The South African Boerboel and Cane Corso are two large, powerful dog breeds that have become increasingly popular in recent years. Both originated from different parts of the world, with the former originating in South Africa and the latter hailing from Italy.
The two are imposing, powerful dog breeds with distinct physical features. Although similar in size, these two breeds differ significantly when it comes to their appearance. The South African Boerboel is a mastiff-type breed known for its short coat, broad head, muscular body, and intelligent eyes. While the Cane Corso is a more athletic-looking breed with a longer coat, pointed ears and muzzle, strong jawline and thick neck muscles.
With their popularity on the rise due to their imposing yet gentle nature as well as impressive strength and intelligence. Let’s take a closer look at what makes each of these breeds so unique.
Size and Weight
It’s quite apparent that the South African Boerboel and the Cane Corso have a slight size difference. The South African Boerboel is a massive beast of a dog, weighing up to 200 pounds while standing at 24-28 inches tall. On the other hand, the Cane Corso stands a little bit taller at 25-27.5 inches tall and only weighs 110 pounds! Who knew such a small size difference could make such an impact?
Ideal Home
One key similarity between the South African Boerboel and Cane Corso is space – or, more precisely, space requirements. If you’re looking for a giant guard dog that can embrace an open space to its fullest potential,both breeds are the way to go.
The Cane Corso and the South African Boerboel are two dog breeds that shouldn’t be kept as inside pets. Even if the South African Boerboel or Cane Corso is happiest in the yard, it can be kept indoors with the help of a daily stroll or two. But one is more energetic than the other. We’ll talk more about this in the latter part of this post. So when it comes to choosing between these two breeds, think about how much space you have before making your decision!
Friendliness
When it comes to children, both South African Boerboel and Cane Corso present good options. However, Boerboel tends to be more friendly to kids. Both breeds tend to be incredibly loyal to family, providing them with affection and protection when needed. In terms of other pets in the house, these two dogs have opposite attitudes. The Cane Corso typically gets along well with other animals and is often gentle around them; however, the South African Boerboel may be more controlling and aggressive toward other animals in its home environment.
Temperament
When it comes to children, both South African Boerboel and Cane Corso present good options. However, Boerboel tends to be more friendly to kids. Both breeds tend to be incredibly loyal to family, providing them with affection and protection when needed.
In terms of other pets in the house, these two dogs have opposite attitudes. The Cane Corso typically gets along better with other animals and is often gentle around them. However, the South African Boerboel may be more controlling and aggressive toward other animals in its home environment.
Grooming
When it comes to shedding, both are moderate shedding breeds. That being said, the coat colors of both breeds are quite different- with the Boerboel having a brindle or red/brown coat and the Cane Corso having either black or grayish-blue coats. The Cane Corso and the South African Boerboel are both known for their dense coats, but the latter is shiny and smooth. Both of these dog breeds don’t need a lot of attention when it comes to grooming and will benefit from the occasional brushing to maintain their finest appearance. Both breeds have short hair but unlike most other dogs, neither of them is hypoallergenic.
Health
When it comes to the health of South African Boerboel and Cane Corso, there are some similarities as well as differences. As a breed, Boerboels are more prone to health problems, while Cane Corsos are generally healthy.
Allergies, epilepsy, hip, and joint dysplasia, vaginal hyperplasia, and arthrogryposis are only a few of the health problems that are well-known to South African Boerboel. Cane Corsos, on the other hand, frequently experiences health issues such as arthritis, bloat, cherry eye, demodectic mange, ectropion, entropion, and hip dysplasia. Both of these dogs are also prone to obesity if overfed, so a strict diet should be followed if you want them to stay healthy.
South African Boerboel and Cane Corso are both large, strong dogs that have a reputation for being loyal and protective. Although they may have similar temperaments, their behavior can differ based on their upbringing and environment. It’s important to note that both of these dogs like to drool quite a bit, so if you don’t like getting saliva all over your stuff, you might prefer to look elsewhere for a pet.
Diet
South African Boerboels need a diet that is high in animal-based protein, such as lamb or beef, to help them maintain their muscular physique, while the Cane Corso needs more fat in its diet to help keep its energy levels up.
Both breeds should get most of their nutrients from natural sources, like meat, fish, vegetables, and whole grains. However, they can also have occasional treats such as fruit or low-fat cheese. It’s important to avoid giving either breed too much sugar or corn-based products as they can be difficult to digest.
In addition to providing the right nutrition for each breed, they must also get plenty of exercise to stay healthy and maintain a good body condition. Regular walks and playtime will help keep them strong and active.
Reproducibility Comparison
The mating season for both breeds is relatively similar. However, the South African Boerboel generally gives birth to a higher number of offspring at once than the Cane Corso. The exact number varies from litter to litter and can range anywhere from 6-12 pups per litter in the case of the South African Boerboel, compared to 3-6 pups per litter in the case of the Cane Corso.
Lifespan
The Cane Corso and the South African Boerboel are similar in terms of lifespan. Both types have a life expectancy of 11 years on average, but can reach age of 12. When you bring a dog of either breed into your home, you can count on spending a lot of quality time together.
Price
Both canines have a high price tag due to their rare status and renowned ancestry. On average, a South African Boerboel will cost around $1500 up to $2000 while a Cane Corso puppy can range from anywhere between $1,500 to $1,800 USD.
It’s true that the Cane Corso eats less expensively than the Boerboel, but Boerboel doesn’t share the Cane Corso’s penchant for sweets. Given its susceptibility to cardiac problems, the Cane Corso must be carefully monitored throughout its life. Make sure the dog’s diet is full of vitamins and minerals, and hide the treats.
Trainability
Although training can be a challenging task, the Boerboel and the Cane Corso have very different training needs that should be taken into consideration. Training a Boerboel dog is a breeze. Although they can be difficult at times, with constant training they will learn to heed your every command. An intelligent breed, the Cane Corso typically takes to training more quickly than its Boerboel counterpart. Dogs of the Cane Corso breed are renowned for their receptiveness to training. They quickly grasp the connection between verbal cues and physical responses.
Intelligence
South African Boerboel are not known for their wit. If you wish to teach them a great trick, bear in mind that after hearing an order 40-80 times, they will begin to grasp and remember it. Cane Corso dogs, on the other hand, are extremely bright. With only 15-25 drills, they can learn and remember new orders. The Cane Corso is one of the most intelligent canine breeds.
Energy Levels
When it comes to energy levels, the Boerboel and Cane Corso have very distinct differences. While both breeds are active dogs, the Boerboel is more relaxed than its counterpart. This large breed prefers lounging around in their home environment or engaging in leisurely activities such as walking with their owners. On the other hand, the Cane Corso requires daily exercise and mental stimulation to remain content. Without enough activity and proper outlets for energy, they become destructive – they can bark excessively and may even attempt to escape from secure enclosures.
Which breed is better?
The South African Boerboel is an intelligent, loyal and confident breed that has a protective instinct. It loves to be with its family and requires plenty of socialization and companionship. This breed is well-suited for first time owners due to its relatively low maintenance demands and ability to form strong bonds with humans.
The Cane Corso is also a loyal companion but can be quite independent at times. They can be wary of strangers but friendly with people they know, making it an ideal choice for those who want a guard dog without the aggression associated with some other breeds. The Cane Corso is an energetic breed that requires plenty of daily exercise, so this might not be the best choice for senior citizens or others who do not have enough time for daily physical activity with their pet. It can also pose risks when living in homes with young kids or other pets, as its guarding instincts might lead it to become aggressive if provoked or threatened.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the South African Boerboel and the Cane Corso have many wonderful qualities that make them desirable owners. However, potential owners should take into consideration their particular lifestyle before making a decision about which breed best meets their needs. Those who are looking for a faithful companion but don’t have much energy or patience may prefer the Boerboel while those looking for a guard dog may find the Cane Corso more suitable. Ultimately though, both breeds are highly capable of providing years of love and loyalty if treated properly by responsible owners with kids and pets alike!
FAQs
How do I choose between a South African Boerboel or a Cane Corso?
It really comes down to personal preference, take time to consider the needs of your family and lifestyle when making your decision. Think about their size and energy levels, as well as the amount of time you can dedicate to training them. Ultimately, both breeds make wonderful companions if they’re given proper care and attention.
Do South African Boerboels and Cane Corsos need lots of grooming?
Not necessarily! Both breeds have short coats that are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to grooming — no regular brushing or trimming required. However, they do shed seasonally so you may want to invest in a vacuum cleaner or pet-shedding brush if you plan on owning one.
Is one breed more expensive than the other?
Yes, South African Boerboel tends to be a bit pricier than Cane Corso. But of course, prices can vary significantly depending on things like a bloodline. It all depends on the breeder you get your pup from.
