Breed comparison
Cane Corso vs Mastiff
Cane Corso or Mastiff? Both are huge, deeply loyal guardian breeds that suit calm, experienced owners with plenty of space. The short answer: the Mastiff is the larger, calmer, droolier and lower-energy dog, with a shorter life span on our profile, while the Cane Corso is the leaner, more athletic and more intense protector that needs more exercise and firmer handling. Both bond deeply with their families and are wary of outsiders. Neither is a good first dog, and both need early socialization and training.
Photo: Claudio Domiziani · CC BY-SA 2.5 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Contesse du Hohwald · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Cane Corso | Mastiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Giant |
| Height | 23.5–27.5 in (60–70 cm) | 27.5–30 in (70–76 cm) |
| Weight | 88–110 lb (40–50 kg) | 120–230 lb (54–104 kg) |
| Life span | 9–12 years | 6–10 years |
| Group | Working | Working |
| Coat | Short, stiff, dense single-layer coat with a light undercoat | Short, dense double coat with a coarse outer layer |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Mastiff is the bigger dog, at 27.5 to 30 in (70 to 76 cm) and 120 to 230 lb (54 to 104 kg). The Cane Corso stands 23.5 to 27.5 in (60 to 70 cm) and weighs 88 to 110 lb (40 to 50 kg). VCA lists Mastiffs at 28 to 30 in, and PetMD says Cane Corsos are often over 100 lb. A Mastiff can outweigh a Cane Corso by 100 lb (45 kg) or more.
Energy and exercise
The Cane Corso is the more active dog, scoring 3 out of 5 for energy and 4 for exercise, against 2 and 2 for the Mastiff. PetMD says the Cane Corso needs plenty of daily exercise, a fenced yard and mental work such as agility or nose work. VCA describes the Mastiff as calm and well-mannered indoors, needing daily moderate walks or short jogs. Neither suits an apartment (2 out of 5 for both).
Coat and grooming
Both have short coats and score 3 out of 5 for shedding. The Cane Corso scores 1 out of 5 for grooming and the Mastiff 2, and VCA says a weekly brushing is enough for a Mastiff. PetMD says the Cane Corso sheds year-round, most heavily in spring, and needs daily brushing in shedding season. The Mastiff drools more (4 versus 3), and VCA warns owners to be prepared for drool.
Temperament and training
Both score 5 out of 5 for watchdog instinct and 2 for strangers. PetMD describes the Cane Corso as loyal, quiet and willful, with a strong instinct to take charge, and says it is not ideal for first-time owners (1 out of 5). VCA describes the Mastiff as gentle with children but sometimes overly protective around strangers. The Mastiff is better with kids (4 versus 3) and barks less (1 versus 2), while the Cane Corso is easier to train (4 versus 3).
Health and life span
PetMD gives 9 to 12 years for the Cane Corso, while our profile lists a shorter span for the Mastiff. PetMD lists obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, eyelid abnormalities and bloat for the Cane Corso. The Mastiff Club of America lists hip and elbow dysplasia, eye and cardiac disease, thyroid disease, cystinuria and several DNA-testable conditions. VCA says large, deep-chested dogs are at greater risk of bloat, which is an emergency.
Cost and care
Both are expensive to feed, insure and equip. The Mastiff eats more and needs more space, while the Cane Corso needs more exercise and training time. PetMD notes that vets may recommend a surgery called a gastropexy to lower the risk of bloat in the Cane Corso, so ask your vet about prevention.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Mastiff if you want a gentle, giant, couch-loving guardian that is calm indoors and good with family, and you can handle serious drool, a big grocery bill and a shorter life. Choose the Cane Corso if you want a more athletic, leaner protector and have experience with firm, consistent training, an hour or more of daily activity and a secure yard. Both suit experienced owners, so be honest about your strength, space and time before you commit. Either way, ask your vet about bloat prevention and joint care before your puppy arrives.
Cane Corso profile Mastiff profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, a Cane Corso or a Mastiff?
The Mastiff. It weighs 120 to 230 lb (54 to 104 kg), while the Cane Corso weighs 88 to 110 lb (40 to 50 kg).
Which drools more, a Cane Corso or a Mastiff?
The Mastiff, at 4 out of 5 on our drooling meter against 3 for the Cane Corso.
Which is better for first-time owners?
Neither. The Cane Corso scores 1 out of 5 for first-time owners and the Mastiff 2, and PetMD calls the Cane Corso not ideal for novices.
