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Does a Cane Corso Belgian Malinois Exist? Rarity & Characteristics Explained

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

Red Malinois and black cane corso outside on grass

If you find yourself torn choosing between two of your favorite dog breeds as your new companion, why not consider finding a mix of both? If you love the protective majesty of the Cane Corso and the proud elegance of the Belgian Malinois, you might want to consider a crossbreed of the two.

But are Cane Corso Belgian Malinois mixes even available? While there are indeed Cane Corso Belgian Malinois mix dogs, they aren’t common.

Here, we look into why this mixed breed is hard to find and more information about their two gorgeous parent breeds.

Divider 7A Little History

The Cane Corso and the Belgian Malinois have a few similarities, along with obvious differences. Here, we cover each breed separately and what you might expect in a mixed breed. Let’s start by looking at what both breeds were bred to do.

Cane Corso History

The Cane Corso (plural: Cane Corsi) is an Italian breed whose earliest ancestors were found in Greece and were known as Mollosus dogs. Following the occupation of the Greek islands, the Roman Empire brought a few of these Molloser breeds back to Italy, where they were bred with Italian breeds of dogs.

They were used as war dogs initially, and by the 5th century, they were commonly used for hunting wild boar, driving livestock, and guarding henhouses and farms.

Sometime in the 20th century, the numbers of Corsi had dwindled enough that they were endangered. But Italian fanciers made sure to keep them from extinction, and the Cane Corso was eventually brought to North America by 1988.

blue brindle cane corso
Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock

Belgian Malinois History

The Belgian Malinois was originally bred near the city of Malines in Belgium, which helps explain where they got their name.

Mals were bred to be herding dogs with a focus on being excellent working dogs, so there was less of an emphasis on looks. This made the Mal well sought after by shepherds and cattlemen.

Mals were brought to North American shores in 1911, where they did quite well until World War II, when their numbers dwindled until the early 1960s. Lovers of the Belgian Malinois brought their numbers back up, and today, they are still used as herders, but they also work frequently with the military and the police.

Belgian shepherd wearing prong collar
Image Credit: Three Dogs photography, Shutterstock

divider 9Temperament

Figuring out the temperament of a mixed breed means looking at the parents. Each crossbred dog will have their own unique personality and might take after one of the parents more than the other. So, it’s helpful to understand both parents’ temperaments.

Cane Corso Temperament

The Cane Corso is highly intelligent and develops intensely strong bonds with their owners. Without proper training and socialization, their instincts can kick in, which can mean you’ll have an aggressive dog on your hands.

For this reason, they require experienced dog owners who know how to use a firm but gentle hand during the training process. Socialization is critical with these dogs because they tend to view anyone and anything outside the family and their property as potential threats.

They also tend to be bossy at times, and while they are eager to please, they also know when they want to do things their way or your way.

Belgian Malinois Temperament

Mals are friendly but wary, and like the Corso, they need a firm but gentle hand and plenty of training and socialization. They also need the right amount of exercise and attention, or they become destructive, though this is true for any dog. Mals are intelligent and confident dogs and energetic enough to need at least two long daily walks.

These two breeds are relatively easy to train because they are both eager to please, but they also need to be supervised around other dogs and young children.

Cane Corso Belgian Malinois Mix

The parents of the crossbreed are relatively similar in temperament. However, the Malinois tends to be more energetic and lighter on their feet than the Corso. Both are quite wary of people they don’t know well and are protective of their people and property.

The mixed dog will be relatively independent but will form a strong bond with their owner and enjoy spending time and being affectionate with the family.

divider 9Physical Description

Cane Corso Physical Description

The Corso is about 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighs about 88 to 120 pounds. They have a lifespan of about 9 to 12 years.

This dog has a stocky build and a massive head with powerful jaws and can come in a variety of colors, including black, fawn, gray, and red, as well as gray, black, and chestnut brindle. Their coats are quite smooth.

Belgian Malinois Physical Description

The Belgian Malinois is commonly mistaken for the German Shepherd, but they have a slimmer build and head. They are about 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh about 40 to 80 pounds. Their lifespan is 14 to 16 years.

Mals have smooth coats but shed more than Corsi. They can be fawn, mahogany, red, red sable, and fawn sable.

Belgian Malinois Close Up
Image Credit: TC_Perch, pixabay

Cane Corso Belgian Malinois Mix

The Cane Corso Belgian Malinois mix will be a large dog. They might be stocky or slender, depending on what parent they take after the most, or something in between.

divider 9Care

Cane Corso Care

These dogs need a tremendous amount of exercise, and you can expect to give them a minimum of two long walks every day. Grooming is quite easy because they have short and smooth coats, so they only need the occasional brushing and bath. They also don’t shed that much. You’ll need to feed them a large amount, though, which is only to be expected with such a large dog.

cute cane corso puppy lying outdoor
Image Credit: Sbolotova, Shutterstock

Belgian Malinois Care

Mals need a great deal of exercise and are no different from Corsi in this way. They require a bit more care, however, as they are shedders and need more frequent brushing. But their grooming is still much easier than with many other breeds.

Cane Corso Belgian Malinois Mix

The mixed dog will not differ too much from their parents in terms of their needs. They will require high-quality food for a large breed and will need a minimum of two long walks every day and the occasional brushing.

They may also suffer from separation anxiety to a degree if they are left alone for long periods of time, so they will need enough physical and mental exercise to keep them healthy and happy.

More on the Cane Corso Belgian Malinois Mix

These dogs are likely harder to find than many other hybrids due to the fact that the Cane Corso and Belgian Malinois aren’t common or popular breeds. According to the AKC, the Cane Corso is the 21st most popular dog breed, and the Malinois is the 36th. When purebred dogs aren’t commonly bred, it’s much less likely that you’ll find mixed puppies.

But if you do manage to find this specific mix, they will likely be courageous, devoted, loving, intelligent, and protective.

They will need a firm owner who will train them with patience and love and won’t allow the dog to be the one in control. Corsi are not as energetic as Mals, so the mixed breed might be more laidback.

You’ll need a house with a backyard for this breed because their size and need for exercise won’t make them suitable for apartment living. You can likely plan to give your dog intense exercise about 3 days a week and long walks on the other days.

Divider 7In Summary

It’s not impossible to find one of these hybrids, but they are rare and will prove challenging to locate.

Both the Cane Corso and the Belgian Malinois are incredible dogs that don’t resemble each other much physically, but there are similarities in temperament and the kind of care that they require.

As long as you are an experienced dog owner and feel that you can handle a large dog that is smarter than many other breeds, a Corso, a Mal, or a mix of the two might be one of the best companions that you’ll ever have.


Featured Image Credit: Grisha Bruev, Shutterstock

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