A lot of people have been asking about the Pitbull Cane Corso Mix, and whether they make good family companions, so I decided to write a complete guide about this breed. So, what is a Pitbull Cane Corso Mix?
The Pitbull Cane Corso Mix is a hybrid dog breed that is the result of crossing the American Pitbull Terrier with the Cane Corso, which is also referred to as the Italian Mastiff. Bringing these two breeds together results in a large and very formidable dog.
The Pitbull Cane Corso Mix is a very demanding dog, so you definitely want to know everything there is to know about this canine before making the commitment to bring them to your home. In this guide, we’ll look at all the pertinent information about this breed, including their aggression levels, whether they make good family dogs, and how to take care of them. First, however, let’s see how big this dog breed gets.
How Big Will A Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Get?
Size
The Cane Corso and Pitbull Mix, also referred to as the American Pit Corso, is a huge dog. If you’re not comfortable with big dogs, you should just check out other smaller breeds.
An adult Pit Corso has a height of 22 to 28 inches, and weighs between 70 to 115 lbs. The best way of determining how big a Cane Corso Pitbull Mix puppy will grow is to look at the size of the parents. The bigger the parents, the bigger your puppy will grow.
Appearance
The American Pit Corso has the muscular body of the American Pitbull and the Italian Mastiff. Most Pit Corsos have the Pitbull’s skull and muzzle, a square-shaped, fleshy nose, a thick and muscular neck, large drop-down ears, and almond-shaped eyes.
They also have a stocky body, a deep, broad, and very muscular chest, and very strong legs. Some Pit Corsos will inherit the Corsos’ droopy jowls.
Most American Pit Corsos have dark brown eyes, though they can sometimes be a lighter shade of brown or a deep gray. Some Pit Corsos will have very beautiful blue eyes, though this is very rare, which results in blue-eyed Pit Corsos being more expensive.
Coat And Color
The Pitbull Cane Corso Mix comes with a short, dense, and shiny double coat. The coat colors include red, fawn, black, and brindle. Neither the Italian Cane Corso nor the American Pitbull Terrier has the merle gene, so it is impossible for the American Pit Corso to be merle-colored.
How Long Do American Pit Corsos Live For?
Lifespan
The American Pitbull Terrier has a life expectancy of 8 to 15 years, while the Cane Corso has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Therefore, you can expect the Cane Corso Pitbull Mix lifespan to be about 10 to 15 years.
Being a mixed breed, the American Pit Corso is at a slight risk of inheriting some of the common health problems that affect the American Pitbull Terrier and the Cane Corso. These include:
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Both the Cane Corso and the American Pitbull are huge dogs that are at a high risk of suffering from hip and elbow dysplasia, a condition resulting in abnormally formed joints. There is a chance that the American Pit Corso can inherit this condition from the parents.
Heart Problems
The Italian Mastiff is susceptible to various heart conditions, which could be passed on to the Pitbull Cane Corso Mix. The heart condition that is most likely to affect the American Pit Corso is dilated cardiomyopathy.
Skin Allergies
The American Pitbull has very sensitive skin that is very susceptible to allergens. If your Pit Corso’s skin takes after that of the Pitbull parent, your pooch will also be susceptible to skin allergies.
Other Common Health Problems
Some other health problems that could trouble your Pitbull Cane Corso Mix include eye problems like cherry eye and eyelid entropion or ectropion, gastric torsion (bloat), and demodectic mange.
The best way to reduce the risk of these illnesses is to make sure that the puppy was bred from healthy parents and have the puppy tested before purchase.
How To Take Care Of Pitbull Cane Corso Mixes?
Diet
The American Pit Corso is a huge dog with high energy requirements, so this dog breed needs high-quality and highly nutritious kibble. A good example is Barkin’ Beef from Pet Plate.
Aside from being highly nutritious, with a high protein content, Pet Plate’s Barkin Beef is also super delicious. Your pup will love this food, even if they’re a picky eater.
Due to its size, American Pit Corsos typically have huge appetites, so you should give them food in portions. Leaving food out for them at all times can lead to overeating, which will increase the risk of obesity.
It is also a good idea to supplement your doggie’s diet with multivitamins, such as the Multivitamin Treats Supplement – Zesty Paws Probiotics. These supplements will improve your doggie’s immunity, digestive health, and prevent conditions like diarrhea.
Exercise
Like most other large dogs, the Pitbull Cane Corso mix needs lots of exercise. An hour of intense, physically demanding exercise every day will be enough. By physically demanding, I’m talking about exercises like hikes up mountains, long jogs, swimming, tracking, agility, and so on.
If you have a large, fenced in yard, a game of fetch will do. If you have the iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for Dogs, playing fetch will become even easier. With an auto mode and distance adjustments, this is the perfect toy for keeping your canine buddy active.
It’s good to note that the Pit Corso falls under Breed Specific Legislation, so most places will restrict you from letting your pooch go off-leash in public.
Are Pit Corsos Aggressive? Temperaments Of Pitbull Cane Corso Mixes
Both the Cane Corso and the Pitbull have a bad reputation as very aggressive dogs, so most people are fearful that the Pit Corso is aggressive and makes a bad family dog. So, what should you expect with this dog?
Temperament
Despite being a big and muscular canine, and despite being the product of two parents with a bad rap, the American Pit Corso is a loving and gentle giant if they have been properly socialized.
This dog will enjoy cuddling with you on the sofa and will get along well with all members of the family, including children.
Very Protective
While the Pit Corso will show love to their family, this love does not extend to new people. The Pit Corso is very protective, and will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to keep loved ones safe.
While this makes the Pit Corso a good guard dog, it might also present a problem if your family regularly hosts visitors, or even when your kids’ friends come over to play.
High Energy
Due to their large size and high energy, Pit Corsos will do well in homes with large yards where the pooch has enough room to release his energy. If you live in an apartment, the Pit Corso won’t be a suitable dog for you, even if you lead an active lifestyle.
Since the Pit Corso is very protective, you should make sure that your yard is well secured, otherwise, the dog could pose a threat to anyone passing around your yard.
Are American Pit Corsos Hypoallergenic? Grooming Tips For Pitbull Cane Corso Mixes
Shedding
The American Pit Corso is a moderate shedder and will therefore need regular brushing. A couple of brushing sessions every week are enough.
Since the Pitbull Cane Corso Mix has a double coat, you’ll need a good brushing tool that will reach both the top coat and the undercoat without damaging either coat. I’ve found the best tool for this to be the FURminator Undercoat Tool.
Regular shedding throughout the year also means that you will need an effective way of cleaning pet hairs from your floors. For this, I recommend the iRobot Roomba i3+.
This vacuum cleaner makes it easy to keep your home clean without much work from you. It cleans by itself, docks itself to the charging port, and even empties itself.
Bathing
Bathing your Pit Corso too frequently can strip your doggie’s coat of its natural oils, so this is something that should only be done when necessary.
The American Pit Corso has a very sensitive skin, so you should be very cautious about the kind of grooming products you use on your pooch. I recommend the Pro Pet Works All Natural Organic 5-In-1 Oatmeal Pet Shampoo and Conditioner, which is soap-free and has an almond oil blend that is perfect for dogs with sensitive skin and skin allergies.
You should introduce your four-legged buddy to grooming from a very early age. This way, they will see the grooming as a normal routine rather than something they should be afraid of.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Cost? The Cane Corso Pitbull Mix price starts from around $1,000 for a puppy if you are buying from a reputable breeder. Aside from the purchase price, you should also take into consideration other expenses, such as the cost of food and other necessary equipment like collars, crates, vaccination, and licenses.
Do Cane Corsos Have Pitbull In Them? No. While some people lump them under the Pitbull family, Cane Corsos are not Pit Bulls, and they don’t have any Pitbull blood in them. Cane Corsos are mastiffs that descended from the Italian Molosser breed, which were bred as war dogs, while Pitbulls descended from Terriers and Bulldogs.
Can You Breed A Cane Corso With A Pitbull? Yes, it is possible to breed a Cane Corso with a Pitbull. Breeding these two dog breeds will result in a hybrid dog breed with the characteristics of the two breeds. For instance, the American Pit Corso has the affectionate and loyal nature of the American Pitbull Terrier, combined with the Cane Corso’s protective nature.
