Cane Corso Pitbull Mix (Mixed Breed Full Scoop)

Cane Corso Pitbull Mix. Photo of a Cane Corso and a Pitbull side by side.

Mixed breeds are a blend of looks and personalities that can be great blends of their parent breeds. Curious as to how the Cane Corso Pitbull mix will blend into a mixed breed? Take a look!

This mixed breed blends a Cane Corso with an American Pit Bull evenly with one purebred parent each. These are medium to large, muscular dogs, often reaching 20-24” (50-60cm) and weighing between 50-90 lbs (22-40kg). They are muscular dogs with short, dense fur and are often fawn, red, or brindle.

They are protective, loyal dogs with a deep love for their humans. They can be social with other dogs, but it will take many training sessions throughout their lives. These are great family dogs and have both advantages and disadvantages to be aware of when making your choice.

What do you call a Cane Corso mixed with a Pitbull?

The approved and official designer breed name, in the online world, for this mix is an American Pit Corso. There are multiple shortened versions, but they can easily confuse those unfamiliar with the mix. 

Can a Cane Corso mate with a Pitbull?

Yes, these two dog breeds can mate naturally. This is done carefully to ensure the puppies’ health, and some breeders will opt for artificial breeding, but this is rare since the breeds can easily mate.

Is a Cane Corso and Pitbull a good mix?

Many people are intimidated when they hear about this mix, especially with so much negative press about the Pitbull. You’ll be relieved to know that there is so much to love about an American Pit Corso! As is the case with any intentional designer dog, they get the best of both breeds in their personalities.

Everyone’s definition of “good” will be different, but many in the world of breeding do find that this dog is a good one. We’ll get into all of that below.

What does a Cane Corso Pitbull mix look like?

These are impressive and strong dogs. Both parents are muscular and stocky, so you can expect an American Pit Corso to be the same. They are solid dogs, so you’ll need to be comfortable in your ability to control them on a leash. 

They are square and have a fleshy nose and a square chunky head. Their boxy build helps them really take on their Pitbull genes, there. They have short and dense fur. It often isn’t as soft or shiny as other breeds, but it is dense and protective, which is the point of the fur itself. They have a double coat that will shed twice a year.

Their fur colors are often black, brown, fawn, red, or brindle. Brindle is often the rarest, so this can impact the price. More on that later, though.

Photo of a dark brown Cane Corso Pitbull mixed dog.

Credit: Bluecanebull Instagram

How big does a Cane Corso Pitbull mix get?

This mixed breed is considered medium or large, coming in at 20-24” (50-60cm) and weighing between 50-90 lbs (22-40kg). These are dogs that are not meant for apartments or small homes. A medium or large home is best to allow them to move around, and you’ll also need access to a designated outdoor space. 

Cane Corso Pitbull mix lifespan

Coming from two healthy parent breeds, a Cane Corso Pitbull mix will offer up 10-14 years. While proper care is important, and you’ll need to learn about predispositions to health conditions, that’s a great range when looking for a long-living family dog!

What is the Cane Corso Pitbull mix temperament?

As soon as people hear Pitbull, they automatically think violent. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Firstly, that’s based on faulty information, and secondly, an American Pit Corso is easily one of the most loving dogs you will ever have in your life. They are naturally attentive and adore being around their family. They are kind, soft-hearted, and a giant baby, really. 

An American Pit Corso loves kids, from babies to teens and everything in between. They will be a protector, a playmate, and a guardian. They love being involved in whatever your little one is doing and will follow them around the house to see what’s next on the to-do list. They are patient, have a big heart, and won’t snap at kids who pull on tails or ears when learning how to interact.

They also enjoy spending time with adults and are ecstatic if they get to enjoy both at the same time. An American Pit Corso is a family-oriented dog, through and through. You couldn’t ask for a more family-oriented dog!

This dog will protect everyone in your family from strangers. They tend to be loving and soft with their family but wary of anyone new. It will take an American Pit Corso some time and effort to warm up to new additions. This is just because they love you so much, though.

However, these dogs don’t like to be alone as they are prone to separation anxiety. If you are someone who will need to leave them alone without any human companionship for hours on end. In that case, this is something to think about seriously.

Photo of a Pitbull and a Cane Corso laying down side by side.

Are Cane Corso Pitbull mixes good family dogs?

These sweet mixes are great family dogs. They like being with their humans, whether their humans are watching TV or hiking, and they’re great additions to the family dynamic as far as having multiple family members, including kids.

They are loving and kind and patient, as mentioned. They are also protective, which can offer support to those worried parents that want to ensure that their little ones have a little extra protection around them at all times.

However, the thing to think about with an American Pit Corso is that they naturally aren’t great around other dogs. They will need a lot of socially oriented training that helps them to see other dogs as friends and not a threat. If you have other pets already, bringing in an American Pit Corso is going to be very challenging. 

If you are bringing this dog in first but want to have others or bring other animals into the home even to visit, socialization training is essential. You’ll need to start young and be consistent to help the unlearn to overcome that natural tendency. 

Most common Cane Corso Pitbull mix health issues

Many designer breeds are prone to health problems. While these will have some health concerns to be aware of, certainly, it’s a pretty short list. An American Pit Corso is thought to be, all things considered, a relatively healthy dog breed! Common concerns are:

  • Joint Dysplasia
  • Cardiac conditions
  • Allergies

Joint Dysplasia

This is a common big breed problem. Their hip and elbow joints will start to wear as they age. This leads to elbow and/or hip dysplasia. It’s a specialized form of arthritis that can lead to muscle deterioration and the need for pain medication. This is common in all large breeds, so your vet can help you prevent and manage it comfortably.

Cardiac conditions

Cardiac conditions are also common in these dogs due to their parents. The conditions themselves will vary, and you’ll need specialized care for these.

Many breeders recommend going with a vet experienced with a Cane Corso, an American Pitt Bull, or, ideally, an American Pit Corso. They’ll know how to detect a problem with the cardiac system early on, and the earlier something could be caught, the better.

Cardiac care, both preventatively and through medication, if possible, is something that you’ll need to prioritize for your dog to make sure that you keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible!

Allergies

These dogs have sensitive skin, making them much more likely to suffer from allergies. Always be careful in your food choices and things like laundry detergent, dog shampoos, etc. Your vet will be able to offer suggestions on these to help keep your dog itch-free and comfortable.

How to take care of a Cane Corso Pitbull mix

There are several facets to the proper care of your Cane Corso Pitbull mix dog. By understanding what is involved, you can decide whether this is the right breed for you.

Diet

These medium to large dogs will require a carefully balanced diet just for them. Most recommend a “large dog” food since it will focus on omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein content.

The omega-3s will support strong and healthy joints, which helps prevent dysplasia. The lean protein is great for keeping their muscles lean and strong, which helps them stay active and healthy.

Don’t forget to factor in health when looking at treats, too! Feeding them high-quality treats is just as important since your dog needs a balanced diet all the way across the board!

Exercise

An American Pit Corso is relatively active, especially since they are muscular dogs. They will require at least an hour of exercise a day, and you’ll also want to build more in with playtime and other active time. You can also use kids to help with this since these dogs love to play with mini-humans!

Grooming

These dogs have easy maintenance fur, which is great when looking at daily care. You’ll want to brush them weekly using a pin brush. These will help you keep their fur well-oiled and free from build-up, debris, and dirt.

During shedding season, you can continue to use the pin brush, but you can also look at using a de-shedding brush to help remove some of the furs as it sheds. This helps them enjoy better comfort, too, since shedding can be itchy!

Training

This is often where an American Pit Corso shows its concern. These are smart dogs, but they can be hard to train. They will take diligence and consistency, and it can be a hard challenge for those bringing these dogs to their home as their first-ever family dog. 

All things considered, they are obedient, but the training process is hard since they have a stubborn streak.

Photo of a Cane Corso puppy and a Pitbull puppy.

How much is a Cane Corso Pitbull mix?

These dogs often start at $1,000 and can go up from there depending on the color that you are looking for. They are a specialty breed, so lack of competition will mean that some breeders may expect you to pay more than that!

Pros and cons of a Cane Corso Pitbull mix

There will always be advantages and disadvantages to this mixed breed dog. Taking an honest look at both of those things will help you to see in clear black and white what’s best for you and your family.

Pros of a Cane Corso Pitbull mix

  • Great with kids
  • Family-oriented
  • Loyal and adores you

When you’ve got a dog like this, a dog that wants nothing more than to be with you and your loved ones, you’ll see how much they can add to a household. These dogs will do absolutely anything with you, as long as they simply get to be with you.

When you want a dog that is going to join in on everything and love and defend your kids just as you would, this is something to think about.

Cons of a Cane Corso Pitbull mix

  • Need intense socialization with other animals
  • Hard to leave alone
  • Hard to train

These dogs are wonderful with humans but not so great with other dogs. They will need intense socialization training throughout their lives because they will need to relearn these natural tendencies to not like other animals.

While early intervention is helpful, it’s also something that you’ll need to keep up with regular, controlled trips to the dog park, etc.

It can be hard to train these dogs for obedience training, precisely due to their stubborn streak. As far as first-time pet owners, this can often be overwhelming when trying to get basic obedience commands. They need to be trained firmly and consistently, and they will be stubborn and persistent even then.

The other main concern with these for standard families is that they hate being left alone. They aren’t fans of being separated from their humans and will have a hard time tolerating being alone.

You’ll need to consider having lots of playtime before and after work and possibly worry toys (like puzzle mats) to help ease their anxiety and pass the time when they are alone.

These dogs are great additions to the right family. The most important thing is to make sure that you know just how a Cane Corso Pitbull mix is going to work into your family and your lifestyle.

They may not be the best match for those with a household full of other pets. They are, however, a great match for households with children. It’s all about understanding what you want and need for your household!

In general

Commonly referred to as an American Pit Corso, this breed mixes an American Pit Bull with a Cane Coro. These dogs are medium to large with stocky, muscular bodies. They are 20-24” (50-60cm) tall and will weigh between 50-90 lbs (22-40kg).

They have short fur that is often dense, and it is fawn, brown, red, or brindle. These are great family dogs with lots of love for their humans but not so much love for other household pets.

Proper diet, focused training, and special attention to their tendency for separation anxiety are particular details to know about with this dog, amongst others.

This unique mixed breed is going to be full of character. They have personality-based and physical needs that must be cared for properly. These can be great family dogs with the right attention and dedication to socialization! Understanding what you are getting into in detail will help you make the right decision.

Photo of author
Dog Advisory Council

A team whose main goal is to serve knowledge about the canine world. Together since 2012, we thrive to transform and inform, so each dog can live a happy and fulfilling life. Read more about us.