The Cane Corso St. Bernard Mix is a hybrid breed that results from the crossbreeding of two purebred dog breeds, the Cane Corso and the St. Bernard. This hybrid dog breed is highly sought after due to its unique physical traits and fascinating history. It’s a rather large and muscular dog that can weigh up to 200 pounds, depending on which parent breed the dog takes after the most. It has a broad head, a strong jaw, and a thick neck. Its coat can range from short to medium length and comes in various colors, including black, brown, gray, and fawn.

Breed Overview

The Cane Corso St. Bernard Mix has an interesting history that dates back to ancient times. The Cane Corso breed originated in Italy, where it was used as a guard dog and hunter. On the other hand, the St. Bernard breed was first developed in Switzerland for rescue missions in the mountains. The crossbreeding of these two breeds resulted in a hybrid dog that is highly intelligent, loyal, and protective.

Cane Corso Saint Bernard Mix Puppies

Puppy Cane Corso St. Bernard mixes can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000, while an adult will range anywhere from $900 to $1,500. If you’re interested in adding a Cane Corso to your family, there are a few different options for finding puppies. One option is to check with local breeders who specialize in this particular breed. You can also check with animal shelters and rescue organizations to see if they have any Cane Corso St. Bernard mix puppies available for adoption.

When looking for a breeder, it’s important to do your research and find one that is reputable and follows ethical breeding practices. You should also ask to see the puppy’s parents and any health certifications that the breeder has obtained for the puppies.

If you decide to adopt from a shelter or rescue organization, you should also do your research and ask to see any medical records and behavioral assessments that the organization has on file. This can help you determine if the dog is a good fit for your family and if they have any medical or behavioral issues that need to be addressed.

Overall, whether you choose to adopt or purchase a Cane Corso St. Bernard mix, it’s important to do your research and find a reputable breeder or organization to ensure that you’re getting a healthy and well-adjusted puppy.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Saint Bernard Mix

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Cane Corso St. Bernard mix is an excellent choice for families. They’re loyal and protective, making them great guard dogs. But they’re also affectionate and playful, making them great companions for children and other pets. Keep in mind, though, that this breed is large and powerful, so be sure to supervise interactions between children and the dog to ensure that they are safe.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Cane Corso St. Bernard mix is generally good with other pets, including cats and other dogs. However, it’s important to introduce them to other pets slowly and under supervision to ensure that they get along well. This breed can be protective of their families, so it’s important to monitor their behavior around other pets to ensure that they are not being too aggressive or dominant.

If you’re introducing your Cane Corso to other pets, it’s important to do so slowly and gradually. You may want to start by introducing them to other pets on neutral ground, such as a park or other outdoor area. You should always supervise their interactions and be prepared to intervene if necessary.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso St Bernard Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Feeding your Cane Corso St. Bernard mix requires careful consideration of its dietary needs. This breed is a large, active dog that requires a balanced diet to maintain its health and energy levels. The best diet for a Cane Corso St. Bernard mix should be high in protein, low in fat, and rich in nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. So, try to find a high-quality dog food that’s formulated for large breeds. Look for a food that contains real meat as the first ingredient, such as chicken or beef, and avoid foods that contain fillers such as corn or soy.

In addition to high-quality dog food, you may also want to consider supplementing your dog’s diet with dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods can provide your dog with additional vitamins and minerals that are essential for its health. Good choices include blueberries, carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes.

Exercise 🐕

The Cane Corso St. Bernard requires a significant amount of exercise to maintain its physical and mental well-being. These dogs are known for their strength and endurance, and they have a natural instinct to protect their family and property. So, to meet their exercise requirements, owners should provide them with at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This can include activities such as hiking, fast walks, running, or playing fetch. It is important to ensure that the exercise routine is varied and engaging to prevent boredom and keep the dog mentally stimulated.

In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is also essential for this breed. The Cane Corso is super smart and needs mental challenges to prevent destructive behavior and keep them mentally healthy. Mental stimulation can include activities such as obedience training, puzzle games, and interactive toys. These activities not only provide mental stimulation but also promote bonding between the dog and their owner.

Training 🎾

Training your Cane Corso St. Bernard mix is essential to ensure that they’re well-behaved and socialized. Due to their large size, it’s best to start training these pups while they’re young. Not only will this make them easier to own when they become adults, but it will also make them a safer dog to have in your household and in the public. This breed is intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. However, they can be stubborn as young adults at times, so it’s important to establish yourself as the pack leader early on in their training.

One of the most important aspects of training your Cane Corso is socialization. This breed can be wary of strangers, so it’s important to expose them to a variety of people, places, and situations early on in their training. This can help them become more confident and well-adjusted dogs.

Another important aspect of training your Cane Corso is obedience training. This breed is known to be protective of their families, so it’s important to teach them basic commands such as “Sit,” “Stay,” and “Come” to ensure that they can follow them. You may also want to consider advanced obedience training to teach them more complex commands and tricks. Here are a few other useful tips for training these large dogs:

Work on the Meet-And-Greet with Your Large-Breed Pup

Remember that these big dogs will need to be taught to be calm and polite when approaching others – and they will intimidate people because of their large build. To keep your dog under your control in social situations, use a strong, non-retractable leash.

Your Pup Should Get Used to Being Handled and Touched

This is in order to make sure your dog is behaving when its nails are trimmed, teeth brushed, and ears cleaned, as well as when on a leash and being called, it will be beneficial in the long run. The last thing you want is for your dog to accidentally scratch a houseguest or friendly neighbor who pets them.

Monitor Playtime with Other Dogs or Kids

Young large-breed dogs may be unaware of their size and end up knocking over playmates. Additionally, be aware of the fact that they may like to sit on people’s laps.

Teach Them Tricks When Their Joints Are Developed

This happens usually when they’re over a year old. Keep walks to a minimum during their development and on softer surfaces like grass. As your dog grows, gradually increase the length of the walks and remember that playing counts as exercise.

Keep Training Sessions Short

Remember that a dog’s attention span is not long, and your Corso St. Bernard mix is no different. So, try to keep your training sessions to about 10 to 15 minutes a day. Any longer than this and you may find that your puppy or young adult dog becomes less interested and more stubborn.

Grooming ✂️

While these dogs may be cute and cuddly, they require a lot of care and attention to ensure they remain healthy and happy. Large dog breeds such as the Corso St. Bernard that may have a longer or heavier coat require special grooming routines that differ from smaller breeds.

Bathing

It’s essential to maintain proper hygiene for your dog. Regular bathing is a must to keep their skin clean and free of dirt and bacteria. However, you mustn’t overdo it as excessive bathing may strip the natural oils from their skin, leading to dryness and irritation. It’s recommended to bathe your dog once a month, and you can use a mild shampoo that’s formulated for dogs.

Brushing

You’ll also need to brush your large dog’s coat regularly to prevent matting and tangling. These breeds have thick, dense fur that requires regular brushing to prevent knots and tangles. You can use a slicker brush or a pin brush to remove loose hair and dirt from their coat. Regular brushing also helps distribute the natural oils in their coat, keeping it shiny and healthy. It’s best to brush your dog at least once a week, but you may need to do it more frequently during shedding season. This week you’ll keep your dog’s gorgeous black or fawn-colored coat looking lustrous and healthy.

Ear Cleaning

You’ll also want to keep your dog’s ears clean and dry. These breeds are prone to ear infections due to their long, floppy ears (unless they’re clipped) that trap moisture and bacteria. You should clean their ears once a week using a cotton ball or a soft cloth dampened with a gentle ear cleaning solution. You should also dry their ears thoroughly after bathing or swimming to prevent moisture buildup.

Remember that grooming and maintenance for large dog breeds requires time, effort, and patience – and a tad bit of elbow grease due to their large size. So, if you find that you’re unable to groom your dog yourself, it may be best to take them to a professional groomer to have this done. But at minimum, you should be brushing your Corso’s coat every week to remove dander and check for pests such as fleas and ticks.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Cane Corso is a large and muscular breed of dog that is known for its loyalty and protective nature. Like all other breeds, the Cane Corso is prone to certain health issues that can affect its quality of life.

Obesity

It’s beneficial for all dogs to maintain a lean body weight, but especially for larger and giant breeds as obesity can create stress on the body and result in other health problems. To keep your Cane Corso healthy and fit, make sure they get regular exercise and eat a nutritionally balanced diet. Speak with your veterinarian to find the best nutrition plan for your pup depending on their age and lifestyle.

Elbow and Hip Dysplasia

Corsos are also susceptible to joint issues because of their large size and heavy weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia is a condition that affects the joints of the canine’s limbs. It’s caused by the abnormal formation of the joint, which can cause pain and impaired movement. The condition can range from mild to severe, and can be managed with medical treatment, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. With proper care though, dogs with hip and elbow dysplasia can still lead a happy and comfortable life.

Demodectic Mange

Demodectic mange is a skin condition that is caused by microscopic mites that are normally present on the skin of healthy animals. This condition can be characterized by itchy skin, hair loss, scaly skin, and/or lesions. The most effective treatments for this condition are those that target the mites directly, as well as those that reduce inflammation and discomfort. The best way to prevent demodectic mange in your dog is to ensure that your pet is in good health and is receiving regular veterinary care.

Entropion

Cane Corso mixes are also prone to developing a number of health issues, with entropion being one of them. Entropion is a condition in which the dog’s eyelid starts to fold more inward which causes the eyelashes to begin to rub up against the cornea. This can lead to inflammation, irritation, and even vision loss if left untreated.

While entropion can occur in any breed of dog, it’s more common in certain breeds, including Cane Corsos. This is because of the shape of their face and the loose skin around their eyes, which can contribute to the eyelids folding inward. The condition typically develops in puppies, but it can also occur later in life.

Male vs Female

When it comes to the Cane Corso breed of dogs, there are some notable differences between males and females. While both genders share many traits and characteristics, there are some key distinctions that set them apart.

Size

One of the most obvious differences is size. Male Cane Corsos tend to be larger and more muscular than females, with an average weight of 110–135 pounds and height of 25–27 inches. Females, on the other hand, are typically smaller and slenderer, with an average weight of 88–110 pounds and height of 23–25 inches. This size difference can also affect the way the dog moves and behaves, with males often being more imposing and dominant. Depending on which genes your Cane Corso St. Bernard mix inherits, your dog could be more similar in size to a St. Bernard, Cane Corso, or somewhere in between, regardless if it is a male or female.

Personality/Temperament

Another difference between male and females is their temperament. While both genders are known for being fiercely loyal, protective, and intelligent, males may be more aggressive and territorial due to their innate need to assert dominance. However, this can be mitigated through proper training and socialization. Females may also be more independent and kinder of aloof, with a tendency to be more reserved around strangers. Again, training and socialization can help to bring out the best in both genders and ensure that they are well-behaved and balanced.

Physicality

In terms of physical characteristics, there are some differences that are more subtle but still worth noting. For example, males tend to have a larger head and broader chest than females. They may also have a more prominent brow ridge and thicker neck. Females, on the other hand, may have a more refined and feminine appearance, with a smaller head and more elegant features. Of course, these differences can vary from dog to dog and are not always consistent across the breed.

When it comes to choosing between a male or female, there are a few things to consider. If you are looking for a dog that is larger and more imposing, a male may be the better choice. However, if you want a dog that is gentler and more affectionate, a female may be the way to go.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Saint Bernard Mix

1. Cane Corsos Thrive on Physical and Mental Stimulation

This means that it’s always a good idea to keep your dog busy. For example, consider building an agility course in your backyard or taking your dog on daily walks around the neighborhood or near parks.

2. They Require Proper Training

These dogs were bred to be hunters and guard dogs, which means they have a natural instinct to dominate and towards aggression in some cases. But the biggest thing to remember when training your dog to be a guard dog is to train it while it’s still a young puppy. Consider working with an experienced trainer or taking your dog to obedience school.

3. They Have a Voice

Not a singing voice, of course, but these large loveable dogs can vocalize. You may be surprised to learn that you can actually teach your dog how to perform certain vocalizations, similar to that of the Siberian Husky.

Conclusion

Overall, the Cane Corso St Bernard mix is an excellent choice for families or individuals who are looking for a loyal and protective dog that loves to play and cuddle. They’re easy to train and are great with children and other pets, making them a great addition to any household.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that this breed is large and powerful, so know that they’ll need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. If you’re considering adding a Cane Corso St. Bernard mix to your family, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder or organization.

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• Cane Corxer Mixed Dog Breed Guide: Pictures, Traits, Care, & More
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Featured Image Credit: (L) Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock | (R) Aneta Jungerova, Shutterstock