A Cane Corso Akita mix is a mixed breed that combines the Cane Corso with the Akita. Because both of these breeds are large and powerful, you can expect their puppies to be, too. They’re loyal canines that can make great family pets if properly socialized and trained. However, they can be a bit unsure of strangers.

Breed Overview

Of course, as a mixed breed, you don’t know exactly what you’re going to get with this breed. These dogs vary considerably. They can have dominance and aggression problems, but they can also be very confident and affectionate.

Cane Corso Akita Mix Characteristics

Cane Corso Akita Mix Puppies

Cane Corso Akita puppies aren’t all that common. While some mixed breeds have absolutely taken off, this mixed breed doesn’t fall into that category. You’ll likely need to find a breeder who specializes in this mixed breed—or you may come across one while you’re at an animal shelter. Some local rescues or organizations may have them available from time to time.

As puppies, these dogs are incredibly playful and energetic. They’re bigger than most breeds, so they tend to stay in their puppy stage for longer. You’ll need to feed them large breed puppy food to ensure proper growth (this is very important) for about the first 2 years of their life.

Socialize and train your puppy early to prevent aggression later.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Akita Mix

As a mixed breed, the Cane Corso Akita mix has traits influenced by both of its parents. They can be confident and affectionate, forming strong bonds with their owner and family. They tend to be a bit protective, as well. Therefore, they may make great guard dogs.

However, they must be well-socialized with other dogs and people at a young age, or they may be a bit aggressive. It is best to adopt a puppy for this reason (though a well-socialized adult is also a good option and takes the requirement of socializing off your shoulders a little bit).

These dogs can be intelligent and somewhat trainable. They learn commands quickly and don’t require tons of training to thrive. However, they can also be very stubborn and may not always listen to commands in real-world situations—even if they know them. You need to practice their commands in many different situations and provide plenty of reinforcement.

These dogs are best for experienced dog owners due to their size and temperament. Those living in small apartments or with limited time likely aren’t the best owners.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

These dogs can be good with children as long as they are properly socialized from a young age. Luckily, these canines are so large that children likely won’t hurt them, in any case. Therefore, they’re much less likely to bite than a small dog that can get injured by a rambunctious toddler.

A Cane Corso Akita may be a good option for families that are experienced and active. They are very loyal and loving to their owners, often following those they love around the house. They’re very vigilant, making them a good option for those looking for a guard dog.

With that said, they aren’t the best for inexperienced or busy families. They can be challenging and demanding in many cases. They can also be overwhelming for those who aren’t experienced with dogs. They may not be suitable for families with young children or elderly people who may not be able to handle their size, strength, or personality.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

Cane Corso Akita mixes can get along with other pets on some occasions. However, they require socialization and training to do so. Furthermore, they aren’t the friendliest towards other dogs, and some of them may never get along well with others—even after socialization. They may see many other smaller animals as prey due to their large size, as well.

However, many of these dogs do get along well with others if they are raised with them from a young age. They need training and socialization, but this is often done easiest when they live with other dogs 24/7. Exposing them to many different animals can prevent aggressive tendencies when they are older.

Furthermore, it is recommended to spay and neuter these dogs, as this may help curb their hormonal aggression towards other dogs.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Akita Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

These dogs are extremely large, so they eat a lot. You should plan on spending quite a bit of money on their food as they grow. Just because they’re big doesn’t mean you should skimp on their food, though. They require a high-quality diet to avoid health problems further down the line.

This breed requires large breed puppy food when they are younger. This food contains the necessary nutrients to help larger breeds develop their hip joints, preventing hip dysplasia. Furthermore, it includes lower amounts of calories, which can prevent this breed from growing too quickly. Feeding a large breed puppy food is vital for their health and should be done until they stop growing (around 2 years).

Seniors may need food that is lower in fat and higher in fiber to help them digest their food better and maintain their weight. However, not every senior needs senior-specific dog food. These dog foods are designed for canines that have health problems associated with being older. If your dog doesn’t have these health problems, they likely don’t need senior food.

Exercise 🐕

These dogs are highly active, despite their larger size. They need plenty of room to run around and exercise—or they can become destructive and bored. You should plan on spending at least one hour a day exercising these dogs, whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood or a game of fetch.

They’re also rather intelligent, so they need some mental stimulation, too. Training and socialization can accomplish this need easily. However, you can also use puzzle toys and long, meandering walks to keep your dog entertained. Sniffing is a bit like reading a book for dogs, so it’s important to let them sniff while on their daily walk.

Because they require lots of space, they don’t do best in small homes and apartments.

Training 🎾

Cane Corso Akita mixes are intelligent and can be trained rather easily. However, they can also be stubborn and may not listen to you all the time. These breeds simply weren’t bred to listen closely to their owners. Therefore, they may decide to listen to their own instincts rather than their owners.

However, it does depend on exactly what traits the dog inherited from which parent. Cane Corsos are often easier to train than an Akita, as they’re more likely to take cues from their owners. Akitas are known for being very independent.

A Cane Corso Akita mix needs significant training as a puppy to help them be controllable as adults. They need early socialization to get along with others, which should be done alongside training. They aren’t suitable for newer dog owners due to the amount of training they need.

Grooming ✂️

These dogs have shorter hair, so they require less grooming than other breeds. They don’t need professional haircuts or anything of that sort. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t need any grooming.

These dogs do shed considerably. Therefore, many owners brush them a few times a week to help remove loose fur. Brushing also helps keep their coats clean, as it removes dirt and dust. If you brush your dog a few times a week, you likely won’t need to bathe them often (which is nice, as they are huge and hard to fit in a bathtub).

Sometimes, this mixed breed will drool. You may need to wipe off their face several times a day to keep it clean—and prepare your home accordingly. Dogs that drool will need more grooming care than others.

You’ll need to keep their teeth clean and regularly trim their nails, too. These grooming necessities are needed for any dog, though.

Health and Conditions❤️

As a mixed breed, this canine tends to be very healthy. Mixed breeds are less likely to inherit problems from either of their parent breeds. Therefore, inherited conditions are much less common. However, they are rather large dogs and may be more prone to certain problems than smaller breeds.

For instance, they may develop joint problems, as their joints are carrying a lot of weight. Keeping your dog on a proper diet and at the proper weight can help prevent these issues, though.

They’re also more prone to gastric torsion, which seems to occur mostly in large dogs. We don’t know exactly what causes this condition, but it can be deadly without veterinary attention. Therefore, it is important to learn about it if you have a larger dog.

Male vs Female

As a mixed breed, there aren’t any particular differences between the males and females of this breed. Males are sometimes larger, but this breed’s weight varies so much that this doesn’t always hold true. There may be some minor differences due to the difference in hormones.

For instance, females will go in heat, while males may wander a bit more. However, this is only true if the dog isn’t spayed or neutered. If they are, the differences are much more subtle.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Akita Mix

1. This mixed breed is pretty rare.

Many mixed breeds have become more popular over the years. However, the Cane Corso Akita mix hasn’t. They’re still very rare and aren’t often produced by breeders. Therefore, your best option may be to find one at a rescue or animal shelter.

2. They may have a strong prey drive.

The Akita was originally bred to hunt large game, like bears and boars. While the Cane Corso doesn’t have much of a prey drive, these mixed-breed puppies may inherit one from their Akita parent. Therefore, don’t assume these dogs won’t hunt your chickens or cats.

3. They have a longer lifespan than other large dogs.

Akitas have a longer lifespan than many other breeds, and mixed breeds tend to be healthier. In the end, that leaves you with a dog that will probably live longer than the Cane Corso or other large breeds. You can expect these dogs to live between 10 to 13 years.

Final Thoughts

The Cane Corso Akita mix is a rare hybrid that combines the loyal Cane Corso with the energetic Akita. These breeds are both powerful and large, so the resulting puppies tend to be, too. They require lots of training and socialization, otherwise, they can become destructive and aggressive. Plan on training them extensively from puppyhood both in your home and in public.

These dogs are known for being confident and loyal. They’re often intelligent, but they can also be stubborn. Therefore, they learn commands quickly but may not follow them when asked. Still, training can help them stay entertained, preventing destructive tendencies.

They’re often quite healthy, though they can develop a range of conditions. Feeding them correctly and taking them for regular exercise can prevent a lot of these problems, though.

Related Read:

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• Cane Corso Weimaraner Mix: Guide, Pictures, Care & More

Featured Image Credit: Left – Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock | Right – Charlotte Rush, Unsplash