those in various training groups the 'smart' dogs are actually harder to get well behaved dogs. They are easy to teach but they are also always looking for ways to do what they want. The 'dumb' dogs may be harder to teach but once you do it is easier to have a well behaved dog. I'm using smart = trainable. Smart does not equal easy. Jiggers was supposed to be an 'easy' dog. And if trainability is what makes an easy dog then yes he would be. But as a puppy he needed to learn at least one new trick a week and at least 1- 2 hr solid stretch of exercise per day or he was hell on 4 paws. Definitely not a easy dog or one I would say was for an inexperienced dog owner. He taught me that public opinion of suitable dogs for first time owners was faulty and your best resource is those who know the breeds first hand. As Jiggers and I have proven even inexperienced owners can have good results with a not easy dog as long as they are willing to do the work.

 

[glen]

Everyne as gave you great advice and i totally agree with smokeycat.
We have 3 ccs, all male, all very different.
Budcuss our eldest, now i believe if he had got into the hands of someone that didnt put the work in woulve walked all over them, he is the most amazing boy with the family,we call him the nanny dog with children and puppys.
But we know from experience anyone menacing and hes a force to be reckoned with, he hates dominant dogs ,had to put a lot of work in he freezes on command but if you have idiots that let dogs run free thats aggressive the saying is true a cc wont start a fight but they will finish it.
Gandalf is great with family, ignores everything when we are walking, but would protect, still had to put the work in but was a lot more willing. Will let people say hello if we say its ok but prefers to be left alone.
Gollom the clown of the bunch, loves everyone and everything, he loves people to approach, still had the same training but was easier.
I do think you need to know how to be with the breed, we are firm what we say goes, you cant leave them in the background they need daily training, exercise, attention.
So as long as your willing and read into the breed get a good breeder to help you choose then they are the most amazing dogs to own.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

You get what you put into it. Corso are not for most novice owners, not because they are a difficult breed to own but because of the time required to shape them into great dogs. While they are considered a mastiff type breed I don't think that owning any type of mastiff prepares one for owning one, I have friends with bullies that watched one of my corso for a bit and they were happy to have her back with me, she is too busy they claimed (PS she is one of my lazier ones).

They are an intelligent breed but they were bred to work and think for themselves, so if you aren't giving direction they will figure it out for themselves and that can result in some destructive results. Like was mentioned they also aren't blindly obedient, you might ask them to sit and they might look at you almost like a child asking "why?". This is the difference between dogs like labs and corso, labs were bred to be obedient to anyone immediately, that is why they excel at the things they do. Corso were not, so understanding and knowing that your dog will challenge you will require patience and consistency will make life easier.

 

[DennasMom]

What makes a dog easy to train is when you have the correct motivation paired between human and dog.

Our Dane/Lab had a LOT of labby qualities - and needed a lot of hand-holding, always wanting us to tell him what to do. And he'd learn anything we wanted to teach and repeat commands ad infinitum just for a smile and a pat on the head.

Denna gets bored doing the same thing over and over again. She learns it, she does it once or twice (3x if you have really good treats), and then she's done... moving on. She has supervisory duties to attend to. LOL.

I label the "easy to train" dogs as the "tell-me-what-to-do" dogs.

I label the "stubborn" dogs as "independent thinkers".

Our first dog was an independent thinker. I'm sure his mix of breeds put him on the "for experienced dog people only" list (rottie, german shepherd and great pyranees). But he was an AWESOME first dog. We hardly had to train him to do anything. He was smart enough to figure stuff out for himself. He liked a clean den, so he went potty outside. Period. He liked a calm house, so he'd stare down anything that got over-excitable. He was protective of his family, so he never wandered away from home and was a rock off-leash... He knew a few tricks, just because he loved us, I think. And he liked treats. He was VERY food motivated.