To look at this cane corso, you might think he could be dangerous and not a great companion for young children. But a mom is hoping to change that by showing the world just how loving her pup truly is.
Drax, the 4-year-old cane corso is undoubtedly a big and powerful dog, but his owner April, from Colorado, says that his appearance is only half the picture. What many people don't realize is just how gentle and calm the breed can be, which is why the mom-of-two sees Drax as the perfect pet for her children to grow up with.
"He is very patient and gentle with both my children and loves them very much," April, who doesn't wish to disclose her full name, told Newsweek. She regularly posts videos of Drax with his two human siblings, particularly with 11-month-old Ellsie, who he is incredibly gentle with.
After posting a TikTok video (@drax_the_corso) showing him lying beside Ellsie, April explained that he insists on being around her at all times, joking that they even "have their own language." The adorable clip melted many hearts online, and it's already been viewed more than 65,600 times and received over 2,500 likes in a matter of days.
She continued: "Drax likes to follow her around and keep close by. He loves to just watch her and see what she gets into. He loves to get baby sniffs when he can, but is very good about not licking her. He is a very sweet, intelligent dog who's in tune with both kiddos.
"I love to share those sweet moments because so many people don't see that side of the breed. I have worked very hard on training him to have healthy boundaries with the kids, and likewise teach my children to respect him and give him space, which I believe has allowed for such a beautiful relationship."
Why Do People Judge the Breed?
Standing at nearly 28 inches tall and weighing over 100 pounds, at stated by the American Kennel Club (AKC), cane corsos can certainly look intimidating, which often leads people to assume that's all there is to them. But aside from their imposing stature, the AKC also highlights just how loyal and fiercely protective these dogs can be, meaning very little will come between them and their family.
It's important that a cane corso gets early socialization and regular training classes from a young age, as they can become too dominant otherwise, even growing into the boss of the household. But despite their looks, they much prefer a softer approach with plenty of rewards, rather than harsh training methods. Don't be fooled, they're all heart on the inside.
Since welcoming Drax into her life four years ago, before having either of her children, April admitted that he "gets stereotyped a lot" because people don't understand what he's really like. By giving people a glimpse into their lives together, she hopes that people will changes their minds about cane corsos, and other large dogs, and see that they can make lifelong best friends.
She told Newsweek: "His breed is a guardian breed and very powerful, but they are also very loyal to their family and they're also gentle and docile with children.
"We get a lot of hate and ignorant comments online, but we also have such an outpouring of love and support. Many of our followers have said we changed their opinion on this breed by showing our life with Drax. My goal has always to educate and raise breed awareness, and we feel blessed to have the platform we do."
Among the many comments on the viral post showing Drax sitting patiently with his little sister, many people were amazed by their undeniable connection. One comment reads: "Their relationship is adorable!"
Another person responded: "She's talking to him telepathically. You can see the look in her face."
While another TikTok user said: "Drax and his little princess should do a video to the 'that's my baby' audio."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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