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Cane Corso English Bulldog Mix: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

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The Cane Corso is a large, Mastiff-type dog with a history for hunting and as guard dogs in ancient Rome. They are intimidating and protective, but are also loyal, calm, and affectionate toward their owners.

Similarly, the bulldog is descended from Mastiff-type breeds. Bulldogs were bred for bull baiting in Britain during the 15th to 18th centuries. After the ruthless sport was banned, the bulldogs were then bred to be the loving, affectionate, and goofy bulldogs that we know today.

This article will focus on the Cane Corso mixed with the English Bulldog—two breeds that contrast in both personality and temperament.

Height: 16–20 inches
Weight: 50–90 pounds
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Colors: Brindle, Fawn, Red, Grey, Black, Chestnut
Suitable for: Owners looking for medium dog that are strong and affectionate
Temperament: Vigilant, reserved, protective, loyal, and affectionate

Both Cane Corsos and bulldogs are two very popular dogs with somewhat contrasting personalities. If you cross a Cane Corso with a bulldog, you’ll have a mix with the best of both worlds from these adorable breeds—giving you a protective and vigilant dog that is also playful, loving, and affectionate!

While there are four breeds under the bulldog name—the American, English, French, and Olde English Bulldogs. Due to differences in both physical and temperamental characteristics that vary across bulldog types, a Cane Corso-bulldog mix will heavily depend on the type of bulldog that is crossed with the Cane Corso.

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

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Cane Corso English Bulldog Mix Puppies

Cane Corso English Bulldog mix puppies are an excellent choice for anyone who is seeking a strong and affectionate companion. Their trainability is low and requires an experimented owner to determine who is the alpha of the pack. However, they compensate for their stubbornness with their vigilant and reserved personality making them exceptional watchdogs. They also demonstrate high loyalty and affection to their family and enjoy spending time with them.

Parent-Breed-of-the-Cane-Corso English-Bulldog-Mix
Image Credit: Left – Urszula Drab, Shutterstock | Right – Seaq68, Pixabay

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso English Bulldog Mix

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Cane Corso mixed with the English will be more playful and sociable than the Cane Corso parent. The English bulldog breed is known to be loving and affectionate, which are traits you can definitely still expect from them when mixed with the Cane Corso. Although they are more outgoing, they still have a protective nature towards their families, and they make great companions for children.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Although the Cane Corso does not get along with other pets, The Cane Corso English Bulldog mix is more likely to work well with other pets. Despite their parents’ temperament, early socialization and training is still needed to get them to get along in multi-pet households.

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Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso English Bulldog Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Food and diet for the Cane Corso English Bulldog mix largely depends on their age, size, and physical activity levels. Cane Corso English Bulldog mixes are stocky, muscular dogs with varying activity levels, making them prone to obesity. A diet with quality sources of protein, such as chicken, beef, or pork is recommended for these dogs. Three to four cups of quality kibble a day is also recommended, as they are large in size.

Since Cane Corso Bulldog Mixes can vary in size, it is recommended to consult with your veterinarian regarding diet and calorie intake.

Exercise 🐕

Cane Corso and English bulldog purebreds have relatively similar exercise requirements. Cane Corso English Bulldog mixes typically require 30 minutes to one hour of exercise per day. Though they are large, muscular dogs, they may have a tendency to have decreased energy levels due to their bulldog genes. Therefore, including exercise in their routine is extremely important.

Training 🎾

The English Bulldog, however, is a dog breed with one of the lowest trainability ratings, so Cane Corso Bulldog mixes with English Bulldog parents may require patience. Thankfully, their Cane Corso genes are sure to increase their trainability with the proper program! They enjoy attention and are eager to please, so proper reinforcement and motivation can definitely help them learn certain skills.

Early training and socialization is important for Cane Corso Bulldog mixes due to their temperament and unpredictable sociability.

Grooming ✂️

The short-coated Cane Corso English Bulldog mix has moderate shedding and only requires minimal coat grooming. They may moderately shed throughout the year and can also have designated shedding seasons during the transition of hot to cold temperate and vice versa. Brushing 1–2 times a week is enough to keep their coat nice and healthy.

A characteristic trait of both the Cane Corso and the English Bulldog is the folds on their face. It is important to clean the folds on your Cane Corso English Bulldog mix’s face, as dirt can easily accumulate and can even cause infection.

Tooth brushing, ear cleaning, and toe clipping are also things to consider when grooming these dogs. Ensure their teeth and ears are clean while also making sure their toes are properly clipped to prevent infection and discomfort.

Unfortunately, the Cane Corso English Bulldog mix is not a hypoallergenic dog. Although minimal to moderate shedders, the Cane Corso English Bulldog mix still produces dander through their saliva and their skin.

Health and Conditions 🏥

While the Cane Corso is generally a healthy breed, the English Bulldog is prone to many health complications. English Bulldogs are generally prone to obesity, overheating, skin conditions, and respiratory issues. The Cane Corso, on the other hand, is prone to issues common to large, deep-chested dogs.

The Cane Corso Bulldog mix will generally be a healthier breed thanks to their Cane Corso genes, but that does not mean they won’t be susceptible to health concerns. For instance, English Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have short snouts that affect their breathing and ability to regulate temperature. Cane Corso English Bulldog mixes may also have a shorter than usual snout, leading to respiratory issues, especially during overexertion.

They also have folds in their skin, which can accumulate dirt and cause infections if not properly cleaned. The floppy shape of their ears can also accumulate dirt, putting them at risk of ear infections.

Cane Corso English Bulldog mixes have a lifespan of 10–13 years, which is relatively average for dogs of their size. Proper exercise, hygiene, and a healthy diet all play big roles in their lifespan and their quality of life.


Male vs Female

Both male and female Cane Corso English Bulldog Mix are loyal, protective, and affectionate. The biggest difference would be that males tend to be more stubborn and exhibit more dominant behaviors, making them a little more challenging to train than females.

Females Are also known to be more territorial, but would have a higher chance of getting along with strangers and other pets compared to the more cautious male.

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3 Little-Known Facts About Cane Corso English Bulldog Mixes

1. There Are Other Cane Corso Bulldog Mixes

Aside from the English Bulldog, Cane Corsos can mix with the American Bulldog, The French Bulldog, and the Olde English Bulldog, all of which will have their own unique characteristics! Below is a table comparing the other 3 Cane Corso Bulldog mixes.

Cane Corso American Bulldog Mix Cane Corso

French Bulldog Mix

Cane Corso

Olde English Bulldog Mix

Height: 20–27 inches 13–18 inches 16–23 inches
Weight: 80–110 pounds 30–60 pounds 60–100 pounds
Lifespan: 10–13 years 10–13 years 10–13 years
Colors: Black, White, Brown, Fawn Brindle, Fawn, Cream, White, Black Brindle, Fawn, Red, White, Black
Suitable for: Owners looking for large, strong, and protective dogs Owners looking for medium dog that are strong and affectionate
Temperament: Vigilant, reserved, protective, loyal, and affectionate


2. Most Cane Corso Bulldog Mixes Have a Cane Corso Mother

For mixed breeds, it is common for the larger of the two parents to be the mother to prevent any difficulties or complications during pregnancy. With the Cane Corso being the larger of the two breeds, it is no surprise that the female is usually the Cane Corso.  The only exception is the American Bulldog, as they are closest in size with the Cane Corso.


3. The Cane Corso English Bulldog Mix Has Mastiff Ancestry

Both the Cane Corso and the Bulldog are descendants of the Molossus, which are ancient Mastiff-type dogs. While they are both separate breeds from today’s Mastiff, the Cane Corso is also known as the Italian Mastiff, with their ancestors used as guard dogs and hunting dogs in ancient Rome. The Bulldog is also a known descendant of the Molossus, with these Mastiff-type dogs making their way to Britain from Asia, eventually bred for the sport of bull baiting.

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Conclusion

Mixing a Cane Corso and a bulldog is like taking the best of both breeds to make one adorable hybrid-breed dog! The Cane Corso English Bulldog mix is a loyal, affectionate, and protective dog that is more likely to exhibit more sociable behaviors than their Cane Corso parent. They are large and muscular dogs that will look after you with their protective instincts, while still showing you love and affection. The Cane Corso English Bulldog mix is an excellent blend of a loving and playful breed placed into one giant, magnificent-sized body!


Featured Image Credit: Left – AndreiTobosaru, Shutterstock | Right – Eudyptula, Shutterstock

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