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Cane Corso Presa Canario Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

Melissa Gunter

By Melissa Gunter

cane corso presa canario mix

Height: 22–27.5 inches
Weight: 100 – 130 pounds
Lifespan: 9–12 years
Colors: Gray, black, fawn, fawn with silver, fawn with red, fawn with brindle, brindle with brown or red
Suitable for: Experienced, active dog owners with no small children in the home
Temperament: Intelligent, stubborn, active, weary of strangers and small animals

The Cane Corso Presa Canario mix comes by breeding two dog breeds that have quite a reputation. The Cane Corso is one of the strongest dogs on the planet with a bite force of 700 PSI and a determination to protect its owner at all costs. The Presa Canario is also protective and tends to lean toward aggression when strange people and animals come around. While both of these breeds are highly intelligent, they do require a lifetime of work and training to keep them socialized and under control. When you combine them, the resulting Cane Corso Presa Canario Mix needs the same commitment from their owners but will have a loving disposition to the one they bond with.

The Cane Corso’s history is deep in fighting and protecting. This breed once fought alongside Greek soldiers. Once their war dog days were finished, they found themselves protecting their owners, livestock, and properties from anyone who’d cross them. When it comes to strangers, the Cane Corso is skeptical. They have been known to show aggression toward those they aren’t familiar with. They also have a natural prey drive that can make their relationship with small animals difficult without strong socialization training.

The Presa Canario is a symbol of the Canary Islands. They were originally used to take down wild dogs that would threaten livestock. Due to their size, aggression, and power, this breed was also forced into dog fighting. When dog fighting was finally outlawed, the breed began to decline but thankfully dedicated breeders stepped in to breed out the history of fighting.

Let’s learn more about the Cane Corso Presa Canario mix so you can decide whether this dog, and the lifetime of commitment they require, is right for you.

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Cane Corso Presa Canario Mix Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Presa Canario pup is highly intelligent, which is why it’s necessary to start training them at a young age. They can be aggressive with small animals, so you will need a lot of time commitment to effectively train them so they can be safe around other pets.

Consider spending a lot of time and energy with your Presa Canario since they need more than just daily walks. Be prepared to play with them on a daily basis and have many toys for them to avoid boredom. Keep reading the Presa Canario’s full care guide to find out how to care for them so they grow into healthy and happy dogs.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Presa Canario Mix

1. The Presa Canario is an island symbol

The Presa Canario, one of the Cane Corso Presa Canario mix parent breeds, has a history that dates back to the 15th century when these dogs were bred to protect livestock and farms from wild dogs. Spanish conquistadors brought these dogs to the Canary Islands, helping cement them as a part of the island’s thick history. Although dog fighting almost put an end to this breed, strict guidelines and careful breeders helped breathe new life back into the Presa Canario which is now an animal symbol of the Canary Islands.


2. The Cane Corso was a Greek warrior

The Cane Corso, the other parent breed of the Cane Corso Presa Canario mix, has a history that dates back to ancient Greece. Before being taken back to Italy and bred with Italian dogs, these dogs fought alongside soldiers on the battlefield. Once the battle was over, they made their way to farms to help protect livestock.


3. The Molossus dog is ancient

The Cane Corso Presa Canario mix is a Mastiff. Mastiffs descend from an ancient dog breed known as the Molossus. This ancient dog breed came from Greece and the Molosi tribe found there. The Molossus dog and the tribe itself were known for their power. Today, there are several categories of Molossus dogs including the Mastiff and bully breeds.

The parent breeds of Cane Corso Presa Canario
The parent breeds of Cane Corso Presa Canario: Left – Cane Corso (CharlitoCZ, Shutterstock) | Right – Presa Canario (volofin, Shutterstock)

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Presa Canario Mix 🧠

Bringing together the Cane Corso and the Presa Canario creates a mix that is on the higher level of intelligence in the dog world. Unfortunately, that intelligence is also accompanied by a stubborn streak that cannot be denied. This mixed breed prefers things on their terms. This is why they are best suited to experienced dog owners who are confident and concise when training.

As for temperament, the Cane Corso Presa Canario mix is very confident and takes their role as a guard dog seriously. That doesn’t mean they don’t love and respect their owners and families. They simply aren’t the types of dogs that prefer to snuggle and lounge around with their owners. Instead, they love you from a distance and show that love mostly with their protective natures.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

With proper socialization, the Cane Corso Presa Canario mix can do okay with families. However, they are large dogs that can be unpredictable. It is best to avoid having them in a home where small children live. Younger children would struggle to try to navigate these dogs and their temperament. You’d also find that with the sheer size and strength of this dog breed smaller children could easily be knocked down or injured, especially if they aren’t taught how to properly interact with a pet. In all honesty, it would be best to avoid having this mix in a home where kids are to be on the safer side.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Having a Cane Corso Presa Canario mix in a home with other pets can be hit or miss. With the Presa’s background in dog fighting, they may not mesh well with other dogs. The Cane Corso has also had issues in the past when it comes to smaller animals. To avoid potential issues and injuries, proper socialization at an early age would be a must. If you’re unsure of your Cane Corso Presa Canario Mix’s socialization skills, or if they are reactive around smaller animals, it may be best to have them as the only pets in the home.

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Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Presa Canario Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

A Cane Corso Presa Canario mix is a large dog breed. This means they are going to eat more than a small breed animal. To keep your dog happy, healthy, and away from obesity, roughly 3 cups of high-quality dog food should be given per day. This can be split into two meals, breakfast and dinner, to avoid overeating in one sitting.

The dog food you choose should be high in protein, real animal protein being preferred. You’ll also want to ensure your Cane Corso Presa Canario mix is receiving the right vitamins, minerals, healthy carbs, and fatty acids. This will help provide them with good health and a beautiful coat throughout their lives.

Exercise 🐕

Be prepared when it comes to exercise as your Cane Corso Presa Canario mix is going to require quite a bit of it. These dogs are large and muscular. They are also working dogs that need activity to avoid boredom. Due to their size, however, simply walking may not be enough for this breed. They need strenuous activities like tug-of-war, hiking, or long games of fetch. You’ll also need to offer lots of toys, especially brain-stimulating ones, for your dog to play with. These types of toys help fight boredom and let this intelligent breed show off their brain power.

Training 🦮

Training is an absolute must with the Cane Corso Presa Canario mix. Considering the background of these breeds, without proper training and socialization these dogs can become dangerous to not only strangers but their owners as well. It is understandable, however, considering they are a dog breed that strives for work and discipline. Training with this breed does not end. You’ll constantly be training and keeping your Cane Corso Presa Canario mix under control.

To train one of these dogs, you should start very early. They have a high prey drive, a need to protect, and unfortunately, the urge to fight. Your pup should be shown your intentions with clear, concise, and stern instructions. Like any breed, however, this one enjoys positive reinforcement and knowing they’ve done a good job. Treat rewards are also highly welcome and will help you get the most out of training sessions.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming is where caring for a Cane Corso Presa Canario mix is easiest. Yes, the Cane Corso has an undercoat, but they are still not heavy shedders. If your mix inherits the undercoat, no worries. They are still easy to maintain. To keep your Cane Corso Presa Canario mix well groomed, simply brush them at least once, preferably 2 to 3 times per week. This keeps tangles and mats at bay. Bathing shouldn’t be done too often. Frequent baths can dry out your dog’s skin by stripping away the natural oils. Instead, bathe your doggo when they are dirty or stinky and use mild dog-safe shampoo.

Trimming your Cane Corso Presa Canario mix’s nails once a month or when they look too long is necessary. Do this carefully and avoid cutting into the quick which can be very painful. You’ll also want to brush your pooch’s teeth a couple of times per week using a doggy toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste.

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Health and Conditions ❤️

The Cane Corso Presa Canario Mix is an overall healthy breed. When working with reputable breeders you’ll even find that they don’t suffer from tons of hereditary illnesses or issues. However, like with any breed, some things can develop.

Minor Conditions
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Panosteitis or growing pains
Serious Conditions
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy
  • Gastric torsion or bloat

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Male vs Female

Like most dog breeds, the biggest difference between males and females is the size. Male Cane Corso Presa Canario mix dogs are slightly taller and beefier than the females. When it comes to the potential for aggression and adhering to their natural prey drive, you’ll find that male Cane Corso Presa Canario mixes tend to cause more issues.

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Final Thoughts

A Cane Corso Presa Canario mixed breed dog is not for the faint of heart. These dogs are large and can be aggressive, especially if they feel they are protecting themselves or their owners. If you decide to bring one of these pets into your home you must be dedicated. They require a lifetime of training, socialization, and work to keep them under control. If you are a novice dog owner, this breed isn’t for you. When you adhere to their needs properly, this dog breed can be loyal, protective, and loving.

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Featured Image Credit: Austin James Photography, Shutterstock

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