If you are under attack and all of your friends run away or get scared, you’d definitely want someone to help you out. If you are on a hike alone, you’d want a companion that boosts your energy levels as well as gives you a sense of protection. Besides these, there come plenty of situations when you look for a reliable and selfless partner.
If that’s the case, no one is more perfect for the job than a mighty muscular protection dog. But, dogdom has plenty of dog breeds that fit this description. Which one should you pick?
If the debate is about which protection dog is the best, things get heated between Cane Corsos and Dogo Argentino supporters.
This article is all about comparing all the features based on research instead of throwing arrows in the dark.
We’d start by discussing their history.
History
The Cane Corso is an Italian dog breed descended from the working group of breeds called Molossus dogs, or Molossers, named after the Molossians—an ancient Greek tribe known for breeding giant, big-boned guardian dogs of Mastiff type. The history of Cane Corso dates back to 1137 A.D.
By the mid-20th century, with continuous wars and invasions in Italy, the breed reached the brink of extinction. In the 1970s, a group of Italian dog fanciers revived the breed of their long-lost ancestors. The Cane Corso breed then arrived in the United States in 1988 and was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2010. The AKC categorized this breed in a working group, and now these dogs are usually kept as a companion dog, guard dog, and in rural areas, it serves as protector of livestock.
Currently, the breed stands at the position of 32nd most popular dog in the U.S.
On the other hand, as the name suggests, Dogo Argentino found their home in Argentina in 1928. The breed was developed by Antonio Nores Martinez, a medical doctor, who wanted a dog for big-game hunting that could also guard and protect. For this purpose, the breeder picked the Cordoba Fighting Dog as the base breed and crossed various guard dog breeds such as Great Dane, Spanish Mastiff, Boxer, Old English Bulldog, Pyrenean Mastiff, English Pointer, and Dogue de Bordeaux, etc.
Later on, the breed was brought to the United States in 1970. Although the AKC categorized this breed in the working dog group, it hasn’t given any further information about the ranking and recognition of the breed.
Facial Appearance
The AKC describes the facial appearance of both breeds as:
Cane Corso
Head: Molossus and large
Skull: Wide and slightly curved
Expression: Very alert and attentive. Some wrinkling on the forehead occurs when alert
Eyes: Medium-sized, almond-shaped, not round
or bulging
Ears: Medium-sized, triangular in shape, held tight to the cheeks
Nose: Large with well-opened nostrils
Muzzle: Very broad and deep
Dogo Argentino
Head: Powerful and balanced
Skull: Solid and convex
Expression: Alert and intelligent, with a marked hardness
Eyes: Medium-sized, almond-shaped
Ears: Erect or semi-erect, and triangular in shape
Nose: Completely black and has large nostrils
Muzzle: Strong, a bit longer than deep
Coat
Cane Corso’s coat is short, stiff, shiny, adherent, and dense with a light undercoat that becomes thicker in cold weather. The standard colors accepted by the AKC are:
- Black
- Lighter and darker shades of gray
- Lighter and darker shades of fawn
- Red
- Solid fawn and red, including lighter and darker shades, have a black or gray mask.
The mask does not go beyond the eyes. There may be a white patch on the chest, throat, chin, backs of the pasterns, and on the toes
Dogo Argentino’s coat is uniform, straight, short, and smooth, with an average length of 0.5 to 0.75 inches. The acceptable color by the AKC is white. The only tolerable spots are one black or dark-colored patch on the skull but can also be located on one ear or around one eye, or very small dark spots on the ears.
Comparison Between Cane Corso and Dogo Argentino
| Features | Cane Corso | Dogo Argentino |
| Height | 24 to 26.5 inches | 25 to 27.5 inches |
| Weight | 88 to 110 lbs. | 77 to 99 lbs. |
| Bite Force | 700 PSI | 500 PSI |
| Running Speed | 32 mph | 25 mph |
| Jump | 6 feet | 6 feet |
Exercise and Fitness
Cane Corsos are loaded with energy that they need to burn through exercise and workouts. The breed was developed for performing heavy tasks, and in case of an idle routine, Cane Corsos get frustrated and develop destructive behaviors, and starts to chew, bark, and dig around the house to release the pent-up energy out.
To prevent such a situation, it is recommended to exercise them for 45 minutes to 1 hour daily. As Cane Corsos are intelligent dogs, their exercise routine must involve vigorous physical activity as well as mental stimulation.
Best exercises for Cane Corsos are:
- Running
- Swimming
- Flirt pole
- Fetch
- Weight pulling
- Jolly ball
- Frisbee toss
- Backyard agility
- Stair exercise
Dogo Argentino has the same exercise requirements as Cane Corsos. Dogos are active dogs that love to spend their time doing tough jobs. Instead of laying on a couch, they’d prefer to go on a hike and run alongside their master’s car.
Other than that, Dogo Argentino loves to be the part of following activities:
- Running
- Biking
- Skating
- Tug of war
- Spring pole
- Treadmill
Health Issues (lifespan)
If there are no grave health concerns, Cane Corso lives 10 to 12 years, whereas Dogo lives 10 to 15 years. Both the Cane Corso and Dogo Argentino breeds were developed under conducive breeding environments, and that’s why there are no specific genetic diseases that these dogs are predisposed to.
However, just like other dogs, these dogs are prone to general diseases. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, the Corso breed can develop cardiovascular disorder; elbow, shoulder, and hips dysplasia; eye infections, and thyroid malfunction.
Similarly, Dogo Argentino is at risk of elbows and hip dysplasia and hearing problems. The statistics from the OFA show that Dogo Argentino is relatively healthier than Cane Corso.
Temperament
Bred for hunting wild boars and herding cattle, Corsos are possessive dogs and follow their own instincts. They don’t easily get along with other dogs, and it’s not recommended to leave them alone with young kids. If they are trained for obedience and socialization, their social skills can improve. They have an extremely protective nature which decreases their openness to strangers, especially if they deem that stranger a threat to their owner.
Compared to Corsos, Dogo Argentios are congenial. They are open towards strangers, get along with other dogs easily, and also their adaptability is high. Still, it’s recommended not to leave small children around these dogs unattended.
According to temperament tests conducted by the American Temperament Testing Society, after obedience training, Cane Corso has scored 88.1%, and Dogo Argentino has scored 89.5%. These results indicate that both breeds are amiable and won’t throw unnecessary temperament tantrums. The only time both breeds get angry is when they are bored—something you can avoid by engaging them in activities mentioned above.
Trainability
Corsos and Dogos are both developed by selective breeding. As a result, they are highly trainable and intelligent, which is why training them isn’t difficult. Their training should be started at an early age; else, they can get stubborn, strong-willed, and dominant in their adulthood.
Feeding
Thanks to their huge sizes and active lifestyles, both breeds require 2 to 3 cups of premium quality dry dog food daily. This amount may vary according to age, size, health, and daily activity levels. As these are muscular dogs, make sure that their food is rich in proteins. It is recommended to feed your dogs only those foods that are approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Cane Corso and Dogo Argentino: Which One is More Expensive?
Generally, Cane Corso costs around $2,500 to $8,500, whereas Dogo Argentino costs between $2,000 to $8,000.
The prices may vary depending on the bloodline, pedigree, and reputation of the breeder.
