English Mastiffs and Cane Corso are both large dogs, often ranked among the top 10 largest dog breeds as recognized by the American Kennel Club. These two breeds make excellent protectors and watchdogs, with an impressive history of being warriors in ancient Rome and Greece.

When these two dogs are bred together, they produce an equally massive dog known as a Cane Corso English Mastiff mix. They have muscular and well-toned bodies that give them an intimidating appearance.

Nevertheless, they are affectionate and loyal dogs to their owners, and with proper socialization, they make great family dogs. Read on to learn more about this hybrid mix.

Breed Overview

The Cane Corso English Mastiff mix is a popularly known dog breed due to its noble bearing, intelligence, and trainability. They also have a reputation as fearless protectors, a trait inherited from both parents. When the genes from the two protective hound parents are combined, the physical result is a dog whose size falls somewhere in the middle of the parent’s average height and weight.

Due to their incredibly large size, the Cane Corso English Mastiff mix requires thorough and consistent obedience training to make sure the dog does not overpower the owners. Moreover, since the parents share a guarding and hunting origin, the Cane Corso English Mastiff mix will require comprehensive socialization from the puppyhood stage.

Without proper socialization, their instincts might cause them to do some harm. Overall, this dog breed is appreciated by most dog enthusiasts and might just be the perfect fit for your family.

Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix Puppies

Since Cane Corso English Mastiff mix is a rare designer dog breed, puppies may not be that common. Therefore, the cost of purchasing a puppy can be quite high, depending on the parent’s original lineage, geographical location, and previous training.

Any previous training is an important consideration because some Cane Corso English Mastiff mixes can go through some intensive training exercises to fulfill different roles for their owners.

When buying a Cane Corso English Mastiff mix puppy, find ethical and reputable dog breeders. There will, of course, be puppy mills looking to offload their “inventory.” However, avoid them at all costs, even if their prices may be lower. This is because not only will their puppies lack the necessary socialization, but they might also be unhealthy from poor living conditions.

If you cannot afford to purchase from reputable breeders, you can opt to adopt, which is cheaper. Unfortunately, the chances of getting a Cane Corso English Mastiff mix puppy up for adoption are slim to none.

Your best bet would be to research dedicated breed rescue sites or visit your local animal rescue shelter.¹ You can find a list of the breed rescuer websites from the Mastiff Club of America Rescue Foundation or The Cane Corso Rescue.²

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix

In terms of temperament, this breed features high levels of playfulness, activity level, and affection of the Mastiff breeds and the stubbornness of Cane Corso. It also features the deep-seated protectiveness common with both parent breeds.

Furthermore, the Cane Corso parent heavily influences the Cane Corso English Mastiff mix personality. However, the hypervigilance is reduced when combined with the Mastiff’s friendly and calm demeanor.

The resulting dog is highly intelligent and obedient to the owners. Their eagerness to protect your property and your family members is one of their major charms.

They are also a working breed that thrives when given a daily task. The dog may look intimidating, but this is an advantageous trait because it makes it an excellent watchdog. With early socialization, the dog can be friendly and gentle toward others.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

When the complementary personalities of the parent breeds are combined in one dog, the resulting dog breed is a dutiful guardian and an excellent family companion. It is great when around familiar children but may require closer supervision when interacting with unfamiliar kids.

However, as a large dog breed, it may not be ideal for homes with younger children. It can easily confuse running around or harmless roughhousing games as a potential threat needing its intervention. This could easily lead to your small kids becoming collateral damage from their massive size.

Fortunately, if your dog is exposed to conscious awareness and obedience commands, it can become a docile dog that coexists peacefully with all your household members.

Nevertheless, the Cane Corso English Mastiff mix would not be ideal for someone without experience handling big dog breeds. It is also not suitable for apartment living because it needs plenty of space to move around.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

The Cane Corso English Mastiff mix will get along well with cats and other canines. However, both animals need to be socialized from an early age to be familiar with each other. This is because the Cane Corso English Mastiff mix might still have a natural predisposition to chase after small animals.

They may not necessarily be mean dogs willing to hurt smaller pets, but they might want to catch them. This can make it accidentally harm smaller animals in your household in their excitement.

Fortunately, when they are acclimated with other pets in your household, their docile nature will take over, making them compatible with smaller pets.

Also, during the puppy stage, this dog is very hyperactive and curious, making it a great companion for all other pets, both new and previous ones. This is perhaps why most dog lovers would prefer for this dog breed to accompany them to the dog park.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

As a large and very athletic dog breed, the Cane Corso English Mastiff mix requires a well-balanced diet to keep him healthy. Most experts recommend you feed it with high-quality dry dog food, primarily made up of protein.

Carbs may be necessary in small quantities but try to avoid fatty foods as much as possible. Dogs that exceed 100 pounds eat a lot, so be sure to have plenty of food in store.

These dogs should have lean bodies during puppyhood. Overfeeding the puppies can result in disproportionate growth, which can lead to health complications. Underfeeding them, on the other hand, will likely stunt their growth.

The exact amount of food that you give your dog will depend on its gender, age, and weight. However, it is best to consult your local vet to know the ideal number of calories for your dog.

Exercise 🐕

Did you know that the type of interactive activity you choose for your furry companion will determine your dog’s overall demeanor and behavior? Indeed, it does, and offering your dog the best space and dog toys will foster a healthy attitude and improve your dog’s general well-being.

Therefore, give your dog ample time to play independently outdoors. This will allow them to patrol the property line or fence, thus stimulating them physically and mentally.

This dog breed will also need some fetching game exercises with Frisbees and balls. In addition, if your dog was introduced to obedience training from the onset, it will enjoy rope pulling and tug-of-war games.

Just make sure that your dog does not exercise or play for at least an hour after feeding, as this could lead to bloating. However, you can schedule at least more than an hour for structured walks every day to keep their bodies lean and reduce the pressure on their joints and heart.

Training 🎾

While basic obedience training may be essential for any dog breed, it is especially crucial in Cane Corso English Mastiff mix. These dogs are notorious for being stubborn and strong-willed sometimes. Therefore, the owner needs to show a firm hand during training for optimum results.

However, if you put in the time and effort in your dog’s training, you will be rewarded with a well-behaved companion that will make all your friends and household members fall in love with him.

One important training method is crate training. It ensures that your dog has a secure and safe place to retreat to when faced with stressful situations or simply needs somewhere quiet to rest. This can be particularly useful if you have a busy lifestyle or when in the presence of visitors. It will make your dog more relaxed even in front of strangers.

House training is another important method when dealing with this breed. It may be a challenge for most owners, but you should be consistent and patient with the process.

You can start by issuing simple commands such as “out,” then gradually increase the time your dog spends indoors until they can stay in the house for longer periods.

With patience and positive reinforcement techniques, your Cane Corso English Mastiff mix will be housebroken in just a matter of time.

Grooming ✂️

Your Cane Corso English Mastiff mix features a tight short coat similar to that of the parent breeds. It sheds moderately throughout the year, but the shedding will be heavier in the shedding seasons. Therefore, you will need to brush your dog’s coat at least once a week to keep it looking shiny and fresh.

Just like the Mastiff parent, the Cane Corso Mastiff mix can have a rather pungent dog odor. It will need to be bathed after every 8 to 12 weeks. Bathing with shampoo should prevent the strong odor. Do not use typical store-bought detergents and soaps; instead, use dog shampoo with natural ingredients.

The frequency at which you wash your dog will depend on just how dirty they are and their activity level. Finally, your dog’s nails should be regularly trimmed and their ears cleaned at least once a week to reduce wax build-up.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Most potential health concerns associated with the Cane Corso English Mastiff mix usually coincide with the dog’s enormous size. As such, common health conditions you can expect to find in this dog breed include heart conditions, joint challenges, and gastric issues.

Male vs Female

Just like in the parent breeds, the male Cane Corso English Mastiff mix is larger than the female. Males are stout, sturdy, and have thicker bodies than their female companions. They also have broader muzzles and blocky heads. However, females usually have narrower faces and leaner bodies.

On matters of temperament and personality, each gender will feature unique traits. Since males mature slower than females, they are initially harder to train. Additionally, females can even parent human children when their motherly instincts kick in.

However, if you want a playtime companion, males may be a better choice because they are always ready and eager for some playtime with their human owners.

In terms of health issues, both genders may have similar conditions, but they will not be identical. Males are likely to suffer from testicular cancer and other prostate-related problems. If the females are not spayed in the puppy stage, they may suffer from urinary tract infections and cervical cancer.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso English Mastiff Mix

1. The Coat Color Can Influence Their Lifespan

The Cane Corso English Mastiff mix comes with a range of coat colors. You are even likely to find a dog featuring white patches or brindle colors on its coat. However, their coat color can influence more than just how they look.

Research shows that colors can have a direct influence on their lifespan because the Black Brindle Cane Corso English Mastiff mix has the longest lifespan. Since their coat is stiffer and shorter, maintaining them is significantly easier.

2. Cane Corso Breeds Were Almost Extinct in the Mid-20th Century

Due to farming mechanization that happened in the middle of the 20th century, the Cane Corso almost went extinct. This is because farming dogs were no longer needed.

Fortunately, the dog breed was revived in the 70s when the Societa Amatori Cane Corso club was formed. The Cane Corso was later recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010.

3. Cane Corso Was Initially Bred to Fight Lions

The Cane Corso dog has been around for over 1,000 years, with its origin in the Tibetan Highlands. Due to the dog’s size and tenacity, Romans were impressed and took it back to Italy to participate in gladiator games.

They could even fight lions and bears to death. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Cane Corso was later used in rural Italian Farms.

Just a few problems your Sheepadoodle may encounter include:²

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the Cane Corso English Mastiff mix is a physically, aesthetically, and intellectually impressive dog breed. After analyzing the parent breeds, the characteristics of the hybrid mix, and the requirements for owning one, you will find that it is a devoted and powerful dog with a series of desirable attributes and skills.

Knowing the challenges or implications of taking care of an enormous dog breed with protective tendencies is important before introducing one into your household. Therefore, you need to be sufficiently prepared for the responsibilities and expenses mirrored by your dog’s overall size.

Related Reads:

• Cane Corso American Bulldog Mix: Guide, Pictures, Care & More
• Cane Corso Husky Mix: Guide, Pictures, Care & More

Featured Image Credit: Left – Cane Corso (Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock) | Right – English Mastiff (Waldemar Dabrowski, Shutterstock)