The Cane Corso, like the Neapolitan Mastiff, is directly descended from the old Roman War Dog, Canis Pugnax. Of these two breeds, the Cane Corso is lighter and, in the Middle ages was used as a hunter of wild game. This was a powerful and courageous dog whose skills were especially valuable on wild boar, although he was also used on stag, bear and other animals. He was also used as a butcher’s dog, a war dog and as a gladiator in the arena. His talents have historically lain in keeping away predators of every kind. Indeed, in many cases, the breed is still used as protector.

Cane Corso is also know as the Italian Mastiff. Cane is Latin for “dog,” and is pronounced “ca-nay,” while corso means “course” or “chase”. Hence, the name Cane Corso is usually taken to mean “dog of the chase”. However, others theorize that the breed’s name derives from the Greek word kortos, which means property enclosed by a fence, and so they consider Cane Corso to mean “dog that guards the property”. Another connection is the Latin word cohors, meaning “protector” or “bodyguard”.