Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts
By Jordyn Alger
Updated on
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The Cane Corso is a massive dog, weighing over 100 pounds and standing around 28 inches tall. They are powerfully built, with heavy muscles that give them an intimidating appearance. Their imposing looks alone are enough to deter even the most fearless of intruders. But the Cane Corso is much more than a daunting bodyguard. They are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate with their loved ones.
| Height: | 25–32 inches |
| Weight: | 100+ pounds |
| Lifespan: | 6–12 years |
| Colors: | Black, gray, fawn, red, blue, cream, black brindle, gray brindle, and chestnut brindle |
| Suitable for: | Highly active families that have the space for a large dog |
| Temperament: | Affectionate and intelligent, good with families, and courageous |
Few dogs can compare to the size of the mighty Cane Corso, but the Irish Wolfhound certainly can. It stands taller and weighs more than the Cane Corso, reaching 32 inches at a minimum and weighing as much as 120 pounds. Like the Cane Corso, the sheer size of the dog is enough to menace intruders, although its personality is far from fierce.
The Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix is a powerful, majestic breed. Since the Cane Corso is a vigilant protector and the Irish Wolfhound is a graceful hound dog, the combination of these remarkable breeds creates an unparalleled, mighty animal.
Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound Mix Characteristics
Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound Mix Puppies
The Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound Mix puppy is a wonderful addition to any family that is highly active and has enough space for a large dog. Affectionate and intelligent, this hybrid breed is known to be good with families and make loyal companions. Their courage and protective instincts make them great watchdogs. They are always eager to please their owners and are quick learners. With proper training and socialization, this puppy can grow up to be a well-mannered and obedient dog that is loved by everyone in the family.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound Mix
A mix between the Cane Corso and the Irish Wolfhound may have a somewhat unpredictable personality compared to purebred dogs. However, there are some general qualities that you may observe.
The Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix will likely be moderately playful and somewhat reserved. This is due to the dignified, calm nature of both parent breeds. Likewise, the Cane Corso and the Irish Wolfhound are both vigilant watchdogs, so the Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix likely will be too.
The mix is known to be intelligent, although they shouldn’t need constant mental stimulation to remain satisfied. However, they can be inquisitive and get a little mischievous sometimes. Depending on which parent the Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix takes after more, you may have a dog that never barks or a dog that barks moderately.
Overall, the Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix is a majestic, courageous breed with a calm temperament and high intelligence.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
The Cane Corso and the Irish Wolfhound are incredibly affectionate with their loved ones. They are each known to be affectionate with their family members, and you can expect the Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix to be just as doting.
The Cane Corso and Irish Wolfhound are moderately good with young children and are often willing to tolerate a young child’s antics, but they may not be as indulging as other breeds. Because of the dogs’ weight and height, careful supervision is vital when they interact with infants.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The Cane Corso can tolerate other dogs in the home, but the Irish Wolfhound tends to be more accepting of other canines. When the breeds are mixed, it can be challenging to determine just how the mix will respond to other pets. As with any powerful dog, it is important to socialize the Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix properly and introduce them gradually to new pets.
Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound Mix
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The best food for a Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix is formulated with large breeds in mind. A high-quality kibble or vet-approved diet served in large portions can provide the essential protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals the hybrid needs to stay healthy and active.
Since large-breed dogs are prone to developing bloat, it is crucial to stick to a routine feeding schedule. Any afternoon or evening meals should be fed only after the day’s exercise.
Exercise 🐕
The Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix is an active canine; both of the parents require extensive exercise. If their activity needs are not met, they may resort to destructive behaviors to try and blow off steam. Long, leashed walks are a great way to get your Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix to burn energy, although this dog will also need opportunities to run free. As a descendant of working breeds, the dog will certainly enjoy agility games and simple ones like playing fetch. Since the Irish Wolfdog has a high prey drive, it is not a good idea to let the dog roam unsupervised.
Training 🦮
The Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix is intelligent but may be difficult to train at first. The dog may try to assert itself as the boss, so you must be firm and confident to establish yourself as the leader.
Obedience training is essential for such a large and powerful dog. If you cannot keep your Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix under control, it is more likely to chase after other animals or cause accidents. Proper socialization is necessary to ensure that this dog does not become fearful or aggressive around others.
Grooming ✂️
Both the Cane Corso and the Irish Wolfhound have double coats. They will shed throughout the year, so be prepared to clean up a lot of fur. Weekly brushing is adequate when your dog is not excessively shedding, but during high-shedding seasons, you should brush the dog daily to keep its coat healthy.
Health and Conditions 🏥
- Some of the most common issues Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mixes suffer from are eye problems. They can include cherry eye, conjunctivitis, and more. While many of these conditions are minor, some can lead to blindness, so it is essential to treat them all as serious issues and speak to your vet to be safe.
- Bloat is a serious condition that can affect any breed, but it disproportionately impacts large-breed dogs like the Cane Corso and the Irish Wolfhound. This complication progresses rapidly and is lethal if not treated swiftly.
- Hip dysplasia is another condition that most commonly afflicts large-breed dogs. This complication occurs when the hip joint develops improperly, leading to dysfunction and pain in the joint. As this condition progresses, muscle atrophy and arthritis may occur.
Male vs Female
There are not many significant differences between the male and female Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mixes, but the females are smaller on average. Some people consider the female Cane Corso to be easier to train due to their less domineering nature; however, this is only sometimes true.
3 Little-Known Facts About Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound Mix
1. Irish Wolfhounds Are the Tallest Dogs in the World
Irish Wolfhounds are shockingly tall, standing at a minimum of 32 inches for males and 30 inches for females. When an Irish Wolfhound stands on its hind legs, it can stand as tall as 7 feet.
Regarding the Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix, it can be difficult to tell exactly how tall the dog will be. The Cane Corso averages 25–28 inches, so even if your Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix is on the shorter side, it will still be a large dog.
2. The Cane Corso and the Irish Wolfhound Have Ancient Roots
The Irish Wolfhound was officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1897, while the Cane Corso was only just recognized in 2010. However, both of these breeds have an extensive history.
The Cane Corso dates back to ancient Greece, where it was bred to be a warrior. After the Romans conquered the Greeks, they brought Cane Corsos back to Italy and began breeding them with Italian dogs. The breeding program continued throughout the centuries, allowing the breed to become more versatile. The Cane Corso was used as a farm dog, a guard dog, and a hunting dog.
As for the Irish Wolfhound, the earliest written record of the breed dates back to 391 A.D. In a letter between a Roman consul and his brother, the consul expresses his appreciation for his brother’s gift: Irish dogs. In the letter, he remarks that the dogs were marveled at by many in Rome.
3. Cane Corsos Have a Special Connection with Their Loved Ones
The Cane Corso is deeply attuned to the needs of its owners. They are aware of your emotions and may even think they are responsible for your mood, whether it is happy or sad.
Likewise, the Cane Corso desires your companionship at all times. They want to work alongside you through all hours of the day and may not happily accept long hours apart.
Final Thoughts
The Cane Corso and the Irish Wolfhound combined create a dignified, powerful creature. Although hybrid mixes can be unpredictable, the Cane Corso and Irish Wolfhound have enough similar qualities to make their personalities somewhat less mysterious. They are vigilant watchdogs with high intelligence that have a lot of love to give to their families.
It is not advised that a first-time dog owner bring a Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix home due to their massive size and their desire to be the boss. A more experienced dog owner will be needed to lay down the law and establish themselves as the head of the house. Training is vital for such a large and powerful breed, so there is no room for confusion about who is the leader of the home.
Both parent breeds have unique histories and incredible features that make the combination even more stunning. If you are planning on bringing home a Cane Corso Irish Wolfhound mix, you can expect to spend a large sum of money, but the majesty of this breed will make it worthwhile.
See Also:
- Irish Goldendoodle: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
- Irish Wolfadoodle: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit: Left – Cane Corso (Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock) | Right – Irish Wolfhound (DragoNika, Shutterstock)
