Breed Comparison: Cane Corso Versus English Setter

Cane Corso versus English Setter

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Cane Corso Versus English Setter: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cane Corso and the English Setter? 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 English Setter 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 English Setter.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cane Corso and the English Setter 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 English Setter. 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 English Setter.

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 English Setter

Cane Corso versus English Setter

Cane Corso versus English Setter: Overview

A very important difference between the Cane Corso and the English Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cane Corso is a large-sized dog while the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cane Corso to the English Setter 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 English Setter
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
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 11 to 15 years
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 90 to 120 pounds 45 to 80 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2020 $1020
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $800 – $1200
Temperament Score 88.1 percent 81.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 37 95

    *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 English Setter. 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 English Setter is 74 out of 125.

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

    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 English Setter so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Cane Corso versus English Setter

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cane Corso and the English Setter

    Below is a list of where the Cane Corso and the English Setter are most different:

  • Cane Corsos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Cane Corsos are not very friendly towards strangers. However, English Setters are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Cane Corsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, English Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Cane Corsos not very playful. However, English Setters are very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the Cane Corso and the English Setter

    The Cane Corso and the English Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cane Corso and the English Setter are most similar:

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cane Corso and the English Setter.

    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, English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Temperament of the English Setter Versus the Cane Corso

    The Cane Corso has a better temperament than the English Setter.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cane Corso is 88.1 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 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 81.3 percent, the English Setter has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cane Corso and the English Setter by measuring the temperaments of 235 Cane Corsos and 32 English Setters.

    Price of Cane Corso versus Price of English Setter

    The average price of the Cane Corso puppy is $2020. The price of the Cane Corso typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Cane Corso can be as low as $200 and as high as $7000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 751 Cane Corso puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cane Corso is more expensive than the English Setter.

    Cane Corso English Setter
    Average Price $2020 $1020
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $800 to $1200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Cane Corso and English Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Cane Corso puppies or how many English Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cane Corsos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cane Corsos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Setters

    A breakdown of the prices of English Setters

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cane Corso puppy or the English Setter puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Cane Corso versus English Setter

    Adopting the Cane Corso versus Adopting the English Setter

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cane Corsos and many English Setters are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Cane Corso named Levi that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cane Corsos like Levi on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Cane Corsos, English Setters are also available for adoption. For example, Sawyer is a Male English Setter that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more English Setters like Sawyer that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Cane Corso and the English Setter can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Jack Jones (Jj) is the name of another Cane Corso (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Champ- Foster To Adopt, an adorable Male English Setter on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Cane Corsos and English Setters are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Cane Corsos and English Setters that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Cane Corso versus English Setter

    The Popularity of Cane Corso versus Popularity of English Setter

    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 English Setter over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cane Corso is more popular with dog owners than the English Setter. 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 English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cane Corso

    Popularity of Cane Corso

    Popularity of English Setter

    Popularity of English Setter

    Year Cane Corso Popularity Rank English Setter Popularity Rank
    2013 50 91
    2014 48 89
    2015 35 96
    2016 40 102
    2017 37 95
    2018 32 94
    2019 30 98
    2020 25 101

    Health Problems of Cane Corso versus Health Problems of English Setter

    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 English Setter 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 Cane Corso is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Setter.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cane Corso than for the English Setter.

    7 health tests are recommended for Cane Corso while 4 tests are recommended for the English Setter.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cane Corsos and in English Setters.

    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.

    English Setter Health Problems

    English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter 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 English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter 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 English Setters for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cane Corsos and English Setters

    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 English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.

    This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.

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

  • Baer Hearing (Es) problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 1 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 4 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 28 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 70 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cane Corso and in English Setter and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cane Corso and the English Setter:

    Disease Cane Corso Rank English Setter Rank
    Shoulder problems 7 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 17 out of 198 dog breeds 70 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 19 out of 144 dog breeds 28 out of 144 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 24 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 35 out of 115 dog breeds 1 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 93 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 156 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing (Es) problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Baer Hearing Test problems Not Common 4 out of 21 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 English Setter?

    Cane Corsos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cane Corso or the English Setter?

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

    English Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cane Corso versus English Setter

    Cane Corsos do not like to be left alone.

    English Setters do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are Cane Corsos and English Setters?

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

    English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cane Corso vs. English Setter

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

    English Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Cane Corsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cane Corsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cane Corso or the English Setter?

    Cane Corsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    English Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Cane Corsos shed more than English Setters?

    Cane Corsos shed moderately.

    English Setters shed moderately.

    Do Cane Corsos Bark and Howl? What about English Setters?

    Cane Corsos bark and howl, but not very much.

    English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Cane Corsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cane Corsos can tolerate hot weather.

    English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Are Cane Corsos good family dogs? What about English Setters?

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

    English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which one drools more, the Cane Corso or the English Setter

    Cane Corsos have a very high tendency to drool.

    English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Cane Corso Easier to Train than the English Setter?

    Cane Corsos are very easy to train.

    English Setters are fairly easy to train.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cane Corso or the English Setter?

    Cane Corsos are very easy to groom.

    English Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Cane Corso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Setter?

    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.

    English Setters 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 English Setter vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 English Setter:

  • Irish Setter (83 percent match with English Setter). 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 English Setter compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cane Corso and of the English Setter to other breeds:

    Cane Corso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cane Corso versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Cane Corso versus Yorkipoo     Cane Corso versus Bloodhound     Cane Corso versus Welsh Terrier     Cane Corso versus Pharaoh Hound     Cane Corso versus Samoyed     Cane Corso versus Tibetan Spaniel     Cane Corso versus Carolina Dog     Cane Corso versus Neapolitan Mastiff     

    English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Setter versus American Bulldog     English Setter versus Aussiedoodle     English Setter versus Bullmastiff     English Setter versus English Springer Spaniel     English Setter versus Siberian Husky     English Setter versus Curly-Coated Retriever     English Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     English Setter versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     English Setter versus Redbone Coonhound     English Setter versus Beaglier     

    Conclusion: Cane Corso versus English Setter. 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 English Setter better suits you and your family.