The Italian Daniff combines the good characteristics of both of its parent breeds to create an outstanding breed. The brave Cane Corso Italiano is a direct descendant of the great war dogs of the Romans. Historically, he was used as a guard dog, farmhand, and to hunt game. Its name reflects its guard dog abilities. Cane is the Latin term for ‘dog’ and Corso is derived from the word ‘cohors’ which translates into ‘bodyguard’. The breed started to dramatically decline as many people moved away from conventional farms. In the 1970s, fanciers of the breed worked to bring it back from the brink of extinction. In 2010, the breed gained recognition by the American Kennel Club and was entered into the Working Group. Great Danes were originally ferocious hunters of wild boar. They were also used as guard dogs. The breed can be traced back to 3,000 BC, where it is depicted in drawings in Babylonia. The ancient Assyrians traded their behemoth dogs to Romans, who also favored the breed and continued breeding it. Originally, the large dogs were referred to as Boar Hounds because they were used to hunt wild boar. By the 1600s, the dogs had become a favorite pet of nobility throughout Germany. In the 1700s, the breed became known as the Great Dane. It is believed that the German breeders created the stable and loving dog that is common today. Modern Great Danes exhibit none of the fierce and aggressive characteristics of their ancestors. In 1889, the Great Dane was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club and granted admission into the Working Group.
