You will love Mastiff Cane Corso mix breeds if you prefer big dogs. Mastiff and Cane Corso are sometimes interchangeable, as the Cane Corso is an Italian Mastiff breed.
However, there are some distinctions between the two types.
If you are interested in a Cane Corso Mastiff mix as a pet, knowing what makes this dog unique and how to care for them will make you and your new best friend happy.
This guide dives deep into the characteristics of a Cane Corso mixed with a Bullmastiff and what you can expect in temperament, diet, exercise, and overall health.
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Table of Contents
The Mastiff and Cane Corso Details
These breeds come from centuries of breeding to provide the loveable dogs we have today.
The Origin of the Mastiff and Bullmastiff Breeds
The Mastiff comes from a long line of working and guarding dogs in England. They were well-known for being war dogs and guardians through the centuries. Their excessive size was intimidating and menacing, especially when going to war.
Later in the 19th century, breeders mixed the Mastiff with a Bulldog to create the Bullmastiff.
These dogs were smaller in stature but still possessed the Mastiff qualities to make the ideal night dog for protecting game preserves and discouraging poaching.
Breaking this breed down even further, large dog enthusiasts can find English and American Mastiffs from breeders nationwide. However, the American Mastiff is slightly slimmer than its English counterpart and will have a longer muzzle.
Other Mastiff variations include:
The Origin of the Cane Corso Breed
The Cane Corso is a close relative of the Mastiff, falling into the sub-category of Molosser.
Rather than originating in England, this dog breed has ties to Ancient Rome and Greece. The Cane Corso quickly became a familiar sight in Italy, acting as an excellent hunting and guarding dog.
Although the Italian Cane Corso was almost extinct after World War II, it came back in 1970 and was more prevalent in the United States in the 1980s.
2010 the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Cane Corso as a registered breed.
Thankfully, even with this extensive history of fighting, guarding, and hunting, these breeds are more visibly intimidating than actively aggressive.
However, their undying devotion and protection to their owners make them exceptionally loyal companions, which can appear aggressive to strangers who get too close.
Comparing the Bullmastiff vs Cane Corso
At first glance, the Bullmastiff and Cane Corso breeds are pretty similar. Both dogs may have folded ears, wide-set eyes, with a sizeable square-shaped head.
In addition, they each sport a short coat of hair with a straight tail and a muscular appearance with their large size. However, these other traits can help distinguish one from the other.
Total Size
Of course, the breeding parents of any dog will directly affect how significant its offspring is.
Although these two breeds are considered large, the Mastiff is bigger on average. The dog’s gender can also contribute to the total size of your dog, as females are typically smaller than males when they are full-grown.
Generally, a Mastiff dog will grow between 120 and 230 pounds and measure 27 to 30 inches or taller.
Therefore, this breed ranges in size from large to extra-large. In contrast, a Bullmastiff will be slightly smaller due to its Bulldog genes, resulting in a dog that weighs 100 to 130 pounds and measures 24 to 27 inches tall.
Likewise, Cane Corsos will weigh between 88 to 120 pounds and reach 23 to 27 inches tall.
Although their stature remains as a large-breed dog, they are significantly smaller than large Mastiffs but similarly closer to Bullmastiffs. Of course, the breeding parents and gender will greatly affect how large the dog will grow.
Because of their immense size, the Mastiff Cane Corso mix will do best in a home with enough yard space. However, their tall stature can be challenging as they navigate through homes with cramped furniture, delicate possessions, and even small children.
Even though they do not mean harm, these large dogs can cause pain by accidentally stepping on a child’s foot or knocking a glass off a table with their tail.
Although their size can be a restriction for some dog owners, they can happily live in smaller quarters.
Coat Colors
The coloring for these dog breeds varies, with the Cane Corso offering more options than Mastiffs.
The Bullmastiff is generally available in only three coat colors, including:
- Brindle
- Fawn
- Red
In contrast, Cane Corsos can come in:
- Black
- Black brindle
- Chestnut brindle
- Fawn
- Grey
- Red
A Cane Corso and Mastiff mix will naturally contain attributes from both these dog breeds. Therefore, the possibility of any attractive coat colors or a combination may come with puppies from these dogs.
Exercise Needs
These large dog breeds will enjoy two hours of exercise to keep them active, regulate healthy body weight, and ensure enough mental and physical stimulation.
While both species have high exercise needs, the Cane Corso is the more playful and energetic of the two.
The Mastiff is more prone to obesity as they age because they can be significantly larger, and an overactive appetite requires long activity sessions.
A comfortable and happy Mastiff may quickly turn into an overweight, lazy dog if he does not receive enough physical exercise.
In contrast, owners of Cane Corsos will find their dogs less prone to obesity with their slightly sleeker stature and higher energy.
However, this breed still requires high levels of activity both physically and mentally. You can buy some Cane Corso toys online to exercise them mentally.
These gentle giants will require enough physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from becoming destructive when bored.
Health Concerns
Generally, they are healthy, active dogs, but each breed can still suffer from individual problems. A Mastiff Cane Corso mix can inherit health issues from one or both parents, which can cause concern for dog owners.
Different dog breeds will have unique health concerns throughout their lives, especially if no genetic screening exists before breeding.
In this case, because these breeds are large, joint problems are a common health concern. Dog owners of Cane Corsos and Mastiffs should watch for hip and elbow dysplasia symptoms.
Some other unique health issues that Mastiffs and Cane Corsos share include
- Bloat
- Heart problems
- Bone issues
In addition, Mastiff owners should ensure regular vet visits to diagnose Lymphosarcoma or mast cell tumors early. Cane Corso owners should also be concerned with epilepsy and eyelid abnormalities in their dogs.
Some people wonder, “do cane corso smell?” They will smell abnormally bad if they have some kind of health issue, such as teeth or ear infections, anal glands problems, or skin-related issues.
So, owners of this mixed breed should seek yearly veterinarian exams to keep their Cane Corso Bullmastiff healthy for many years. Proper care can find and treat any health problems early and prevent them from worsening.
What You Should Know About the Mastiff Cane Corso Mix
If you have decided to bring home a Cane Corso mixed with Bullmastiff or think about it, you should know some vital elements. This way, you will be prepared to provide the best home possible for your new best friend.
These dogs belong to the working and guarding category, as they have been bred for centuries.
However, this mixed-breed dog is not ideal for first-time dog owners. They require great training and individualized attention to ensure they follow directions and behave appropriately with people and other animals.
Their high intelligence and stubborn nature can mean a Cane Corso mixed with a Bullmastiff may present challenges to an inexperienced dog owner. Although, that doesn’t mean first-time dog owners should avoid this breed.
Anyone can provide a loving and supportive home for this majestic dog as long as they educate themselves on the breed and adequately prepare to meet their needs.
Lifespan
Anytime you add a pet to your home, it takes commitment. Although large-breed dogs generally have a shorter lifespan than smaller breeds, a Cane Corso Bullmastiff will remain your loyal companion for many years.
The Bullmastiff breed has a shorter lifespan of 7 to 9 years, while Cane Corsos live between 9 and 12 years. Therefore, a Cane Corso Mastiff mix will live between 7 to 12 years when they follow a proper diet and exercise regime.
Temperament
One of the most critical aspects of deciding on a dog breed is its temperament, especially with larger ones like a Cane Corso mix Mastiff dog.
The Cane Corso is an intelligent dog that is protective of its owners and exhibits excellent territorial and guarding skills. However, these dogs can be stubborn and independent without proper training and socialization.
The Mastiff is also extremely smart, stubborn, and unresponsive to improper training methods. However, dog lovers can expect a Mastiff to have a calmer personality than Cane Corsos, being loyal and affectionate even to children.
Generally, a Cane Corso mix with Bullmastiff breed can provide a terrific dog that is slightly intimidating to strangers and unknown dogs.
As a result, with the proper training and socialization, this mixed breed will be incredibly loyal and devoted to its owners while being gentle and protective.
Training
Anytime you bring home a new pet, adequate training, and guidance will be required. Dogs, especially large breeds, like a Cane Corso and Mastiff mix, need a structured routine with proper training and boundaries.
This mixed breed is exceptionally intelligent and is easy to train compared to other dog breeds.
They are eager to please their owners and love positive reinforcement. Like a Mastiff Cane Corso mix, large dogs can be highly food-driven so tasty treats can provide a terrific training method for your pet.
However, dogs with high intelligence can also become bored quickly, making repetitive training less effective.
Therefore, when teaching your new pet to follow the house rules and learn proper socialization behaviors, using various techniques to keep your dog interested and engaged will be helpful.
Diet
As you can imagine, large dog breeds will eat significantly more than smaller varieties.
Therefore, pet owners should prepare how much their Cane Corso Bullmastiff mix will consume on average. As a guideline, these dog breeds require between 4 ¼ cups and 10 cups of dry food daily.
It is always best to consult your local veterinarian for proper food choices and amounts for your dog.
Some high-quality dog food brands will contain higher protein and fat content than others, making it necessary to cut back portion sizes for your pet so you do not overfeed them.
However, an easy method to determine amounts would be as follows
- Providing 4 ¼ cups of food for a dog weighing 100 pounds
- Giving an additional ¼ cup for every 10 pounds over 100
For example, a Cane Corso Mastiff mix that weighs 180 pounds will need 6 ¼ cups of high-quality food daily.
Because this breed is prone to bloat, feeding them only once per day is not recommended. This way, you can keep your dog healthy and provide adequate nutrition by breaking up this total amount into multiple smaller meals.
The Mastiff Cane Corso Mix Guide!
Dog owners who enjoy characteristics from multiple breeds may prefer a crossbreed, like a Cane Corso mixed with Bullmastiff.
Large dog lovers will especially enjoy everything that this majestic breed offers. From their soulful eyes to their loyal nature, these dogs are terrific companions for many homes.
It is vital to note that a Cane Corso mix Mastiff breed is a higher-maintenance dog. They require exceptional training and can consume up to 10 cups of food daily, making the financial needs of this breed higher than other dogs.
Their intimidating look is a trait that many dog owners like in a guard dog.
However, it is because of their large stature and overall appearance that make some people hesitant about this breed. Therefore, proper socialization and training are vital when you own a large breed dog like a Cane Corso mix with Bullmastiff.
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