7 Things to Know about the Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix

Tiny lap dogs and fluffy cuddle bugs are adored by many. But some people want large dogs they can really wrap their arms around. A dog that’ll make a statement, even if that statement is “do you feel lucky, punk?” 

The Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix has an alert look and a loving personality when it comes to their family, and many people are falling in love with these sweet giants. Maybe it’s time for you to stop Googling the cutest teddy bear dog breeds and start looking at this majestic gentle giant, too. 

Let’s check out all the information you need to know about the Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix.

1. What is a Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix?

The name of this up-and-coming mixed breed is easier to break down than some other hybrids with fancier names (I’m looking at you, Cavapoochon dogs). It’s the genetic combination of the Bullmastiff and Cane Corso breed. See? Nice and straightforward. They’re both powerful large dog breeds.

Bullmastiffs were bred to be powerhouses that warded off intruders and subdued poachers. The Cane Corso on the other hand is an ancient breed from a line of warrior dogs famous for looking severely intimidating and having excellent guarding skills. 

The mix of these purebred dogs shares many of its parents’ properties, being an alert-looking pup with excellent guarding skills and ingrained protectiveness towards their family members. 

Image by Julissa Helmuth from Pexels

2. Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Puppies

A reputable breeder will hold onto their pups for eight to twelve weeks before letting them go to their new homes. This might not seem like that big a deal, but with these puppers it makes a huge difference. 

Cane corso Bullmastiff mix puppies that leave the nest too soon might end up with separation anxiety and/or behavioral issues for the rest of their lives. In a dog the size of a Yorkie this is easier to deal with, but in powerful dogs that can grow up to 160 pounds, it’s a big problem. 

They aren’t your average puppies, either. While images of squirmy fluff balls come to mind when you think of cute puppies, a six-month-old Bullmastiff Cane Corso weighs about 60 pounds — more than most adult dogs.

They’re giant babies at this age, which means they are not a good fit for inexperienced owners as they can reach and knock over things that smaller breeds can’t. They’re also blessed with incredibly powerful jaws, and they’ll chew just about anything.

This means they won’t discriminate between your Jimmy Choos, your wooden furniture, or your favorite novel. It also means dog owners have to be extra vigilant about choking hazards. Make sure they have plenty of chew toys and are supervised around electric cords and other hazardous puppy pitfalls.   

Image by Marcell Vegh from Pixabay

You might enjoy reading my articles on Cane Corso vs Great Dane, Cane Corso vs German Shepherd and Cane Corso Male vs Female

3. Fully Grown Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix

At adulthood, they can weigh a whopping 100 pounds — and that’s on the smaller side, believe it or not. Their parent breeds measure two feet or taller at their shoulders, thanks to them both belonging to the “large” dog category. The Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix tends to be 24 to 27 inches at the shoulders, although the females are a little shorter typically. 

They’re solidly built canines with a strong muscular build and short coats, so if you plan on walking them a lot, be prepared for some intense dog training. Or you might find yourself dragged behind a 100-pound steam train.

This hybrid dog need space, so don’t consider one if you have a small studio loft. They’ll suffer, but so will your belongings as they’ll unintentionally knock over everything in sight.  

4. Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Life Expectancy 

The purebred parent breeds of the Bullmastiff Cane Corso mix have an average life expectancy of eight to twelve years. Mixed breeds often live longer than their purebred parents with proper care, though. So although eight to twelve years is a good rule of thumb when it comes to estimating how long your mixed pup will live, they might live longer with good care.

Avoid giving them any fried foods (and any human foods in general), and keep any unhealthy treats to a minimum. Fresh water daily is important, as is a healthy amount of exercise. Take them to the vet one to two times a year for a check-up to keep an eye on their health, too. All of these things will aid in helping your furry friend live longer. 

Image by Saeed Khokar from Pexels

5. Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Temperament

The Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix is still a new breed, so we’re still in the process of learning fully about their temperament on a large scale. But so far, they’ve proven to be excellent guard dogs thanks to their alert nature and protectiveness. 

They can be completely devoted and loyal to their owners and love them with all their giant hearts, but they don’t make friends with outside humans easily. They can be highly territorial and not like strangers near their homes or family. This is why training and proper socialization as puppies is crucial for these huge dogs along with positive reinforcement.

Otherwise, they’re calm and this quiet dog doesn’t tend to bark much. These characteristics would make them excellent apartment dogs, if not for their size. Being as huge as they are, they need space — and plenty of it. 

It’s not a good idea to get another smaller dog if you plan on getting a Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix. They have a very high prey drive thanks to their ancestral genetics, and they’ll most likely end up trying to chase down smaller animals in a hunting game. 

6. Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix Exercise

These intelligent dogs have a lot of energy to let loose, and they’ll need daily physical and mental stimulation. Their ancestors on both sides of their canine family tree were mighty hunters, warrior dogs, and chasers. So it’s no wonder this hybrid is a wonderfully dynamic dog. 

Image by agutti from Pixabay

At least two hours of exercise a day will keep them in tip-top mental and physical shape. Playtime should engage their minds and bodies so that you have a nice calm pup for the remainder of the day. 

Allowing them to roam around freely during these play breaks is important, as is letting them run around and sniff at their own pace. You can also use toys to stimulate their minds and keep them occupied, or a snuffle mat to get their sniffers going. 

And don’t underestimate sniffing! Sniff walks are important for dogs in so many ways, and snuffle mats replicate and satisfy many of those sniffing needs.    

7. Bullmastiff and Cane Corso Mix Health Problems

Some of these health conditions or wayward diseases are a common denominator across many breeds, and some are more specific to larger dogs like the Bullmastiff Cane Corso mix. 

1. Joint Dysplasia

Part and parcel of having a large dog is that they tend to develop problems with their joints. The Bullmastiff Cane Corso mix hasn’t escaped the clutches of these problems, which can vary from elbow dysplasia to hip dysplasia. This is when the growth of the joint ball and socket is imbalanced, and the malformation results in a looseness in the affected joint that can eventually cause arthritis. 

Image by agutti from Pixabay

It might sound like a senior dog condition, but it actually begins in puppyhood during growth spurts. The results only reveal themselves when the dog is older, though, when the condition becomes problematic and painful. 

It’s important not to overfeed your Bullmastiff Cane Corso pup, as obesity in puppies is the primary cause of this joint issue. That tubby puppy tummy might seem cute, but it’s not worth the life of pain that awaits them as a full-grown adult.

2. Hypothyroidism

Dogs are pretty susceptible to hypothyroidism, more so than other types of pets. It occurs when your dog’s thyroid gland stops producing enough thyroxine, the hormone that helps control metabolism. You’ll notice if your best friend’s suffering from this condition if they have less energy, get cold easily, lose their appetite but gain weight. 

They’ll eventually begin to lose their hair, get increased infections, and possibly even start having seizures. Luckily hypothyroidism is easy to treat (and inexpensive to boot), so most dogs live a long healthy life if this condition is managed properly.

3. Bloat

Bloat is one of the deadly health concerns that tends to affect bigger dogs. It’s when the stomach or intestines twist on themselves, trapping gasses and cutting off blood supply to vital organs. 

Image by akiragiulia from Pixabay

One of the symptoms of this issue is excessive drooling, but that might be hard to detect as these big doggos are notorious for their heavy drooling tendencies. Other indications can be restlessness, retching with no vomit, swelling on one side of the stomach, and excessive panting. 

If you notice any of these signs, best get your good boi to the vet as soon as possible as this is an emergent condition.

4. Food Allergies

Food allergies are random and can affect any breed of dog — and any mixed breed for that matter, too. Chicken is a common allergen, even though many dogs are fed chicken-flavored food from the get-go from well-meaning owners trying to please their pupper’s palettes.

Ostrich is considered a more hypoallergenic flavor, and some brands use more organic products in their food. But no matter what brand or flavor you decide to go with, feed it in small quantities first to see if your dog has an adverse reaction. 

You’ll notice excessive scratching, hotspots, flaky skin, or a thick yeast build-up in the ears. Thankfully, all these problems can be fixed by a change to a hypoallergenic diet or one that at least eliminates the allergy culprit.  

5. Eye Issues

Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mixes are prone to certain eye conditions that can cause infection or even loss of sight in severe circumstances. One of the most common problems is Glaucoma. This typically occurs in older dogs and is when the eye lens becomes opaque, and it can lead to swelling and blindness. 

Image by Lucie Malouin from pixabay

Cherry Eye is another common condition, when the third eyelid swells and protrudes from the eye, causing redness and irritation. This can be fixed surgically. There’s also Entropion, when an eyelid curls inward and the hairs growing on it scratch and irritate the surface of the eyeball itself, causing massive pain and discomfort. 

The last condition that Cane Corso Bullmastiff mixes are known for is a more universal one: cataracts. These commonly occur in older dogs and cause blindness or eyesight impairment, but they can be removed surgically to restore vision.  

6. Demodex Mange

Another common issue with Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mixes is Demodex Mange. It’s a type of mange where an overgrowth of demodectic mites populates the dog’s skin due to a weakened immune system. This parasite is typically found on these doggos, but usually the population is low enough that it doesn’t cause any issues. 

When it becomes an issue and they overrun your pupper’s coat, you’ll see bald patches and uneven skin on their body. Typical places for this type of mange to begin are the dog’s head, lips, and legs. From there, it spreads to other body parts. 

Luckily this mange isn’t infectious and is pretty easy to treat with oral medications, so you shouldn’t panic too much if it happens to your Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix. 

Image by Winsker from Pixabay

7. Torn Knee Ligaments

Big dogs and knee problems go hand in hand — or paw in paw, rather. Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mixes are naturally active and heavy dogs, so their joints and ligaments take a beating through all the stress of zoomies, jumps, and sudden changes of direction. 

If your dog is overweight, there’s even more risk posed to their knees as the extra weight can cause tears and other injuries that would necessitate surgery. No one likes seeing puppers in pain, but watching those vet bills pile up can hurt in a different way. 

The best way to avoid this is to keep your Mix’s weight in check, and as they get older, make sure you don’t let them engage in activities that put too much torsional stress on those joints. 

8. Cancer

Bullmastiffs are prone to skin cancer and lymphatic cancer, and sadly the Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix inherits this tendency. Unlike most other dogs that experience cancer, though, this Mix tends to develop it in their early years rather than in their senior years.   

The only preventative steps you can take here are to be on the lookout for any unusual growths or infections on your dog’s body. Catching it early is key, and while some cancers can be treated with surgery, others might require doggy chemotherapy. 

Image by Tommy from Pixabay

FAQs About Cane Corso and Bullmastiff Mix

Need to know a little more? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix. 

How Big is a Bullmastiff Cane Corso?

As already mentioned, the Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix is a pretty huge dog. At their full-grown adult weight, they can easily reach 90 pounds on the low side and 130 pounds on the higher end. They need plenty of exercise.
Even so, a random gene from a parent or grandparent can cause them to grow as heavy as 160 pounds. They can stand two feet high at the shoulders, although the females tend to be a little lighter and slightly smaller than the males.

Are Bullmastiff Cane Corsos Good Dogs?

They’re super loyal and affectionate, but this isn’t your average Labrador we’re talking about here. These giant dogs might have a heart of gold and can be fiercely loyal and protective when it comes to their owners, but their ingrained ancestry makes them wary of outsiders. But their inherent protective nature makes them a great guardian dog.

What is the Best Mix with a Cane Corso?

This will be highly dependent on what you’re looking for in a Cane Corso Mix. A Bullmastiff Cane Corso makes for an excellent guard dog, but a Golden Retriever and Cane Corso Mix is also highly desirable for its good looks. 

Wrap-Up on the Cane Corso Mastiff Mix

Choosing to take on a giant dog as a pet comes with its challenges, but it also comes with big rewards. The Bullmastiff Cane Corso Mix is also a majestic-looking dog, so you can be guaranteed they’ll make an impression, even if they can be big softies when it comes to their family.

Now that you know all about this huge breed, perhaps you’d like to learn more about the fastest dog breeds. They’d play “fetch” on a different level, that’s for sure.