The Cane Corso Pitbull mix is a cross between the controversial American Pitbull Terrier and the large dog breed called the Cane Corso.
The mix is also known as the American Pit Corso.
It doesn’t have a clear origin, much like other crossbreeds. What we do know is that designer breeds came into being in the 20th century.
The Pit Corso is not as popular as both parents but retains the notoriety of the Pitbull, making some wonder if it is a good idea to merge the genes of the Pit with a large dog breed.
No doubt, this breed can be demanding and needs a lot from its owner, but the fears that stem mainly from the Pitbull side may have been exaggerated.
As we will soon see, this designer breed has its advantages.
We’ve put together this guide to give you information and more on this breed.
Pit Corso Mixed Breed Information
| Height | 17 to 28 inches |
| Weight | 50 to 90 pounds |
| Lifespan | 8 to 15 years |
| Coat | Short, dense |
| Colors | Black, red, fawn, brindle |
| Temperament | Gentle, loyal, eager to please |
| Ideal For | Active and experienced owners with big space |
| Puppy Price | $1000– $1,500 |
Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Puppy Characteristics
| Health | High |
| Grooming | Low |
| Friendliness | High |
| Energy | High |
| Trainability | Medium |
Parent Breeds
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a giant that originated from Italy and was bred to be a worker.
It hunted, guarded, and worked on farms. Its ancestors were Roman war dogs like the Neapolitan Mastiff.
Etymologically, Cane Corso is derived from “canis” which stands for a dog, and “cohors” which means bodyguard.
It got into the United States in 1988 and was recognized by the AKC years later, in 2010.
This big dog breed has a weight range of 90 to 120 pounds and gains a height of 1 ft 11 inches to 2 ft 3 inches.
Its coat is short and stiff with an undercoat — expect heavy shedding twice a year.
The coat colors are usually black, fawn, red, or gray.
Its appearance is frightening with a well-built frame and broad chest.
It is an agile and athletic dog with a touch of elegance.
The Cane Corso dog breed is confident and docile when well trained.
It needs a confident owner to get it to its full potential.
It should also be in a home where no one has a phobia of dogs. It is intelligent and can cope with solitude.
American Pitbull Terrier
The American Pitbull Terrier originated in England as the Bull and Bear Terrier and participated in the bloody sports of bullbaiting.
When the latter got outlawed, dogfighting took its place.
Though it isn’t certain when this breed got into America, it was thanks to immigrants.
In America, Pitbulls began working as farm dogs. They also evolved in size, bigger than they were in England.
It was the United Kennel Club that renamed this breed the American Pitbull Terrier.
The American Kennel Club decided to recognize the breed as the American Staffordshire Terrier. The latter became a separate breed.
Pitbulls have a short, stiff coat that comes in colors like red, brown, blue, grey, black, brindle, white, etc.
It is a medium-sized breed that weighs 30 to 85 pounds with a height of 17 to 19 inches. It has a muscular frame like the Cane Corso, a thick head, a short tail, and almond eyes.
The general scare of this breed is considered unfounded because aggression against humans is a flaw, not normal behavior.
On the contrary, Pitbulls love humans and want to be around them.
Facts about the Cane Corso Pitbull Mix You Should Know
1. It requires space
The Corso Pit is not ideal for an apartment or a small space. It needs a home with a large yard where it can use up its energy.
The yard should be properly fenced to prevent this Mix from escaping. In a small environment, it may get destructive.
2. It is not advisable for first-timers
Although some first-time dog owners may fancy having a big dog that can scare intruders, this Mix is not recommended for a novice.
It is easy to please but stubborn, large, and energetic.
The newbie would not be able to give it the necessary training it needs, leading to behavioral issues.
3. It tends to be aggressive towards animals
Due to the fighting past of the Pitbull and the wariness of the Cane Corso, this hybrid is given to aggression towards other dogs.
Early socialization can help manage this, but understand that it might not be completely wiped.
4. It may be hypoallergenic
Both parents have short coats, making it likely that the offspring will be hypoallergenic.
That being said, it will shed if it has the Corso’s coat. During those periods, someone with allergies might be troubled.
5. There are some other names this breed goes by
While the popular names for this mix are the Pit Corso or the Cane Corso Pitbull mix, it also has some other names like the American Pit Corso and King Corso Pitbull.
Pit Corso Appearance
General Appearance
Having parents with muscular, athletic frames makes it highly probable that the child breed gets one too.
It is just as striking as the parents, looking a lot like a canine gymnast.
Other similar physical features appear in the mix. The floppy ears, big head, and thick neck are good examples.
It will equally have a square nose, almond eyes, and a docked tail.
Size
It is hard to predict what size this breed will have because of the difference in the size of the parents.
The Cane Corso is a large dog while the Pitbull is medium-sized. The Mix has a wide range.
Usually, it weighs 50 to 90 pounds and grows up to 28 inches tall at the shoulder.
Colors and Coat Type
The mix inherits the short and stiff coat of both parents and may shed like the Cane Corso.
Common coat colors include black, red, brindle, and fawn.
Temperament, Behavior & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Pitbull Mix
Like the Cane Corso, this breed is a gentle giant who stays loyal to its family.
If it has more Pitbull in its genes, it would be extroverted. Otherwise, it may be wary of strangers.
As we have mentioned, this breed is not likely to be aggressive towards humans except when poorly trained.
Its aggression is often targeted towards other dogs and pets.
Its courage and strength are admirable and it can be trained to be a guard dog because of the Corso’s heritage.
It is intelligent and energetic, which means you must stimulate its intellect and exercise its physical body, especially if you keep it as a companion.
Furthermore, this mix loves being around family and should not be left alone for long, even if it is predominantly Corso.
Though it may not be as playful as the Pitbull, it would love to partake in family activities.
Is a Cane Corso Mixed with a Pitbull a Good Family Dog?
For a family with enough space to accommodate a big dog, this mix is a delightful family pet.
It is good for both adults and kids, just like its parents. Having said that, its size may be too much for little kids.
It is advisable to have it in a family with grown kids and teenagers who are not afraid of dogs.
The family should be an active one too.
Are They Good With Other Dogs & Pets?
If you want to own this dog in a house full of canines, you must socialize it early and introduce it to its doggy mates from puppyhood.
It would not extend any courtesy to foreign dogs though. Best to be observant when you take it to a dog park.
It also has a high prey drive, a trait that could put other pets like cats and rodents in danger.
How Much Does Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Puppies Cost?
It is hard to find this breed as many breeders often feel reluctant to sell a designer breed.
It gets tougher when it is a large, notorious, and rare mix.
You should also be in a state where Pitbulls are not banned to avoid legal problems and increase your chances of getting one.
Your best chance of finding this mix is with breeders who sell Pits or Corsos.
The price largely depends on the breeder, your area, the quality of the pup you are interested in, and the bloodline of the parent dogs.
The average Cane Corso Pitbull mix price range is usually between $1,000 and $1,500.
There are some other costs to consider like medical checkups, vaccination, dog food, and toys among others.
You must get your pup from a reputable breeder.
The latter should be able to give you enough information you need, show you the necessary documents, and take you around the environment so you can know where the puppies are kept.
That being said, some questions may not be answered by any breeder, irrespective of his/her reputation.
Besides shopping, you may be lucky to find one of these hybrids in rescue shelters.
It is cheaper to adopt than it is to shop, but do not be carried away by the moral advantage of this choice that you forget to ask important questions.
Know the history of your preferred pup, as well as any possible medical issues.
Caring for a Pit Corso
Food & Diet
As a large energetic dog mix, the Cane Corso Pit shouldn’t be deprived of a quality meal or it will suffer the effect more than a smaller breed.
Both parents tend to have a huge appetite, so do not free-feed the offspring. You should measure what it eats to avoid obesity.
Do not let it rush its food as that could lead to bloating.
We recommend 3 to 4 cups of dog food daily. This would give it the necessary calories it requires while keeping you in charge of its meal.
The puppy needs more ration and a strict puppy diet. Protein is the most valuable nutrient for this mix, as well as a little fat.
It needs minerals and little carbohydrates too.
Avoid giving this hybrid any meal with grains in it. You should also be wary of giving it human food as it is prone to stomach issues.
Garlic, salt, and chocolates must be avoided.
Exercise
Is your idea of exercising a casual stroll and a few stretches? If so, this mix is not the best for you.
It should be given ample exercise for its agile body.
It would take a good time before it gets tired, so set aside at least an hour of exercise that you can divide into different sections in a day.
The activities should be challenging enough to get your mix to use up its pent-up energy.
Running and hiking are some good activities for the adult Pit Corso.
If you decide to walk, be ready to walk for long. Get a leash for outdoor activities as this breed has a strong hunting instinct.
When outdoors, you can also engage your pooch in a game of fetch and frisbee.
These dogs love to swim, so some aquatic moments would do a lot of good.
Make sure your dog is comfortable with this activity before you attempt it. Some dogs do not like water.
Playtime in a fenced yard is another great activity, especially for the puppy who is too delicate to go out of the house or run.
Playtime can be a fun moment for you, your pooch, and your family.
Some important measures should be taken to successfully train the Pit Corso.
As it can be stubborn, we advise that you start training as early as possible. Training should go from puppyhood to the golden years.
Early training reduces the tendency for this mix to be aggressive towards dogs and even humans.
Socialization is an early training process your pup must go through.
Introduce it to your kids, other pets, and visitors. It should also see new places and gather experiences.
This would prevent behavioral problems.
Obedience training should start early as well. Here, your pup picks up on commands and memorizes them.
The commands should be simple as dogs cannot learn long expressions. If your doggy shows signs of stubbornness, be patient with it.
Patience does not mean you should indulge its excesses as that would cause more harm than good.
While you should never hit a dog, do not be too soft on it either. Firmness and gentleness are the qualities you need to succeed
Grooming Needs
Besides the seasons when this mix sheds, grooming it is easy.
The coat care is nothing more than a simple brush like twice a week. It becomes daily when it sheds.
This mix has sensitive skin, so be mindful of the shampoo you use when bathing.
The latter should be minimal and best reserved for when it gets dirty.
Grooming does not stop at the coat. Other parts of the dog should not be neglected, from the ears to the paws.
The floppy ears of this breed are prone to infection, so you must be observant.
Once you detect any unusual symptoms, do not hesitate to get them treated.
Get its nails trimmed as well so it won’t injure itself. You should be careful while doing this so you won’t harm your pet.
Also, keep its teeth clean to avoid dental issues.
The final part to care for is its eyes. Remove muck from its eyes and clean the areas around.
Health & Conditions
Designer dogs have the advantage of better health than purebreds and a longer life span.
This mix can live up to 15 years, a promising prospect.
With good care, regular checkup, and a good environment, the chances of this hybrid falling ill are low.
Nevertheless, it suffers from some diseases that it inherits from its parents. They include:
- Bloating: Bloating occurs when food and other fluids fill up a dog’s belly, making it swell. It is common amongst large dogs and should be treated as an emergency.
- Epilepsy: Just like with humans, epilepsy causes seizures to the affected dog, which could either be mild or severe. It has no cure, but can be managed.
- Demodex mange: It is a skin disease that often affects puppies and is caused by the mite named Demodex Canis.
- Hip dysplasia: This is a common and inherited disease that is caused by a malformation of the hip joint.
- Eyelid issues: Some eyelid issues that can affect this Mix include entropion, ectropion, lagophtalmos, blepharitis, and extra eyelashes
How big will a Cane Corso Pitbull mix get?
This hybrid is a large dog whose weight range falls between 50 to 90 pounds with a height of 17 to 28 inches.
It is smaller than the Cane Corso but bigger than the Pitbull.
Is Cane Corso an aggressive breed?
When badly trained, the Cane Corso can develop aggressive tendencies towards people.
However, this should be considered an abnormality, not the rule. This dog breed was not bred to be aggressive towards humans.
Is Cane Corso and Pitbull a good mix?
Because of their reputation, some don’t feel this is a safe mix. However, good training will produce a gentle and well-mannered hybrid that is loyal too.
Final Thoughts
The Pitbull and the Cane Corso have been culprits of fatal attacks on humans.
For the former, this series of attacks left a huge dent in its reputation.
That being said, we know that the image of both breeds has been largely distorted, particularly that of the Pitbull.
We must not put aside the stereotypes, however. The mix is more feared than loved because of this, so if you want to own one, you must commit to its welfare.
Training is vital for you not to create a monster of your own.
Its basic needs should be met as well. With good care, love, and firm training, this mix makes a wonderful household pet.
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