Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

Like many other large dog breeds, the Cane Corso actually descended from the Tibetan Mastiff over a thousand years ago. Since then, they’ve been geographically distinct but serving similar purposes. While the Cane Corso defended Italian estates, the Tibetan Mastiff kept watch over Buddhist monasteries. The American Kennel Club classifies both breeds in the working group.

It seems natural that these two ancient breeds were eventually destined to reunite in the Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff mix. Given the rarity of this new combination, there’s no cute mixed breed name like Cockapoo for a Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix, but they’re certain to win over the hearts of anyone who likes either parent breed.

Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Puppies

The Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix puppy is a perfect choice for any family or individual who is looking for a protective and loyal companion since this dog is bred to guard and hunt. This breed will bloom in cooler areas due to their double coat, so the colder the weather the better.  Although they are not as smart as other breeds they are popular for their calm and courageous demeanor. Also, prepare to stock up on a lot of dog food to keep this puppy healthy and happy since they will grow a lot!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

If you have the opportunity to adopt a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff, you should know that it’s an excellent mix of two ancient breeds. They love their own, although they might not get along well with unfamiliar people due to their strong guarding nature. This dog tends to be gentle towards their family and may develop a protective attitude, especially around little children.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Since they have a relaxed demeanor, Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs generally won’t have a problem welcoming another dog into the family. However, you might want to avoid having two males under the same roof because they can develop dominance issues.

It might be best to avoid bringing a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff into a home with cats. The Cane Corso is bred to hunt and kill, which may make them an unsafe choice for a feline-friendly house. Of course, every dog is different. If they’ve been socialized and raised with cats from a young age, you might not have a problem.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff:

Food & Diet Requirements🦴

The Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff can easily surpass 100 pounds, so prepare to stock up on a lot of dog food. A balanced recipe with high quality ingredients can greatly improve your dog’s quality of life, so you shouldn’t skimp on the nutrition because of the expense. Instead, you’ll need to factor the price of dog food into your budget when deciding whether to adopt this breed.

Exercise 🐈

Bred to guard and hunt, the Cane Corso needs a vigorous hour or two of romping per day to satisfy their physical needs. An open field where they can run unhindered works best, so a large backyard is an ideal home for this large breed. The Tibetan Mastiff is a bit more reserved. Since they spent most of their days at the monastery secured on a tether, they don’t have the athletic requirements of the Cane Corso.  Unstructured play is the most efficient way to exercise your Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff. This dog will thrive on being allowed to nose around the yard for an hour or so rather than being forced to jump through hoops or chase frisbees.

Training 🎾

Both of the parent breeds have an average to high intelligence. The Tibetan Mastiff’s easy-going demeanor does come with a stubborn streak, however, and they may not be as adept at learning as some breeds. Given a little patience, it shouldn’t take too long to potty train your Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff, but it’s best to begin as early as possible.

Grooming ✂️

The double coats of the Cane Corso and Tibetan Mastiff shed throughout the year, but more so in the late spring months when they’ll “blow” their winter undercoat. During this time, you might have to brush their fur and clean your house more often than usual. Other than that, the Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff is relatively easy to maintain. Weekly or biweekly brushing coupled with a bath every 6-8 weeks should keep their coat healthy and shiny. Like with all dogs, daily toothbrushing is encouraged to keep them in prime oral health, and they’ll need nail trims as needed.

Health and Conditions 🏥

While they’re considered a healthy breed, you should be aware of a few health issues that the Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff could face. For the most part, though, they aren’t breed-specific.

Male vs Female

Size tips the scale between males and females. While both genders of some dog breeds are similarly sized, a female Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff can weigh only half of their male counterpart. The breed standard starts at 70 pounds for females and can go up to 150 pounds for males. There are reports of purebred male Tibetan Mastiffs who have weighed an upwards of 180 pounds, so there could be a striking difference between a petite female who was the runt and a muscular male who was the leader of their litter.

As far as personality goes, male dogs tend to form closer bonds with their female humans, and vice versa. However, that’s not always the case. Indeed, whoever holds the treat bag most frequently will probably win first place in your dog’s heart!

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff

1. The names for the Cane Corso and Tibetan Mastiff reveal a little about their traditional jobs.

In the original Latin, Cane Corso corresponds to “guardian of the courtyard.” The name “Tibetan Mastiff” is actually an English name ascribed to the Do-Kyi, which means “tied dog.” Buddhist monasteries tether Tibetan Mastiffs outside their temples to guard against intruders. While the Tibetan Mastiff isn’t a particularly aggressive dog, they’re among one of the largest breeds in the world. One bark is enough to send most people running.

2. Cream is the least common color.

According to the AKC, cream or white isn’t an acceptable color for a Cane Corso or Tibetan Mastiff. However, if you travel to their native countries, you might spot a rare white Tibetan Mastiff regally guarding a historic landmark.

3. A red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash sold for 1.5 million in 2011.

This lucky dog is the most expensive dog in the world. Big Splash was bought by a Chinese businessman for 1.5 million dollars. In China, the Tibetan Mastiff is viewed as a sign of wealth. Interestingly, Big Splash had almost grown out of his puppyhood by the time he was purchased. He was 11 months old and weighed 180 pounds.

Final Thoughts

The Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff is probably one of the hardest breeds in the world to find but can be so rewarding to raise. With an approximate 9–12-year lifespan and a relatively clean bill of health, their life expectancy is a little above average for large breeds. Given the proper care, you might even see 14 years of a happy life.

Although they form close bonds with their family, their strong guarding instinct makes them an unsuitable choice for an urban dwelling. Without social training, they might even act hostile towards strangers who encroach on the property unannounced. Otherwise, they’re very gentle creatures who would rather lounge on a rug than throw themselves in a fight. A large backyard coupled with an attentive family makes the best environment for this special dog.

See also:

• Cane Corso Bloodhound: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts
• Cane Corso Boerboel Mix Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Featured Image Credit: (L) Sbolotova, Shutterstock | (R) Anna Tronova, Shutterstock