Are Cane Corsos Good With Kids? Breed Socialization & Characteristics Explained

The Cane Corso, or the Italian Mastiff, is a beautiful and majestic dog on the large side of the size chart. They have an imposing presence and can be intimidating in appearance. They are strong, confident, and naturally protective dogs just like all Mastiff-type breeds. Cane Corsos are known to make great family dogs, but what about households with children? The answer is yes! Cane Corsos can be very good with kids due to their calm and reserved nature.

The Cane Corso has many characteristics that make it great with children. But, like most dogs, there are still many things to keep in mind before letting your children interact with your Cane Corso. Here, we talk about how Cane Corsos make great companions for children, as well as the things you need to consider before adopting a Cane Corso for you and your child!

Cane Corsos’ Temperament

The Cane Corso traces its roots back to ancient Rome and beyond, where they were utilized as guard dogs. Their name translates to “protector dog” or “guardian dog”, which was given to them for their loyalty, strength, and naturally protective disposition.

Cane Corsos may no longer serve these same purposes that the Romans used them for centuries ago, but they most certainly still have their protective nature. Cane Corsos are generally calm and docile towards their humans, while also possessing high intelligence and skill.

With its large build, towering height, and incredible strength, the Cane Corso can be intimidating—especially for small children. Despite their physical appearance, Cane Corsos are particularly gentle and protective toward their loved ones.

With their natural guardian-like tendencies, Cane Corsos can be gentle while still remaining watchful and aware of its surroundings. Though they are not necessarily aggressive towards strangers, they are cautious and may even seem menacing toward unfamiliar people. Their high intelligence makes them excellent watch dogs with proper training!

Cane Corsos may be calm, docile, and intelligent, but early training and socialization must still be kept as a priority when raising a Cane Corso.

Are Cane Corsos Good With Kids?

Given Cane Corsos’ temperament and physical characteristics, they can make great companions for children! Cane Corsos are usually calm and relaxed when with their families, which makes them easily predictable. They are also quiet, making it unlikely for children to get startled by their barks.

Cane Corsos are also built like a tank, making them good playmates for children. They may be calm, but they can also exhibit high levels of energy if play time gets them excited enough!

Like all dogs, early socialization and training is a key factor for Cane Corsos’ behavior around children. Because of their size and strength, there is still that risk of hurting smaller children even if unintentional. This is why Cane Corsos should be properly trained to behave around children to avoid any unwanted accidents!

Cane Corsos with Infants

Because of their size, Cane Corsos should not be kept alone with babies. While gentle, the Cane Corso’s size and strength can still unintentionally injure a baby. Cane Corsos can also exhibit jealous behavior towards newborns. While they don’t necessarily exhibit aggressive behaviors toward the child, they may try to grab your attention by barking, whining, or by showing extra affection towards you.

They may also exhibit signs of stress when your infant cries or unintentionally grabs them. Instead of taking it out on the child, they may simply walk away where they can rest.

Regardless, Cane Corsos can still exhibit their protective nature by staying watchful of the tiny child. They will evidently behave more cautiously with slower movements and even laying or sleeping near the child. Babies will be seen as the weakest members of the family by the Cane Corso, and they will likely take it upon themselves to keep watch and protect them!

Cane Corsos with Toddler and Young Children

Toddlers are playful and highly energetic, making them unpredictable around any dog. They are also at the age where they are most curious, so they may touch or hold sensitive areas of your Cane Corso that can lead to an unpleasant reaction. While Cane Corsos need training to become excellent around children, toddlers also need to be taught how to act around dogs.

Cane Corsos and toddlers, however, can become best friends—especially if they have familiarized themselves with each other! Cane Corsos’ energy levels can easily keep up with a toddler’s during play. They are big and strong, which means they can handle a toddler’s rough housing. They can also learn to be gentle and watchful toward their toddler friend. They can also exhibit protective behaviors especially around strangers!

Like infants, parental supervision is also recommended due to their unpredictability.

cute cane corso puppy lying outdoor — Image Credit: Sbolotova, Shutterstock

Cane Corsos with Older Children

Older children, which includes kids eight years and above, are the best age group for Cane Corsos! They are old enough to know the do’s and don'ts around big dogs, they are aware of their size and strength, and can even get involved caring for their furry friend, as they are old enough to feed them, take them on walks, and even groom them!

Your Cane Corso will also be more relaxed around older children since they won’t be as unpredictable as toddlers, but they will still have loads of fun playing! As older children are also able to care for them, they will likely feel an increased sense of bonding. This will only make your Cane Corso exhibit more loyalty and protection for their best friend, as they know they are also being cared for!

Teaching Children to Behave Around Cane Corsos

To prevent any unwanted accidents for both your child and Cane Corso, it is important that both of them undergo their own forms of “training”. While Cane Corsos require early training and socialization at a young age, children also need to be taught how to behave around your Cane Corso.

Some important things that children should learn and understand include:

To respect their dog’s eating time
To respect their dog’s toys and personal space
To be gentle with their dog by usinggentle petting, stroking, and hugs
To avoid pulling, slapping, pinching, or biting their dog
To avoid frightening or startling their dog, especially while they are sleeping
To always have an adult family member supervisingduring interactions

Children are naturally curious, and having a dog like the Cane Corso around can easily excite any child! Nonetheless, it is important that they learn to respect the Cane Corso. With the proper behavior, your child and Cane Corso will be best friends in no time!

The Importance of Early Training and Socialization

With proper training and socialization as puppies, Cane Corsos can easily become great family dogs. The social life of a dog begins at four weeks old. At this time, it is recommended that they are exposed to a variety of people, animals, and even children! This is also the best time to expose them to strangers, especially if they will be encountering many unfamiliar people throughout their lives.

When adopting a Cane Corso puppy, it is recommended that the children in the household take turns handling and taking care of the puppy.

a blue cane corso dog lying on grass — Image Credit by: otsphoto, Shutterstock

In Conclusion

By the looks of them, Cane Corsos may appear to be imposing and domineering dogs, but they are also quite gentle and affectionate by nature. They are also naturally protective, which makes them great at looking after children. With the proper socialization and training, Cane Corsos can become excellent family dogs—especially with children!

Featured Image By: Skox, Shutterstock