Are Cane Corsos Good
With Kids Or Babies?

Can They Be Trusted?

by Ken Alden


Cane Corsos (or Corsi- in the plural in Italian) are some of the largest and strongest guard-dog breeds, but their intimidating stature might make you wonder are Cane Corsos good with kids or babies? After all, these dogs have an impressively tough appearance and demeanor. 

Cane Corsos can be good with kids, including babies and older children. Their behavior depends on their training. Parents should supervise babies and toddlers when in the presence of Corsi, as even a playful move can pose a risk. Corsi are good with older children who treat them respectfully. 

Below, I’ll answer some questions concerning Cane Corsos and their relationship with babies, toddlers, and older kids. I will also point out several general traits of Corsi, along with some advice on their training for families.

Pro-tip: Ever try lifting a Cane Corso? Their weight can hurt not only your back but their joints when they hop down from cars, sofas or even your bed. To protect your back and theirs check out the best Mastiff ramps on Amazon.com now.

Are cane corsos good with kids or babies


Are Cane Corsos Good With Babies?

Cane Corsos are majestic, lovely, loyal, and affectionate animals, but they can become aggressive if their owners do not socialize them properly. So, whether Cane Corsos are good with kids will depend mainly on how their owners treated them growing up. 

If you have adopted an adult Cane Corso, they may not be accustomed to babies’ behavior and sharp noises, or they may have had bad experiences with children in the past. In this case, you should avoid leaving a baby in the presence of a Cane Corso.

Cane Corsos can be good with babies if appropriately trained as puppies. They can be loyal, gentle, and protective of the most fragile family members. Still, they may lack the social skills necessary for interacting with children if they do not have proper training.

However, before introducing them to a baby, make sure your giant furry friends are patient and don’t get easily irritated when exposed to:

  • high-pitched noises
  • sudden moves
  • ear, eye, or tail touching
  • hair pulling

Cane Corsos grow big only a few months after birth (much faster than kids). With such body weight and frame, even the friendliest and most affectionate dog could pose a risk to a delicate baby. 

A simple hug or show of affection by the Corso could be dangerous for a newborn. Always closely supervise your baby in the presence of Corsi, even if they seem cheerful and friendly.

Are Cane Corsos Good With Older Kids?

How good a Cane Corso can be with kids depends on its training and the child’s age.

Cane Corsos and Toddlers

Toddlers are playful and super energetic, and so are Cane Corsos. Does this mean the two will always get along? Not necessarily. Tots are not known for understanding dogs’ behavior or needs.

Toddlers who are not taught to respect their pets can irritate their dogs by treating them as toys. Dogs perceive them as equally strong – hence, the doc may be less careful in their reactions. 

However, if a toddler and a Corso puppy are accustomed to playing together, they have likely become best friends. At this stage, a Cane Corso would be cautious and gentle with their toddler friend. However, parental supervision is mandatory to avoid mishaps. 

Keep in mind that at this stage, not only your pet needs training- your toddler also needs instruction on: are cane corsos good with kids or babies

  • Being aware of their pet’s strength
  • How to respect the dog’s needs
  • How to understand their pet’s boundaries
  • What to do in case they lose control of the Cane Corso

Pro-tip: Cane Corso anxiety, aggression, destructive chewing, jumping up, fearfulness, and other behaviors can be controlled with the right training program.

Here’s a great course that addresses these issues along with many other dog training basics: Check it out now!

Cane Corsos and Older Kids

The relationship between Corsi and children above eight years old is more relaxed. On the one hand, schoolchildren are more aware of their moves and their dog’s potential. On the other hand, Corsis’ lively and energetic moves are less of a concern when dealing with an older kid. 

However, it’s essential to include your children (and all family members) in raising and training your Cane Corso. This way, kids will know what to expect from their pets, and Corsi will feel safer and more relaxed with someone who has constantly taken part in their upbringing.

Cane Corsos Temperament Around Children

Regarding temperament and general traits, Cane Corsos are good with kids from their families. 

Corsi are known for their affectionate and protective temperament. They are typical ‘loyal guard’ dogs, and their athletic, large-boned body goes hand in hand with their qualities as watchdogs and protectors. 

Cane Corsos are loving and caring with a very close group of people, like family members (including children) and sometimes other people they interact with daily. Due to their protective nature, they are not so welcoming to strangers, relatives they don’t see regularly, or other dogs and their owners. 

As a family dog, a Cane Corso may feel jealous in the presence of a new baby. If your Corso leaves the room where the baby is staying and refuses to interact with the baby, it is probably feeling ‘left out.’ In this case, parents should be careful not to leave their newborn in the presence of a Cane Corso. 

However, Corsi can grow affectionate to kids who have taken part in their upbringing. 

Still, these dogs can be impatient with non-familiar children, which is why training is critical. In cases where your Cane Corso might react badly to the rough handling of an unfamiliar child, being able to restrain them and have them follow your commands is crucial. 

Pro-tip: Cane Corso's (and their owners) love dog crates…and for good reasons. Crates keep dogs from mischief while you're away, are perfect for house training, for traveling by car, and provide the dog a place to de-stress. Check out the best Mastiff crates on Amazon.com now.

How To Train Cane Corsos As Family Dogs?

If you’re worried about how your Cane Corso will react to children, I have some good news! Corsi are eager to please their owner, which makes them good trainees. They would go to great lengths to make their favorite human proud. 

Cane Corso pups are tiny and adorable, but they will soon grow into big powerful guard dogs. After a Corso pup is born, training should start as quickly as possible

You will need to start early to train Cane Corsos as family dogs. Professional puppy training would be the best choice for a powerful breed like Cane Corso. In addition, socialization is the key word to raising a well-behaved Corsi. 

They need to keep company with people of different ages and other dogs early in life. 

Make sure that their first experiences of socialization are pleasant and amiable by checking that:

  • You do not force them to interact with a person or other animal
  • You do not force them to interact with people who fear or dislike dogs
  • You first introduce them to older children who have had some previous experience with dogs
  • The dogs they first interact with are non-aggressive and of a smaller size 

Are Cane Corsos Good With Kids Or Babies?...
Conclusion

Majestic, powerful, loyal, and protective, Cane Corsos are only good with kids if you train them to be. 

Despite their size and strength, they can be gentle giants devoted to their families, including children, if appropriately trained. However, parents should always supervise kids in the presence of Corsi, especially younger children, like newborns and toddlers. 

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About Author


About the Author...

Ken Alden, a dedicated Mastiff owner for over eight years, is acclaimed for his expertise in care, grooming, and training. Read more About Me and my dog Shadow.

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