Cane Corso vs Mastiff
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Cane Corso | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Large | Giant |
| Adult weight | Not published | 54.4 to 104.3 kg |
| In pounds | Not published | 120 to 230 lb |
| Adult height | 60 to 70 cm | 70 to 76 cm |
| Energy | High | Moderate |
| Grooming | Low | Low |
| Coat | Short smooth | Short double |
| Shedding | Low | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 9 to 12 years | 6 to 10 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Italy | Great Britain |
The main differences
- The Cane Corso needs more exercise: high energy against moderate for the Mastiff.
- Grooming is low for both.
- The Cane Corso usually lives longer: 9 to 12 years against 6 to 10 years.
- With children, the Mastiff is rated reliably good and the Cane Corso fine with supervision.
Temperament
Cane Corso: Smart, trainable and of noble bearing, the assertive and confident Cane Corso is a peerless protector that forms close bonds with their family.
Mastiff: Calm and affectionate with their own people but capable of guarding, and usually indifferent with strangers. Timidity is unacceptable in the breed.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Cane Corso
- Bloat, a digestive disorder of the stomach
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, with hip and elbow evaluation recommended by the national breed club
- Cardiac disease, with a cardiac exam recommended by the national breed club
- Inherited eye and neurological disease, with DSRA and NCL1 DNA tests recommended
Mastiff
- Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
- Elbow dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
- Hereditary eye disease including progressive retinal atrophy, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, with DNA testing available for PRA
- Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency, risk rises with a deep chest, prophylactic gastropexy is often recommended
- Entropion and ectropion, diagnosed on veterinary eye examination and corrected surgically
- Degenerative myelopathy, detectable by DNA test alongside clinical signs
Common questions
Which lives longer, the Cane Corso or the Mastiff?
The published life expectancy is 9 to 12 years for the Cane Corso and 6 to 10 years for the Mastiff. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Cane Corso or the Mastiff better with children?
The Mastiff scores higher for children (3 against 5 out of 5). Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin