If you are torn between owning an American Pit Bull Terrier and taking home an Italian Cane Corso, why not try adopting an American Pit Corso which is a mix of both?
This rare mixed breed dog perfectly exhibits the personality and appearance of its parents — loyal, energetic, large, strong, and muscular.
However, they might not be for everyone as they require special attention and maintenance.
Understanding the temperament, compatibility, and health condition of this mixed breed is an essential step that you should take before owning one.
Lucky you! This guide covers everything you need to know about the Pit Corso. I have also thrown in some pictures for better visualization.
What Is an American Pit Corso? Can You Breed a Cane Corso With a Pitbull?
Photo by @pitcorsoz (IG)
An American Pit Corso is a medium to large mixed breed that resulted from breeding an American Pit Bull Terrier with an Italian Cane Corso.
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix resembles the body build and personality of both its parent breeds and it is developed to become an excellent family companion and guardian dog.
There is no wonder why the American Pit Corso has become popular so quickly.
The Pit Corso’s characteristics that it has inherited from its parent breeds make it an excellent working dog. It is also known for its strength and excellent guarding skills.
However, extra care and effort are required in owning an American Pit Corso. Due to their size and natural guarding and fighting instinct, they are not the breed for first-time dog owners.
You should have an in-depth understanding of the breed’s personality and needs to handle them properly.
Cane Corso Pitbull Mix History and Origin: Where Does the American Pit Corso Come From?
The exact history of the Pit Corso, including the date of origin and the breeders who initiated the development of the Cane Corso Pitbull mix, still remains unclear.
This is probably because the establishment of this cross is still in its infancy stage. Nevertheless, the ancestral origin of this crossbreed has already been defined and determined.
The Pit Corso that we know today is a product of breeding the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Italian Cane Corso. Both of which are formidable medium to large dog breeds.
To give you a better look at the origin of the Pit Corso, let’s review the history of its parent breeds.
The ancestry of the American Pit Bull Terrier can be traced from bulldogs and terriers. They were historically bred as baiting dogs in the early 19th century in England.
These events feature dogs that were baiting bulls (sometimes bears) inside a pit, thus the name “Pitbull.”
Due to the establishment of animal welfare laws, baiting events transitioned to dogfighting as it is easier to organize and conceal.
This bloodsport secretly continued for decades until it was totally abolished. The breed was officially recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1898.
The Italian Cane Corso (pronounced as KAH-neh KOR-soh), on the other hand, originated from the giant, big-boned, Greek guardian dogs called Molossus dogs or Molossers.
They historically served as war dogs for the Roman Empire. However, after the reign of the Romans, the Cane Corso transitioned to being a farm/hunting dog and a family companion.
The breed almost went extinct in the mid 20th century due to wars and industrialization. Fortunately, a few specimens survived.
A group of fanciers in Italy started a breeding program in 1970 with the goal of salvaging the breed which was deemed successful.
The Cane Corso arrived in the United States in 1988 and was only officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2010.
Based on the history of its parents, there is no doubt that the Pit Corso is an interesting hybrid. However, it is still in the stages of development.
Although its ancestry is known, there are still a lot of aspects about the breed that are yet to be fully established and standardized such as the coat color, growth, and temperament.
Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Appearance: What Does a Pit Corso Look Like?
Photo by @raisingkane.corso (IG)
Oftentimes, the Pit Corso mix greatly resembles its Cane Corso parent. However, their head and muzzle usually look the same as the American Pitbull Terrier.
Nonetheless, the resemblance varies from dog to dog depending on which breed trait is more dominant.
Pit Corso mixes that have inherited most of their appearance from their Pitbull parent will have a tight short coat, a broad muzzle, and clean tight lips. More likely, they will also be slightly longer just like Pitbulls.
On the other hand, if the Pit Corso mixes acquired more traits from their Cane Corso parents, they will exhibit a short and dense fur with few folds on their coats.
They would also have a large body with a height that is proportionate with their body length. Some of them will acquire the loose and hanging jowls of their Cane Corso parent, too.
In general, the coat of most Pit Corso is short and dense, much like with an American Pitbull. They usually inherit one of the coat colors of their parent breeds.
The common coat colors for the Pit Corso are the shades of fawn, black, gray, brown, and brindle.
Their eyes are almond-shaped with colors varying from shades of brown and gray. Blue and yellow eyes are considered to be rare; thus, they are expensive.
Watch this video of an American Pit Corso together with its parent dogs and compare how they look:
Cane corso pitbull mix<a href="https://youtu.be/ryqcHSmZvec" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FryqcHSmZvec%2F0.jpg" alt="Cane corso pitbull mix" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Size and Weight: How Big Will a Pit Corso Get When Fully Grown?
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix is a large muscular mixed dog breed that typically stands between 20 and 24 inches tall.
Their average weight ranges from 50 to 90 pounds which sets them as one of the largest dog breeds in the world. They have a square body build which means that their height is proportional to their body length.
Despite these estimations, the full size and weight of the Pit Corso depend on its parents. If they are significantly big, then expect your Pit Corso puppy to grow as large as them.
Typically, Pit Corso puppies stop growing at the age of 18 months, although they could still gain a few more inches as they grow older.
Their final size will be greatly influenced by their nutrition and lifestyle aside from the genes they inherited.
Pitbull Cane Corso Mix Temperament: Do American Pit Corsos Make Good Family Dogs?
Photo by @vega02841 (IG)
The Pit Corso has an excellent temperament, thanks to both of its parent breeds.
They are friendly and affectionate towards their family and other people, especially children, which they have inherited from their American Pit Bull Terrier ancestors.
They also make excellent guard dogs with their calm, alert, and protective traits, which they have acquired from their Cane Corso parent breed.
Here are the specifics of their behavior toward others:
With Family and Children: The American Pit Corso dogs are purposely bred to be excellent guard dogs and family companions. They are loyal, playful, and affectionate. However, due to their raw power and sheer weight, they can be a source of unexpected damages and accidents. Thus, early socialization and obedience training must be provided during their puppyhood to help them better interact with other people including children.
With Other Dogs and Pets: The Pit Corso can get along very well with other pets especially if they have grown up together. However, they might chase smaller pets and animals when their hunting instinct kicks in. It is also worth noting that this dog breed still has some level of aggressive behavior that could be triggered in certain situations such as same-sex aggression. Thus, socialization and training are really important for the Pitbull Cane Corso mix.
With Strangers: The Pit Corso is calm and neutral with strangers but it is always alert and ready to do its duties as a guardian dog. It is watchful of its environment especially to the people who interact with its family. The American Pit Corso won’t hesitate to protect its owner against aggressors.
The parent breeds of the Pit Corso mix are labeled as aggressive since they have been historically bred as fighting dogs. Thus, some also believe that the Pitbull Cane Corso mix is a dangerous dog.
While it is true that the American Pit Corso shows some level of aggression, such behavior can be regulated and controlled through early socialization and training.
A lot of owners and breeders would even contest that the Pit Corso is the perfect family guard and companion for the deserving and responsible owners.
Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Lifespan and Health Issues: Are Pit Corsos Healthy Dogs?
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix is considered to be a healthy dog. As members of the working breed, they are full of life, energy, and vitality.
When they lose vigor and enthusiasm, they probably have an underlying sickness. In cases like this, the first thing you should do is to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
In general, the life expectancy of the American Pit Corso ranges from 10 to 14 years.
However, if they receive proper care, they can live longer than the average dog. You must always look after the signs of possible canine diseases that may afflict them.
Here are the common health issues that your Pit Corso may be prone to:
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia: It’s not surprising that elbow and hip dysplasia is common to the Pit Corso since both of its parent breeds also suffer from this disease. Elbow and hip dysplasia are hereditary orthopedic diseases that are prevalent across different dog breeds – especially medium to large dogs. Both diseases develop when the joints in the hip or elbow abnormally grow. The deformity then results in deterioration of the joints which causes excruciating pain when moving.
Cataracts: Pit Corsos have a high risk of acquiring cataracts so their eyes may appear to be cloudy. The fog-like particles block the light from entering the eye which results in loss of vision. All dogs can acquire this disease but the older ones are at higher risk.
Cherry Eye: Cherry eye occurs when the third eyelid gland of a Pit Corso pops out and appears to be swollen red due to weak fibrous attachment. Immediate veterinarian attention should be sought in cases like this.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat: You might think of bloating as a simple and normal condition. For humans, maybe yes. But for dogs, bloating is a life-threatening condition. Bloating occurs when gaseous elements fill the dog’s stomach. This condition, if not immediately resolved, can lead to further complications where the gas-filled stomach twists resulting in blockage.
All of the abovementioned health problems can be resolved and prevented. You just need to keep a keen eye on what your Pit Corso eats and provide them with enough exercise.
Regularly visiting the vet will also let you resolve any health issue before it progresses to a more complicated condition.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Breeding Pitbulls and Cane Corsos Together
The members of the canine community have conflicting views about crossbreeding Pitbulls and Cane Corsos.
Some are totally against the combination of these two breeds citing the possible health issues that the offspring can carry.
Others take it more openly and see it as an opportunity to widen the range of dog breeds we have. One thing is for sure, crossbreeding has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages.
Here are some of the advantages of breeding Pitbull Cane Corso mixes:
Unique Appearance: Breeding dogs with different gene pools gives room to more diverse and unique offspring. In the case of the Pit Corso mix, they enjoy the combined appearances of the American Pit Bull Terrier and Cane Corso.
Excellent Temperament: Sometimes, dog breeders cross two breeds in order to combine their best character traits in another canine. The American Pit Corso is the perfect example and its parent dogs are both at the extremes. The American Pit Bull Terrier is too friendly while the Cane Corso is too protective. The Pitbull Cane Corso mix has mildly inherited both of its parent breed’s temperaments making it a friendly yet excellent guard dog.
Better Health Condition: All dog breeds have illnesses that are pretty common to them. With crossbreeding, congenital diseases can be lessened and eliminated by breeding dogs with more desirable health conditions. A stronger body and health condition can also be achieved through mixing breeds. Let’s take the Pit Corso as an example. They inherited the powerful body build and vigorous health of their parent breeds.
Foundation of New Breeds: Crossbreeding allows the development of new dog breeds that can adapt and acclimate easily to the changing world. Some crossbreeds have refined characteristics and temperament that befits the current society. In fact, some of the crossbreeds that were once disliked are now being recognized and loved by the canine community just like the American Pit Corso and the Biewer Terrier.
Here are the disadvantages of crossbreeding Pitbulls with Cane Corsos:
High Risk of Acquiring Genetic Problems: Although some diseases might be eliminated through crossbreeding, some congenital disorders can also be passed down due to the mixing of the breeds. Worse, the offspring might inherit both of its parent’s common health issues.
Unpredictable Temperament and Behavior: It would take a long time of breeding for a crossbreed to have a refined permanent temperament and behavior. No one can predict which behavior the puppy will inherit. Some Pit Corso mixes are dominantly friendly while others are more protective.
Unpredictable Appearance: The size, growth, weight, and coat color of the American Pit Corso vary greatly. Up until now, there is no clear standard provided with regards to the coat color and appearance a Pit Corso can have. Their growth is also hard to monitor. If the Pit Corso’s parents have the same size, expect the puppy to grow as big as them. However, it would be difficult to predict the growth of the puppy if the parents differ significantly in terms of height and weight.
It is truly hard to decide whether hybrids like the Pit Corso are worth buying or adopting. They are very unpredictable so careful assessment of your skills as a pet owner is needed before taking home these canines.
How to Take Care of Your Cane Corso Pitbull Mix?
The overall wellness of your Pit Corso will be greatly influenced by the way you take care of it. Here are the things you should know when it comes to raising your Pit Corso to be healthy and lively:
Feeding and Diet
The Pit Corso is an active dog; thus, it requires a diet that will provide the energy it needs. You should give your Pit Corso a kibble that is intended for large dog breeds.
These crossbreed dogs eat two to three times a day. Setting a consistent eating schedule is important as it can affect the appetite and eating habits of your dog.
Large dogs like the Pit Corso are susceptible to obesity due to overeating. Providing a nutritious meal in a balanced proportion is the key to healthy growth and development.
Cleaning and Grooming
The Pit Corso is a neat dog. It only requires minimal grooming so occasional bathing and weekly brushing will do the work. Although it has a short double coat, it only sheds moderately.
Just like with other dogs, trimming of nails should also be done regularly. If left unattended, untrimmed nails could lead to ingrown which is painful.
You won’t also need to worry about the saliva flowing from its face as it doesn’t drool much unlike the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Training and Exercise
In terms of training, you should assert that you are in authority, or else your Pit Corso will be stubborn and hard to control.
Early socialization is needed to regulate their protective and aggressive behavior towards other pets and strangers.
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix is an active dog breed. You need to take them on walks regularly or play with them.
You wouldn’t like to leave them alone without doing anything as they will surely find something to do (or destroy) to vent out their energy and boredom.
Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Puppy Prices & Expenses: How Much Does a Pit Corso Cost?
Photo by @raisingkane.corso (IG)
On average, Cane Corso Pitbull mix puppies will cost you around $1,000 to $2,500. This price could go higher depending on the lineage, breeder’s reputation, age, and health condition.
Considering that the Pitbull Cane Corso mix is still a rare breed at the moment, most breeders will surely place higher prices on their puppies.
If you are interested in taking home a Pit Corso, you should also be mindful of the initial cost and expenses of owning one.
Food supplies, beddings, collar, leash, food bowls, and grooming essentials are just some of the initial expenses you should prepare to pay. These supplies will cost around $300.
Places to Find Cane Corso Pitbull Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Finding a reputable Pit Corso dog breeder might prove difficult as this mixed breed is relatively rare. You will surely need to exert extra effort to find one.
Nevertheless, you can start your Pit Corso puppy hunting by consulting American Pit Bull breeders and Cane Corso breeders for referrals and advice. They might have connections with reputable Cane Corso Pit mix breeders.
Here are some places to find American Pit Corso puppies for sale:
Dark Dynasty K9 – This breeder is known for breeding top-notch Pitbulls. Their American Pit Bull Terriers are good foundation breeds for the Pit Corso mix. In the near future, we might see them producing toplines of Pit Corso from their Pitbull bloodline.
Blue Kings Cane Corso – This is one of the leading breeders of Cane Corso in the country. They produce quality Cane Corso puppies that passed the conformation standards so the lineage of their dogs is best suited for breeding the Pit Corso mix.
Despite the rarity and value of the Pit Corso, some of them still end up in shelters and rescues. Rescued Pit Corsos still make perfect family pets.
If you are interested in adopting one, here are the rescues you can visit to find a Cane Corso Pitbull mix for adoption:
Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC) – This non-profit organization rescues Pitbulls and their mixes across the United States. They provide medical assistance and rehome abandoned Pitbulls including the Pit Corso mix.
Mastiff to Mutts Rescue Inc. – This rescue is committed to rescuing large breeds such as the Cane Corso including mixes like the Pit Corso. They operate across Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, parts of North Carolina, and parts of New York.
Adopt Pit Rescue – This is the largest Pitbull and Pitbull mix rescue in Miami Valley. They dedicate their efforts to rescuing and rehoming abandoned Pitbulls and mixes such as the Pit Corso.
If you want to succeed in your Pit Corso adoption, I highly recommend our ultimate guide on dog adoption. It offers key tips on acing your application and how to transition your dog home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo by @pitcorsoz (IG)
Is King Corso a Pitbull?
King Corso and American Pit Bull Terrier are two different breeds. King Corso, also known as Cane Corso, is a working dog that excels in guarding duties. They are alert and suspicious towards strangers.
The Pitbull, on the other hand, is a friendly dog breed that is known as a popular family guardian.
Are Cane Corso Pitbull Mixes Aggressive?
In general, Cane Corso Pitbull mixes have a good demeanor and can get along very well with strangers and other pets.
They are extremely loyal and affectionate to their family members. However, the individual personality and behavior of each dog will be influenced by their environment and training.
Is a Cane Corso Pitbull Mix More Expensive Than Other Pitbull Mixes?
Cane Corso Pitbull mixes are expensive but their prices are not significantly higher than the price of other Pitbull mixes.
Pit Corso typically costs around $1,000 to $2,500 which is the same as the Pitboodle. On the other hand, the Bully Pit costs around $200 to $2,000.
Final Thoughts: Is the Cane Corso Pitbull Mix the Right Dog for You?
The Cane Corso Pitbull mix proves to be an excellent family companion and guardian dog for deserving and responsible owners.
The breed requires a deeper level of understanding of how they behave and how they should be treated.
If you think that you are ready to welcome a loyal family pet and provide the affection and attention it deserves, then there is no reason for you not to adopt one.
Nevertheless, the Pit Corso will surely return the favor you give tenfold love and loyalty.
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