The Neapolitan Mastiff and the Cane Corso are two very similar dogs. The Cane Corso, Neapolitan Mastiff, and other large dogs may often get confused with one another, but each is distinct and different.
Although both dog breeds are heavyset and protective watchdogs, they enjoy spending their time in different ways.
The Neapolitan Mastiff and Cane Corso are working dogs who thrive on positive attention and enjoy having plenty of other people to be around.
Although these dogs are large, they can be ideal for family homes, but they may need supervision around young children.
Vigilant dogs like the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Cane Corso are perfect for protecting their family, running around a large backyard, or lounging on a patio.
These dogs can make strong bonds with other dogs in the home, making them ideal for homes with other animals.
However, these dog breeds may not mesh well with small animals, like cats, rabbits, or hamsters. Although friendly, these dogs can be strong and may not realize their strength.
A Neapolitan Mastiff Cane Corso mix can often receive the best traits of both breeds.
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Table of Contents
Temperament
Temperament describes how a dog behaves, acts, and discusses personality traits. Each dog breed has a set of characteristics that align with traits from that breed. For example, some dogs may be overly-affectionate, active, or hyper.
The Cane Corso and Neo Mastiff have very different temperaments.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs come from a long line of soldier dogs who adore standing guard and keeping families safe. However, this doesn’t mean that this dog is uninteresting.
Neapolitan Mastiffs enjoy playtime and will get into trouble when left to their own devices. These dogs may run around the home and chase children.
Young children should never be alone with a Neapolitan Mastiff. Although loving, these dogs are large and may accidentally cause harm or injury to small children.
Cane Corso
Cane Corsos are highly-intelligent dogs who are very confident in their abilities. These dogs are perfect for defending a home but will take time out of their busy guarding schedule to run around with some family members and play.
Although Cane Corsos are intensely loyal, they need to practice understanding boundaries and their strength. Sometimes, this dog breed may engage in play and not realize when they cross a line.
When comparing a Cane Corso vs Neo Mastiff, you may discover the Cane Corso is more loving and affectionate.
Size
Neapolitan Mastiffs and Cane Corso are famous for being large and heavyset dogs. However, exactly how big are they? Size is a major determining factor for many prospective dog owners and enthusiasts.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs usually grow anywhere from 24 to 31 inches tall. Female Neapolitan Mastiffs are smaller than their male counterparts. These dog breeds are tall and their weight is proportionate to their height.
However, most Neapolitan Mastiffs are anywhere from 110 to 150 pounds. These dogs won’t often sit down in someone’s lap, thankfully. However, these dogs can easily cause harm to their weight when they aren’t careful.
Cane Corso
Cane Corsos are tall dogs. They can grow anywhere from 23 to 28 inches tall. These dogs don’t have a weight range since they gain weight proportionate to their height. However, on average, Cane Corsos can weigh up to 120 pounds.
Cane Corsos are loving dogs and thrive on affection, meaning they can sometimes cause minor injuries when attempting to give and receive love.
These dogs may curl up on your lap, but they are heavy and can hurt their owners when they roughhouse or move too hard or quickly.
Lifespan
The number of years your dog lives don’t matter as much as the quality of its life, but lifespan is still a significant consideration for many dog owners.
The fact that dogs don’t live forever is already troubling for many dog owners, but getting attached to a dog who only lives for a decade or less can be devastating.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs have a relatively short lifespan. Although these dogs are stunning, large dogs usually have short lifespans. Neapolitan Mastiffs are no exception and only live for a short time, usually between seven and nine years.
Cane Corso
Cane Corsos can live anywhere from nine to 12 years. This is a little uncommon for dogs their size since most large dogs have a shorter lifespan. However, the Cane Corso has a perfect blend between size and lifespan.
Health Conditions
Some dogs are prone to health conditions like hip or joint dysplasia, and all dogs can be at risk for some old age symptoms.
It can be hard to determine what your dog may develop, but your dog’s breed can give you a heads-up on what to look for in your dog’s aging years.
Neapolitan Mastiff
All dogs are prone to old-age symptoms. Some dogs may have more severe health concerns than others, though. For example, dogs with long spines, like Dachshunds, are more susceptible to spinal injuries and slipped disks.
Neapolitan Mastiffs are the most at risk for eye and dental problems that can come from a poor oral hygiene routine.
Poor dental hygiene can raise the risk for some heart conditions, as well. Thyroid and hip problems are also common in larger dogs.
Cane Corso
Cane Corsos are large dogs and thus will have a higher risk of developing hip problems, eyesight issues, and bloating.
To keep bloating in your Cane Corso to a minimum, consider evaluating their diet and determining if the food they eat is contributing to the issue.
Cane Corsos live for up to 12 years, meaning their eyesight problems can cause issues with bumping into things and causing injury and damage. Bring your dog to a veterinarian if you feel they need medical assistance to prevent these instances.
Diet
A strong diet can make all the difference between a yappy and active dog and a lethargic one. Consider the kind of diet your dog needs and what you are offering it.
Read on to discover the best diet for each breed and what essential nutrients you should prioritize.
Neapolitan Mastiff
A Neapolitan Mastiff will need food that is high in protein and fiber, as do most large dogs.
However, since this dog is prone to dental and eye problems, a food denser in vitamins and minerals can be a big help in maintaining its heart and dental health.
Consider using a food that is made of all-natural vegetables and contains no by-products or fillers.
Cane Corso
Cane Corsos are large dogs and will need access to foods that have a high number of calories. Dog owners with large dogs like the Cane Corso may see themselves spending a ton of money on food every month since this dog will eat a lot.
Your Cane Corso may only need two servings of food a day. Measure out two to three cups of dry kibbles and a small serving of wet food daily to ensure that your dog is not overeating and prevents bloating.
Exercise Needs
All dogs need some exercise, but some may need more than others. Smaller dogs will typically have more energy and can run around the backyard for longer periods.
Analyzing the Neapolitan Mastiff vs Cane Corso breeds show that they both have more weight to carry around and thus move much slower. How much exercise do these large dogs need daily and how can you help them get it?
Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs are more interested in keeping watch over their home and family than getting exercise around the backyard. Small walks or playtime sessions can be enough exercise for this dog breed.
Spend 30 to 40 minutes playing outside with your Neapolitan Mastiff to get them all the exercise they need for the day.
Cane Corso
Cane Corsos are more active than their Mastiff cousins. These dogs may be able to run around the yard and play for up to two hours at a time.
However, Cane Corsos will need plenty of relaxation during that time. They’ll often stop for a few minutes and play again, alternating between rest and running.
Grooming
One of the sometimes tedious and most common tasks you’ll have to do when taking care of your dog is brushing them.
Some dogs shed a lot, all the time, and everywhere. Others, however, may only shed a little bit and may not need much cleaning up.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs shed quite a bit and can leave your home in disarray without proper cleaning time.
Consider using a schedule to keep your home free of renegade dander and hair. Brush your Neapolitan Mastiff once daily and vacuum the home every two or three days.
Cane Corso
400;”>Cane Corsos shed less than their Neapolitan Mastiff cousins, meaning a home with one of these dogs may not need as much cleaning. However, a Cane Corso will still need weekly brushing and vacuuming to remove dander, dirt, and hair from the home.
Training
Cane Corsos and Neapolitan Mastiffs are large dogs and will require extensive training to ensure that they won’t accidentally hurt anyone while roughhousing.
Although dogs are famously playful, a large dog can cause a lot of damage, pain, and hurt when they aren’t careful enough or don’t recognize boundaries.
The Neo Mastiff vs Cane Corso debate shows that both dogs require training, but which dog breed needs more training?
Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs are eager to please and enjoy spending time with their owners. This dog breed will enjoy engaging in training sessions and thrive on the praise they receive from training.
This dog breed will be amicable to their trainers and prefer to be incentivized through praise and training treats.
Training treats for larger dogs like Neapolitan Mastiffs may need to be larger than expected since they may need more calories from the training treats to make training work.
Cane Corso
Cane Corsos are very eager to spend time with their loved ones and will thrive on any opportunity to do so. This dog breed will be even more eager to train than a Neapolitan Mastiff.
Although a Neapolitan Mastiff may need frequent breaks during training sessions, Cane Corsos may not need many breaks.
However, consider keeping a consistent schedule to keep your Cane Corso trained and help them respond to verbal commands.
Origins
Neapolitan Mastiffs and Cane Corsos are nearly ancient dog breeds, but they come from very different sections of the world. Not only were these dogs regal and useful in their histories, but they also made perfect companions for soldiers and farmers.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs are Italian and are known to come from the Naples area. This dog breed was a favorite of the Roman army and was used to protect livestock, assets, and property in the ancient world.
Many may not find the Neapolitan Mastiff very cute or attractive due to the way it sags, but this may have been purposefully done to protect the dog from wild animal attacks.
Cane Corso
Cane Corsos initially hailed from Italy and Rome. These dogs probably shared a common ancestor with Mastiffs in the area but delineated somewhere as they were bred for their power and size.
Cane Corso was instrumental on farms and made perfect guardians for locations prone to boar attacks.
Many wild animals would leave areas guarded by Cane Corsos alone since these dogs were so large and powerful that they could fight off many threats.
Conclusion For “Neapolitan Mastiff vs Cane Corso”
Neapolitan Mastiffs and Cane Corsos can make stunning additions to any family home, as long as that family is willing to put up with 100+ pounds of fluff, love, and affection.
Both dog breeds can get a touch territorial and may not do well with cats or other small animals who can get in their way.
However, the Cane Corso and Neapolitan Mastiff have no shortage of affection and adoration to bestow upon those they love. These dogs may be tall, growing to nearly 30 inches in some cases.
This height may put some dog owners off since they can be hard to manage and may cost more at the groomers since they have more hair and surface area to bathe.
Both dog breeds are sweet and loving, but there are some major differences between the two. Neapolitan Mastiffs, for example, are heavier and have a shorter lifespan.
These dogs are also slightly less affectionate and will get territorial when they feel their boundaries are overstepped.
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