Breed Comparison: Cane Corso Versus Curly-Coated Retriever

Cane Corso versus Curly-Coated Retriever

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Cane Corso Versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Cane Corso and for the Curly-Coated Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cane Corso or the Curly-Coated Retriever

Cane Corso versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Overview

A very important difference between the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cane Corso is a large-sized dog while the Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cane Corso belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Cane Corso versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cane Corso to the Curly-Coated Retriever based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Cane Corso Curly-Coated Retriever
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 12 years
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Weight 90 to 120 pounds 65 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 10.5 years
Average Price $2020 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 88.1 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 37 162

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cane Corso in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Curly-Coated Retriever. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Cane Corso is 68 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Cane Corso. So, you should get the Curly-Coated Retriever!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever are most different:

  • Cane Corsos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Cane Corsos are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Curly-Coated Retrievers are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Cane Corsos not very playful. However, Curly-Coated Retrievers are very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever

    The Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever are most similar:

  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cane Corso versus Curly-Coated Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever.

    Cane Corsos weigh 90 to 120 pounds when fully grown. Cane Corsos are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Curly-Coated Retriever Versus the Cane Corso

    The Curly-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Cane Corso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Cane Corso is 88.1 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 88.1 percent, the Cane Corso has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 235 Cane Corsos and 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers.

    The Popularity of Cane Corso versus Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cane Corso is more popular with dog owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cane Corso is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cane Corso

    Popularity of Cane Corso

    Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Year Cane Corso Popularity Rank Curly-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank
    2013 50 163
    2014 48 163
    2015 35 151
    2016 40 164
    2017 37 171
    2018 32 162
    2019 30 163
    2020 25 159

    Health Problems of Cane Corso versus Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Curly-Coated Retriever is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Cane Corso.

    7 health tests are recommended for Cane Corso while 7 tests are recommended for the Curly-Coated Retriever.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cane Corsos and in Curly-Coated Retrievers.

    Cane Corso Health Problems

    Cane Corsos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cane Corso puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Cane Corso puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cane Corso breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Cane Corsos for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cane Corsos here.

    Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Curly-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Curly-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Curly-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Curly-Coated Retrievers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cane Corsos and Curly-Coated Retrievers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Cane Corso Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Cane Corso ranks 7 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 57 Cane Corsos, 1 of them had Shoulder problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cane Corsos, and how common these diseases are in Cane Corsos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 7 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 17 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 19 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 24 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 35 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 93 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 156 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Curly-Coated Retriever Breed is Exercise Induced Collapse problems.

    This is because the Curly-Coated Retriever ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Exercise Induced Collapse problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 145 Curly-Coated Retrievers, 12 of them had Exercise Induced Collapse problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Curly-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Curly-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Exercise Induced Collapse problems: Rank 1 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 10 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 24 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 73 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 84 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 136 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cane Corso and in Curly-Coated Retriever and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever:

    Disease Cane Corso Rank Curly-Coated Retriever Rank
    Shoulder problems 7 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 17 out of 198 dog breeds 73 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 19 out of 144 dog breeds 136 out of 144 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 24 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 35 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 93 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 156 out of 182 dog breeds 84 out of 182 dog breeds
    Exercise Induced Collapse problems Not Common 1 out of 6 dog breeds
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 10 out of 32 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 24 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Is the Cane Corso Better for Apartment Owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Cane Corsos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cane Corso or the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Cane Corsos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cane Corso versus Curly-Coated Retriever

    Cane Corsos do not like to be left alone.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.

    How Kid-friendly are Cane Corsos and Curly-Coated Retrievers?

    Cane Corsos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cane Corso vs. Curly-Coated Retriever

    Cane Corsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Cane Corsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cane Corsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cane Corso or the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Cane Corsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Cane Corsos shed more than Curly-Coated Retrievers?

    Cane Corsos shed moderately.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Do Cane Corsos Bark and Howl? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?

    Cane Corsos bark and howl, but not very much.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Cane Corsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cane Corsos can tolerate hot weather.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Cane Corsos good family dogs? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?

    Cane Corsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which one drools more, the Cane Corso or the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Cane Corsos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Cane Corso Easier to Train than the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Cane Corsos are very easy to train.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cane Corso or the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Cane Corsos are very easy to groom.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Cane Corso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Cane Corsos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cane Corso

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cane Corso that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Cane Corso:

  • Fila Brasileiro (76 percent match with Cane Corso). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Curly-Coated Retriever:

  • Airedale Terrier (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Cane Corso vs Airedale Terrier.
  • English Springer Spaniel (79 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Cane Corso vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Irish Setter (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Cane Corso vs Irish Setter.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cane Corso and how the Curly-Coated Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cane Corso and of the Curly-Coated Retriever to other breeds:

    Cane Corso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cane Corso versus Chinese Crested     Cane Corso versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Cane Corso versus Westiepoo     Cane Corso versus Sussex Spaniel     Cane Corso versus Coton de Tulear     Cane Corso versus Chihuahua     Cane Corso versus Black Mouth Cur     Cane Corso versus Scottish Terrier     Cane Corso versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Cane Corso versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     

    Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Curly-Coated Retriever versus Basenji     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Westiepoo     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Mal Shi     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Pomchi     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Miniature Poodle     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Harrier     

    Conclusion: Cane Corso versus Curly-Coated Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Cane Corso and the Curly-Coated Retriever better suits you and your family.