Dogo Argentino vs Cane Corso: What’s the Difference?

The Dogo Argentino and Cane Corso are similar-looking dogs with muscular builds. They both share a common ancestor, the Mastiff, adding to their similar traits. 

To help you decide which of these large dogs is better suited to your needs, we’ve made this list of the differences between them. 

We’ll break down the key factors like size and weight, intelligence, exercise needs, and more. Remember to keep your specific wants in mind when considering the factors that matter to you. 

Read on to find out more about these two dog breeds!

Dogo Argentino vs Cane Corso Comparison Table

	Dogo Argentino	Cane Corso
Size	24-27” tall	23-28” tall
Weight	77-99 lbs	88-110 lbs
Color	White, with some black spots	Chestnut, gray, red, fawn, or black
Trainability	Quite easy to train	Easy to train
Intelligence	Intelligent	Above average
Friendliness with strangers	Makes a big distinction between family and others. Early socialization with people is key.	As a defense dog, early socialization is essential to avoid overprotective behavior.
Friendliness with other dogs	Not very good with other dogs.	Can be okay with other dogs if socialized early.
Exercise needs	Very high energy and needs plenty of exercise.	High energy, will need a few walks and maybe a jog per day.
Lifespan	10-12 years	9-15 years

Dogo Argentino vs Cane Corso History

While they look similar, these two muscular dog breeds are different and have their unique history.

Dogo Argentino History

As you can guess from its name, this dog has its roots in Argentina. It was created by a doctor who bred different purebreds to create a hunting dog, and he crossed these breeds with the Cordoba fighting dog, a now-extinct breed. 

Over a few generations of selective breeding, the doctor finally accomplished his goal and developed the breed we know today. 

The breed was first brought over to the United States in the 1970s. Though initially bred as a hunting dog, it has also become a popular companion dog in recent decades for its loyalty, bravery, and strength. 

Cane Corso History 

The Cane Corso is a working dog breed from a Molossus dog family that originated back in ancient Rome. The first Cane Corsos were used in battle for their bravery and strength. 

Eventually, the dogs began to be used for civilian work instead, including hunting, farming, and guarding farms and hen houses. The first Cane Cose arrived in the United States in 1988 and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010.

Related Reading: Best Pet Stairs For Large Dogs

Dogo Argentino vs Cane Corso Temperament

Let’s look at the differences in personality between Cane Corsos and Dogo Argentinos to give you a better idea of what to expect from them. 

Dogo Argentino Temperament

Dogos Argentinos were bred for hunting, and are often used in military work, police work, guiding the blind, and more. They’re brilliant and brave dogs with a strong instinct to protect their home and family.

While they’re very affectionate with family, they’re not as good with strangers. It’s essential to socialize with others, both humans and dogs, from a young age.

Cane Corso Temperament

Cane Corsos, like Dogo Argentinos, are bred to be protective and strong. While their loyal and courageous temperament is appreciated by those who own them, ensuring they don’t get overprotective is important.

A Cane Corso is intelligent but can become dominant and bossy around the house if you don’t train them from a young age. 

Dogo Argentino vs Cane Corso Grooming

Nobody likes having to vacuum up dog hair every day. How tough are these dogs to groom? Let’s find out. 

Dogo Argentino Grooming 

Dogo Argentinos have a short, smooth coat that doesn’t require frequent grooming, and they do shed, but only reasonably so. Make sure to keep your dog’s teeth clean by brushing them regularly. 

Cane Corso Grooming 

Cane Corsos have a short coat, but it’s dense. The undercoat will often shed throughout the year, especially during the change of seasons. Brush them weekly or close to daily in the shedding season.

Dogo Argentino vs Cane Corso Training

Both of these dogs are intelligent and need good training from a young age to prevent bad behavior. But which one is easier to train? 

Dogo Argentino Training

Dogo Argentinos are easy to train and eager to please! Signing your Dogo Argentino up for training classes as a puppy is recommended but not necessary. 

You can easily train a Dogo Argentino to be a great companion dog if you reward their good behavior. 

Cane Corso Training

Cane Corsos, similarly, are smart and eager to please, which makes them pleasant to train. Even though they may seem tough, they have a soft spot for their owners and love positive reinforcement.

Training your Cane Corso will be much easier and more productive if you reward their good behavior with love or treats instead of punishing their bad behavior. 

Dogo Argentino vs Cane Corso Health

While both of these breeds are generally healthy, there are some common health problems you should be aware of. 

Dogo Argentino Health 

The Dogo Argentino breed can be prone to deafness, with about a 10 percent chance of deafness in one or both ears. Hip dysplasia is also not unheard of with this breed. 

To be safe, only adopt from a reputable breeder and ask if their stock was screened for these conditions.

Cane Corso Health

Cane Corsos are typically healthy dogs. A responsible breeder will screen their stock for typical conditions like hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and so on. 

Dogs with deep chests sometimes experience bloat, a sudden and dangerous stomach condition. If you adopt a Cane Corso, learn about the risk and signs of this complication, so you know what to do should it occur. 

Conclusion

Overall, these are two very similar dogs, bred for similar purposes. They both make great companion pets and are similarly great for hunting and home protection. 

Because of their history as guard dogs, it’s important to give them the right training and socialization from a young age to prevent bad behavior. Both dogs are similarly easy to train and intelligent. 

The Cane Corso tends to have fewer health concerns than Dogo Argentinos and can live longer on average.

We hope this article has helped you learn the differences between Dogo Argentinos and Cane Corsos! No matter which dog breed you choose, you’re sure to have a loyal, strong, and brave companion. 

Related Reading: Cane Corso and Rottweiler Mix: A Complete Guide