Training Tips for Your Pit Corso: Cane Corso Pitbull Mix
Thinking of welcoming a Pitbull Cane Corso mix into your home? Before you do, there’s some information you’ll need to know! The American Pitbull Terrier and the Cane Corso are two of the most formidable-looking canines alive. Those that know them understand that both breeds are both sweet and easygoing family companions. When you put these two popular breeds together, you get a mix that’s affectionately labeled the Pit Corso.
The Pit Corso makes for a big dog, so if that’s something you can’t handle, cross this breed off your list right away. Also known as the Italian Mastiff, the parents of the Cane Corso are large dogs. Their Pitbull parents have a bad reputation as Pitbulls, which most in the canine world thinks is unwarranted.
Pit Corsos really is the best of both worlds. However, they can be stubborn mixed breeds and are not for everyone. For those who use this puppy without proper research, it runs the risk of failure. This breed guide is must-read for anyone looking to welcome one of these beautiful dogs into their life. But if you can check all his boxes, we know he will check all yours too! Let’s see if the charming American Pit Corso is right for you.
Parent Breeds
If you want an American Pit Corso in your life, you first need to learn about his parents. After all, he is a combination of them both. From their history to a little about their personality and appearance, let’s take a closer look.
American Pitbull Terrier
The American Bulldog has one of the most unfair and unjustified reputations in the canine world. Its ancestors were used for gambling, fighting other dogs, and hunting rats across ponds in England. The best and biggest were bred together to create the Pitbull breed we know and love today. Since then, he’s found work as a herder, therapy dog, and family pet.
Pitbulls stand between 17 and 21 inches tall and weigh between 30 and 65 pounds. They are muscular but slender. Most pitbulls will have a cheeky smile that extends from ear to ear, affectionately known by its lovers as the Velvet Hippo. In general, they are friendly with everyone, including strangers, which is why he makes a terrible guard dog. Contrary to his reputation! Pitbulls are very popular in the United States and are popular as hybrid parents of other popular mixes.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a mastiff breed from Italy. He was bred to work on the farm, pull carts, herd cattle, guard hens and estates. Like hunting wild boar. He was almost extinct, but thanks to the breed’s lovers and the Neopolitan Mastiff, the Cane Corso was saved. He is now more commonly found in protective duty families.
He is between 23 and 27 inches tall and weighs between 88 and 110 pounds. He is also a muscular dog, but the extra weight makes him look less obvious than the Pitbull and cuter. His fur is thicker and rough to the touch, and he has a large square head with an attractive smile. He has only been recognized for 10 years, but his popularity has risen to 32nd place out of about 196 recognized breeds. Because of their reputation as excellent guardians of property, they are sometimes compared to German Shepherds and other guard dog breeds.
American Pit Corso
The American Pit Corso is a relatively rare hybrid breed. Since he is the perfect fusion of both parents, he is bound to become a hit soon. Of course, mixed races are a bit unpredictable when it comes to personality and appearance. But more often than not, he inherits the best of both dog worlds, so let’s take a look at the quintessential American Pit Corso.
Temperament
The American Pit Corso is a large breed with a good heart. This little dog loves his family more than anything in the world. So, if you want a dog that will look at you like you’re the best thing that’s happened to him (every time he sees you), check out this combo. He may be a big, muscular guy, but deep down, he’s a weak lover.
That means you and your family can enjoy plenty of hugs and kisses on the couch. He is loving and gentle with every member of his family, from grandmother to grandson. His parents love children, so you can be sure that he will follow them closely to help you entertain your kids.
However, he does not give this affection to strangers. Unlike his pitbull parent, he is actually a guard dog. But luckily, he’s not as protective of others as his parent, Cane Corso, so he’s easier to deal with. He will bark and keep an eye on anyone who approaches his family, and will not hesitate to protect them if needed.
All these traits combined make it a strong little family dog. He craves company and he hates being alone because he doesn’t know if you’re safe. But if you can handle his intensity, he makes up for that with loads of fun and silly charm.
Size & Appearance
The American Pit Corso is a large breed that weighs 50 to 90 pounds and is 20 to 24 inches tall. He is a muscular dog just like his parents, with a bit of a stick on his head. It has a square body and head, a thick neck, and a tail no lower than the ankle (also known as the dog’s ankle).
His nose is square and fleshy, almond-shaped eyes and large lobed ears. Some owners choose to trim both Cane Corso and Pitbull ears, so some owners may choose to have the same look. He may have inherited Corso’s sagging jaws, but they don’t wiggle as much, which also means less drooling.
Coat & Colors
The coat of the American Pit Corsos is short and dense. It won’t be shiny and smooth like Pitbull’s, but it won’t be rough like Corso’s either. He’ll have a double coat that will keep him cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
When it comes to color, the American Pit Corso comes in black, fawn, different shades of brindle, or red. These are the most common coat colors between the parents, but he can also combine any colors. The only color he won’t have is merle. So if you find an American Pit Corso in merle, he is not an American Pit Corso.
His eyes may be dark brown, but may also be light brown or dark gray. It’s very rare that he inherits yellow or blue eyes, but it does happen. If so, you can expect him to be a little more expensive than his other siblings.
Exercise & Living Conditions
The American Pit Corso needs at least an hour of exercise every day. If you want to unleash his athletic energy, it needs to be intense and varied. Think long jogs, mountain adventures and playing in the ocean. He loves being with you, so whatever your favorite hobby is, it will soon become his.
Since both his parents are often subject to Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), you can be sure that this mix will too. This means you’ll want to check your local BSL laws, as you may not be able to off-leash him in public or into dog parks with him. This may also affect any rental restrictions.
This mix is expected to be a large dog, so an apartment would not be ideal here. Instead, he prefers a medium to large house where he has plenty of room to play silly in it. He also loves to get some fresh air in his yard. Just make sure it’s safe because he’ll be guarding his perimeter. It’s a great idea to meet and say hello to a local delivery guy!.
If the American Pit Corso is socialized, he will likely get along well with other dogs. However, if he was more like his Cane Corso parents than his Pittie parents, he probably wouldn’t. This shouldn’t be a problem if you have a multi-pet household and you welcome him into the house like a puppy. However, if you are welcoming another pet into the mix with an already resident American Pit Corso, you will need to introduce them slowly. Do this before making any commitments.
Training
The American Pit Corso is an adorable dog breed. However, he can also be in the minority, so you need to be prepared for lifelong training. The pitbull is suitable for first-time owners, but the Cane Corsos is not, so you’ll find this puppy just about anywhere. With this in mind, you need to prepare yourself to be tough on him, be the leader, and not let his unruly behavior go unpunished.
Socialization is very important. You need to expose him to new dogs, animals, people, noises and situations for him to develop into a confident dog. Otherwise, he will become overprotective and problematic. Positive reinforcement training is the most effective way to train this combination, and thanks to his pitbull genes, he will quickly take the helm.
Since he also hates being alone, we recommend cage training. When you bring it home for the first time, make sure you have a crate waiting for it. Given his size and strength, you’ll want an indestructible box just in case. But with the right training, he will quickly fall in love with his safe space.
Health
The American Pit Corso is a relatively hardy breed with a typical lifespan of 10 to 14 years. As a mixed breed, it can inherit health problems from either parent. While this list is not exhaustive, be sure to familiarize yourself with the following most common health conditions and their symptoms:.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Both his parents had these conditions, so it’s likely he has health problems.
Heart problems: His Cane Corso parents are prone to various heart conditions, the most common being dilated cardiomyopathy.
Skin allergies: His pit bull parents have sensitive skin, possibly from exposure to allergens like grass or nutritional factors.
Nutrition
An American Pit Corso will eat about two and a half to three cups of food per day. With his high energy and large weight, he will benefit from a high-quality crumb that will keep him energized throughout the day. Thankfully, you can be sure that a good quality kibble will provide a balanced diet and super tasty food.
Since it is a large breed, you will need to feed it large breed crumbs as they have their own nutritional needs. It is important to feed them large seed foods during childhood as this will help control their rapid bone growth. Therefore, this may reduce the severity of the joint dysplasia they are prone to.
Grooming
The American Pit Corso has a short double coat and they shed moderately all year round. He will only need to brush once a week with a pin brush. And sometimes, a shaving tool will be helpful during shedding season. He will only need to brush once every 8 to 12 weeks to keep him looking and feeling his best. Keep an eye on his skin and if he shows any signs of skin allergies, get them checked out. He will dump the same amount as his Pitbull parent.
Breeders & Puppy Costs
The American Pit Corso is currently a relatively rare breed, which means you’ll need to wear a detective hat to find a reputable breeder. Always avoid puppy mills as they often sell sick or abused puppies. This is bad news for any dog, especially a large breed that already has protective behavior.
Instead, look for a breeder who has a professional website or can attest that they have experience crossing cane bulls and pit bulls. Testimonials from past customers can also be an insight into their reputation. Always meet puppies and their parents in person and ask to see a health certificate. The effort will be worth it when you find a healthy and happy puppy.
The average price for an American Pit Corso from a reputable breeder can start at $1,000. You also have to remember that there is more to the dog than its initial cost. You have to account for his food bill and equipment like bed, brush and collar etc. And due to BSL issues, you’ll need to factor in potentially increased licensing and insurance costs.
Rescue & Shelters
If you’re considering adopting an American Pit Corso, welcome to the rescue club! Adopting a dog is a wonderful thing, especially considering how many pit bull mixes await their permanent home. Try your local rescue shelter and talk to the staff about what you’re looking for.
If you don’t have success there, try a specialized breed center that rescues purebred puppies and their mixes. The Pitbull Rescue Center website and the Cane Corso Rescue website list specialized rescue centers and where to contact them. Not only will you save a life, but you’ll save some money as well.
As a family pet
- The American Pit Corso makes a great family companion.
- He likes to spend all his time with his family and hates being alone.
- The American Pit Corso is very fond of children and makes a great sibling dog.
- He’s likely to do well in households with lots of pets.
- American Pit Corso needed a large house with secure yard access.
- He needs to exercise at least 60 minutes a day.
- American Pit Corso’s grooming schedule is relatively simple.
- He is a difficult dog to train and needs consistency.
- The American Pit Corso is a guard dog that will protect your family.
- He is very cold towards strangers and it takes him some time to get used to them.
- This combination is always vigilant and vigilant around the house.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it, the American Pit Corso in all his gorgeous glory. He isn’t suited to everyone because of his difficult Cane Corso streak. But if you fancy a mellower version, this pup is a fantastic choice. His Pitbull streak will make him an obedient dog who will follow you around all day long. And with lifelong training, he will be a pleasant pooch who you can be proud of despite the nonsense BSL laws.
He makes a wonderful family addition, and he and the kids will love each other. He’s lots of fun, and with his goofball personality, you’re sure to have lots of laughter for many years to come.
