Cane Corso vs Rottweiler
Side by side
Cane Corso
Rottweiler
Adult weight
Males 45–50 kg (99–110 lb); females 40–45 kg (88–99 lb)1
Males 43–54 kg (95–119 lb); females 37–46.4 kg (82–102 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 5,321, middle 50%)2
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog
Which suits you
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Rottweiler lives longer: a median of 10.6 years, against 8.1 for the Cane Corso.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Cane Corso sheds through the year, the Rottweiler moults most as the seasons change.
Grooming
The Rottweiler needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Cane Corso needs a brush once a week.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Cane Corso: affectionate on its own terms; Rottweiler: a lap or leaning dog) and on sensitivity (Cane Corso: average; Rottweiler: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride).
Alike
The Cane Corso and the Rottweiler are much the same size as adults, both about 45 kg (99 lb).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Cane Corso
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant
The Cane Corso is calm and watchful, reserved with strangers and closely attached to its family. It is intelligent and responsive to training, with a strong protective instinct.
Rottweiler
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant
By temperament the Rottweiler is calm, self-assured and watchful. It is devoted to its own household but reserved with strangers.
Breed traits
Day to day
Cane Corso
Rottweiler
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Cane Corso
Rottweiler
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Cane Corso
Rottweiler
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 45 kg.
Cane Corso
Rottweiler
More comparisons
Compare the Cane Corso with
Sources
- 1
- 2VetCompass UK. Primary-care veterinary records. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 11Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 12American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
Parts of this page were written by AI ·