Cane Corso Australian Shepherd Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

The Cane Corso Australian Shepherd mix, also known as an Aussie Corso, is a rare crossbreed that combines the Cane Corso with the Australian Shepherd. Both breeds have excellent traits and characteristics that result in an excellent family pet.

These dogs love their humans and will go to great lengths to protect their family. In other words, these dogs make excellent guard dogs, yet, they are typically gentle with children. They do need proper training to ensure they skip a bossy attitude.

The Cane Corso has many mixed possibilities, and in this article, we’ll focus on the Cane Corso and Australian Shepherd mix. Read on to learn more about this rare and fascinating hybrid dog breed.

Cane Corso Australian Shepherd Mix Puppies

The 3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Australian Shepherd Mix

1. The Parent Breeds Are From Different Countries

The Cane Corso hails from Italy, and the Australian Shepherd hails from the western United States. In fact, “corso” means protector or guardian in Italian, which is fitting because the Cane Corso is an excellent guard dog.

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2. Australian Shepherds Are Not From Australia

Despite the name, these dogs were developed in the 1800s in California and were originally bred as stock dogs. This particular breed became popular after World War I and gained recognition due to its herding abilities.

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3. The Cane Corso and Australian Shepherd Mix Is Rare

If you love the characteristics of both the Cane Corso and the Australian Shepherd, you may be hard-pressed to find this particular mix. The Cane Corso is mixed with many breeds, including the Labrador Corso, the Cane Corso Pitbull mix, and the German Corso (a mix of Cane Corso and German Shepherd).

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Australian Shepherd Mix 🧠

The temperament and intelligence of hybrid or designer dogs are hard to predict – it really depends on which dominant trait the dog inherits. For example, the Cane Corso is cheerful, courageous, social, affectionate, intelligent, trainable, and confident. The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, work-oriented, loving, friendly, and protective and tends to do better with children.

Still, a dog with a mixture of these two breeds produces a loving, intelligent, and protective family member. We should note that these dogs require a firm and strong owner who can display being the alpha dog. Both, however, are easy to train.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Cane Corso can adapt to children, but it may take a little longer for the dog to become relaxed and comfortable around children. As we’ve mentioned, these dogs make excellent family companions, but they need proper training to understand their place in the pack.

If the dog has more of the Cane Corso trait, he may be more skeptical around children. If the dog has more Australian Shepherd traits, the dog will be excellent with children. Fully determining the personality of mixed breeds is nearly impossible to predict, making proper training crucial for a positive outcome.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

These dogs can get along well with other pets in the home with early socialization, but this is true for just about any dog. The Cane Corso does best being the only pet in the family, while the Australian Shepherd gets along with other dogs very well.

Whether these dogs get along with other pets will depend on the dominant trait, but they can be trained to be around other pets in the family with early socialization.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Australian Shepherd Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Since these dogs are a mixture, it’s best to consult your veterinarian for suggestions for a proper diet, as not every dog has the same nutritional needs. However, all dogs need a complete and balanced diet full of quality protein, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals.

When reading dog food labels, ensure a quality protein is the first ingredient, followed by essential vegetables and fruits. Be sure not to overfeed your dog to avoid obesity, and feed the appropriate food for your dog’s size. Since these dogs can have a wide range in size, consult your vet for the appropriately sized kibble.

Exercise 🐕

This hybrid breed requires an adequate amount of exercise. Australian Shepherds are high energy and love to have a job to do, thanks to their herding instincts. The Cane Corso has a vast amount of energy too, making exercise high on the list for your dog.

Take your dog on long walks or even hikes. It’s also ideal to have a large fenced yard for your dog to run and play safely. Grab a ball or Frisbee and make it a fun activity you can share with your hybrid pooch!

Training 🦮

Proper training is crucial for this hybrid mix. Early socialization and obedience training are vital, as both the Cane Corso and Australian Shepherd traits can be bossy, dominant, and protective. However, both breeds are intelligent, making training these dogs easier.

Remember that these dogs need someone strong and firm to show dominance as the alpha dog, and always use positive reinforcement training.

Grooming ✂️

In regards to the Australian Shepherd, they have a double, waterproof coat that needs at least a weekly brushing, preferably with an undercoat rake. The Cane Corso has a single coat, but it’s double-layered. Weekly brushing is recommended for this breed with a rubber mitt.

Having a mixed breed is hard to tell what kind of grooming needs are in order until the dog matures a bit, so you’ll have to gauge what type of coat your hybrid breed has.

Dental hygiene is important for all dogs, and you should try to get your dog used to having its teeth brushed at least two times per week. If your dog hates a toothbrush and fights you every step of the way, you can try dental wipes to clean the teeth. Keeping your dog’s teeth in shape will cut down on expensive teeth cleanings and is important for your dog’s overall health. Be sure to use toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs.

Check the ears weekly to ensure they are clean. You can use an ear cleaner solution at least monthly and ear wipes as needed. Be sure not to over-clean your dog’s ears, as this could cause irritation. Once a month is a good rule of thumb to go by.

Health and Conditions ❤️

All dogs can be susceptible to certain health conditions, and this mixed hybrid breed is no different. Both the Cane Corso and the Australian Shepherd are prone to these certain health conditions.

These conditions do not mean your dog will develop them. They are conditions both breeds can be prone to, and it’s good to know ahead of time.

Male vs. Female

Males are bigger in size than females. As far as the Cane Corso, males tend to be more aggressive than females, but this doesn’t mean your male hybrid will be aggressive. Again, early training and socialization are key.

As for Australian Shepherds, the males are a bit bigger than females, and males tend to be more outgoing in this particular dog breed.

Final Thoughts

The Cane Corso and Australian Shepherd mix make wonderful companions and are an excellent addition to any family. Keep in mind that this hybrid mix will need a dominant trainer to show the dog’s place in the pack, and early training is essential in obtaining a well-mannered dog. Your hybrid mix may be intimidating toward strangers and come off as aloof at first, especially if the dog has more of the Cane Corso trait.

Ensure that any children in the home understand how to be respectful in any dog’s presence. Finding this particular hybrid breed may be challenging but not impossible. In the end, if you’re looking for a fun, high-energy guard dog, this hybrid mix may be right for you and your family.

See Also: 

• Cane Corso Bloodhound: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts
• Cane Corso Golden Retriever Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

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Featured Image Credit: Left – Cane Corso (Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock) | Right – Australian Shepherd (Fotoschauer, Shutterstock)