Irish Mastiff Hound vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison

The Irish Mastiff Hound is a huge dog – a mix of the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound.

Both of these dogs have been around for a long time and actually have ancient histories. The Mastiff for instance has origins that date back to ancient times in China, while the Irish Wolfhound has origins that date far back to 391 AD.

Today this dog is regarded as an excellent companion for any home.

As 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.

This is a large crossbreed which can stand at 85 to 91 cm in height and weigh in the region of 47kg to 74kg.

He essentially has the short, smooth coat of the Mastiff but other dogs may well inherit the longer, more wiry coat of the Wolfhound. Coloring of the coat can be quite varied and can be brown, grey, white, tan or black. Some dogs take more after the Mastiff while others have more Wolfhound characteristics. They have a large head, some have a somewhat wrinkly face because of the Mastiff side, the ears are fairly small and floppy and the tail is long.

Temperament:

Even though they're so huge, these are easy going dogs that are able to fit in well with most human families. Described as gentle giants, they are loving, loyal, easy-going, even-tempered and eager to please.

The Irish Mastiff does well in the city or in the country because he isn't particularly active and will be happy to have a comfortable spot to lie close to you, however with such a large dog, you will certainly need a garden.

A Molosser Dog:

The 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.

Your big Irish Mastiff Hound is cool, confident and calm. He isn't particularly energetic and as long as he gets a nice walk as well as some mental stimulation, he'll be happy, wanting to spend a good part of the day lying close to where you are.

Socialization and training will be good for him and he learns easily. He is just a big gentle giant who promises to make you a wonderful canine friend.

The 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.

Many people find giant dogs irresistible because they're usually gentle, patient and loving. However, it is their very size which makes them more prone to certain health concerns and gives them a shorter lifespan.

It is why it is so important to ensure you feed your pet a healthy diet to ward off illness. A large dog like the Irish Mastiff doesn't have a particularly long lifespan, and with good care he can get to 9, 10, 11, 12 years of age.

Hip Dysplasia:

This condition is more common in large dogs and it can lead to joint degeneration, arthritis and pain. Your pet may even be reluctant to get up and greet you when you come home which can be very sad. Vet intervention will certainly be required.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This heart disease is commonly seen in large dog breeds where the heart becomes weak so that it can't pump blood throughout the body. Coughing, difficulty with breathing, weakness and lethargy are just some of the symptoms of this disease and will also require veterinary intervention.

The 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.

Grooming:

He has a short coat, and grooming of this laid-back dog will include brushing him twice a week, trimming his nails and making sure that you check inside his ears for ear infection.

Diet:

Large dogs have special nutritional needs, particularly because they are more prone to illnesses such as hip dysplasia. You want to make sure that the foods he eats are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, amino acids and antioxidants because these will ensure proper joint health.

You've got to be careful what you feed a large breed dog because of the weight management issue too. Excess weight puts stress on the joints and promotes the development of osteoarthritis. Speak to your vet about portion control and meat protein for your pet and how to ensure excellent nutrition to avoid common dog illnesses.

Fresh, cool water needs to be available to your pet every minute of the night and day.

Grooming:

The 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.