The Cane Corso is an ancient Italian breed.    The direct ancestor of the Cane Corso is the "Canis Pugnax" (the old Roman Molossian) of which corsi are the 'light version' and were employed as "auxiliary warriors" in the Roman Wars.  The 'heavy version' refers to what is now known as the Neapolitan Mastiff.  The Cane Corso name is derived from the word "Cane" which means dog and "Cohors" which means 'guardian' or 'protector'. They are majestic, no really, AKC has 4 breed of dogs they refer to as Majestic. 

  After the Roman Wars, the fearless Corso became known as both a coursing/guardians for large game like (boar, bear, & deer) as well as for protection of property and livestock.  Being exceptionally versatile has allowed the Corso to adapt to the continually changing roles over the years as agriculture has diminished and now new roles have emerged, primarily found now as family protectors and companions.  

Although largely unheard of outside of Italy until recent years, the Corso was a staple in Italian culture for much of the modern world.  After World War II, the population of Corsos declined as war made the farmers flee leaving their corsos to protect the land and sadly many were killed off from german Soldiers.

    During the mid-1970's, a few Cane Corso enthusiasts fondly recalled the majestic dogs of the early 20th century and worked together to locate some corsi still known in remote villages and began to revitalize the breed.  Tipsi and Dauno were the first dogs chosen to breed to produce the model of todays Cane Corso, a son named Basir and a daughter named Babak.