Cane Corso Catahoula Mix: Info, Pictures, Care & More
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View 8 More +The Cane Corso Catahoula mix is a cross between the Cane Corso and Catahoula Leopard Dog breeds. They are both vigilant working dogs who love nothing more than being given a task to complete, which means that potential owners should have a good understanding of the type of mix they are going to get. The Cane Corso Catahoula mix will be energetic, lively, and driven. Neither of the parent breeds nor the resulting Cane Corso Catahoula mix are considered good breeds for novice and first-time owners.
| Height: | 22–28 inches |
| Weight: | 50–110 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 9–14 years |
| Colors: | Black, blue, gray, brown, white |
| Suitable for: | An experienced owner with a loving and kind attitude |
| Temperament: | Loyal, loving, brave, strong |
Both parent breeds tend to be good with their families, but they do require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to ensure they are fulfilled. Neither breed is considered especially good with strangers or other dogs, which means that any cross will require a lot of socialization and training from a young age to ensure that they grow up well-adjusted dogs. However, they are low-maintenance dogs that are easy to groom. The cross may mean that an owner ends up with a dog that drools like the Cane Corso or doesn’t drool like the Catahoula parent breed.
Cane Corso Catahoula mix Characteristics
Cane Corso Catahoula mix Breed Puppies
First and foremost, the Cane Corso Catahoula mix puppy will be bigger than a typical puppy. It will also need early and ongoing socialization, and without this, the puppy may be withdrawn from strangers and other animals. This is assuming you can find a mix of these two breeds. The Cane Corso is quite a rare breed, and the Catahoula Leopard Dog is even more unusual. Most breeders concentrate on creating purebred versions of these dogs rather than mixing them with one another.
The size of these dogs means that you may be able to find them in shelters, although this will also be a challenge because of the rarity of the crossbreed and because both breeds are usually bred and raised as working dogs, so they will rarely find their way to shelters or rescues.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Catahoula mix 🧠
The Cane Corso Catahoula Leopard Dog Mix is predominantly a working dog. That said, in the right environment and with the right owners, these dogs can become loving and loyal members of a family. Their size dictates that they won’t really settle into life in an apartment, and they would certainly benefit from having a secure outdoor area where they can roam around and burn off any excess energy. This outdoor space won’t just benefit the dogs; it will also prove beneficial to their owners.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Cane Corso and Catahoula Leopard Dogs can grow a very close bond with their owners, although both breeds will remain independent to some extent. Unfortunately, they can be fiercely loyal, which means care needs to be taken to ensure that the dogs are not a threat to other animals or people outside the family unit. Because of the size of the dogs, you should always be careful when keeping one around children, and you should never leave them unattended with very small children. Generally, the breed will do better with an adult-only household that is quiet and relatively free of visitors.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Both dogs have been bred to hunt or round up wild animals, which means that they can view some animals as a challenge to be hunted or rounded up. If they are introduced when both animals are young, it may be possible to integrate a Cane Corso Catahoula mix into a family with other animals. However, it may be difficult to introduce a new animal into a family with an older Cane Corso Catahoula mix. There are exceptions, and there are undoubtedly owners of these dogs that get along with other animals.
Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Catahoula mix
Cane Corso Catahoula mixes generally prefer to be the only animal in a house and do better in a quiet household that doesn’t welcome too many strangers. They are working dogs, and do benefit from being given jobs to do, and this can also help protect your furniture and other items from being chewed and destroyed.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
You will need to feed your Cane Corso Catahoula mix a lot each day. The exact amount you have to feed will depend on the actual size of the specific dog, but you can expect to feed around four whole cups of dry food per day, ideally spread over two meals. When your dog is a young puppy, it should be given up to six meals a day, following the feeding guidelines on the packet. Always make sure your dog has access to fresh drinking water. The Cane Corso parent, in particular, is prone to putting on extra weight, so you will need to measure the amount you feed, regularly weigh the dog to ensure that it isn’t getting too heavy, and adjust your feeding schedule accordingly.
Exercise 🐕
As well as needing a lot of food per day, your Cane Corso Catahoula mix is also going to need a lot of exercise. Both breeds were first bred to work the fields, and they would have done so for several hours every day. A pet will need a minimum of 2 hours of exercise a day, combining walks with other forms of brisker and more challenging exercise. This breed can be especially good at tracking and will excel at strength-based canine sports but may struggle with agility challenges.
Training 🎾
This breed is business-like and will take on roles within the family and on the property. If you don’t provide these roles, the dog will make them up, which can lead to destructive and other unwanted behavior. Start training from a young age, enroll in puppy and other canine classes, and ensure that you maintain firm but fair training throughout the dog’s life. The breed is not considered a good choice for first-time owners, and one of the reasons for this is that because of the breed’s independence, training can be a challenge.
Grooming ✂️
Both parent breeds are considered low-maintenance dogs. Their short coats do not need much in the way of brushing, but a weekly brush will help minimize shedding and also gives you the opportunity to check for injuries and to check general body condition. Owners do need to assist with cleaning their teeth, which should be done at least three times a week. And unless claws are kept short on hard terrain like concrete, they will need trimming every 2 or 3 months.
Health and Conditions ❤️ 🏥
As big dogs, Cane Corso Catahoula mixes are somewhat prone to bone and joint conditions, including hip and elbow dysplasia. The parent breeds can also be prone to conditions concerning the eye. While hybrid vigor might help the mix avoid these problems, it is worth being aware of them.
Male vs Female
There are few, if any, differences between the males and females of this breed, although males tend to be a bit bigger and heavier. This is especially true if you get your female spayed and male neutered, and this will eliminate any hormonal differences there may be.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Catahoula mix
1. The Cane Corso Is an Ancient Breed
The Cane Corso is an Italian dog that is thought to have originated from Roman war dogs. When the Romans invaded the Greek Islands, the dogs were taken back to Italy where they were bred with local dogs, and the Cane Corso breed was created. They were used as farm dogs as well as to guard livestock and land. They were also used for hunting game and a variety of other working tasks.
2. They Need a Job to Keep Them Busy
Both the Cane Corso and the Catahoula parent breeds do best when they are given a task and when they have work to do. They like to have something to occupy their mind and keep their bodies active. If your Cane Corso Catahoula isn’t being used as a working dog, it will be beneficial to still provide tasks for the dog to undertake. If you don’t have jobs for the dog to do, consider signing up for training classes and taking part in canine sports.
3. The Catahoula Leopard Dog Is the State Dog of Louisiana
The exact history of the Catahoula Leopard Dog is somewhat contested, but it is widely believed that it is a result of combining several dogs. One thing for sure is that the breed is heavily intertwined with the state of Louisiana and, in particular, the parish of Catahoula. In 1979, Governor Edwin Edwards named the Catahoula Leopard Dog the state dog of Louisiana, and it remains so today.
Final Thoughts
The Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Cane Corso are giant dogs. They are both considered working dogs and benefit from being given work to do. The resulting mix is not considered a good dog for novice owners because they can be a handful. The Cane Corso especially can be wary and potentially even aggressive around strangers and other dogs. Owners are advised to ensure that their dog is socialized well from a very young age and that it has early and ongoing training. It is also a good idea to enroll the breed in some kind of canine sports to help provide the physical and mental exercise that the dog requires. See also:
Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Guide, Pictures, Care & More
Cane Corso Dogue de Bordeaux Mix: Pictures, Temperament & Traits
Sources
https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/catahoula-leopard-dog#/slide/1
https://mom.com/momlife/19325-cool-facts-about-catahoula-leopard-dogs/catahoula-leopard-dog-close-
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/10-things-cane-corso/
https://www.mastiffguide.com/cane-corso-fun-and-interesting-facts.html
https://www.shopforyourcause.com/dog-breed/cane-corso/catahoula-leopard-dog/mix
https://www.shopforyourcause.com/dog-breed/cane-corso/catahoula-leopard-dog/mix?utm_content=cmp-true
https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/catahoula-leopard-dog-vs-cane-corso
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Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it's no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
4 Responses
I have a catahoula/corso and I'm so happy to see this article! I can say that with keeping in mind that every dog has its individual traits and quirks, overall it's quite accurate! my 4yr old girl Shiloh Blue is wonderful! I can personally attest to the fact they are NOT for first time or novice owners. I am a former certified Vet Tech of 12 years and 20+ years experience in the animal care field, and she has and continues to give me a run for my money! I have had to use every shred of experience raising her plus she's sent me back "to the books" per say to learn more about her parent breeds to figure out how to handle some of her more challenging traits, she's VERY protective of me, is pretty reactive towards other dogs and animals, has a strong prey drive to chase, but so far out of the two tiny critters she's actually caught (a baby bird and a groundhog) she hasn't killed or hurt it, just looks lost and confused once they stop trying to evade her. She is sweet, goofy, serious and aware of her surroundings and notices the smallest of changes. She is the smartest dog I've ever had along with my border collie. She is as smart if not smarter(and that is saying alot!) but definitely is miles more stubborn. Also, she is the first dog I've known to watch the tv, recognize me and others on video calls, learn the names of her toys with zero training, and can recognize her own reflaction in a mirror. Unfortunately, Shiloh Blue was born to full sibling parents, I found out on her first birthday she has congenital heart defects, a grade 5/6 heart murmer. she was the tiniest runt, about the size of a newborn kitten. She's 1/3 the size of her adult siblings now. I was told she wouldnt live past 2yrs of age, but she turned 4 on Aug. 4th, its now a few days from xmas and she's still as spicy as ever! She does have alit of issues, she has idiopathic environmental and food allergies, I swear she's allergic to herself sometimes, so she has skin issues, you name it, she's probably had it. She does shed a LOT for a dog with short minimal hair and only a partial double coat on her neck and tail only. She has to be bathed and minimum of once a week or she gets downright greasy & starts smelling like an old used mildewy sweat sock hahaha I've spent a small fortune on allergy shots and who knows how many different types of medicated shampoos, and supplements, not to mention all of her bedding and the blankets we use to keep her hair off our bed and furniture is washed seperately with free and clear laundry detergent. She's a double dilute blue merle & fawn tri color, which is unspeakabley beautiful, and she doesn't have any problems with her vision or hearing (thank goodness for small favors) but her vet and I do wonder if that color mutation along with her daddy also being her uncle has contributed to her aforementioned issues, or if either breed is known for the allergies and heart issues? Not sure, still researching both breeds. even with the challenges, I wouldn't trade my catahoula corso for all the gold on the planet, she's literally saved my life and she gives me the gift of laughter every single day she's been with me, and that's medicine and healing you could never buy or find in a million years. Shiloh Blue is my spicy lil guard angel who won't let me give up even if I just need to take a 15 minute nap! Thanks again! Keep up the good work you do writing articles like these.
Dear Renae, thank you so much for sharing this story. We loved to read about your Shiloh Blue. She sounds like a wonderful pet to be around. And the fact that she managed to overcome such genetic and health issues is astounding. It is clear that you take very good care of her and you give her a lot of love. If you would like to consult our vet about her health situation or just receive some care tips that could help your dog to lead even better life, we would like to recommend you setting up an appointment with one of our veterinarians at www.PangoVet.com. They will be happy to answer all your questions and more. Best of luck to you both!
I have a Corso/Catahoula mix we rescued her and she had been returned to the pound three times because she has separation anxiety and will destroy the house if left alone, but she is the sweetest Baby Girl on the Planet. We take her to doggy daycare, and they even use her as the meet and greet dog because she is so sweet. She is also now my service dog and when we put that vest on her she stays right with me no matter what is going on even when she doesn't have her service vest on, she is so well behaved and quiet when we go out. If other dogs are in a car or out and about and are barking, she looks at them and then at me like (Mom they are being loud and not good) LOL Her life started rough but she will be a princess until she crosses the rainbow bridge and I hope and pray that is a long way down the road.
Hello Helen, thank you for your beautiful message. It is admirable that you were willing to rescue such a dog and give her love and patience, even though it must've been hard to take care of a dog with such a difficult start in life. We wish you many more happy years together!
