Are Cane Corsos Smart?
Cane Corsos are fast becoming a very popular dog breed. They are intelligent and have a lot of personality. Many people recognize that Cane Corsos are smart — one obvious reason is that they are able to learn new things quickly.
How Smart Are Cane Corsos?
A Cane Corso puppy is born with, or develops, a very high intelligence. These intelligent and strong-willed dogs will love the challenging task of solving puzzles. They are very eager to exercise their brain.
Cane Corsos are naturally bright and perceptive. They typically respond well to training, and are loyal family pets. They can easily learn commands such as sit, stay, heel, roll over, and fetch.
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Cane Corsos have been bred to be working dogs, and as such, they are very good at tasks that require intelligence, such as tracking and retrieving.
They also make great pets due to their friendly nature and strong loyalty to their owners.
How Smart Is Your Cane Corso Dog Compared To A Human?
Your Cane Corso dog may be smarter than you think.
Some experts, including Stanley Coren have suggested that a Cane Corso’s IQ is similar to that of a 2-year-old child. But, honestly, that has been said about a few animals and even birds.
Personally, I’m not sure that their intelligence can really be compared to a human. But Cane Corsos can solve problems, and they are said to be able to understand between 100 and 200 words. And their typical ability to adapt and learn quickly, clearly demonstrates intelligence.
They also have a willingness to work. They like a job, and they enjoy the mental stimulation that working provides.
How Does The Cane Corso Compare With Other Dog Breeds For Intelligence?
The Cane Corso mastiff is generally known as an intelligent dog, but intelligence can vary between individual dogs of the same breed.
However, some experts believe that the Cane Corso ranks as one of the smartest dog breeds out there. This is partly due to the Cane Corso’s ability to learn quickly, and its ability to retain what it has learned.
While other dog breeds may be better suited for different activities, the Cane Corso can be trained to do just about anything you want him to.
What Are Cane Corsos Good For?
The Cane Corso is a large breed, and these powerful dogs are bred for active duty. These big Italian Mastiff dogs are trained to hunt, and perform as guard and protection dogs. Cane Corsos excel at these duties, and are known for their courage, intelligence, and tenacity.
So, Cane Corsos are good for a variety of tasks, including hunting, herding, and guarding — all of which are tasks requiring intelligence and agility.
Cane Corsos also possess a natural curiosity. They make great pets for people who want a companion dog that is also smart and trainable.
Are Cane Corsos Easy To Train?
It is not difficult to train a Cane Corso. However, like all forms of dog training, and all breeds, it does require time, patience and a consistent approach.
Cane Corsos have shown great loyalty, courage and determination, and many a dog trainer and Cane Corso breeder will confirm their intelligence and willingness to learn.
They are also quick learners, and any owner who takes the time to work with their dog will be rewarded with a loyal companion and a willing guard dog.
If you're looking for a dog that is easy to care for and will make a great companion, a Cane Corso may be the perfect breed for you.
Are Cane Corso Dogs Lazy?
Although Cane Corso dogs are generally considered to be one of the smarter dog breeds, there is some debate over whether or not they are actually lazy.
Personally, I don’t think they are lazy. Our two seem to be equally content if they get a lot of exercise, or if they are lying around quietly.
In fact, I would guess that ours have a below-average amount of exercise, and they are happy and healthy dogs.
Certainly, they are not unhappy to be couch potatoes. But the fact that they are equally happy to go out for a long walk leads me to believe that they are not so much lazy as adaptable. They are able to adjust, according to what is happening. Which is another sign of a smart dog.
The Cane Corso temperament tends to be calm and steady, which contributes to their willingness to be quiet and relaxed.
We made an early decision to allow our dogs on the furniture. Our two Cane Corsos also have a dog bed each and a crate each. Throughout the day, they are to be found taking one of these options to relax. Personally, I think it’s a sign of intelligence!
Summary
There are ongoing studies into dogs’ cognitive abilities — notably at the Canine Cognition Center at Duke University, and the Dog Cognition Lab at Columbia University
The work undertaken at these facilities has revealed that dogs are probably smarter than we think.
But there is little information directly related to the Cane Corso. So it falls to anecdotal evidence, experience and common sense to evaluate Cane Corso intelligence. They are recognized as smart dogs by many — from trainers to owners to breeders.
In my personal experience, having owned Cane Corsos for 14 years, they are definitely right up their with the smartest guys in the room.
I can’t prove it, but years of observing their ability to learn, adapt and respond, their emotional awareness, and their ability to communicate leaves me in little doubt.
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