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

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes are sweet, loyal, and enthusiastic dogs. But predicting exactly how any given Cane Corso Golden Retriever mix will turn out can be tricky since these dogs are first-generation hybrids and can inherit characteristics and qualities from both parents. Any mix may have their Cane Corso parent’s short, coarse hair,  the medium-length soft fur most commonly seen in Golden Retrievers, or something in between.

The same is true when it comes to temperament and health conditions. Some Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes lean more towards the laid-back friendliness of Golden Retrievers, while others can display the territorial protectiveness sometimes seen in Cane Corsi. They can also inherit health conditions from both parent breeds, slightly increasing the range of breed-specific illnesses to watch out for. Most end up with a mixture of qualities and characteristics from both parents.

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes can make excellent companion animals under the right circumstances. Most do best in active homes with lots of space where they can get plenty of exercise and attention. Because of their Cane Corso heritage, these hybrid dogs can be assertive and aggressive if not exposed to solid, consistent, positive socialization and reward-based obedience training.

 

Cane Corso Golden Retriever Mix Puppies

3 Little-Known Facts About Cane Corso Golden Retriever Mixes

1. Cane Corsi Have Serious Bites

Cani Corsi are powerful animals with strong jaws. Their bites can deliver up to 650 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure. German Shepherds can only unleash bites in the 238–291 psi range. Saltwater crocodiles have bites that can deliver 3,700 psi of force.

---

2. Golden Retrievers and Cane Corsi Have Water-Resistant Coats

Golden Retrievers and Cane Corsi have double coats that repel water and provide extra layers of insulation from the cold. Golden Retrievers have softer and slightly longer coats than Cane Corsi, who generally have dense, coarse fur.

---

3. Cane Corsi Are Originally from Italy

The ancestors of today’s Cane Corsi were highly valued by the Roman military for their guarding and protecting abilities. They’re one of two large mastiff breeds native to Italy, and the other is the enormous Neapolitan Mastiffs. There were so few Cani Corsi after WWII that the breed almost vanished. Things improved due to revitalization efforts in the 1970s.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Golden Retriever Mix 🧠

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes usually display a combination of traits inherited from their parents, so there’s a good bit of variety between individual animals when it comes to things like temperament and personality. But most require a fair amount of attention and exercise and often do best with active families who enjoy getting out and about in the great outdoors. They’re pretty intelligent but usually easier to train than purebred Cane Corsi, which often makes controlling aggressive tendencies much easier.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes can be great family dogs in the right environments. They can have the eager-to-please personalities of Golden Retrievers or the protective and aggressive tendencies of Cane Corsi. And it can be nearly impossible to determine which characteristics a puppy may develop as an adult, making solid obedience training and socialization critical to ensure you have a well-behaved adult dog no matter which traits they inherit.

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes make wonderful companions for active families who have high activity needs. Most do best with experienced dog owners since dogs with Cane Corso lineage are sometimes more challenging to train. But well-trained Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes hit the pet sweet spot in several ways. They’re often incredibly gentle with children and loving toward family members.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

It depends on the dog and the circumstances with hybrid pets. Cane Corsi are large dogs with high prey drives and assertive tendencies. Without good training, many are inclined to chase smaller animals like cats and to display aggression toward other dogs. On the other hand, Golden Retrievers often fall in love with everyone, including family cats. However, without early socialization, some may be inclined to chase smaller critters. Most Retrievers do well with other dogs and enjoy interacting with animals in canine-friendly settings.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Golden Retriever Mix:

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes don’t have special care or maintenance requirements, making them generally easy pets to own. However, they need lots of physical activity, and consistent reward-based training is essential to ensuring they exhibit controlled behavior around new people in novel situations.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes do best when eating high-quality diets consisting of approximately 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. They also need nutrients such as vitamins A and E and minerals like magnesium and copper. Some evidence suggests that Golden Retrievers may be at increased risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a potentially fatal heart condition, when fed grain-free diets. Consider speaking with your veterinarian before giving your Cane Corso Golden Retriever mix grain-free food.

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes often do well when eating diets formulated for large dogs. Special care should be taken when feeding puppies to ensure they don’t grow too fast, which can increase their chance of developing joint conditions like hip dysplasia and osteochondritis dissecans. Joint-friendly supplements may also help but check with your veterinarian before adding anything to your pet’s diet.

Exercise 🐕

Cane Corsi usually need at least 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise, and most Golden Retrievers require close to 2 hours of daily physical activity, so be prepared to spend a reasonable amount of time exercising your pet. Most Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes enjoy at least two good daily walks, along with a nice bit of playtime. It’s possible to jog or hike with Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes. Although some larger pets may not have a ton of stamina, it’s usually possible to run a few miles with most Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes with patience and training. Pets with joint conditions typically do best with low-impact activities such as walking and swimming.

Training 🦮

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes are extraordinarily trainable; they’re smart, eager to please, and used to having jobs to do! Golden Retrievers tend to be some of the easiest dogs in the canine world to train due to their loyalty and innate desire to please. Cane Corsi are smart but have a reputation for stubbornness and often do best with experienced dog owners. Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes are usually incredibly loyal, and those with the eager-to-please natures of Golden Retrievers are generally easier to train.

Positive training methods work best with all dogs. Punishment often increases stress and aggression in dogs, making it a less-than-ideal choice for pets with assertive tendencies. Early socialization is vital to keeping cat chasing and territoriality under control. Puppies can start working on basic obedience skills as young as 8 weeks old.

Grooming ✂️

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes require regular brushing. Cane Corsi and Golden Retrievers have double coats and shed all year. Weekly or twice weekly brushing is usually sufficient outside of high-shedding periods. Be prepared for daily grooming during shedding season if your pet has a more Golden Retriever-like coat. Bathing may help remove some excess hair when the shedding gets serious, but Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes only require baths as needed. Dogs with large, floppy Golden Retriever-like ears often benefit from regular ear cleaning and need to have their teeth brushed at least three times a week and their nails clipped around once a month.

• Related Read: 11 Best Dry Dog Shampoos

Health and Conditions ❤️

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mix dogs can suffer from conditions commonly seen in both parent breeds, making it critical to work with a reputable breeder to increase your chances of adopting a healthy dog. Cane Corsi are relatively healthy, although they tend to put on weight easily, and many suffer from eye conditions such as entropion and cherry eye.

Idiopathic epilepsy is another concern. Golden Retrievers are at increased risk for several serious conditions, including lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma (HSA), subaortic valvular stenosis (SAS), and nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy (nutritional DCM). They are also predisposed to allergies, often linked to skin and ear infections. Golden Retrievers can contract eye conditions such as pigmentary uveitis and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), both of which can lead to blindness.

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes are also at increased risk of developing joint conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best ways to decrease your pet’s risk of developing a joint disease, particularly later in life. As large dogs with deep chests, Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes are also at increased risk of developing gastric dilation-volvulus or bloat.

Male vs Female

Male Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes are usually a few inches taller and about 10 pounds heavier than their female counterparts. They also can be more aggressive than female dogs. It’s often difficult to predict how a growing dog’s personality will turn out, which makes early, committed training a must with these pets.

Final Thoughts

Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes make perfect companions. They’re intelligent, loyal, and loving. They’re extraordinarily devoted to and gentle with children, particularly those they spend lots of time around. However, these dogs aren’t the right choice for every family, as they’re quite large and require a fair amount of exercise. They often thrive in families where they receive lots of attention and have several companions to play with.

While Cane Corsi is relatively healthy, Golden Retrievers can suffer from several conditions, including lymphoma and aortic stenosis, which can be passed down to Cane Corso Golden Retriever hybrids. They’re also prone to developing joint diseases. Good training is essential for Cane Corso Golden Retriever mixes, but they’re often reasonably easy to train due to their easy-going, people-pleasing natures. Most thrive with reward-based training packed with positivity.

Related Read:

• Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts
• Cane Corso St. Bernard Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

---

Featured Image Credit: Cane Corso- Hoika Mikhail, Shutterstock; Golden Retriever- Justin Aikin, Unsplash