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A loyal and loving breed and a formidable guard dog, the Cane Corso Pitbull mix, also known as the American Pit Corso, is one of the most popular hybrid breeds in the United States.
Overview of the American Pit Corso Dog Breed
Breed Group | Companion and guarding |
Ancestry | Cane Corso and American Pitbull Terrier |
Weight | 70-115 pounds |
Height | 20-24 inches |
Lifespan | 10-14 years |
Coat | Short and dense |
Shedding | Moderate to low |
Temperament | Even-tempered |
Energy Level | High |
Daily Exercise | 1-2 hours |
Trainability | Moderate to high |
Mental Stimulation Needs | High |
Good With Kids | Yes, if socialized properly |
Good With Other Dogs | Yes, if socialized properly |
Good With Other Pets | Yes, if socialized properly |
It’s large, confident, and assertive, which doesn’t come as a surprise, considering it’s a mixture of the Cane Corso and the American Pitbull Terrier.
Don’t let their size and strength fool you, though. With proper socialization, these dogs are very affectionate and obedient, making them ideal for families with kids.
In this article, I’m going to cover everything you need to know about this majestic hybrid breed, from its origin and history to its prices and ideal living conditions.
So, if you’re looking to get an American Pit Corso, you should definitely stick around!
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Table of Contents Show
Origin and History of Cane Corso Pitbull Mix
Before we dive into the origin and history of the American Pit Corso breed, let’s first analyze its parent breeds. This should give you an insight into where this popular guard dog gets its traits and characteristics.
Cane Corso Italiano Origins
The Cane Corso is an Italian breed of mastiff. The lineage of this breed goes all the way back to ancient Rome. As a matter of fact, the breed’s name roughly translates to “bodyguard dog” in Latin—spoken by ancient Romans.
Though not as bulky as other mastiff breeds, the Cane Corso is well-muscled and has an intimidating appearance. This dog weighs an average of 90-110 pounds and measures around 25-28 inches at the shoulder.
The Cane Corso has a large head and a short, stiff coat. The color of the coat is often black, but it also comes in various shades of gray, fawn, and dark wheaten. There could also be some minor white markings on the nose, chest, and feet.
The Cane Corso was bred for ranch work, cart pulling, livestock driving, and estate protection. It was also used for wild boar hunting.
Nowadays, the Italian Cane Corso is more commonly found in family homes, serving as a loyal and alert protector.
American Pitbull Terrier Origins
Unlike the Italian Cane Corso, the American Pitbull Terrier breed isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, it’s recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA).
Like other bull breeds, the American Pitbull Terrier is grossly misunderstood. This is because this breed’s ancestors were used for betting purposes and blood sports like bear and bull baiting.
The Pitbull Terrier’s unfair reputation, which is the result of criminally negligent people, often leads a lot of people to think that it’s a dangerous breed. This couldn’t be further from the truth, though.
When properly trained and socialized, the American Pitbull Terrier is loving and gentle and makes for an excellent companion, even around children!
The Pitbull Terrier varies in size. Males are typically 18-21 inches in height and 35-60 pounds in weight, whereas females are 17-20 inches in height and 30-50 pounds in weight.
It’s a medium-sized dog with a short, smooth coat and a well-defined muscle structure. Common colors include black, white, brown, and red.
Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Origins
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix is a relatively new crossbreed, so its history isn’t as rich as its parent breeds. In fact, the exact origin of this crossbreed isn’t verified.
Considering its parent breeds, this dog displays natural tendencies toward hunting and fighting. It’s alert, strong-willed, and intimidating.
With early socialization and ongoing training, the American Pit Corso makes an excellent companion and guard dog.
Read on to learn more about this beautiful and loyal breed.
Appearance of Cane Corso Pitbull Mix
The appearance of Cane Corso Pitbull mixes varies based on which parent breed has the most dominant traits.
If your Cane Corso Pitbull gets most of its appearance from its Cane Corso parent, it will have a short, dense coat with a few folds. It will also have a large body with a proportionate height and might have loose jowls.
Per contra, if your Cane Corso Pitbull gets most of its appearance from its American Pitbull Terrier Parent, its coat will be short and tight, with a slightly longer body. It will also have a broad muzzle and tight lips.
In most cases, the Cane Corso Pitbull bears greater resemblance to its Cane Corso parent but with the head and muzzle of its Pitbull Terrier parent.
Let’s talk in more detail about this breed’s general appearance.
Weight
An adult Cane Corso Pitbull mix weighs 70-115 pounds on average.
It’s right in between its parent breeds in terms of weight, as the Cane Corso weighs an average of 90-110 pounds, and the American Pitbull Terrier weighs 30-60 pounds.
Generally speaking, the bigger and heavier the dog’s parents, the bigger and heavier it will be, especially if the Cane Corso is the dominant parent breed.
Height
An adult Cane Corso Pitbull mix stands 20-24 inches in height, with some being a few inches taller. This is proportional to the height of its parent breeds, with the Cane Corso standing at 25-28 inches and the Pitbull Terrier at 17-21 inches.
It’s a large and muscular dog, which comes as no surprise considering the history of its parent breeds. After all, one of its parent breeds is a mastiff, and mastiffs are known to be some of the largest breeds out there.
Coat
The American Pit Corso has a short, dense, and shiny double coat. The coat isn’t as shiny or smooth as that of its Pitbull parent, but it’s not as rough and stiff as its Cane Corso parent, either. It’s right in the middle.
Color-wise, the American Pit Corso’s coat comes in black, fawn, red, and brindle. It can also be a combination of these colors.
Since this breed’s parents don’t have the merle gene, it’s impossible to find a merle-colored American Pit Corso.
Temperament of Pitbull Cane Corso Mix
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix is an even-tempered breed, given that it’s properly trained and socialized at a young age.
Is it good with kids and other pets, though? And is it easily trainable?
Below is everything you need to know about the American Pit Corso’s temperament.
Personality
Despite their intimidating size, Cane Corso Pitbull mixes are friendly and affectionate towards people they’re familiar with. This makes them excellent family dogs.
Around strangers, they’re calm yet very alert and protective, displaying a cool aura of competence. They’re hyper-aware of their environment, and they won’t hesitate to step in front of an aggressor. This is why they’re viewed as formidable guard dogs.
Their friendly personality can be attributed to their American Pitbull Terrier ancestors, while their protective and alert nature can be attributed to their Cane Corso ancestors.
Trainability
Though loyal and eager to please, the American Pit Corso can sometimes be hard to handle. This crossbreed requires lifelong training in order to remain obedient and well-behaved.
You need to be strict with your Cane Corso Pitbull. Your dog needs to see that you’re the pack leader. Otherwise, it will test your leadership with unwanted behaviors.
This unruly and strong-willed nature can be attributed to the crossbreed’s Cane Corso lineage. The Cane Corso isn’t a good fit for inexperienced and first-time dog owners, requiring a great deal of dog training knowledge and experience.
On the other hand, Pitbulls are known for picking up commands quickly and being highly trainable. And since the American Pit Corso has the Pitbull gene in it, it won’t be as hard to train as its Cane Corso ancestors.
Around Kids
Cane Corso Pitbulls are purposely bred to be family companions and guard dogs. So, they’re generally playful and affectionate around children.
That being said, the Cane Corso Pitbull is a large and powerful dog. If not properly trained and socialized, it can be the cause of many unexpected accidents.
Your Cane Corso Pitbull should be socialized in their puppyhood. It should also go through obedience training so that it’s well-behaved around other people and children.
If you’re an experienced dog owner with a good deal of knowledge about dog training and positive reinforcement, socializing and training your American Pit Corso should be fairly easy.
On the other hand, if you’ve never owned a dog in your life and are adamant about getting an American Pit Corso, you should consider hiring a professional dog trainer.
Around Other Dogs
Cane Corso Pitbulls get along with dogs they’re familiar with or have grown up with, provided that they’re socialized from an early age.
Remember, however, that a socialized and trained dog can still display some level of aggression in certain situations.
For instance, in situations of fear, frustration, pain, and same-sex aggression, a Cane Corso Pitbull can become quite the alpha around other dogs.
Aggression is a normal form of communication in dogs, though. So, this shouldn’t worry you too much if your dog is well-trained.
Around Other Pets
A well-trained and socialized Cane Corso Pitbull gets along very well with other pets. That being said, when this dog’s hunting instincts kick in, it can chase smaller pets around.
And due to its sheer size and power, what your Cane Corso Pitbull perceives as fun and play might not be all that amusing for a tiny pet.
Nonetheless, the gentle giant won’t harm other pets if they’ve been around other people and animals from an early age.
Caring for Your Cane Corso Pitbull Mix
Now that you know all about the Cane Corso Pitbull’s ancestry, appearance, and personality, let’s talk about caring for this beautiful crossbreed.
In this section, we’ll cover everything from nutrition and grooming requirements to exercise and mental stimulation. This should help you determine whether or not the American Pit Corso is a good fit for you.
Nutrition
The American Pit Corso is a large dog that has a high energy level. In order to maintain its mass and energy, it needs high-quality kibble.
On average, the American Pit Corso requires 2-3 cups of a tasty, nutritious, and well-balanced kibble product.
When picking out a kibble product for an American Pit Corso, make sure you opt for large-breed kibble.
Even during puppyhood, an American Pit Corso should consume large-breed kibble. This is to accommodate the breed’s rapid bone growth.
It’s a good idea to pair your dog’s diet with high-quality multivitamins to promote a healthy immune and digestive system.
You should bear in mind that Cane Corso Pitbulls have a notably huge appetite. This means that you should serve them food in portions.
You might be tempted to leave out food for them so that they can eat whenever they feel hungry, but that can easily lead to overeating. This, in turn, might pose the risk of obesity.
Having a hard time finding the right dog food for Cane Corso Pitbulls?
Check out our brand review of Annamaet and Open Farm. Both are excellent brands of high-quality dog food that offer nutritious options for large breeds like the Cane Corso Pitbull.
Exercise
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix requires at least an hour of intense exercise every day to expel its energy and maintain its agility.
Some intense exercises that are perfect for Cane Corso Pitbulls include long jogs, swimming, and mountain hiking.
If you’re unable to do such exercises with your dog on a daily basis, a simple game of fetch will do, especially if you have a large yard.
Now, you might be wondering, “Is it okay if I let a Cane Corso Pitbull off the leash in dog parks and public places?”
Sadly, the answer is no.
Since the American Pit Corso’s parent breeds, the Cane Corso and the Pitbull Terrier, are both controlled by Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), their crossbreed is also controlled by BSL.
This basically means that you can’t let your dog go off-leash in public, even if it’s well-trained and socialized.
Grooming
The American Pit Corso’s grooming requirements are considered minimal compared to most other breeds.
When it comes to bathing, you should only bathe your Pit Corso when necessary. Bathing this mixed breed too frequently can strip its coat from its natural oils, which are needed to maintain a healthy coat and skin.
And speaking of skin, the Cane Corso Pitbull mix has very sensitive skin. So, you should be extremely cautious of the cleaning products you pick for this mixed-breed dog.
Ideally, you should use an organic shampoo and conditioner that’s soap-free. It’s also great if the shampoo and condition contain a natural oil blend, like almond oil, to prevent skin irritation and allergies.
The Cane Corso Pitbull’s shedding is moderate to low. You only need to brush it once a week, ideally with a pin brush.
Since this crossbreed has a short and dense double coat, make sure to use a brush that can reach the top and bottom coats.
It’s also recommended to use a de-shedding tool on this breed every 8-12 weeks to keep its coat looking neat.
Lastly, make sure you trim the Cane Corso Pitbull’s nails on a regular basis to prevent ingrown nails and other dog-related nail problems.
Mental Stimulation
Just like people, dogs require mental stimulation to sustain their overall health.
A lot of dog owners put a lot of emphasis on physical exercise while overlooking the importance of mental exercise.
Not only does mental stimulation keep your dog happy, but it also increases good behavior and helps keep your dog sharp by fighting off symptoms of dementia, depression, and anxiety.
So, how do you go about providing a Cane Corso Pitbull with mental stimulation?
Well, there are several ways to go about it, including obstacle courses, interactive dog toys, a game of hide and seek, scatter feeding, and dog tricks.
Health Concerns of Cane Corso Pitbull Mix
Cane Corso Pitbulls are a healthy crossbreed that’s full of energy and vitality. They have a pretty long lifespan. So, if you get a Cane Corso Pitbull, it will be your companion for a long time.
Like all living creatures, though, the Cane Corso Pitbull is prone to several health concerns, with some being more common than others.
Health Issues
Here are some of the common health issues associated with the Cane Corso Pitbull mix:
Skin Allergies
As mentioned earlier, this crossbreed has very sensitive skin, especially if it takes after its Pitbull parent than its Cane Corso parent.
The American Pit Corso can develop skin allergies due to nutritional factors or exposure to allergens. With that in mind, you should be cautious of what your dog eats and gets exposed to.
Regular brushing is also important to remove dander, dandruff, and allergens from your dog’s skin.
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
Considering the size of this crossbreed, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that elbow and hip dysplasia is common in Cane Corso Pitbulls.
It’s even less of a surprise when you learn that both parents of this mixed breed suffer from this health issue. It’s a hereditary orthopedic disease, after all.
Elbow and hip dysplasia are common in many dog breeds, especially the ones that are medium and large in size.
This disease is a result of the hip and elbow joints growing abnormally, which results in the deformation and deterioration of the joints.
Cardiac Conditions
Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac condition among the American Pit Corso and other large dog breeds like the Boxer, Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, and Saint Bernard.
This condition causes the heart chambers, primarily the left ventricle, to dilate. As the chamber gets bigger, its muscular wall stretches and becomes thinner. This hinders the heart’s ability to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the dog’s body.
Signs of dilated cardiomyopathy include:
- Rapid breathing when sleeping or resting
- Coughing and gagging
- Reduces stamina and ability to exercise
- Decreased appetite
- Depression and lack of interaction
Cherry Eye
Unlike humans, dogs have three eyelids rather than two.
When the tear gland in a dog’s third eyelid becomes swollen and red, it tends to pop out and cover the eye. This is referred to as cherry eye.
If you notice this condition or any of the above-mentioned conditions, you should seek immediate veterinarian attention.
Lifespan
Considering the life expectancy of the Cane Corso and the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Cane Corso Pitbull mix is expected to live 10-14 years.
That being said, with proper care, enough exercise, and a healthy diet, a Cane Corso Pitbull can live longer than 14 years.
Getting a Cane Corso Pitbull Mix
So, how much do American Pit Corso puppies cost? Are there any adoption options for this hybrid breed? Most importantly, who qualifies as an ideal Cane Corso Pitbull owner?
Let’s find out!
Puppy Prices
The average price range for Cane Corso Pitbull mix puppies is $1,000 to $2,500, assuming you’re buying from a reputable breeder.
The price fluctuates depending on several factors, including the breeder’s reputation and the lineage, age, and health condition of the puppy.
The reason Cane Corso Pitbull mix puppies are so expensive has to do with their rarity. It’s a relatively new breed, after all.
In addition to the buying cost, you should take into account the cost of food supplies, bedding, and other essentials.
You’ll also need to factor in the cost of insurance and licensing since we’re talking about a breed that falls under BSL.
Adoption Options
Adopting a Cane Corso Pitbull from a shelter is a great thing to do if you’re more of a dog rescuer than a buyer.
You first try local dog rescue shelters. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can try dedicated breed centers, such as the Cane Corso Rescue center and the Pitbull Rescue center.
Such centers specialize in rescuing purebreds and mixes.
Ideal Owners
An ideal Cane Corso Pitbull owner is one who has a medium to large-sized home with plenty of room for the dog to roam freely. Further, a Cane Corso Pitbull should have access to fresh air and some yard space.
On that account, if you live in an apartment, a Cane Corso Pitbull isn’t a good fit for you.
If you’re welcoming an American Pit Corso puppy into a house that contains other pets, simply introduce your pup to your other pets, and they’ll get along just fine.
On the other hand, if you’re welcoming other pets into a house that already contains a Cane Corso Pitbull, you’ll need to introduce them very slowly, especially if your dog is an adult.
Wrapping Up
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix isn’t just a towering, intimidating guard dog; it’s also an excellent family dog and companion that’s full of energy and personality.
If socialized from an early age, Cane Corso Pitbulls can be friendly and playful around children and other pets. They also take well to people they’re familiar with.
Hopefully, this post has provided you with all the information you need to determine whether or not an American Pit Corso is a good fit for you.