Cane Corsos and Bullmastiffs are related, so it’s not surprising to learn that crossing the two to create a new breed has become popular. The result is a massive pooch that is highly affectionate. Is this gentle giant right for you?
History and Where the Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix comes from
The Bullmastiff Cane Corso’s origins are unknown. This is the case with nearly all designer breeds. They seem to just appear, and no one knows how, when, or where they were first bred.
However, we do understand the history of the parent breeds very well.
Designer Dog Breed History
Designer breeds are a new phenomenon. At least the name designer breeds is new. A designer dog is created by breeding two purebred dogs of different breeds. The goal is to get certain traits from each parent, and to create a new breed of dog.
Surprisingly, there’s nothing new about this practice. In fact, most of today’s pure breeds were created by breeding different breeds together in the past.
The Bullmastiff is a perfect example. An English Bulldog was bred with an English Mastiff to create the breed. Today, it’s considered a pure breed.
Bullmastiff History
The Bullmastiff was created in the late 1800s. Poaching was a problem for landowners and aristocrats who lived in the countryside. The poachers were nearly impossible to catch, because the authorities were far away, at least in terms of response time.
If the landowner attempted to catch them, they would escape by any means possible. After all, they would likely be put to death by hanging if they were caught, so they would gladly put their life on the line to escape.
The relatively low risk of punishment made poaching a big problem for the aristocracy. The Bullmastiff was created to be the solution to this problem.
The English Bulldog and English Mastiff were combined. The Bullmastiff was large and powerful. Their size and appearance was intimidating, and their natural guarding ability proved very useful.
They had the agility to catch poachers, and the strength to hold on to them until help arrived.
World War 1 destroyed many of these estates. This led to poachers making other career choices, so the Bullmastiff was no longer needed to guard the estates.
They proved to be great companions, as well as great guard dogs. They also became popular show dogs.
Cane Corso History
The Cane Corso is a descendant of the Greek Mollosser. The Corso first appeared fighting with Roman soldiers. After the war, they became farm hands, guard dogs, and even nanny dogs.
The breed was almost extinct by the 1970s. In fact, a chance encounter in Italy revealed that the breed still had surviving members. Fans of the Corso began bringing the breed back from the brink of extinction.
They made their way to the U.S. in the 1980s, and quickly became popular. However, they still aren’t well known today.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Facts
The Bullmastiff and Cane Corso share many similarities, because they also share an ancestry.
The Cane Corso is a descendant of the Mollosser. However, the Mollosser also fathered other breeds, including the English Mastiff and Bulldog.
The similarities dont’ end there. The Cane Corso is also known as the Italian Mastiff, while the Bullmastiff is part English Mastiff.
Their similar heritage and traits makes predicting the traits of their offspring easier than it is with many designer dogs.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Appearance
Bullmastiffs and Cane Corsos are similar in appearance, which creates much less variation in the appearance of their puppies. However, there can still be some variations.
Physical Appearance
You can expect a Bullmastiff Cane Corso to have the strong muscular build of both its parents. They are also large, and have wide heads.
Their muzzle is medium, and slightly longer than it is wide. They may have an underbite, or a level bite. They have v-shaped ears and medium-sized almond eyes.
Their jowls can vary. If they take after their Cane Corso parent, they will have droopy jowls. If they resemble the Bullmastiff parent, they will have a wider face.
Coat and Colors
Both parent breeds have a short sleek coat, so you can expect the Bullmastiff Corso to have this type of coat as well.
When it comes to colors, they can be any color that the Cane Corso can present. These colors include black,gray, red, fawn, and chestnut. They can also be brindle, which gives them a tiger stripe pattern.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Price and Expenses
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos typically cost $1,000 to $2,500. This is similar to the price of the parent breeds.
A registered Cane Corso puppy costs $1,000 to $2,500, with an average price of $1,200. Bullmastiffs can cost $1,000 to $2,000, with an average price of $1,500. Both parent breeds can cost $3,000 or over, depending on their pedigree and coat color.
Costs of Owning a Bullmastiff Cane Corso
The initial ownership expenses include a dog bed, crate, and toys. This costs $250 to $1,100.
Veterinary expenses can also add up. These costs range from $315 to $1,260. This can include vaccines, wellness exams, and spay or neuter surgery.
They are large pooches, which means they require a large amount of food. You can expect the food bill to cost $80 to $100 each month, including kibble and treats.
The cost of initial expenses for your Bullmastiff Cane Corso ranges from $670 to $2,450.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Rarity
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos are not particularly rare. They aren’t as common as some breeds, but they aren’t impossible to find.
Their parent breeds fall into the middle ground between common and rare. The Cane Corso ranks 17th in popularity in the U.S., and Bullmastiffs are rarer, ranking 48th.
In addition to their parent breeds being relatively uncommon, the Bullmastiff Cane Corso is a new breed, which also makes them less common.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Life Expectancy
Cane Corsos have a life expectancy of 9 to 12 years. Bullmastiffs have a shorter lifespan, of 7 to 10 years.
Generally, the larger the breed, the shorter the lifespan. This could explain why the Bullmastiff has such a short life expectancy.
The Bullmastiff Cane Corso has a life expectancy of 8-12 years.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Size and weight
The Bullmastiff Cane Corso is typically considered a giant breed, due to their large size.
Males are larger than females. They grow to 25 to 28 inches tall, and weigh 110 to 130 pounds. Females reach 24 to 26 inches tall, and weigh 90 to 120 pounds.
This size is similar to the size of their parent breeds. Cane Corsos grow to 23-28 inches tall, and weigh 85-120 pounds. Bullmastiffs can be 24-27 inches tall, and weigh 100 to 130 pounds. Like their offspring, females are smaller than males.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Health
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos are considered heathy dogs. Hybrid pooches are often thought to be healthier than purebred dogs, thanks to their greater genetic diversity. However, they can be prone to some health issues.
Skin and Food Allergies
Both parent breeds are prone to allergies. Skin allergies are one concern. These typically occur when the dog is exposed to an allergen. These allergens can include dust, pollen, and fleas.
Food allergies can also be a problem for this breed. This occurs when the dog has an allergy to something they are eating. Common allergens include dairy, beef, and chicken.
Either type of allergy can cause skin rashes and irritation, which is known as atopic dermatitis. This can lead to itching, frequent licking, and skin lesions. Patches of hair loss is also a common symptom.
Bloat
Bloat can occur in any dog, but it’s more common in medium and large breeds, particularly those with a broad or barrel chest. Bloat occurs when the gas in the stomach can’t be released.
As the pressure increases, the stomach can twist. This is fatal 80% of the time. If they get veterinary care quickly, they have a 50% chance of survival.
The symptoms of bloat include stomach bloating, severe pain, and retching or gagging without productive vomiting. They may also be unable to pee, poop, or pass gas.
If your pooch begins experiencing symptoms of bloat, they need immediate veterinary care. Bloat can be fatal within hours of symptoms beginning.
You can reduce the risk of bloat by feeding your dog a few smaller meals each day. If they are fast eaters, a slow feeder bowl can help.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia is common in large breeds. It occurs when the hip or elbow joint doesn’t form correctly. This causes the joint to slip out of place easily.
Dysplasia can cause pain, particularly with movement. It can cause limited mobility if it’s severe.
You can reduce the risk of dysplasia by feeding your pooch a healthy diet and ensuring they get regular exercise.
Eye Issues
These pooches are at risk of several eye issues. One potential concern is cataracts. The condition typically affects older dogs, and occurs when a film develops over the eye. This can interfere with their vision.
Glaucoma is another eye problem that occurs later in life. It’s caused by increased eye pressure. This leads to pain and vision loss.
Entropion and Cherry Eye are less concerning conditions. They occur when the eyelid turns inward or outward. This can cause a red mass on the eyelid.
Joint Problems
Joint problems are another potential issue for the Bullmastiff Cane Corso. The most common joint issues are arthritis and torn ligaments.
Arthritis causes pain and inflammation. This leads to difficulty with movement, particularly first thing in the morning. It can’t be cured, but it can be treated with medication.
Torn ligaments can also occur due to their weight. This can cause pain and swelling. Partial tears can cause intermittent problems with lameness. Full tears can prevent the dog from bearing weight on the leg.
Obesity
56% of dogs in America are overweight or obese. Just like humans, dogs who are obese are at a higher risk of many health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.
The extra weight also increases their risk of joint conditions, including arthritis and dysplasia.
Unfortunately, this typically leads to them being less active due to fatigue and pain. The lack of exercise can cause them to gain more weight and become even less healthy.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Behavior/Characteristics/Temperament
Bullmatiff Cane Corsos may seem intimidating. However, they are actually very gentle and affectionate. They are very protective. They are alert and watchful, but enjoy relaxing.
They can get bored if they don’t get enough mental and physical exercise. They need plenty of attention. They don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time.
They do need daily exercise, but they aren’t highly energetic. They are always up for a play session.
They are very loving with their family, but they don’t warm up to strangers easily. They may have difficulty coexisting with other dogs or other animals in the home, particularly without proper socialization.
They are happiest when they have a job to do. Both parent breeds are working breeds. What their job is doesn’t really matter. What’s important is that they have something that gives them purpose. This keeps them occupied and makes them feel useful. It also allows them to please their owners, which is very important for these highly devoted pooches.
How to care for a Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix
Bullmastiff Cane Corso mixes are considered medium to high maintenance. They are easy to care for in some respects, like grooming, but they are large dogs that require plenty of exercise and training.
How much exercise do Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mixes need?
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos require about 1 hour of exercise each day. Some are more energetic than others, and can require 1 1/2 to 2 hours daily.
Their parent breeds also require 1 hour of exercise each day.
While they don’t require an extreme amount of exercise, it’s very important that they remain active. If they don’t get exercise, they can become destructive or unruly.
When they aren’t being active, you can expect them to be happy lounging around and relaxing.
Do Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mixes shed a lot?
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos have a short double coat. It’s very dense, which helps protect them in inclement weather. They don’t shed as much as long coated breeds, but they do shed.
This occurs in the spring and fall, and allows their coat to get lighter or thicker in preparation for changing temperatures.
Do you need to groom Bullmastiff Cane Corso mixes often?
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos require regular grooming. They need to be brushed once a week. When they are shedding, they should be brushed daily, or every other day. This reduces the hair all over your home, and speeds up the shedding process.
They require bathing about once a month. If they spend a lot of time outside, they may need bathing more often. They tend to have sensitive skin, so you shouldn’t bathe them more than once a week.
You should also clean their ears at least once a month to prevent ear problems.
Do you need to train Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mixes a lot?
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos have a wonderful temperament. They are eager to please, and have a calm demeanor. This makes training them relatively easy.
However, they can be stubborn. They require a firm authoritative owner to be the alpha of their pack. If they don’t have a strong leader, they will try to rule the house.
Their large size and protective nature make training absolutely essential for these dogs. As their owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure they are well trained to prevent any accidents.
In addition to training, you’ll need to socialize them. Bullmastiff Corsos are highly protective, and wary around strangers. Without socialization, they may become aggressive with new people.
They should also be socialized with other animals. They typically have a high prey drive. If they aren’t introduced to other animals at an early age, they will view them as prey. If they are around other animals when they are young, they will not see them as prey.
Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Diet
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos are very large, so they require plenty of food. It’s very important that their food is high quality to support their massive size.
Their diet should be very high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Some fats are important, but a high fat diet isn’t a good idea for them.
A high-protein food designed for large-breed dogs is ideal. Some owners choose to feed their dogs a raw or homemade dog food diet. You may also choose a combination of homemade and commercial food.
If you choose to feed your pooch this type of diet, you’ll need to work with your vet to be sure they are getting adequate nutrition.
Puppies should be fed a puppy formula 4 times a day. Once they are 6 months old, you can feed them 3 times a day. At 12 months, you can feed them 2-3 times a day. At 12-18 months, you can switch them to an adult food.
Are Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mixes good family pets?
Bullmastiff Cane Corsos are excellent pets for many families. However, there are a few things you should know when determining if they are a good fit for your family.
They are very protective. This can be a great asset. If their family is in danger, they will protect them with their life. At the same time, they are tolerant, if not friendly, with strangers, as long as they are well socialized.
The biggest danger they pose to family members is their large size, which they can be unaware of. They often think they are lap dogs, rather than the same size as many human adults.
They may also jump up on someone out of excitement, which can easily knock them over.
Of course, they will never intentionally harm a family member. However, there is a risk of accidents, particularly around young children and the elderly.
Supervision is recommended when the Bullmastiff Corso is interacting with these individuals, particularly if the pooch is young or not well trained.
How do you buy a Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix?
Cane Corsos are not terribly difficult to find, so buying one may seem relatively simple. However, you’ll need to do research before choosing a breeder. Unfortunately, not all breeders are ethical.
Where to find a Bullmastiff Cane Corso
The easiest way to find a Bullmastiff Cane Corso is through an internet search. You can also check with organizations devoted to the parent breeds. These include The American Bullmastiff Association, and the Cane Corso Association of America.
Determining if a Breeder is Ethical
Unfortunately, unethical breeders are common. Many breed dogs solely for profit, with no concern for the animals themselves.
Not all unethical breeders have bad intentions. Some are simply uneducated. They may not be aware of proper breeding practices, and can even provide the wrong information about the breed on their website.
Some breeders, particularly those new to breeding, may lack the money for proper testing, which can also lead to unethical breeding practices.
One way to know if they are ethical is to ask questions. How do they determine breeding pairs? How do they ensure their dogs are healthy? Do they perform genetic testing? Do they guarantee the health of the puppies?
You should also expect the breeder to ask you questions. A reputable breeder will want to know their pooch is going to a good home. Expect them to ask about your previous dog ownership experience, the living conditions your pooch will have, and why you want a dog.
Check the Website and Reviews
When you find a breeder, you should check their website and reviews. Look for any incorrect information about the breed. You should also check online reviews. This can help you determine if they are ethical.