Today we catch up with Steph, owner of the beautiful Blu, a stunning Cane Corso. The Cane Corso, or Italian Mastiff, is an intelligent and affectionate breed known for their large stature and loyal nature. Of noble bearing, the Corso’s lineage goes back to ancient Roman times, and the breed’s name roughly translates from the Latin as ‘bodyguard dog.’ But while Corsos have historically been guardians, today they can make for loyal companions and wonderful family dogs.
While some dogs tiptoe into your life — Blu came bounding in with her big paws, bigger heart, and an unforgettable spark. As a Cane Corso, she may look like a gentle giant (and she is), but it’s her soulful eyes, sweet nature, and unshakable loyalty that truly leave a mark. Life with Blu isn’t just about living with a large dog — it’s about sharing your world with a best friend who gives you her whole heart, every single day.
Ready to meet Blu properly? Here’s what life looks like with this gentle giant.
About Blu
Can you introduce us to Blu? How old is she, and how would you describe her personality in one sentence?
Blu is a four year old grey Cane Corso. One sentence to describe her would be, a loveable nightmare.
How did Blu come into your life? Was she a planned addition or did she find her way to you unexpectedly?
Blu was definitely planned. I had her deposit down before she was even born! I couldn’t wait to have her in my life.
What drew you to the Cane Corso breed?
Before getting one, I had been looking and learning about the breed for about two years. The connection Corsos have with their owners along with their unconditional love for you and fierce protection qualities was a must for me at the time. I was single and living alone in the countryside, a guardian breed was needed and I felt that a Cane Corso was perfect for me.
Daily Life with Blu
What’s a typical day like with Blu?
A typical day starts with her morning 6:30/7:00am she comes into our room for morning snuggles in bed before work. Must be tucked in under the blanket, will refuse to get into the bed until the blanket is pulled back.
Morning snuggles turn into morning kisses when our little Cavachon decides to wake up. He will crawl over the bed to get to her in order for morning kisses to commence. The grooming session involves a thorough ear, nose and mouth licking which both babies enjoy, this is a common way for dogs to strengthen their bonds. We then have our morning toilet break, breakfast and medication. (She’s on prozac). I then go to work and she will stay home protecting the house, our other two dogs (Golden Retriever and Cavachon) and my wife.
After that it’s mainly napping and playing all day. I come home from work, we play fetch or tug of war, or her favourite thing to do is wrestle. She also has a bedtime and holds us to it. 9pm rolls around and the crying doesn’t stop until we go to bed and she gets her bedtime treat. She also loves to sleep on her back, legs akimbo, head on my pillow snug under a blanket.
How does Blu’s personality shine through in everyday moments?
Once Blu trusts you and deems you as not a threat she will Bluetooth connect to your soul! She has the most loving stare that makes you feel her love to your very core. She is a giant snuggle bug and just wants to give and receive love all the time. The best weighted blanket I’ve ever had. She also just loves a good roll around in the grass kicking all her paws around in the air. We call her Kangablu when she’s like this because I always think she looks like a kangaroo when her ears flop back.
What’s something that really surprised you about living with a Cane Corso?
To be honest, because I had done so much research into the breed nothing really surprised me bar the unexpended intelligence and stubbornness. I always grew up with guardian breeds like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans ect. The Cane Corso is so much more hard work and head strong. This breed, and I cannot stress this enough, is an entire different level of power, will and determination.
Breed Truths & Misconceptions
Cane Corsos are often seen as serious, dominant dogs—how true has that been in your experience with Blu?
100% accurate. She is incredibly head strong and intelligent with zero tolerance policy on playing rough or laughing too loud even! We call her the “Fun Police” when she comes into break up hugs, giggles, dancing or wrestling. To compare between my dogs, if I ask my Golden Retriever to jump he’d say “how high?!” ask a Corso the response is more along the lines of “why…?”
What’s the most misunderstood thing about Cane Corsos that you wish more people knew?
That her way of defending the family is by barking and lunging. People see it as just pure aggression when it’s just her nature to bark and keep people or animals away from her family. Females tend to be more protective than the males and it just gets so looked down on. If a small dog barked and acted like she did nothing would be said, but when she behaves like a small dog I get told “that thing shouldn’t be out in public” “put that beast down” ect ect.. which is soul destroying for me as no one will ever see her the way I see her when we are home, happy and safe.
Do people ever react nervously around Blu because of her size or appearance? How do you handle that?
This really depends on the individual person, as some people will see her muzzled up and will give us the space. Others will see her muzzled, read her lead that says “DO NOT PET” “NOT FRIENDLY” and proceed to still try and pet her, which is wild to me.Blu is reactive with people and other animals and we appreciate when people understand and give us our space.
Care & Commitment
What’s Blu’s feeding routine like—and what does it really take to keep a large breed like her healthy?
Blu is an incredibly fussy eater and gets flavour fatigue with food after eating it for a week or two. We interchange feeding raw and kibble. Constant food changes are always happening and she refuses to eat kibble if the kibble is sized for an adult dog. She only likes kibble if it’s small enough for a puppy. Jaws and a bite force stronger than a lion, only wants baby food…
Have you dealt with any breed-specific health concerns with Blu?
We give her lots of salmon oil and joint supplements as joint issues are always an issue for larger breeds. Other than that, as a pup it was thought she may need a stitch in her eyelid as they were a little too droopy but by 6months old she had grown into them and didn’t need it. My mother’s Cane Corso, Kevin, however would need a stitch in his eye to help prevent them from drying out.
Adventures & Public Life
Does Blu enjoy getting out on adventures, like hikes or road trips? What’s her favorite thing to do?
Blu loves when we book her the private dog park in Portloaise, Woofland Dog Park. It’s her safe space where she can run and roll around carefree and safe. She gets stressed in the car or on walks as shes always just too hypervigilant to her surroundings and possible “threats”. But once she knows she going to the park and take that exit off the motorway she will whine until we get to the park.
What’s the usual reaction when strangers see Blu in public?
She, in my biased opinion, is the most beautiful Cane Corso I have ever seen, so when people do see her it’s both a mix of admiration of her beauty but nervous with her size. She can be very reactive in public so people tend to stay away and admire/hide from a distance.
Is Blu generally social with other dogs, or more selective about her furry company?
No Blu only has time for animals that have been around her since bringing her home. Introducing her to new animals can take a few months. I usually take her out early in the morning so there are fewer dogs and people out. I do this so she can enjoy her walk and not get as stressed. She doesn’t like going for walks and will hide on me when she sees her lead or collar so I try to do my best to walk her when she can enjoy it so she can live her best life. After a walk she will need her decompression time, which means she goes to her room alone, doors are all open, where she will take the time to regulate her nervous system again. Pending on how stressful the walk was will determine the cooldown time.
Challenges & Lessons
What’s been the most challenging part of raising and living with a Cane Corso?
It would definitely be the inherited protection that no amount of training will get rid of that quick judgment from her, that everyone is a threat. I have spent thousands on training and she has been in training since she was 4months old. But alas we are no closer to a calmer dog in public. It would be like trying to train my Golden Retriever to stop retrieving, it’s in her, it’s in her genes, so we just have to accept it and constantly work on it.
What’s something Blu has taught you about yourself, about life, or about unconditional love?
I’m not a quitter and a determined individual. I would literally do anything for her. I would sell my car, house, quit my job, anything to keep her and keep her safe and happy. I was evicted from my home and business because of her and I said I would live in a tent if needed. We did have to temporarily live in places until we got sorted but we have just recently moved into a new place and the landlord knows all about her and has no issues. For me this is better than winning the lotto. We are finally safe and happy.
For Future Cane Corso Owners
Would you recommend a Cane Corso to a first-time dog owner? Why or why not?
NO! I wouldn’t even recommend them to someone unless they have a vast experience with guardian breeds as the Cane Corso is just a different level and almost different way of thinking. Be prepared to spend thousands on training unless you have extensively researched your breeder beyond the general standard things you look for when it comes to buying a pup.
What advice would you give to someone considering getting a Cane Corso like Blu?
If I was to get another Corso, I will 100%be taking an experienced trainer or animal behavioural expert with me to assess all the pups and parents. I would also recommend you don’t take the pup at the usual 8 week mark and to leave them with their mother until they are 12weeks old. Handle BOTH parents and see how the mother and father behave on walks.
Is there anything you wish you knew before bringing Blu home for the first time?
How to introduce her correctly to our dogs and strange dogs. That socialising a dog is NOTHING similar to what humans consider to be social. Research what dog socialising is before you just assume it is to just go out and meet every person and dog you see. Socialising dogs like this could cause reactivity.
Quick-Fire Blu Round
What’s her favorite treat?
Raw chicken feet
Favorite nap spot?
Currently it’s the sun spot on the corner of the couch. She loves to sunbathe. She loves curling up in the armchair and if you can’t find her she’s put herself to bed, either in our room or her bedroom.
Most unexpected habit?
Loves to open post or packages.
Loudest moment?
Barking in the car when she’s just at my ear.
Cuddliest moment?
When we got back from getting married, we were gone for two weeks and she just got into me for snugs in bed not letting me move all day.
Secret boss of the house—her or you?
Yes, I am the boss of the dogs, but my wife is the Supreme Leader. What she says goes for me, but the dogs don’t take her seriously at all, only time I am useful in the house haha.
Final Thoughts
What’s the absolute best part of being Blu’s person?
Our bond. There is just no way I have ever bonded like this with a dog. We can see each other’s souls and it is a pure, unconditional love we have for each other. We are each other’s safe space, home and comfort. As much as a problem that she can be in public, we take the good with the bad and love her with every fibre of our being.
Blu reminds us that behind every powerful breed lies a powerful bond. Living with a Cane Corso means embracing structure, mutual respect, and an enormous amount of affection. For those ready to match their dog’s big heart with equal commitment, the rewards — as Blu shows every day — are extraordinary. She’s not just part of the family. She is family.
Follow Blu on her journey on Instagram.
