Cane Corso vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Cane Corso vs Bergamasco - Breed ComparisonBoth Cane Corso and Bergamasco are originated from Italy. Cane Corso may grow 8 cm / 4 inches higher than Bergamasco. Cane Corso may weigh 12 kg / 27 pounds more than Bergamasco. Cane Corso may live 3 years less than Bergamasco. Cane Corso may have less litter size than Bergamasco. Both Cane Corso and Bergamasco requires Moderate maintenance.

History

cane corso - historyAs a descendant of the Canis pugnax, the Cane Corso dog which hails from Italy has been used for guarding livestock and property. The Corso’s lineage goes far back to ancient Roman times, with the name of dog actually meaning bodyguard dog.

As life changed in Italy, the Corso became more rare so that some enthusiasts of the breed began to look at helping the dog recover from the brink of extinction. By 1994, the breed was accepted by the Italian Kennel Club and the dog was also recognized internationally, with the American Kennel Club recognizing the Cane Corso in 2010.

bergamasco - historyThe Bergamasco comes from northern Italy. This medium sized sheepdog is of ancient origin. Known as an Italian sheep herding breed, his name actually comes from the town where he comes from - Bergamo.

It was after World War II that there was danger that this breed would disappear as the need for herding and shepherding was diminishing. An Italian breeder, however, Dr. Maria Andreoli, stepped in to save the breed.

It was in 2015 that the American Kennel Club also changed the breed’s status from Miscellaneous to the Herding Group.

Description

A Molosser Dog:

cane corso puppy - descriptionThe Cane Corso is a large dog which hails from Italy. He is a molosser. The dog is muscled and is somewhat less bulkier than other Mastiff breeds. He is 64-70 cm in height and he weighs 45-50 kg.

The head of the Cane Corso is large and the ears are cropped and stand erect. The tail is also traditionally docked to give the dog a distinctive look, but these days, with regulations regarding tail docking, the dog can also be seen with a full tail.

The Corso has a short coat which comes in fawn shades, gray, red, brindle or black shades. White markings are common on the chest, chin, toes and sometimes on the nose.

Temperament:

The Corso is a working dog who needs lots of mental and physical stimulation. He’s an inquisitive dog who is confident and ready to meet life as it comes. He’ll want a strong, firm owner with leadership qualities. He'll require training and socialization and then he becomes an affectionate, obedient pet who gets on well with all members of the family as well as other pets. He is a highly intelligent dog and responds well to training.

A Rastafarian Look

bergamasco puppy - descriptionThis medium sized sheepdog stands 54 – 62cm in height and weighs up to 38 kg as an adult. It is his coat which draws the most attention. It is of a coarse texture and actually greasy to the touch. It actually forms into strands or almost like dreadlocks from the top of the body, so that people agree he is one of shaggiest dog breeds there are.

From age 1 on the coat starts to become woolly, and then the flocks start to form. As these clumps of hair appear, it will become necessary to separate them into smaller cords by hand to ensure attractive formation Brushing isn’t necessary but a big toothed comb can keep their hair ‘groomed’.

The colour of the coat is solid grey with patches of shades of grey and sometimes black. His dense, heavy coat makes it that he is suited to cooler climates. Because he is a herding dog, he wouldn’t do well in an apartment but would suit a home with a large garden.

Intelligent and Playful

He is intelligent and social but will need firm handling as he is a boisterous dog. He has a muscular yet compact body with a large head, long tail, high-set semi-drooping ears and large, gentle looking brown eyes. Although not instinctively aggressive, he makes an excellent watch dog with strong protective instincts to protect his human family.

He views new people into his circle with suspicion and wariness. He is good with kids and pets in the home and is playful and energetic.

Characteristics

cane corso dog - characteristicsThe Cane Corso is known for his agility and athleticism. He is full of energy and he also wants lots of attention and companionship from his human family. With proper training and socialization his temperament changes so that he becomes a super friend and companion while also being protective.

The dog is attentive and receptive to training. The way a dog turns out is essentially what the owners are like, and many Cane Corso dogs have been blamed for being aggressive because they’ve been brought up by aggressive, abusive and irresponsible owners.

The Cane Corso is a large dog with an exuberant nature and who expresses his joy by snorting, wheezing, grunting and slobbering. Treat him well as a family member and you’re going to have a wonderful friend and protector.

bergamasco dog - characteristicsThis is a working dog so they are naturally alert. He is also intelligent and independent and this independence is seen with training as he doesn’t take easily to following instructions, becoming stubborn. You’ll certainly want to have your Bergamasco socialized and trained as he can be a boisterous dog, bounding with energy.

This is a dog that will need to be kept busy and provided with plenty of activities so that he remains happy, playful and relaxed.

Lively and intelligent, these dogs also form strong bonds with their owners and get on well with the children in the home. He will take well to country life as opposed to living in the city.

Health Problems

cane corso puppies - health problemsThe life expectancy of the Cane Corso is 10 to 12 years. He is a large, healthy dog breed, but all large dogs are inclined towards bone and joint problems which includes hip dysplasia. Your Cane Corso is also prone to eye defects.

Cherry Eye:

Strangely, dogs have 3 eyelids, with the third eyelid being home to tear producing gland. There are some dogs where the ligament fails so that the gland pops out, looking like a cherry stuck at the inner corner of the eye. The veterinarian will be able to perform surgery to attach the gland back.

Entropion:

There are dogs where the eyelids roll inwards. Entropion causes hair to rub on the surface of the eye, resulting in pain and also damage to the cornea. Sometimes surgery will be necessary to fix the eyelid.

bergamasco puppies - health problemsYour Bergamasco can live to be 13 to 15 years of age and he is considered to be a healthy breed. Nonetheless you want to be aware of health issues that are common to this breed

he is vulnerable to heat. He can die of heat exhaustion quicker than other breeds

keep an eye on him for hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and skin allergies

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

cane corso dogs - caringThe short coat sheds fairly heavily twice a year. His coat will certainly need a brush twice a week but during shedding time it will be more often if you want to avoid your home being full of hair. As you brush, its the chance to check for fleas, ticks and skin infections.

Brush your Cane Corso’s teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to remove tartar build-up. If you don’t there is the problem of bacteria which can result in gum disease, bad breath and tooth loss.

Diet:

Your Cane Corso is a large, active dog and will therefore require a high quality food for his breed type. The type of food your dog eats will depend on his age and his activity levels.

The quality of dog food is highly important as it is a contributing factor towards his health. Always try to give your dog some home-made food such as vegetables, rice and meat. Include some raw meat into his diet from time to time as a dog is a carnivore, and raw meat in his diet will help to stave off skin problems. Never forget to check that he has fresh, cool water around the clock.

Grooming

bergamasco dogs - caringThe Bergamasco isn’t a shedder but his coat will need to be combed once a week just to keep it in order. You don’t want to bath him too often, especially during the Winter as his coat takes a long time to dry. It isn’t recommended to shave a Bergamasco as the coat regulates the dogs temperature – keeping him warm and cold as the weather demands.

Foods

They thrive on a blend of kibble (dry) mixed with raw and-or moist food once or twice a day. Remember to include quality chicken, turkey, etc. mixed with some vegetables and rice into your dog’s diet. Ensure a constant supply of fresh water in an easily-cleanable bowl.

Exercise

Balls and ropes are important for building muscle strength and burning energy. Remember your Bergamasco is a working breed and will need plenty of games and exercise.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
Italy
Italy
Height Male:
62 - 70 cm
24 - 28 inches
58 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
58 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
54 - 58 cm
21 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 50 kg
99 - 111 pounds
32 - 38 kg
70 - 84 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
26 - 38 kg
57 - 84 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Cane Corz, Cane Di Macellaio, Italian Mastiff
Bergamasco Shepherd Dog, Cane da pastore Bergamasco
Colors Available:
Fawn shades, gray, red, brindle or black shades
Grey, sometimes black
Coat:
Short, dense, double coat
Coarse, long shaggy dreadlocks
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Cane Corso vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Cane Corso vs Cabecudo Boiadeiro - Breed Comparison
  3. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  4. Perro de Presa Canario vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  5. Caucasian Shepherd vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  6. Dogo Guatemalteco vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  7. Molossus vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  8. Danish Broholmer vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  9. Sage Koochee vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  10. Canis Panther vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  11. Cao de Castro Laboreiro vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  12. Cao de Fila da Terceira vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  13. Cordoba Fighting Dog vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  14. Perro Cimarron vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  15. Perro de Toro vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  16. Gran Mastin de Borinquen vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  17. Korean Mastiff vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  18. Samoyed vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  19. Labradoodle vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  20. Cane Corso vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  21. Cane Corso vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Cane Corso vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  23. Cane Corso vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  24. Cane Corso vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  25. Cane Corso vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  29. Blue Healer vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  30. English Shepherd vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  31. Catahoula Cur vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  32. Catalan Sheepdog vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  33. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  34. Bergamasco vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  36. Bergamasco vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Bergamasco vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  38. Bergamasco vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. Bergamasco vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  40. Bergamasco vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  41. Bergamasco vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  42. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  43. Bergamasco vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  45. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  46. Queensland Heeler vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  47. German Coolie vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  48. Bohemian Shepherd vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  49. Croatian Sheepdog vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  50. Red Heeler vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds