Cane Corso Pug Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

The Cane Corso Pug is a fairly uncommon mixed breed dog. Due to their rarity, not much is known about this breed. However, both the Cane Corso and Pug are much older breeds. So, we can predict Cane Corso Pugs’ sizes, lifespans, and temperaments based on the information we already have on their parents.

Owners of Cane Corso Pugs can expect a loyal and playful companion. Their sizes will vary, but you can expect these dogs to be better suited for families with older children, as Cane Corso Pugs can grow large and accidentally knock down small children.

Training a Cane Corso Pug can be challenging, so it’s not a breed recommended for first-time dog owners. It’s extremely important for dog owners to be well-informed about Cane Corso Pugs to ensure they can provide a happy and healthy home for them. Here’s all you need to know about these dogs.

Cane Corso Pug Mix Characteristics

Cane Corso Pug Puppies

It will be difficult to find breeders that specifically breed Cane Corso Pugs, and you may have better luck finding Cane Corso mixed breeds in Cane Corso rescues or pet adoption centers. Dog adoptions can costs can vary, depending on the facility. Puppies also tend to be more expensive than older dogs.

Both Cane Corsos and Pugs are purebred dogs that are often sold at higher prices, depending on their pedigree. Because Cane Corso Pugs are mixed breed and cannot enter into any dog shows, they’re usually bred as companion dogs.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Pug

Overall, Cane Corso Pugs are intelligent dogs. However, they can have an independent streak and may be difficult to train at first. So, they’re recommended for experienced dog owners that can provide firm and consistent training.

Cane Corso Pugs require an owner that they can trust and respect, or else they’ll resort to taking the lead, and untrained dogs will quickly become out of control. Once you earn a Cane Corso Pug’s trust, you’ll earn its loyalty and attentiveness. Cane Corso Pugs that receive early training and socialization often become quick learners and are easy to train.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Cane Corso Pugs are deeply devoted to their families and make wonderful family dogs. However, due to their large size and muscular build, they may not be the safest for smaller children. Cane Corso Pugs love to play and can unintentionally knock down smaller children.

With early socialization, a Cane Corso Pug can be patient with children and become an active member of the family. These dogs can also inherit a strong protective instinct from their Cane Corso parent and become loyal watch dogs.

While they’re not unfriendly to strangers, Cane Corso Pugs prefer being with their family and may show disinterest in strangers and acquaintances. They won’t do well if they’re consistently left home alone for long hours and would rather spend all day with their favorite people.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Cane Corso Pugs can learn to get along with other dogs if they’ve been properly socialized. However, these dogs often do best being the only pet in the home. They can also have a strong prey drive, So, owners have to be prepared for the fact that a Cane Corso Pug may never be fully trusted to be unsupervised with other pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Pug:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Cane Corso Pugs can have large appetites, and many will benefit from a high-quality, high-protein diet if they’re particularly active.

Pugs can be prone to allergies, so if your Cane Corso Pug takes on more characteristics of Pugs, it may benefit from a limited-ingredient diet with ingredients that are easy for dogs to digest. Dogs that have food allergies have an easier time digesting diets that use novelty meat, like duck and lamb. Cane Corso Pugs may also benefit from foods high in omega fatty acids, which can help nourish their skin and coat and prevent dryness, inflammation, and itchiness.

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Exercise 🐕

Cane Corso Pugs are typically high-energy dogs. Cane Corsos are working dogs that enjoy having a job. So, it’s important to keep your Cane Corso Pug active. Bored and unstimulated Cane Corso Pugs can easily resort to destructive behaviors and completely tear down a house if left unsupervised on their own.

These dogs will benefit from at least an hour of physical activity. They’ll enjoy walks, hikes, or running around in a fenced yard. As intelligent dogs, they’ll also need daily mental stimulation. You can incorporate enrichment activities, like treat dispenser puzzles, into the dog’s routine. Cane Corso Pugs can also enjoy participating in agility, tracking, and dock diving events.

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Training 🎾

Cane Corso Pugs can be difficult to train in the beginning, especially when they’re young and energetic puppies. They do best when training is brief and fun. So, make sure to keep training sessions short, and offer plenty of praise and rewards to keep the dog interested and motivated.

You may also benefit from working with a dog trainer with experience in training guard dogs and working dogs. Trainers can help you get a better understanding of dog behavior and find what best motivates your dog to engage in training.

Once you establish a strong foundation in obedience training, a Cane Corso Pug becomes highly attentive and eager to please. So, training these dogs becomes easier with some time, patience, and consistency.

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Grooming ✂️

Cane Corso Pugs have relatively easy grooming requirements. They’ll benefit from occasional brushing with a bristle brush. A bristle brush can help remove loose and dead hair and debris, and it can also help distribute natural oils throughout the entire coat.

These dogs won’t need frequent baths. In fact, their skin is prone to drying out, so too many baths can end up causing their skin to become dry and flaky and their coat to become brittle and coarse.

Because Cane Corso Pugs can have folds around their face and skin, it’s important for dog owners to keep these areas clean and dry. Trapped food or moisture between the folds can lead to skin infections.

• See Also: 11 Best Dry Dog Shampoos

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Health & Conditions 🏥

In general, Cane Corso Pugs are healthy dogs. However, they can be predisposed to some health conditions, particularly hip dysplasia, eyelid abnormalities, and bloat. Pugs can also be sensitive to some vaccines, so it’s important to inform veterinarians that your dog is a Pug mix. Here are some health issues a Cane Corso Pug can develop as it ages.

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Male vs Female

There isn’t sufficient evidence of any significant difference between male and female Cane Corso Pugs. Females may be slightly smaller in size, but there isn’t much distinction in male and female temperaments.

You may notice a behavioral change between dogs that have been spayed or neutered and unneutered dogs. Unaltered dogs may act more aggressively and be more difficult to housetrain as they act on their breeding instincts. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered may be less likely to roam because they won’t be searching for a mate.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Pug

1. Cane Corso Pugs are a mix of working breeds & companion breeds.

Cane Corsos are working breeds that used to work on farms. Due to their sheer size, they could herd larger animals, like cattle and swine. Even today, Cane Corsos do best when they have some sort of job assigned to them. They have a strong work ethic and enough stamina to keep working throughout the day.

In contrast, Pugs are companion dogs that love nothing more than being lap dogs. They can be playful and entertaining and aren’t known to shy away from the spotlight. They’re used to royal treatment and enjoy receiving attention and getting pampered. Many pugs can become successful therapy dogs and volunteer to visit hospitals and nursing homes to bring smiles to people’s faces.

2. Cane Corsos and Pugs are both old dog breeds.

Cane Corsos and Pugs have a long and rich history of living alongside humans. Pugs were considered royal dogs and were often pets to royal families in China. These dogs lived in luxury and were even guarded by soldiers.

It’s believed that Cane Corsos are descendants of Roman war dogs. They eventually became working dogs that were bred to guard and help farmers maintain their properties. They could also herd and hunt and became well-rounded dogs that became very capable farmhands.

3. The temperament of Cane Corso Pugs can be unpredictable.

Because of the contrasting backgrounds and personalities of Cane Corsos and Pugs, it’s difficult to predict Cane Corso Pugs’ personalities. They can be extremely playful and friendly, or they can be more serious and hardworking. They can also be a mix of both.

How a Cane Corso Pug is raised and trained will also impact its behavior and personality. It’s best to work on socialization and training as soon as possible to ensure that your Cane Corso Pug learns to be non-aggressive with other dogs and becomes a trustworthy member of your family.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Cane Corso Pugs make wonderful companions and family dogs for families that can match their high energy and provide consistent training. Cane Corso Pugs can be unpredictable as their sizes and temperaments may vary. So, they’re not recommended for apartment living and do best in single-family homes with a fully fenced yard. They’re also best for experienced dog owners that are flexible and ready to face surprises.

With proper training and socialization, Cane Corso Pug owners will be met with a loving and loyal companion. So, if you have experience caring for dogs and have a good understanding of dog behavior, a Cane Corso Pug may be a great fit for you.

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Featured Photo Credit: Left: Cane Corso: GALINA TARASENKO, Shutterstock; Right – Pug Steshka Willems, Pexels