Cane Corso Shar-Pei Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

Hybrid dog breeds are becoming increasingly more popular as time goes on, but there are a few breeds that aren’t that well-known. The Cane Corso Shar-Pei—also known as the Shar Cane—is a mix of two similar breeds, the Cane Corso and the Chinese Shar-Pei.

Although these dogs have different origins, the puppies are just as loyal, protective, and affectionate as their parents, and this guide will tell you more about them.

Cane Corso Shar-Pei Mix Puppies — Before You Buy…

The 3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Shar-Pei Mix

Designer breeds are still new, and due to their limited history, the Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix isn’t that well-known. But there are a few interesting facts about their ancestry that you might find intriguing.

1. The Puppies Take After Either One of Their Parents

If you have a pedigree Cane Corso or Chinese Shar-Pei puppy, you can be certain about how they’ll look and how their personality will develop. The Cane Corso will be intelligent and affectionate and the Shar-Pei independent but loyal.

When it comes to hybrid breeds, though, the puppies can take after one parent or the other or be a quirky mix of both. There is currently no standard for Cane Corso Shar-Pei puppies, so the appearance and temperament of individual hybrids can vary. While one puppy might look like a perfect mix of the Cane Corso and the Chinese Shar-Pei, another might look more like one or the other.

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2. The Cane Corso Shar-Pei Mix Are Descended From Lion Fighters

At first glance, Cane Corso Shar-Pei puppies might not look like much. They might have the majestic appearance of the Cane Corso or the regality of the Chinese Shar-Pei as adults, but before they’re grown, they just look adorable. If your hybrid puppy takes more after their Shar-Pei parent, they’ll likely be much smaller than the warrior-like Cane Corso.

This first impression can be misleading, but due to the Cane Corso parent, Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix puppies are descended from a line of lion fighters that can be traced back to the Colosseum in ancient Rome

Before they began working on farms, Cane Corsi were bred for war. They were used to invoke fear in Rome’s enemies and break through enemy lines, and they also fought in the Colosseum against gladiators and other animals, like lions.

The Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix might not be capable of fighting lions themselves, but their warrior blood will ensure that they’re ready for anything!

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3. They Almost Didn’t Exist At All

These days, both the Cane Corso and the Shar-Pei are firm favorites in the U.S.A., and their mixed breed puppies are becoming just as popular. They weren’t always so popular, though; both breeds were almost made extinct in the mid-20th century.

The Cane Corso was almost lost due to civil unrest and the introduction of mechanized farming in Italy during the early 1900s. Although they had been a familiar sight on farms since the 5th century, the sudden changes almost made these dogs obsolete.

Similarly, the Chinese Shar-Pei suffered from the systematic slaughtering of pedigree dogs during the middle of the 20^th century. With the Communist regime frowning on dog ownership, many Chinese breeds came close to being wiped out.

Fortunately, there were enough survivors of Cane Corsi in Italy’s backcountry and Shar-Pei in Hong Kong and Taiwan that dedicated breeders managed to bring both dogs back into popularity.

Cane Corso

Descended from the Mollosus dogs of ancient Greece, the Cane Corso (plural: Cane Corsi) was revered during the age of the Roman Empire for their fierce countenance and loyalty to soldiers. After conquering the Greek islands, the Romans began breeding Cane Corsi as war dogs, and they were larger and more muscular than the ones that we know today. After the Empire dissolved, Cane Corsi became farm dogs, similar to the Shar-Pei.

Chinese Shar-Pei

The soft, wrinkled look of the Chinese Shar-Pei might set them apart from the fierce Cane Corso, but they were considered just as important in China’s history. Although the Shar-Pei wasn’t bred for war, they found their place among the peasantry by guarding livestock during the Han Dynasty. They are just as loyal and vigilant as the Cane Corso.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Shar-Pei Mix 🧠

The Cane Corso and Chinese Shar-Pei have similar temperaments. They’re loyal, affectionate, and incredibly vigilant. Both are also incredibly intelligent, which makes them curious about their surroundings.

Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix puppies are just as inquisitive, watchful, and loyal as their parents. They are relatively easy to train but can be stubborn and willful, requiring an experienced dog owner who is familiar with working with dominant dog breeds.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Like their parent breeds, the Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix can be a loyal and steadfast addition to a family. They are big dogs, though, even if they take after the smaller Chinese Shar-Pei, and it’s easy to misjudge their size and weight. You’ll need to teach them how to control their excitement and energy inside the house and around children.

The puppies take after the affectionate Cane Corso and Shar-Pei and adore being around their people. Their natural wariness can make them uncertain around strangers, though, so make sure to train them at home or in an obedience class. Training your puppy yourself will help them see you as family and understand who is in charge.

Young children should always be taught the correct way to approach dogs and should be monitored around larger animals just in case the game gets too boisterous.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Although the Cane Corso and Chinese Shar-Pei are fiercely loyal to their family, they’re incredibly standoffish toward strangers. This goes for other animals too, which is why proper socialization is a must.

As a mix of these two guardian breeds, the Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix isn’t likely to hurt another pet in the household if they grow up with the pet in question. However, you should still teach them how to behave around other animals and slowly introduce them to new four-legged members of the family.

Given time to adjust to a new family member and taught how to handle their natural wariness, these dogs will be affectionate and protective of other animals in the house too.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Shar-Pei Mix

The Cane Corso and the Shar-Pei are popular among many dog owners, but their mixed puppies aren’t quite as well-known. It can be difficult to find information on how to take care of the Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix simply because of how different each puppy can be. Here are a few tips on how to properly care for this hybrid breed.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

As with all dog breeds, the Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix will do best on a high-quality diet of commercial dog food. They can also do well on a homemade diet provided that you follow nutritional advice from your veterinarian and ensure that the meals that you create are suitable for your dog’s age.

The Cane Corso is prone to developing bloat, so their mixed-breed puppies might be susceptible to this condition too. Take steps to avoid it by feeding your dog small meals throughout the day and putting off exercise for at least an hour after they eat.

You should also carefully adjust their meals based on how many treats they eat and their activity levels to ensure a healthy, balanced diet and to avoid obesity.

Exercise 🐕

The Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix isn’t a dog for the faint of heart. Since they’re descended from two working breeds, they’ll need a great deal of exercise to keep them happy and prevent boredom. The amount of exercise that your puppy will need can vary.

If they take after their Cane Corso parent, your puppy will likely need a long, brisk walk or run twice a day, as well as a job to do. The Shar-Pei is calmer and more adaptable and can do well in apartments with short, frequent walks or active owners.

Both dog breeds do well in obedience, agility, tracking, protection sports, and other activities, such as hiking along your favorite trails. Your mixed puppy will be the same way. The right amount of exercise will keep their mind active and curtail any destructive or stubborn tendencies.

Training 🦮

Socialization is important for all dogs but especially the Cane Corso and the Shar-Pei. Both breeds are naturally friendly to their family but are wary of strangers due to their protective instincts. For either breed, you need to start socializing them as early as possible to teach them how to behave around strangers and other animals.

Descended from two loyal guardians, your Cane Corso Shar-Pei puppy will also need to learn how to control their protective instincts. The earlier that you socialize them and teach them obedience, the better adjusted and more well-behaved they’ll be in all sorts of situations.

They can be stubborn and strong-willed, however, due to the intelligence and willful natures of the Cane Corso and the Shar-Pei. Given the chance, these puppies will figure out their own way of doing things and walk all over you.

These dogs benefit from an experienced dog owner and might be too stubborn for new trainers. You need to be consistent and firm when you’re training your puppy and offer plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior. To build a strong bond, you should train them yourself rather than send them off to a training facility.

Grooming ✂️

Your Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix puppy’s coat can vary greatly, from the short but thick double-coat of the Cane Corso to the easily maintained single coat of the Shar-Pei. The type of coat that they have will determine how much grooming you’ll need to do.

The Cane Corso requires a great deal of grooming throughout the year to control their shedding. A good brushing session once or twice a week—or more during the shedding season—is usually enough. In comparison, the Shar-Pei only needs a quick weekly once-over. The hybrid breed can be anywhere between the two, and you’ll need to pay close attention to how much they shed and the thickness of their coat to determine the best routine.

You should also set aside time to regularly trim their claws, clean their ears, and brush their teeth. A dedicated grooming routine should be introduced to your Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix from a young age.

• See Also: 11 Best Dry Dog Shampoos

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Cane Corso and the Shar-Pei are relatively healthy breeds. Their mixed puppies benefit from the good health of their parents and their resistance to certain disorders. However, Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix puppies can be susceptible to the same medical issues common to both breeds.

Always do background checks on the breeders you visit to make sure the puppies and their parents are as healthy as possible.

Male vs. Female

There isn’t much difference between male and female Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix dogs. They share the same vigilant and protective natures of their parent breeds, as well as their intelligence and big hearts. Like most dog breeds, though, the males tend to be more playful and affectionate than the females, which are more likely to challenge your authority and appreciate having time to themselves.

Before making a decision based on your dog’s sex, take the time to meet the puppy that you’re interested in. Spend time getting to know them to learn whether their personality—male or female—will suit your home and your family.

Conclusion

The Cane Corso and the Chinese Shar-Pei might have originated in two different countries, but the breeds share many of the same traits. They’re both naturally loyal, protective, and affectionate, with a fondness for family and a wariness of strangers. But the mix of the two, the Cane Corso Shar-Pei, isn’t as well-known. You might have difficulty tracking down breeders of these dogs or finding them in shelters.

However, if you do manage to welcome a Cane Corso Shar-Pei mix into your home, you can be sure they’ll be just as loving as their parent breeds. There’s currently no standard for their appearance, so your puppy might take after their shorter Shar-Pei parent, be as tall as the Cane Corso, or be a blend of the two. No matter what they look like, though, they’ll be a loving and devoted addition to your family.

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Featured Image Credit: (L) Nynke van Holten, Shutterstock | (R) Waldemar Dabrowski, Shutterstock