Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

Cane Corso English Mastiff Mixes are known for their noble bearing, trainable, and intelligent personalities. Their lineage dates back to ancient Roman times with the reputation of a fearless protector.

In fact, “Cane Corso” roughly translates to “bodyguard dog” in Latin. These protective hounds can get as tall as 28 inches and weigh over 100 pounds. Its rippling muscles, stiff coat, large head, and alert expression add to its intimidating appearance.

Its imposing appearance does a great job of deterring intruders and attackers, as it’s best described as an air of cool competence. Enthusiasts of this breed state that this demeanor is only seen in professional bodyguards, giving these dogs their trademark look.

Aside from being intimidating, these dogs are also brilliant. That means they require lifelong training to shape their intentions in the future, especially if the owner expects affection and loyalty.

Without the proper training and direction, the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix will act on instinct and attack anyone outside of the family.

Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix Puppies

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix

1. Their Color May Influence Their Lifespan

The Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix is seen in various colors, such as black, grey, stag-red, fawn, apricot brindle, or grey. You may even see a brindle pattern or white patches on their body, but their coat colors influence more than just their appearance.

According to research, these colors can be linked to their lifespan since Black Brindle Cane Corso English Mastiff Mixes live the longest¹.

In fact, their lifespan is typically a year longer than the average Cane Corsi lifespan. Their coats are pretty short and stiff, so maintaining them isn’t hard work.

---

2. Cane Corsi Almost Went Extinct

In the mid-20th century, the mechanization of farming almost led to the extinction of Cane Corsi as there was no more need for farm dogs. However, a few dog fanciers rescued the breed from extinction in the 70s by forming a breed club called the Societa Amatori Cane Corso.

This club was formed in 1983 before the Italian Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1994. In 2010, the American Kennel Club also recognized the Cane Corso.

---

3. They Used to Fight Lions

The Cane Corso breed has been around for approximately 1,000 years, with reports of their origins in the Tibetan Highlands. These dogs were initially used as guard animals for ancient monasteries.

As a result, Romans were impressed by their large size and impeccable strength, which is why they brought them back to Italy. There, they were used as war animals or during gladiator games, fighting bears and lions to the death. Once the Roman empire fell, these dogs began working on rural Italian farms.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix 🧠

The Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix has a loyal, versatile, and intelligent temperament. When needed, they can also be assertive and willful, owning their owner more than being a pet. That’s why these dogs require responsible and consistent training from a young age.

Early socialization is a crucial part of their training, much like any other big dog. It’s worth noting that these dogs have the intelligence of 2 to 2.5-year-old human children, so they can learn habits pretty quickly.

If you have other pets in the home, you can expect your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix to outsmart them. The best part is that they can easily understand your verbal commands, as they can learn up to 165 words with signals during their training.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix can become a great family dog with the correct socialization and care. They’re better suited for families with older children since it can be dangerous to leave them with younger children.

It’s best to supervise any activity of your children with the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix, as these dogs can find it hard to differentiate between play and fighting.

Does the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The proper training can ensure that your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix interacts well with other dogs, but they may show some aggression towards dogs of the same gender. You can guarantee early socialization by taking them to dog parks as a puppy.

This can also prevent territorial behaviors in the long run. If your home has small cats and dogs, the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix will likely try to establish dominance over them.

What to Know When Owning a Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix

Here’s everything you should know before owning a Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

High-quality dog food is the ideal diet for your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix. If you disapprove of commercially manufactured dog food, you can make your own at home with approval from your vet.

You’ll also need to monitor the dog’s weight and calorie consumption on a regular basis to prevent obesity. If you leverage treats while training your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix, make sure not to give them too many.

Additionally, you can research which human foods are safe for your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix and which aren’t. Lastly, you should provide unrestricted access to clean and fresh water.

Exercise 🐕

The Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix requires lots of exercise to stay healthy. It’s best to allow a brisk walk or run twice a day to help them stay healthy and sustain their muscle tone. If you like hiking, riding bicycles, or walking, these dogs will make for great, well-behaved companions.

Since Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix dogs are bred to work, they’ll always appreciate having a task so they don’t get bored. As much as they need physical exercise, these dogs also need mental stimulation to avoid undesirable behavior, depression, or anxiety. You can help your dog participate in protection sports or dock diving to indulge them.

Training 🦮

All dogs can benefit from puppy training classes and early socialization, but a large breed like the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix needs it the most. Due to their protective and dominant nature, these dogs can benefit from socialization by adjusting to their environment better.

You can also utilize obedience training to ensure that you have complete control over your pets instead of vice versa. Since these dogs are intelligent and eager to please, training them is typically straightforward and smooth.

Even though their appearance can be intimidating, Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix dogs are affectionate, loyal, and loyal.

Grooming ✂️

The Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix has a short but double-layered coat. The first layer, known as the undercoat, can vary in length depending on the living climate and shed throughout the year.

The shedding season arrives in the spring, which is when you’ll need to groom them every day. Otherwise, brushing them every week with a hound glove, a medium-bristle brush, or a rubber grooming mitt is enough to remove their dead hair and dirt.

Aside from protecting your furniture and clothes, grooming can promote new hair growth for the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix. You should also regularly trim the dog’s nails to prevent problems in walking or running.

• See Also: 11 Best Dry Dog Shampoos

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix is typically healthy due to the history of responsible breeders screening all their breeding pairs for various health conditions. That includes eyelid abnormalities, demodex mange, idiopathic epilepsy, and hip dysplasia.

Since it’s a large species, this dog can be vulnerable to bloat, which can evolve into a life-threatening condition. You should also regularly check their ears for infection and brush their teeth using toothpaste for dogs.

Serious Conditions

Here are a few severe conditions your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix may be prone to:

Bloat

Most large dog breeds are at risk of bloat, which is a potentially life-threatening stomach disease in dogs. It causes the dog’s stomach to twist and distend painfully, and it can often refer to two different stomach conditions combined.

That includes volvulus and gastric dilation, which occurs when the stomach distends and fills with gas. These conditions cause the gas-filled stomach to rotate and obstruct the blood flow. Symptoms of bloat include labored breathing, restlessness, hunching, a swollen belly, retching, and excessive drooling.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is another common disease found in large dogs. This degenerative joint disease affects the dog’s hind limbs, creating bone and joint problems in the long run. Signs of this disease include decreased range of motion, limping, and visible signs of pain.

Obesity

All dogs must maintain lean body weight to stay healthy, but large dog breeds require more exercise than others. Obesity can cause stress on the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix’s body and other health issues.

Your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix can avoid obesity by exercising regularly and maintaining a well-balanced and AAFCO-approved diet. It’s best to consult your vet to determine the ideal nutrition plan for your dog’s life stage.

Minor Conditions

Here are some minor health conditions your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix may face:

Anxiety

While Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix dogs do not have extreme separation anxiety, they do experience a level of stress when left alone. According to experts, their family-oriented nature leads them to suffer from anxiety when they haven’t been trained to spend time alone.

This is a top behavioral challenge faced by Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix dogs since they do not thrive on loneliness.

Idiopathic Epilepsy

Idiopathic epilepsy is a seizure disorder that arises spontaneously without any known causes. Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix dogs typically develop these disorders at 3 years old, and there is currently no cure for it.

However, you can manage them with the help of medication and ensure that they live a happy, productive, and long life.

Demodectic Mange

Your Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix can also face a skin condition called demodectic mange, which originates from a genetic predisposition. Mothers typically transmit this condition to their puppies during nursing when they have an immature immune system.

As a result, their bodies cannot fight against Demodex mites.

Lesions for this skin condition are common in the head and face but can also develop anywhere else. In some cases, this condition may not require treatment as small lesions go away in a couple of months. However, larger lesions may require topical or oral medications for treatment. It’s best that these dogs are not bred again after the discovery of the disease.

Male vs. Female

Male dogs are typically always more aggressive than their female counterparts. This is also true in the case of the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix, which is why early socialization is crucial for this dog.

Female Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix dogs are less aggressive, but that doesn’t mean they’re docile. Training may be easier since they’re somewhat submissive, but you may find various temperament issues with them.

Additionally, male and female Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix dogs have similar health conditions but are not identical. Males are susceptible to prostate problems and testicular cancer, while females may be prone to cervical cancer or urinary tract infections if not spayed.

Final Thoughts

The Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix is a hard-working Italian dog with an origin dating back to over 1,000 years ago. These dogs are known for their vigilant and protective nature since they descend from ancient Roman guard dogs.

Today, these dogs are energetic and affectionate, especially if they are trained and socialized at a young age. If you’re looking for a protective, alert, and loyal dog, the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix is everything you want in a pet and more.

See Also:

• Cane Corso Australian Shepherd Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts
• Cane Corso Poodle Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts
• Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

---

Featured Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock