Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff Mix: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
Click Below to Skip Ahead
Some folks are deeply interested in power breeds—like both the Cane Corso and Neapolitan Mastiff. It’s no wonder. This uniquely built specimen with drooping jowls is a sight to behold. While you can probably imagine the combination, what can you expect with personality and genetics?
Here, we will discuss the Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff in detail to see if this combo strikes your attention.
| Height: | 23–30 inches |
| Weight: | 90–150 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8–12 years |
| Colors: | Black, brindle, tawny, blue, fawn |
| Suitable for: | Active families, those looking for a low-shedding dog |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, stable, reserved, loyal |
The Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff mix takes on the traits of both parent breeds. These dogs tend to be very relaxed but protective. They can have very good discernment but require guidance. If you are familiar with them already, you can likely imagine what this power duo can achieve.
Right off the bat, we want to explain that these dogs are not for the faint of heart. An experienced owner with a firm understanding of each breed would work best. Let’s learn more!
Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff Mix Characteristics
Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff Mix Puppies
This breed can vary drastically in price because there are no real regulations. These hybrids are considered mixed breeds, meaning that they have no AKC backing. However, you should expect to spend between $500 and $800 for a Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff mix.
Because this is a hybrid, you must be very careful when purchasing a puppy from a breeder. Chances are, these breeders are not licensed, and they don’t have any real business breeding dogs. If that’s the case, backyard breeding practices can be an issue.
This is when dogs practically live in squalor and do not receive proper vetting during pregnancy or after birth. This can cause some mental and physical health issues to develop later in life.
The good thing is that you can easily get a Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff mix from a rescue or shelter. Since these dogs are relatively common, you can find a pup needing a second chance at life. If you plan to rescue or adopt, it also takes out most of the upfront vet costs.
Most dogs from a shelter come fully vetted with vaccinations, flea treatment, and dewormer. They will also be spayed or neutered and microchipped before coming home. If the puppy is too young to spay or neuter, you will likely have to sign a contract to return for the surgery when they are old enough.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff Mix 🧠
The Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff mix is a brilliant combo. The Neapolitan Mastiff tends to be relaxed and calm, while the Cane Corso is a higher-energy dog, but not by an extreme margin. Combining these two gives you the perfect balance of both worlds.
Not only will you have a wonderfully wrinkly dog that lives for your affection, but you will also have a family protector beaming with loyalty. This mix can learn just about anything you have the patience to teach—from basic commands to advanced tricks.
This particular hybrid can be challenging for first-time owners. Not only will you have a massive dog on your hands, but they can be slightly stubborn at times. Developing the proper pecking order and establishing the hierarchy can be difficult for some.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
If you are looking for a fierce protector who will loyally protect your home at every turn, this might be the hybrid mix you need. The Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff mix was built to defend their homestead.
In addition to their protective instincts, they make amazing companions all the way around the board. They are gentle enough to be around small children, permitting they received proper training.
As puppies, they might take a while to grow into their feet, which can pose hazards around tiny children or toddlers. However, if you have experience, you could navigate around that and know the two will be best buddies in no time.
Remember that no dog should ever be left around children for any time unsupervised. Accidents and misunderstandings can happen, which is why an adult must always be around to mediate.
This breed can be somewhat territorial around strangers. So, if you have company over, they might have to warm up to them first. Proper introductions are crucial.
If you’re not a fan of slobber, there might be a better breed for you. Both the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Cane Corso are notorious for their high saliva production. While this can be manageable in some situations, it can be a real turnoff for some families.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
If this breed is raised alongside other pets, they do very well. However, these dogs can be very territorial and aggressive if they don’t have the proper upbringing or training. It’s best to acclimate them as early as possible with as many different faces as possible.
This particular breed might never do well with smaller farm animals, like chickens. And they certainly should never be trusted with smaller animals that could easily fall victim to a bad situation. That means, no matter how curious they might be to see your hamster or guinea pig, it’s best to keep them always separate.
This breed might have a bit of a dominance complex with other dogs. Since both of these breeds tend to be dominant on their own, it can cause same-sex aggression and other behavioral issues between the ranks. These behaviors are usually easily corrected but may require professional training.
Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
This particular hybrid will require a high-protein, calorie-rich dog food. Any recipe you choose should be high quality with traceable ingredients. While this specific breed has no diet restrictions right off the bat, there are different areas to consider here.
If you go the traditional wet or dry kibble route, always look for top-of-the-line dog foods without artificial flavors or preservatives. Some pet owners are switching focus to fresher, more natural recipes.
Many subscription-based services exist that tailor each recipe to match the needs of your particular canine. These recipes are shipped frozen and arrive right at your front door. Many owners would agree that this cuts out a lot of the time-consuming work it takes to replace dog food.
Ultimately, you and your vet should decide the best diet for your pooch.
Exercise 🐕
This particular breed will have a decent amount of energy, but they tend to be very relaxed as well. While this dog needs plenty of stimulation mentally and physically, they are pretty content snoozing on the sofa or lounging on the front porch.
On average, these dogs should get about 60 minutes of exercise every day. You can break this up into different intervals throughout the day, combining walks, games, and agility activities.
Training 🎾
Training this hybrid should be a cinch. This very devoted breed might be a little headstrong at times, but they are eager to please their owners. Training will be essential as well due to the breed’s particular quirks.
Both of these dogs take guarding and protection very seriously. You’ll want to ensure this is channeled correctly so your dog does not have to make potentially incorrect judgment calls.
If you find you’re having a bit of difficulty training this particular breed, you can always reach out to a professional for guidance. You can find resources both in line and in person. Some professionals take your dog for some time to teach them the basics, while others require that you participate throughout the classes.
Grooming ✂️
Grooming this hybrid mix should be relatively easy. They each have short coats, lending for easy brushing and debris removal. On average, you should give this dog a bath head to toe once every 4 to 6 weeks.
Be careful not to over-bathe, as these dogs can have very sensitive skin and require their natural oils for optimal coat conditions. Always have brushes on hand for fur maintenance, too.
Health and Conditions 🏥
When you get your puppy, they will get to know their vet quite a bit in the first year of life. From routine vaccinations to spay and neuter surgery, most of your costs for a while will be during this time frame.
After that, your healthy adult hybrid should see their veterinarian annually. If you keep up with routine vet visits, you can stay ahead of any potentially developing health issues along the way.
Since this is a mixed breed, puppies can take on genetic health issues from either side. To be fully aware of what you can expect, some serious and minor health conditions could plague either parent.
- Allergies
- Cherry eye
- Entropion
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Bloat
- Heart disease
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Wobblers disease
Male vs. Female
Since there is a size difference between both parent breeds, the size of the puppies can vary. In most cases, females are slightly smaller than males. But since this is a mixed breed, some females might be bigger than their male counterparts.
As far as personality is concerned, both can be serious and protective, but a bit more aggression is found in males. In most cases, these aggressive tendencies can be curbed with proper training.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff Mix
1. Both Parent Breeds are from Italy.
Interestingly, both the impressive Cane Corso and the gigantic Neapolitan Mastiff hail from Italy. The Cane Corso is much older, with an unknown precise date of origin in Rome. The Neapolitan Mastiff was started in 1947 by breeder Piero Scanziani in central Italy.
2. Parent Breeds Have Similar Temperaments.
Even though Cane Corsos tend to be slightly more energetic than the Neapolitan Mastiff, their energy levels are very similar.
3. A Neapolitan Mastiff Was a Star!
Are any Harry Potter fans out there? If so, you might not have noticed that Hagrid’s dog Fang is a Neapolitan Mastiff. This gentle giant perfectly depicts the lackadaisical approach you can expect from a dog of this breed.
Final Words
Having a hybrid of the Cane Corso and Neapolitan Mastiff can be so rewarding for the right family. Keep in mind that these dogs won’t be for everybody. They are very large, not matching some housing weight requirements for pets.
Since they can be considered aggressive in some areas, there might also be breed restrictions in certain forms of housing. Remember, buy from a responsible and reputable breeder. You may also find this combination at your local rescue shelter, so be sure to check out all of your options.
Featured Image Credit: Left – Urszula Drab, Shutterstock | Right – Mary Swift, Shutterstock
