Breed comparison
Cane Corso vs Mastiff
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Cane Corso
Mastiff4Affection with family5
3Good with young children5
3Good with other dogs3
3Openness to strangers3
3Playfulness3
4Energy level3
4Trainability3
3Mental stimulation needs3
3Adaptability4
5Watchdog / protective5
3Barking1
2Shedding3
1Coat grooming1
3Drooling4
The biggest differences
- Good with young children: the Mastiff scores 5 out of 5, the Cane Corso 3.
- Barking: the Cane Corso scores 3 out of 5, the Mastiff 1.
They score the same on good with other dogs, openness to strangers, playfulness, mental stimulation needs, watchdog / protective, coat grooming.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Cane Corso if you want an energetic exercise partner, you want less dog hair, you want a dog that is easier to train. Pick the Mastiff if you have young children, you prefer a calmer dog, you want a quieter dog.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.