If you’re looking for a dog to act as a guard dog, it can be overwhelming with all the information out there. Everyone seems to have an opinion and a favorite breed of guard dog so it’s hard to just get the facts. We’re here to settle an age old question of whether a Rottweiler or Cane Corso makes the better guard dog.
Both dogs are exceptional guard dogs but they do have some different personality or physical traits that might make one more suitable for you than the other. We’re going to take a look at the differences between their physical traits, personality, temperament, train-ability and more to see if we can help you on your way to finding the perfect guard dog.
Dog Breed Facts
Rottweiler: Rottweilers are a purebred breed originating from Germany. They are classified as a “large giant” and the males can weigh anything between 95 and 130 pounds while the females usually are between 85 and 115 pounds. On average, the males are 25.5 inches tall, and the females 23.5 inches.
Cane Corso: Cane Corso’s originate from Italy and are considered a large breed. They don’t quite match Rottweilers in the weight category but they can weigh in at anything from 99-110lbs for the males and 88-99lbs for the females. As for their height, it’s pretty much the same as the Rottweiler. Males on average are 25.5 inches and the females, 24 inches.
Temperament
Rottweiler: Of course the temperament of dogs varies from one dog to another, however there are some common traits that Rottweilers are more likely to exhibit. Rottweilers tend to be fearless, alert, social, loyal, courageous, protective, intelligent and stubborn.
Cane Corso: Cane Corsos on the other hand tend to be cheerful, loyal, courageous, quiet and social. Their temperaments are similar to Rottie’s except they tend to be a little less affectionate because of their strong sense of independence.
Intelligence
Rottweiler: Rotties are super intelligent. They’re actually one of the top ten most intelligent dog breeds in the world!
Cane Corso: Cane Corsos are very intelligent too although they fall a little behind the Rottweiler in this department. Just because they’re not in the top ten smartest breeds though doesn’t mean they aren’t capable. These dogs are very smart and have made for amazing guard dogs for centuries.
Train-ability
Rottweiler: Rottweilers are very easy to train thanks to how intelligent they are. It is always recommended to get some help from a professional when training any dog for a specific job.
Cane Corso: Cane Corsos are also very easy to train. They’re smart and they need somewhere to put all that intelligence and energy. Into training it goes and you’ve got yourself a respectful, obedient guard dog!
Energy
Rottweiler: As Rottweilers are supposed to be working dogs they will have a lot of energy! They need to be walked regularly and intellectually stimulated so they don’t end up bored and getting into trouble.
Cane Corso: Just like Rottweilers, Cane Corsos are working dogs so you might be initially shocked at their energy levels. They need regular and effective exercise and are not well suited to being stuck inside an apartment or house.
Intimidation
Rottweiler: Even just from their looks, Rottweilers are extremely intimidating. Their size, stature, general look and reputation means that sometimes just seeing a Rottweiler is enough of a deterrent for potential wrongdoers.
Cane Corso: Similar to Rottweilers, Cane Corsos have a very intimidating look. Their pointy ears and large bodies are a pretty good deterrent to most.
Loyalty/Courage
Rottweiler: Rottweilers are known for their loyalty and courage. They’re extremely loving towards their family and wouldn’t think twice about throwing themselves into a dangerous situation to protect them.
Cane Corso: Cane Corsos are another breed renowned for being loyal. They tend to bond with one person in the household and they wouldn’t blink before laying down their life to protect them.
Territorial
Rottweiler: Rottweilers are extremely territorial. This is not so good if you just want a family dog but as a guard dog this is ideal. Just make sure that training is done properly so they know when they need to be in “guard-mode”, otherwise your friends and family might have issues coming into the house!
Cane Corso: Just like Rottweilers, Cane Corsos are super territorial making them ideal guard dogs. Again, it’s so important they get the right training in this department to avoid any confusion.
Instincts
Rottweiler: One of the highest instincts for this breed is aggression as well as fighting, guarding, protection, sledding and watching. They’re not very interested in digging, hunting or chasing.
Cane Corso: Cane Corsos on the other hand are not very interested in fighting but they do have a high aggression instinct as well as guarding, protection and watching. Just like Rotties they’re not interested in hunting, chasing or burrowing.
Playfulness
Rottweiler: Rottweilers are just as playful as the next dog but they’re not overly playful, having been bred as a working dog. They do, however, need a lot of affection and do not like being left alone.
Cane Corso: The same goes for the Cane Corso. They don’t mind playing every now and then but really they just want to be around their owner and they don’t like being home alone.
Social Needs
Rottweiler: Rotties are super social dogs. They need a lot of social interaction to be happy.
Cane Corso: Cane Corsos are a social breed too, however not quite at the same level as Rottweilers!
Good with children?
Rottweiler: Rottweilers have been known to be very gentle with kids, thanks to their family orientated personality. That being said, they are very large dogs with a strong bite so make sure you teach your children the correct way to be around and treat dogs.
Cane Corso: Cane Corsos like to be quiet and independent which doesn’t really coincide well with young children. They are not unfriendly towards them but they are not friendly either.
(Related: Are Cane Corsos Good With Kids?)
Good for first time owners?
Rottweiler: Rottweilers are extremely intelligent and therefore need an owner who is experienced in training and handling such an intelligent (and large!) dog.
Cane Corso: The same goes for Cane Corsos. They’re too intelligent and big to be handled well by a novice dog owner. It’s not recommended that first-time dog owners look into getting a working dog.
(Related: Are Cane Corsos Dangerous Dogs?)
Well, there you have it. The Rottweiler and the Cane Corso side by side. They’re very similar dogs; both are super intelligent and have natural protection and guarding instincts. However, because of their affectionate and family instincts, we think that Rottweilers may have tipped the scales for us as the best guard dog. They’ve got all the right qualities for a guard dog but combined with some family dog attributes too, like being good with kids and very affectionate.
Still, no matter how affectionate they are to their family, we wouldn’t want to come across a Rottie when they’re in guard dog mode!
Was kinda lazy how each time it came to the explanation for the cane corso it just said yeah it’s the same for the cane corso as the rotti,ohhhh okay??? Bullshit. The rotti is extremely more intelligent and a way better dog all the way around!!! Anyone who’s experienced both dogs can vouge for that! Everybody is all over the corsos nuts cause he’s new to them,when he’s actually always been here. So has the Rottweiler,and the Rottweiler was a gift from the Romans to Germany and later named Rottweiler! They were used to heard the food for the soldiers as they walked from town to town murdering and pilliging to create the Roman empire!!! Then they guarded the Roman soldiers while they slept at night!!!! As well as followed them into battle,so who’s the real Roman war dog and protector,the Rottweiler!!!! Cane corsos are pretty dogs but compared to the Rottweiler,they lose the competition!!! Hands down
I think you know Canes from pictures only 🤣
I am sure that you do not now anything about Cane Corso!Cane Corso is superior gard dog and Ferari amound the all dogs!Look what the realy experts say about Cane Corso!!!Thats a facts!
You know nothing about corso , i have 4 corsos and 3 rotties and each corso overshadows each rottie in every single category.
I love both breeds but because of the Rotti’s build the tend to have alot of back leg issues, where Corso’s don’t. Just on that factor I prefer a Corso. But both do their jobs well as guard dogs and both have to be socialized so that they are not too aggressive. Also, in my experience with both breeds both are gentle with children.
I have 2 Cane Corsos.My best friend has an rotti and a rhodesian Ridge.Cane Corsos has absolut Minimum same intelligence level like Rottis,maybe more. Jeff the one and only Experte for dogs,thats fact.And about Body,weicht,love etc they are absolut similar also.
My Cane Corso is 140 lbs so weight is wrong saying 110lbs and I know people who’s males are around 140lbs also.Great dogs and mine is on guard 110%.strong dogs and very fast with very powerful bite.
My Cane Corso is around 120 pounds right now and he’s still very lean so I’d definitely say they got weight and temperament wrong, also probably intelligence (even though he can be a dumbass sometimes). He’s amazing with little kids and other dogs, and his best friend is a horse now for some reason. As much as I’ve always absolutely loved Rottweilers I’d have to give the edge to Cane Corso when it comes to guard/family dog.
This is funny to me, obviously they don’t know anything about Cane Corso’s the weight is wrong height is off and they don’t get hip problems like almost every rotti I’ve ever seen! I have 2 males one is 8months old the other is 5 yrs old the pup weighs 95lbs and his dad is 160lbs and both are CCF and AKC registered dogs!!
This is for Denny with the two canes… I wish yo get a cane would you text me the info to contact the breeder you used …text to me please …I’m Sylvester ..phone 832 661 809
I call B.S. pn this artical. I own Corso I have owned Rotti. My personal experience is the Corso I have had in my family are preferred over the Rotti that We have had. Rotti awesome dog Breed, but we (my family) prefer the Corso
I agree completely and have also owned both. My corso is 2 yrs old and 170 lbs. My kids command our corso like he is their owner (I’m his person, as they usually have just one sole person, but love the whole fam). As a guard dog, in a real life situation, the corso gets it hands down for bite force. A pitbull (keep in mind they make the top 15 in bite force when rotties don’t) barely scrapes by making over a THIRD of a corso’s bite force PSI. And it’s only by 5. Pittbulls measure at 235 and Corso’s (3rd strongest PSI) is 700.
I said like he is their owner, I meant like they are his. Although, he is probably my 7 yr old daughter’s B….
I also call BS on the article. I have had a total of four Cane Corsos over the years. Mine have been super good with children, cats, and contrary to what this guy says, mine are excellent hunters! Corsos are very very smart overall. There are so many individual variations among dogs! It is like saying two brothers in the same family display the same characteristics!
The writer of the article isn’t very savvy. Just his uneducated opinions.
I am a Rottie enthusiast. U get more bang for ur buck with a Rottie. Yes I can attest to the fact that u need to train an put time into him every day. Meatball is not my first Rottie but he is my first pure breed one. The instincts that the rottie exhibits are hands down the best breed for guard dog. In my eyes. Never once did I train him to protect or guard anything an yet hes always on point when anyone come near me or my house. Cant wait til this Corona stiff is over so I can take him to a real trainer to help complete my training
I’ve had 2 corsos…biased….full alert 24/7, sweet gentle yet ready….the weights are right on actually for Corsos that have bred correctly…
I have had four Rottweilers and have known a Corso and I would prefer a Rottweiler as well. I have seen my Rott’s around 2 year olds all the way up to adults. The one Rottweiler you want to watch around children is the Roman breed, it is more aggressive then the German and American. Definitely I would agree that a Rottweiler is not well suited for a first time dog owner. Definitely would have to have someone with experience.
A big difference in the two dogs.
Rottweiler are on most insurance Co. List their for insurance Co (some) won’t insure your property if you own a Rottweiler. Cane Corso is not on most insurance Co list. I owned seven Corso at one time and no insurance issue. My Corso have a bite pressure of 500 plus.
It’s actually 700 PSI.
He said HIS dog has 500 PSI. Maybe he had it tested. Why would you tell him it’s 700? Did you test HIS dogs bite pressure??
Yeah they have a bite force of 700 psi it’s the third strongest dog breed in the world.
A European Standard Cane(Connie) is supposed to be the weight the author states, but people have bred them for size which has been problematic for this breed. I have a 7month old female Rottweiler she is 70lbs. I will say her focus and drive is much higher than the American Bulldog I had and close to the Rhodesians I have owned. She is much more athletic than my friends Cane whom is the same age.
This is for Denny with the two canes… I wish yo get a cane would you text me the info to contact the breeder you used …text to me please …I’m Sylvester ..phone 832 661 8093
Uhh , never seen a rotty pull down a pig, let alone anything else
This article is total bullshit ! First the weight of the Corso is going by the old standards not the current ones not to mention a working dog is a car cry from a show dog my corsi I have shared my life with have all been over 125 lbs and as high as 142 with a lean looking female at 148 . Temperament is also off not used for hunting ? Since when ? These dogs are known for hunting in Italy not to mention they are exceptional with children whoever wrote this your bias is showing . Both dogs are good guard dogs but for me I would rather a Corso to accompany me into an unknown dark ally
I have a all black Cane corso highly recommended there loyal playful and a really good looking dog but my cane is 130 so the weight actually Varys to what they are being fed we feed my corso raw and he is a monster
The cane corso is highly intelligent dog and it is larger than the rottweiler. The cane corso has been a war dog and it is a police dog in Brazil. They have natural instincts to guard. The rottweiler can be trained at guarding easy but if you don’t train them they are not gonna be a good guardians!
I have a Cane and a Rottie currently. They are both fantastic breeds. My rottie is very friendly and loving, but knows when it’s time to protect me and my two kiddos. He is full of energy, but getting older and does have some arthritis in his hips from years of jumping. He is about 110 pounds in summer and 115-120 pounds in winter time. My Cane is also very loving and full of energy. He is more standoffish when it comes to men, but we like that since my husband travels for work. He isn’t quite as rambunctious as my rottie but still very playful. He weighs in at about 150 pounds and is 18 months old. Both dogs were easy to train and look to me for guidance and commands no matter where we are. They can walk through crowds of people and be on alert, but still mind their manners. I also work at a vet clinic and have seen the wrong side of improper training with both breeds. In my opinion, I agree the height and weight are incorrect for this article. But some stuff is right 🤷🏻♀️
I’ve owned both and the Cane Corso has it hands down because of body and bite alone. Don’t get me started on trainability, due to stubbornness. Rotts are territorial. Corsi are protective. There is a huge difference. And as far with Corsi and kids, my Cane Corso is my 7 yr olds B. Best dog I ever owned, 2nd is Dobbies.
I have 2 corsos and 2 rotties, my corsos are leaner taller and lighter but my rotties are stockier,and heavier, all exhibit an even amount of instinct etc: the only difference is a slightly better bond/connection with the rotties, maybe the intelligence is cause for that otherwise even
What is for Jeff but wrote some s*** downgrading the Cane Corso I’ve had three Rottweilers Cane Corso I have with dominate them and it’s female would die for me would die for my family so for you to talk that s*** you better know your fact son
I wish this guy would tell my Corso that they don’t burrow.. and my dog is the most loving dog I’ve ever had I’d compare the family trait to more of a pit bulls and the protection of a rottie making the Cane Corso the superior, also not that I condone dog fighting but in a hypothetical dog fight between an alpha Corso and an Alpha Rottie the Corso would dominate.. making the rottie almost irrelevant
I can tell by your description of the rottweiler that you’re a fan boy of them! The Corso is definitely in the top 10 for best guard dog, not the rott! This article is stupid
I don’t know what “lists” you’re reading for best guard dogs, but I’ve NEVER seen any reputable list of top 10s that did not include Rotties….Same for Corso and Malinois!
Good post.
Good post admin. Thanks for helping
I dated a guy with an amazing cane corso! She was the absolute sweetest! The only thing I didn’t like was how much she slobbered so I got a Rottie. He’s doing great! Only three months old but we have such a close bond. He is ALWAYS by my side and I feel very safe with him. He’s doing great off leash on trails so far. I’ve got him started on antler sheds for fun to see if he’ll go looking for them.
Love both breeds!
Good post admin. Thanks for sharing