If you were trying to choose a large, protective dog breed to be a guardian for your family, you couldn’t do much better than a Pitbull Cane Corso mix. This behemoth of a dog is as much a lovable oaf as it is an intimidating figure. Born of a mixture between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Italian Cane Corso, the Cane Corso Pitbull is one of the most popular large-dog mixed-breeds today!
Image credit: dodgerblue_the_pittie
Despite having only been around for the last twenty years or so, the Cane Corso Pitbull has become a firm favorite among families seeking a larger, guardian-type dog for their home.
Pitbull Cane Corso Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 70–115 pounds |
| Height: | 22–28 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Coat colours: | Red, fawn, black, brindle. |
| Temperament: | Active, energetic, aloof (with strangers), loving, loyal, protective. |
| Suitable for: | Active families with or without children, active single individuals. |
What Does a Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Look Like?
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix, or Pit Corsos, will borrow different parts of their physical appearance from both parent breeds. Their coat colors, except for brindle, will likely be solid colors of either black, red, or fawn. You can expect your Cane Corso Pitbull mix to be roughly the same height as a Pitbull, but adopt the larger frame of the Cane Corso.
Known as gentle giants, the Cane Corso Pitbull mix will almost certainly have bright brown eyes and the Cane Corso’s double coat type. Despite this, you can expect your Cane Corso Pitbull mix to be a light shedder, year-round. Weekly brushing is a good idea to minimize the accumulation of fur.
Image credit: t.henderson
As with most mixed-dog breeds, it is almost impossible to be exact about their physical appearance – so prepare for the unexpected!
The History of the Pitbull Cane Corso Mix
As a new designer dog, the Pitbull Cane Corso mix doesn’t have an extensive history to draw from. They were likely bred sometime in the last twenty or thirty years, as designer dog breeders saw an opportunity to breed a mixture of two already-powerful breeds to create a behemoth that embodied the physical and temperamental best of both worlds.
To better understand the Pit Corso, we’ll explore both popular breeds’ histories, temperaments, popularity, and suitability. This will give insight into why the Pit Corso is becoming a popular mixed-breed pup in many family homes.
The History of the Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is an Italian Mastiff-type dog, that dates back to Ancient Rome. While not being a dog of Ancient Rome, the breed does descend from the Greek Molossus, which was an ancient Roman attack dog.
The Cane Corso was popular in Italy throughout much of the 19th century, but was almost extinct during the latter half of the 20th century. Cane Corso was survived by selectively breeding the few remaining Cane Corso’s with other dogs in Italy to preserve the breed.
The Cane Corso is a high-energy dog that requires minimal grooming but is among the largest canine breeds.
The first Cane Corso to arrive in the United States did so in 1988, and the breed remains rare in the United States today.
How Popular Are Cane Corso?
As alluded to above, the United States hasn’t long been a home for the Cane Corso. Despite this, it does surprisingly well in the annual popularity rankings. In 2021, it was the 21st most-popular dog in the United States.
Who Are Cane Corso a Good Dog For?
Cane Corsos are fantastic family pets for those with a house & yard, ideally with farmland so that the Cane Corso can be kept busy – physical exercise alongside mental stimulation is an absolute necessity for this massive dog.
For this reason, Cane Corsos are not suitable for the elderly or those living in apartments. Cane Corsos do much better in large family homes where they have space to roam.
How Did Cane Corsos Come About?
The Cane Corso’s origin story is a bit of a mystery, but it’s believed to have descended from the Greek Molossus, a Roman war dog. Cane Corsos were originally used as farming and guardian dogs for Italian farmer’s homes, renowned for their endurance, strength and intimidating stature.
The first Cane Corso did not arrive in the United States until 1988!
When Did First Cross-Breed The Cane Corso?
Given that the Cane Corso was a very late arrival into the American canine landscape, despite one of the world’s largest dog breeds, the Cane Corso has become a popular parent for hybrid breeds.
Some of the most popular Cane Corso pairings include:
- Cane Corso Great Dane Mix (Dane Corso)
- Cane Corso Boxer Mix (Corxer)
- Cane Corso Rottweiler Mix (Rotticorso)
- Cane Corso German Shepherd Mix (German Corso)
- Cane Corso Labrador Retriever Mix (Labracorso)
The History of the Pitbull
The American Pit Bull Terrier originated in England in the 19th century, bred from the Old English Bulldog and Old English Terrier, was originally bred for ‘bull-baiting’, a heinous blood sport that was popular in England from the 18th century till the early 19th-century, when it was outlawed.
The original Pit Bull Terrier breed nearly became extinct following the outlawing of bull-baiting and was only saved by being imported to the United States.
Despite its early arrival in the U.S. being littered with much the same dog-fighting blood sport that it was favored for in England, since the outlawing of dogfighting in the U.S., the American Pit Bull Terrier has become a popular companion pet and working dog for police forces across the country.
How Popular Are Pitbulls?
As companion pets, the American Pit Bull Terrier ranks as one of the country’s most popular! Unfortunately, the American Pit Bull Terrier is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, thus, no population statistics are available through that source.
However, other information indicates that the Pitbull accounts for roughly 20% of ‘strong dog’ breeds in the United States.
Who Are Pitbulls a Good Dog For?
Pitbulls are a strong, hefty animals that pull with a huge amount of force. As such, they are best kept by an experienced owner, or one who can handle their physical presence.
Pitbulls are generally good family dogs, but do well with a house & yard, as well as lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Pitbulls are not well suited for apartment living, as they can suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior.
How Did Pitbulls Come About?
The American Pit Bull Terrier was first introduced to the United States between 1845 and 1860, when their popularity levels dropped in their native England due to the outlawing of ‘bull-baiting,’ a practice for which they were most famous.
Today, the American Pit Bull operates in a legal grey area in some cities of some states, which make it illegal to own a Pitbull.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Pitbull?
Given their murky legal status, the Pitbull is often crossbred with other dogs of similar size to get around the legal quagmire.
Pitbull crossbreeding likely began in the 1990s and early 2000s. Today, some of the most popular Pitbull crosses are:
- Jack Russell Pitbull Mix (Jack-a-Pit)
- Shih Tzu Pitbull Mix (Pit Shih)
- Black Mouth Cur Pitbull Mix (Black Mouth Pit)
- French Bulldog Pitbull Mix (French Pit)
- Doberman Pitbull Mix (Doberman Pit)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
When searching for a dog, ideally you want to come across one that speaks to your heart and soul, but also the practical side of you. Matching your family’s temperament to your family’s temperament is key in building a long-lasting, loving and successful relationship between you and your dog.
Building that relationship starts with adequately researching what the temperament is of your prospective dog – or mixed-breed dog. Conducting this research will allow you to better understand the type of dog you’re welcoming into your home and whether or not this dog will likely be a good fit.
If you’re an active, outdoorsy family, you will want a dog with similar characteristics to make things easier on everyone. You don’t want to be going out hiking for a whole weekend, but leaving your new pet at home because they aren’t physically capable of joining you and getting exercise and enjoyment of their own.
Likewise, if you’re a more homely family, or have a smaller space, or have small children, you aren’t necessarily going to be comfortable bringing in a huge dog like a Alaskan Malamute, or a Siberian Husky into a space that’s not suitable for them. Or, bringing a Mastiff into a house with small children, whom it could accidentally bungle into, causing injury.
Researching the possible temperaments of the breed(s) you’re seeking to adopt or purchase will prepare you well for what’s to come.
What is the Temperament of the Pitbull Cane Corso Mix?
The Pitbull Cane Corso mix is perhaps the definition of a gentle giant. Despite the Pitbull’s reputation for aggression, the Cane Corso brings a nice balance to that side of the Pitbull. Similarly, the Pitbull’s smaller size, balances out the gigantic Corso quite well, creating a medium-sized dog.
Both of these dogs are loving and loyal pets. The Cane Corso’s guardian nature will shine through as a family companion, thus making the Pitbull Corso an excellent guard dog. Both parent breeds have a knack for energy and exercise, so expect your Pit Corso to be the same – energetic, with a need for activity!
Is The Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Friendly?
The Pit Corso may seem intimidating because of its parent breeds, but it couldn’t be a more gentle giant of a dog. Expect your Pit Corso to be slightly standoffish and suspicious among strangers but friendly and loving with those it knows.
Is The Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Easy to Train?
Cane Corso and Pitbull listen well so that you can expect the same from their mixture. However, both dogs can be fairly stubborn, too – a nose for mischief and a strong prey drive could initially make them difficult to train.
However, if you use positive reinforcement training methods rather than admonishment, your Pit Corso will be ears-wide-open in no time.
How Much Can A Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Pitbull Cane Corso mix is between 70 and 115 pounds!
How Tall Can A Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Get?
The average height of a Pitbull Cane Corso mix is between 22 and 28 inches tall.
Similar-Sized Breeds
There aren’t many similar-sized breeds to a behemoth like Cane Corsos. However, because of the medium-sized Pitbull, you get a moderately-large dog. As such, other similar-sized breeds include:
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Great Dane
- Bullmastiff
- Old English Mastiff
- Rottweiler
Does the Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Shed?
The Pit Corso will likely be a moderate shedder, with a double coat that may experience a blowout twice a year. A weekly brushing is often enough to keep the Pit Corso’s shedding under control.
How Much Exercise Does A Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Require?
Like any Molossus descendent, the Pit Corso was born to run and thus will require plenty of exercise. Expect to be walking your Corso Pitbull for at least an hour daily.
How Long Can a Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Live?
The life expectancy of a Pitbull Cane Corso mix is between 10 and 15 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Have?
- Hip Dysplasia (Hip joint inflammation)
- Gastric Dilatation-volvulus (GDV) (Bloating)
- Elbow Dysplasia (Elbow joint inflammation)
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Heart condition)
- Cherry Eye (Prolapsed third eyelid)
- Idiopathic Epilepsy (Brain disorder causing seizures)
How Can You Find a Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you start searching high and low for a Pit Corso to buy, consider instead adopting one!
These dogs often find themselves languishing in animal shelters or vet clinics, either being dumped by unethical breeders, who bred them accidentally, or because they simply didn’t work out with their former home.
If you’ve struck out in person, try looking online for a Pit Corso placed up for adoption in your local area at AdoptAPet.com.
How Much Does a Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Pitbull Cane Corso is between $1000 and $2500! This makes this mixed-breed one of the most expensive we’ll ever cover! By any stretch of the imagination, adoption prices of Pit Corso dogs are likely half of the lower end of the buying-price scale.
Choosing adoption over buying from a breeder can be a tricky decision. To help you in this process, we’ve written a guide for finding and working with reputable designer breeders, to ensure you’re not buying from a puppy mill!
Is the Pitbull Cane Corso Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’ve been looking for a loving, loyal, family-friendly pup with a protective streak and a heart of gold, look no further than the Pit Corso!
If you’re sure that a Pitbull Cane Corso isn’t the breed for you, consider reading our other breed guides to find a more suitable match.