American Pitbull Terrier Cane Corso Mix: Pit Corso Breed Information

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 who know them understand that both breeds are both sweet and easygoing family companions who also make formidable guard dogs. When you put these two popular breeds together, you get a mix that’s affectionately labeled the Pit Corso.

The Pit Corso is going to be a big dog, so if that’s something you can’t handle, check this breed off the list right away. The Cane Corso parent is also known as the Italian Mastiff, and they are big dogs. Their Pitbull parent carries a bad reputation as a fighting breed, and most in the dog world say that’s unwarranted.

Pit Corsos are truly the best of both worlds. However, they can be a stubborn mixed breed, and they aren’t for everyone. And for those that take this pup on without the proper research, risk it not working out. This breed guide is a must-read for anyone looking to welcome one of these beautiful dogs into their life. But if you can tick all of his boxes, we know he will tick all of yours. Let’s find out if the attractive American Pit Corso is the dog breed 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 at the Cane Corso Pitbull mix.

American Pitbull Terrier

The American Pitbull Terrier has one of the most unfair and unjustified reputations in the canine world. His ancestors were used for betting purposes, to fight against other dogs, and to kill rats across the pond in England. The best and the biggest were bred together, making the Pitbull we know and love today. Since then, he has found work as a herder, therapy dog, and family pet.

Pitbulls stand between 17 and 21 inches tall and weigh between 30 to 65 pounds. They are muscular but athletically trim. Most Pitbulls will have a cheeky smile stretching from ear to ear, and he is affectionately known by those who adore him as the velvet hippo. They are generally friendly with all people, including strangers, which is why this breed often makes a terrible watchdog, despite appearance and reputation. Pitbulls are quite common in the United States and have become popular as crossbreed parents for other popular mixes.

Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is a mastiff-type dog who hails from Italy. He was bred to work on the ranch, pulling carts, driving livestock, and protecting hen houses. Of course, he is also a guard dog for the family estate. As well as wild boar hunting. He nearly became extinct, but thanks to breed lovers and the Neopolitan Mastiff, the Cane Corso was saved. Now he is more commonly found in family homes on protection duties.

He measures between 23 to 27 inches tall and weighs between 88 and 110 pounds. He is also a muscular dog, but his extra weight makes him look less defined than the Pitbull and cuddlier. His coat is denser and rough to the touch, and he has a big square head with a catching smile. He has only been recognized for 10 years, but his popularity has shot to 32^nd place from around 196 recognized breeds. Because of their reputation as excellent defenders of property, they are sometimes compared to German Shepherds and other guardian breeds.

American Pit Corso

The American Pit Corso is a relatively rare mixed breed. Because he is a beautiful blend of both parents, he is bound to become popular very quickly. Of course, mixed breeds are a little unpredictable when it comes to their personality and appearance. But more often than not, he will inherit the best of both doggy worlds, so let’s take a look at a typical Cane Corso Pitbull mix.

Temperament

The American Pit Corso is a big dog with an even bigger heart. This pup adores his family more than anything in the world. So, if you want a dog that’s going to look at you like you are the best thing that has happened to him (every single time he sees you), look no further than this mix. He might be a big muscly guy, but deep down, he is a soppy sweetheart.

This means you and the family are in for lots of cuddles and kisses on the sofa. He is loving and gentle with every family member, from grandma all the way down to grandchildren. Both of his parents are fond of children, so you can be sure that he will follow them around, helping you with kiddy entertaining duties.

He does not extend this affection to strangers, however. Unlike his Pitbull parents, he does make a protective guard dog. But thankfully, he is not as protective as his Cane Corso parent, so he’s much easier to handle. He’ll bark and keep a watchful eye on all those who approach his family, and he won’t hesitate to protect them if he needs to.

All of these traits combined make him an intense doggy to have in the home. He craves human company, and he hates to be left alone simply because he doesn’t know whether you are safe or not. But if you can handle his intensity, he makes up for it in bundles of fun and goofball charisma.

Size & Appearance

The American Pit Corso is a large-sized dog that will weigh anywhere between 50 to 90 pounds and measure between 20 and 24 inches tall. He is a muscular dog, just like both of his parents, with a little bit of Cane Corso chunk on top. He has a square-shaped body and head, a thick neck, and a tail that doesn’t fall below his hock (also known as the dog ankle).

His nose is square and fleshy, his eyes almond-shaped, and his ears are large and drop down. Some owners opt to have both the Cane Corso and the Pitbull’s ears cropped, so some may opt for the same look. He might inherit the droopy jowls of the Corso, but they will not swing as much, which also means less drool.

Coat & Colors

The American Pit Corsos coat is short and dense. It will not be as shiny and smooth as the Pitbull’s, but it will not be as rough as a Corso’s either. He will have a double coat that will keep him cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

When it comes to colors, a Cane Corso Pitbull mix is likely to sport black, fawn, and various shades of brindle or red. These are the most commonly shared coat colors between parents, but he could also sport a combination of any. The only color he won’t be is a merle. So, if you find a merle-colored American Pit Corso, he’s not an American Pit Corso.

His eyes will likely be dark brown, but they can be light brown or shades of deep gray. It’s rare for him to inherit yellow or blue eyes, but it does happen. If it does, you can expect him to be a little more expensive than his other siblings.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The American Pit Corso needs at least one hour of exercise every single day. It needs to be intense and varied if you want to expel that athletic energy of his. Think long jogs, mountain adventures, and playing in the sea. He loves to be with you, so whatever your favorite hobby is, it’ll soon become his too.

Because both of his parents are regularly controlled by Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), you can be sure that this mix will be too. This means that you need to check out your local BSL laws, as you may not be able to let him off-leash in public or enter a doggy park with him. This might also affect any tenancy restrictions.

This mix is expected to be a large-sized dog, so apartment living will not do here. Instead, he’ll prefer a medium to large-sized home in which he’ll have plenty of room to be a goofball. He would also appreciate access to the fresh air in his own yard. Just be sure to make sure it’s secure because he will guard his perimeter.

If the American Pit Corso is socialized well, he will likely get along well with other dogs. However, if he takes after his Cane Corso parent more than his Pittie parent, he might not. If you are a multi-pet household and welcoming him into the house as a pup, this shouldn’t be an issue. If you are welcoming another pet into the fold with an already resident American Pit Corso, you need to introduce them slowly. Do this before you make any commitments.

Training

The American Pit Corso is a lovely dog. But he can also be a handful, so you need to be prepared for lifelong training. Pitbulls are suitable for first-time owners, but Cane Corsos are not, so you’ll find this pup anywhere in between. With this in mind, you need to be prepared to be strict with him, be the pack leader, and not allow him to get away with unruly behaviors.

Socialization is critical. You will need to expose him to new dogs, animals, people, noises, and environments for him to grow into a confident pooch. Without this, he will become overprotective and problematic. Positive reinforcement training is the most efficient way to train this mix, and thanks to his Pitbull genes, he should pick up commands quickly.

Because he also hates to be left alone, we would advise crate training. Ensure that you have a crate waiting for him as soon as you bring him home for the first time. Bearing in mind his size and strength, you’re going to need an indestructible crate, just in case. But with proper training, he’ll soon come to love his own safe space.

Health

The American Pit Corso is a relatively healthy dog that will typically enjoy a lifespan of 10 to 14 years. As he is a mixed-breed dog, he could inherit the health concerns of either parent. Although 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 of his parents suffer from these conditions, so this is the most likely health concern of his.

Cardiac concerns: A Cane Corso parent is susceptible to various cardiac conditions, and the most common is dilated cardiomyopathy.

Skin allergies: The Pitbull parent has sensitive skin, either through exposure to allergens such as grass or nutritional factors.

Nutrition

The American Pit Corso will eat approximately two and a half to three cups of food a day. Because of his high energy and large body mass, he will benefit from a high-quality kibble that will keep him energized throughout the day. Thankfully, you can be sure that a high-quality kibble will provide a well-balanced diet and one that is super tasty, too.

As he is a large breed, you need to feed him a large breed formula as they have unique nutritional needs. It’s important to feed them large breed puppy food. It is necessary to help to control their rapid bone growth. Which, in turn, can lessen the severity of joint dysplasia, which they are prone to.

Grooming

The American Pit Corso has a short double coat, and he sheds moderately throughout the year. He’ll only need a brush once a week with a pin brush. And on occasion, a deshedding tool will be useful during the shedding season. He’ll only need a 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, be sure to get them checked out. He will shed about the same amount as his Pitbull parent.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

The American Pit Corso is a relatively rare breed at the moment, which means you need to get your detective hat on to search for a reputable breeder. Always avoid puppy mills because they often sell sick puppies or puppies that have been mistreated. This is bad news for any dog, particularly a large dog who already has guarding behaviors.

Instead, find a breeder who has a professional website or can prove that they have experience in breeding Cane Corsos and Pitbulls. Testimonials from previous customers are a great insight into their reputation too. Always meet the pups and their parents in person, and ask to see the health clearances too. The extra effort will be worth it when you find a healthy and happy pup.

The average price of an American Pit Corso from a reputable breeder is likely to start from $1,000. You’ve also got to remember that there is more to a dog than just his initial cost. You have to factor in his food bills and equipment such as beds, brushes, collars, etc. And because of the BSL concerns, you will need to factor in the potential increased insurance and license costs.

Rescue & Shelters

If you are considering adopting an American Pit Corso, welcome to the rescue club. Adopting a pooch is a fantastic thing to do, especially considering how many Pitbull mixes are out there waiting for their forever home. Try your local rescue shelters and speak to the staff about what you are looking for.

If you have no success there, try dedicated breed centers that rescue purebred pups and their mixes. The Pitbull Rescue Central website and the Cane Corso Rescue website list dedicated rescue centers and also have contacts. Not only will you be saving a life, but you’re also likely to save some money too.

As Family Pets

• The American Pit Corso is a wonderful family companion.
• He prefers to spend all his time with his family and hates to be left alone.
• The Cane Corso Pitbull mix is fond of children and makes a great canine sibling.
• He has the potential to do well in a multi-pet household.
• The American Pit Corso needs a larger home with access to a secure yard.
• He needs at least 60 minutes of exercise every day.
• The American Pit Corso has a relatively simple grooming schedule.
• He is a challenging dog to train and requires consistency.
• American Pit Corsos are protective and make devoted guard dogs
• He is aloof with strangers, and it will take him a while to warm up to them.
• This mix is always going to be alert and on guard 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 stereotypes and 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.