Cane Corso vs. Pit Bull is a fascinating comparison; both breeds are immensely popular in the United States, yet they are very different dogs. Before we talk about comparing the two dogs, we should point out, what I think you will have already realized, Pit Bull is a broad term covering several distinct dog breeds and is not just one dog. To make the comparisons worthwhile, we will discuss and compare the Cane Corso with the American Pit Bull Terrier.
There is no relationship between the Cane Corso and the Pit Bull, yet they have some similar characteristics. Both dogs are muscular and powerful and require at least one hour of exercise every day to keep them in peak physical and mental condition.
Both Cane Corsi (plural for Cane Corso) Pit Bulls are devout family dogs; they love their families and are more than willing to defend them from any harm. Pit Bulls tend to be more welcoming to strangers than the Cane Corso. Breeding two distinct pure-bred dogs with one another is proving to be exceptionally popular and lucrative for the breeders. The Cane Corso and American Pit Bull Terrier make a good choice for one of these mixes.
As with owning any large, powerful dog breed, the type of owner is crucial. In the wrong hands, either of these two dogs can become a menace; they can become extraordinary, loving, and affectionate family pets in the right hands.
Cane Corso Vs. Pit Bull History
Even though it’s perfectly accurate that Pit Bulls were originally from England, the dog commonly associated with the base dog breed was the Bulldog. However, this dog also needs a heritage; he didn’t just appear. The characteristics of the Bulldog closely resemble an ancient Greek dog, the Molosser.
This dog was taken back to Italy by the Romans after conquering Greece, where farmers used them for herding and guarding cattle and farms. Both Mastiffs and Bulldogs share their heritage with the ancient Molosser dogs of Greece.
It’s not a stretch to believe the Romans brought these dogs with them when they invaded Britain, mating with local British dogs to create the Bulldog.
The Cane Corso is a Mastiff-like dog also thought to have a similar heritage descending from the original Roman Dogs that were, in turn, descended from the Molosser.
Pit Bull History
The Pit Bull we know today can trace his heritage back to England in the 1800s. Breeders created the English Bulldogs for bear and bull baiting sports that were prevalent in those days. The sport, although there’s no way this is a sport, became illegal in England in 1835. Dog breeders turned to ratting, another popular blood sport, and eventually, dogfighting once ratting was outlawed. The English Bulldog was too slow and ponderous for ratting or dogfighting. Hence, dog breeders mixed the Bulldog with local terriers to create powerful, faster, and leaner dogs that had the terriers “never give in temperament.” There was one proviso; dogs were bred not to harm their handlers.
During the mid to late 1800s, many English emigrated to America, taking their dogs with them. Some went into farming, and owners put their dogs to work as farm dogs. However, some also took their dogs to find new means of making money by fighting them. Settlers began developing the dog into a larger version than its English cousin.
The United Kennel Club of Great Britain recognized the American Pit Bull Terrier in 1898. The AKC (American Kennel Club) doesn’t recognize the APBT but instead recognized the dog under a distinctive new name, the American Staffordshire Terrier. This situation has led to some differences in the looks and temperament of the two dogs.
Cane Corso History
The Cane Corso is the Italian Mastiff and descends from the great Roman war dogs; these dogs themselves descended from the ancient Greek Molosser dogs. The dog’s name is not pronounced as it’s written; you pronounce it ‘Kay-Nah Kor-So.’
Cane Corsi, known as ‘pireferi,’ the Romans’ fearless dogs, had to run at the enemy laden with buckets of burning oil on their backs. That would have been a fearsome sight to any soldiers opposing the Romans. The dog of those times was probably a bigger, heavier version of the one you see today. But as the Roman Empire began breaking apart in the fifth century, there was no more need for soldiers or war dogs.
Cane Corsi became highly sought after as a wild boar hunter or guarding farmstock and farms against predators or would-be thieves. For hundreds of years, people saw the Cane Corso all over Italy. Times moved on, and as farmers turned to more mechanized farming methods and through numerous countrywide problems, the Cane Corso was all but extinct by the 1950s.
However, with almost every dog breed, there seem to be ardent fans, and that proved to be the case with Corsi and breeders came together to begin reviving the Cane Corso breed. In 1983 these breeders created the Society of Cane Corso Lovers ( Society Amorati Cane Corso). Over the following ten years, the Corsi began to turn up in the show rings of Europe, and breeders imported the dog to the United States in 1988; the AKC recognized the breed in 2010 and is now 32 of 197 popular dog breeds in America. Quite astonishing when you consider his recognition was only ten years previously.
Cane Corso Vs. Pit Bull Appearance And Characteristics
Corsi are large, powerful, and muscular dogs that grow between 25 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 120 pounds; the female Corsi are always smaller and lighter than males. The Pit Bull, while still being a muscular and solid dog, is smaller; they grow between 18 to 19 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 85 pounds; females are always a little smaller in this breed as well.
If you’re not familiar with either breed, you might be forgiven for thinking they are alike, especially if they are not standing together. But when you put both dogs side by side, you will immediately be able to tell the difference. If the Cane Corso doesn’t have cropped ears, it’s straightforward to tell them apart with their floppy ears.
Both dogs are well-muscled in their own way, but the Cane Corso you will instantly see as the more significant and thicker-bodied dog. Cane Corsi often have extra folds of skin on their bodies. The dogs appear to have similar coat types, but the Cane Corso’s coat is much denser and of a rougher texture, whereas the Pit Bull’s coat is tighter to the body and much more sleek and shiny.
Pit Bull Vs. Cane Corso Temperament
The Pit Bull and Cane Corso are enjoyable family dogs; they love their human company and are playful and quite giddy dogs, especially when very young. Although they love children, it’s probably wise to restrict them to families with older children. Toddlers can quickly get sent flying when either of these two guys gets moving, especially in an enclosed area. With dogs of this size, you should supervise them with children no matter the child’s age.
Both dogs are intelligent, and together with their love for their families’ company, they are likely to suffer from separation anxiety when left for long periods. You must plan for this if you choose either one of these dogs. Try not to leave them for long periods; sometimes you can’t help it, there are always unplanned occurrences. If you know the house is empty for most of the day because that’s your lifestyle, these are not the dogs to choose.
However, if it’s unusual for someone not to be home for most of the time, then try to entertain your Cane Corso while you’re away. There are all sorts of remote games you can set up for him or give him something like a Kong you fill with a healthy treat that will take up his time. The Pit Bull and the Cane Corso can wreak a colossal amount of damage to your house if they are bored and lonely.
Pit Bulls tend to be one of the most friendly and outgoing dogs you will find, but the Corsi are the opposite and are very wary of strangers. Both dogs are protective, but the Corsi need a lot more reassurance from their owners that everything is okay. Of the two dogs, the Cane Corso is the one you would choose for a guard dog.
Socialization is an absolute must with the Pit Bull and the Cane Corso. The Pit Bull has known aggression issues with other dogs, and the Corsi are over-protective of their family. Socialize both dogs when they are very young puppies; the optimal age for socializing them is six to sixteen weeks. Any later and the dogs are already beginning to learn bad habits.
Final Thoughts – Cane Corso Vs. Pit Bull
The Cane Corso and the Pit Bull make amazing friendly, loving family dogs. For some people, though, they are large and frightening. There’s a considerable amount of misinformation around about these and other similar dogs.
Pit Bulls and Corsi both need experienced, patient and consistent owners to get the best from the dogs and turn them into model doggy citizens; neither dog is suitable for first-time or novice owners that don’t fully understand or appreciate these two dogs.
