Are you looking to buy a new family guardian but cannot decide on a male vs female Cane Corso dog? This article is for you, then!
Cane Corso, also known as the Italian Mastiff, is a dog breed that originated in ancient times.
In fact, its history can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where these powerful canines were used as war dogs and hunting dogs that went after huge beasts such as wild boars!
Today, they are mostly used as guard dogs, but some people keep them just as family pets, as well.
No matter why you’re looking into these dogs, chances are you’re uncertain which gender you should buy.
Well, worry no more! Here is everything you need to know about male vs. female Cane Corso! I’ll also help you determine which one is the right fit for you.
Let’s get started!
Male Vs. Female Cane Corso Overview
| Height | Weight | Temperament | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male Cane Corso | 26 – 28 inches | 95 – 110 lbs | Dominant, territorial |
| Female Cane Corso | 23 – 26 inches | 90 – 100 lbs | Independent, affectionate |
Physical Characteristics
Cane Corso is one of the largest dog breeds in the world. These magnificent dogs are known for their huge stature, muscular bodies, and strong jaws.
While Cane Corso dogs are born with floppy ears and long tails, most breeders will conduct ear cropping and tail docking to get that proper silhouette.
Also, there are many Cane Corso colors available, but the stereotypical Italian Mastiff will always come in black. Their eyes are brown or amber, and they have one of the most intelligent gazes most dog owners have ever seen.
Still, there are some physical differences between male and female Cane Corso’s appearance.
Males
Just like in most other dog breeds, Cane Corso males are a bit taller and bulkier than females.
Their average height is between 26 and 28 inches, and they typically weigh between 95 and 110 lbs – although some were known to be heavier.
Their muscles are stretched out, and their muzzle is broad and rectangular.
Females
Female Cane Corsos are smaller than males, and they tend to be slimmer. Don’t get me wrong, they are still very muscular, but they do appear more delicate compared to their male counterparts.
They usually grow to be 23 – 26 inches in shoulder height, and they rarely weigh more than 100 pounds.
In general, I would dare say they typically appear more elegant, while males are more buff.
Male Vs. Female Cane Corso Temperament
When it comes to personality traits, there are some crucial differences between the two genders – as well as some similarities.
These large dogs are loyal, obedient, and intelligent, with strong exercise needs due to their high energy levels. They are also very territorial, making them great dogs for personal protection.
They have strong protective instincts and a high prey drive. Also, they are not very social, so they do their best being the only dogs in the household – although exceptions can be made depending on the pup’s temperament and socialization.
Still, they can form a strong bond with their owner, and they can be very affectionate with adults and children alike.
However, they can be wary of strangers. While this is precisely what makes them some of the best dogs from the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) working group, such behavior can be problematic if you’re constantly having guests over.
This is why it’s important that you’re an experienced dog owner before you decide to buy a Cane Corso.
Here are some key differences between male and female Cane Corso’s personality:
Males
Male Cane Corsos are territorial and protective, and this can make them aggressive, especially toward other dogs. Also, Cane Corso’s dominant mindset can be much stronger in males than in females.
While they’re energetic dogs that love a good playtime, don’t try to play rough with them unless you’re certain you’ve trained them well. Their powerful nature can make them a danger if they misunderstand you.
Not everything is bad, though. Male Cane Corsos are known to be very affectionate toward their owners, and they can form strong bonds with their humans.
A good way to keep their aggressive tendencies at bay is to neuter them. This will help reduce their natural instincts to be the most dominant dog in the vicinity.
Females
While females aren’t as aggressive as males, this doesn’t make them much easier to handle. They are temperamental, especially during heat, and their mood can change rather quickly.
Females are more independent, and they won’t rely on their owners as much as males do. However, they are rather protective and nurturing, so they might be the best fit for a family with children.
Another issue with females is their strong prey drive. These dogs likely won’t do well with small animals.
Just like with males, their temperamental outbursts can be toned down a bit once you’ve spayed your pup. However, this isn’t always the case and the safest option is to properly train them from the early days.
Training And Socialization Differences
As mentioned, Cane Corsos can have aggressive tendencies, which is why early socialization and training are the keys to good behavior.
Despite everything I’ve said, Cane Corsos can be good family dogs. They just need to be trained the right way.
It can be a good idea to contact a professional trainer that can provide you with proper help in dealing with these enormous dogs.
Cane Corsos have a bite force of 700 psi. For comparison, a lion can only reach 650 psi! It’s easy to see why you don’t want your Cane Corso behaving in the wrong way.
Socialization is also crucial, especially due to the high prey drive these dogs have. Allowing your Cane Corso puppy to experience different environments from an early age will help him be more prepared for life in a community.
Not to mention how this can help increase the bond between the two of you!
Still, don’t let their rough exterior fool you. These pups have delicate temperaments and can easily shut down if you punish them or treat them in the wrong way.
Both genders require lots of positive reinforcements, so make sure to have lots of food rewards and give them plenty of cuddle time during training.
Here are some significant differences when it comes to training males and females:
Males
Due to their strong dominance, training male Cane Corsos isn’t an easy task. If you’re anything but confident, they won’t see you as an authority, and this will greatly affect your chances of being the alpha canine in your dog’s eyes.
Socialization is extremely important for male Cane Corsos, due to their more reserved nature. Also, you might need a bit more time to teach them basic commands, such as sit, place, heel, or leave.
Teach them how to respond to different situations and how to stay calm around small children and other animals.
Learning how to understand a dog’s body language is also a helpful skill. This way, you’ll know how to react when you notice your Cane Corso standing in a protective posture or if he has an aggressive stance.
Remember that proper training should never include violence or punishments!
Females
Females are easier to train than males, but this doesn’t mean you won’t need to assert dominance! They are independent canines that might have days when they won’t feel like listening to your commands, and on these days, you’ll have to try extra hard.
Their moodiness can affect their trainability, especially if you haven’t spayed your Cane Corso female.
Fortunately, they mature more quickly and are more likely to take training sessions seriously. They aren’t
While female Cane Corsos aren’t as territorial and protective as males, they can be a bit more challenging when it comes to small animals.
The best solution is daily training and early socialization, but sometimes even this won’t help. This is why I always say that Cane Corso females aren’t an excellent choice if you have smaller pets, such as cats, hamsters, or parrots.
Health Problems
Most health problems Cane Corso dogs have affect both genders equally.
This breed is mostly healthy, but it is still prone to a few health conditions that tend to plague all large dogs. These include:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia. This is a joint problem that can lead to arthritis. The right amount of physical activity and proper diet is typically the best prevention method, but usually this will only delay the onset of the illness. Depending on the severity it can be treated with pain medication or surgery.
- Demodex mange. Demodex mange is a common skin condition that can cause rashes, skin redness, and hair loss. Although not transferable to humans, this is a highly contagious disease, so it’s essential to keep other dogs away from the sick individual.
- Dental diseases. If you don’t take good care of your dog’s teeth, he might develop a dental disease. This is one of the most common reasons behind a smelly Cane Corso.
- Idiopathic epilepsy. The most common cause of seizures in Cane Corsos, this condition usually occurs in young dogs. Veterinarians will typically prescribe medication that can help reduce seizures.
- Eyelid abnormalities. Cane Corsos are susceptible to several eyelid abnormalities, such as entropion, ectropion, and cherry eye. Seeing red eyes in Cane Corsos is one of the most common symptoms of these health problems.
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (Bloat). Bloat is one of the deadliest medical emergencies that can happen to your Cane Corso. This problem occurs when there’s gas, food, or fluid build-up in the stomach, causing it to twist. If you don’t rush your pooch to the vet, he might die in a matter of hours.
There are various factors that can lead your dog to develop either of these conditions, including genetics.
An important part of dog ownership is taking care of your dog’s quality of life. Feeding him a diet with essential nutrients, giving him enough exercise, and taking him to regular vet visits can help him live his full lifespan.
Despite all this, males and females do have certain genetic and physical differences that can lead to changes in their overall health.
Males
As you might’ve guessed it, the biggest difference between male and female Cane Corsos lies in their genitalia.
If you don’t neuter male Cane Corsos, they are at risk of conditions such as testicular cancer, orchitis, and epididymitis.
Also, they might experience prostate problems, especially in older age.
There’s an interesting piece of research that showed that intact males also tend to live a bit longer than intact females.
Of course, this isn’t a rule, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that your male canine will live longer than its female counterpart.
Still, I would advise everyone to spay and neuter their pets. Not only will this help reduce the number of unwanted puppies in shelters and streets, but it might also help them live longer and healthier.
Females
Females can develop health conditions that affect their reproductive organs, such as pyometra, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer.
Cane Corso females can also go through false pregnancies, mastitis, pelvic organ prolapses, and a few other conditions.
All of these health problems can be avoided by spaying your Cane Corso before her first heat.
Also, the same research mentioned above pointed out that, on average, spayed females live a bit longer than neutered males, while intact females live the shortest, most likely due to issues that come with pregnancies and female reproductive organs.
They are also more prone to urinary tract infections. Luckily, they are easy to spot, and they can be treated with ease.
Breeding And Parental Instincts
Finally, if you plan on breeding your Cane Corso, or if you accidentally ended with Cane Corso puppies, you’re probably aware that there are some differences.
Here’s what they are:
Males
While, of course, male Cane Corsos have to be present during the breeding process, they don’t really do anything else. They won’t help raise their puppies and they don’t have any parental instincts.
Sure, they might interact with the puppies, but they’d behave the same way as they would with pups that aren’t theirs.
Some Cane Corsos might even be aggressive with puppies. This isn’t a common situation, but it might be better to carefully introduce the father to his offspring and to monitor their encounters for the first couple of weeks, just to stay on the safe side.
One important thing to keep in mind is this: If you want to breed Cane Corsos, whether for profit or just to get a new pup, the owner of a female dog will have all the rights to the puppies.
Females
Female Cane Corsos play a much bigger role in the breeding process. They are the ones that will carry the puppies, give birth to them, and raise them.
A mother dog has a greater parental instinct than the father. They’ll provide their puppies with proper care and fulfill all of their unique needs.
Females can give birth to two puppies approximately every six months. Still, it isn’t advised to breed your Cane Corso that often. A litter per year should provide her with enough time to recover and take care of her own health.
If you plan to breed your female Cane Corso officially, you will have the rights to all the puppies. However, this also means you’ll be the one responsible for paying all the veterinary bills
Is It Better To Get A Male Or Female Cane Corso?
So, now to the question you’re probably here for: Is it better to get a male or a female Cane Corso? Well, the truth is, it depends on what your expectations are.
Generally, if you want a guard dog that will make sure your house is safe and keep all intruders away, females might be a better choice.
Although smaller, they tend to bark at anyone trying to enter your home, and they’ll inform you of anyone entering their territory. Also, they’re somewhat easier to train.
On the other hand, if you want a dog that will be more affectionate and social, males might be a better option. Just keep in mind that they might need some additional socialization, especially if you have other dogs in the household.
Either way, this is the best breed when it comes to guard dogs, so you won’t make a big mistake, no matter which you choose.
Final Words
One of the first steps in picking a new dog should be picking the right gender. Especially when it comes to dogs that aren’t beginner friendly, and Cane Corsos certainly fall under that category!
There’s no winner to the male vs. female Cane Corso debate, at least not when it comes to picking the best guard dog. Both of them will do an amazing job of keeping your house safe.
However, each gender has its own characteristics that you have to take into consideration before you make a purchase.
Keep in mind, though, that each dog has their own individual personality. Just because you’ve picked a Cane Corso of a specific gender doesn’t have to mean they’ll have the temperament I’ve described.
Still, some other factors, such as certain health problems, will always stay gender-specific.
Either way, I am hoping I have helped you with making this important decision.
Vanja’s passion for writing started at an early age, which is why she pursued Journalism as her college degree. She can research any topic and find all the information before you bat an eye, which is a great thing for her job but a terrible one for her husband.
Even as a young child, she fell in love with everything fluffy – but dogs have a special place in her heart due to her childhood companion, a Corgie named Archie.
Motivated by her experiences and driven by a desire to give back to her four-legged companions, she spends her free time volunteering at a local dog shelter.