Many “designer” dogs are bred in the United States today, and none is more interesting (or more difficult to define) as the Cane Corso French Bulldog mix. If you know dogs, you know that these two don’t have much in common besides being canines.

Breed Overview

Cane Corsos are big, beefy dogs known for being assertive, intimidating, and loyal. On the other hand, French Bulldogs are small, laid-back, social, and rather silly. When they’re combined, you never know what you might get. If you’d like to know more before adopting a Cane Corso French Bulldog mix, read on!

Cane Corso French Bulldog Puppies

Finding a Cane Corso French Bulldog puppy from a breeder may be challenging. The truth is, these two breeds weren’t made to mate, and doing so isn’t something most breeders will want to do because it’s dangerous for both dogs.

Most French Bulldog females need to deliver their puppies via C-section because their heads are too big to go through their birth canal. Now think about the massive size of a Cane Corso’s head. A C-section is required for the birth, and it’s an expense some breeders prefer to avoid.

Also, if you reverse it and the female is the Cane Corso, it will take a French Bulldog that’s very athletic and determined just to get her pregnant. In short, your best bet to find a Cane Corso French Bulldog puppy is likely through a shelter.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso French Bulldog

It’s almost impossible to predict the kind of a dog you’ll get when you mix the French Bulldog with the Cane Corso. However, if you look at the characteristics of both breeds, they have a few similarities. Using these similarities as a starting point is always a good idea when determining the personality your Cane Corso French Bulldog puppy might be born with. Both breeds share the following temperament and intelligence traits:

Those traits are the only ones similar between the two breeds, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, several other temperament and intelligence factors are very different, including the following:

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The French Bulldog is ideal for almost all family types except those with very small children; some infants are too rough with the delicate dog. They get along with everyone, don’t need a lot of activity, and love to chill out and relax.

The Cane Corso makes a fantastic pet for active owners with no kids and lots of free time. They are highly energetic, standoffish with other dogs, and need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. A Cane Corso French Bulldog is likely to be affectionate and loyal but may not be appropriate for families with young children. Owners and families with experience training their pets are better suited for a Cane Corso French Bulldog.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

As mentioned, the Can Corso doesn’t get along well with other dogs and pets, but the French Bulldog does. Will a Cane Corso French Bulldog get along well with other dogs and pets? That’s not an easy question to answer. If the puppy takes after its French Bulldog parent, probably so, but if it takes after its Cane Corso parent, maybe not.

It’s worth noting that the Cane Corso and the French Bulldog have a high prey drive, meaning they look at smaller animals as food, not friends. If you have smaller pets like hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, and mice, be sure they are kept safely away from your Cane Corso French Bulldog mix.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso French Bulldog:

Food & Diet Requirements

Your Cane Corso French Bulldog mix needs a balanced, nutritious diet high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in salt and carbohydrates. Very few dogs need grains, vegetables, or fruit, but serving them as snacks occasionally is okay.

French Bulldogs are vulnerable to food allergies, and it’s best to keep an eye on their reaction to anything new you feed them. Although some owners feed a grain-free diet to dogs with allergies, the fact is that most allergic reactions in dogs are caused by protein, not grains.

Because the Cane Corso French Bulldog mix Is such a unique hybrid, it is best to talk to your veterinarian and get their recommendation on which brand to feed them. Generally, it’s best to select a brand that’s free of synthetic ingredients, colorings, GMOs, and fillers, as well as one with a whole protein as its first ingredient.

Exercise

When exercising your Cane Corso French Bulldog mix, you must “play it by ear,” as they say. That’s because the French Bulldog is a dog that needs very little activity to stay healthy and happy, while the Cane Corso needs quite a bit.

Your puppy might need a lot of activity and mental stimulation or be content or prefer to relax with you instead. These needs will come to light as your puppy gets older and matures.

Training

One of the few traits the French Bulldog and Cane Corso share is that both have a stubborn streak. That’s bad news and can make training a Cane Corso French Bulldog puppy difficult. The good news is that both dogs are highly intelligent and can learn most commands quickly with the right amount of determination, diligence, and patience.

Grooming

You’ll be glad to know that the Cane Corso and French bulldog share minimal grooming needs. Both dogs shed a little bit during the year, and twice a year, they blow out their coat and shed a lot more. To keep their fur looking beautiful, weekly brushing is recommended. When they blow out their coat twice a year, you’ll need to increase your brushing to 3 or 4 times a week, possibly more.

As for other grooming needs, veterinarians recommend brushing any dog’s teeth three times a week minimum, and the Cane Corso French Bulldog is no different. Remember to use toothpaste made specifically for canines since the toothpaste you use to brush your teeth may contain toxic ingredients for dogs.

Health and Conditions

Health issues are challenging to determine with any dog, but it can be exceedingly difficult in a breed like the Cane Corso French Bulldog. The best thing to do is look at the health and conditions of both species to get an idea of the possibilities.

You’ll be glad to know that Cane Corso’s are healthy dogs with very few congenital health issues. However, they are large dogs and vulnerable to hip and elbow dysplasia and heart issues.

The French bulldog is different from the Cane Corso regarding health issues. They are a brachycephalic breed which means that their face is pushed in, which causes problems with breathing. Also, because of their barrel chest and short legs, French Bulldogs should never be left unattended around open water, like pools. Lastly, French bulldogs can suffer from allergies and eye issues.

Male vs Female

Aside from the sexual differences between males and females, and the size difference, a Cane Corso French Bulldog, whether male or female, won’t be very different. No matter which you adopt, veterinarians highly recommend having your puppy spayed or neutered. This will not only extend their lifespan but also reduce any aggressive tendencies.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso French Bulldog

1. Most Cane Corso French Bulldog Mixes Are Born Via C-Section

A C-section is required for most French Bulldog births, and since it’s an expensive procedure, Frenchies and mixed breeds with their body structure are pricey animals.

2. Most Breeders Aren’t Breeding Cane Corso French Bulldog Mixes on Purpose

There’s too much that can go wrong when breeding two dogs that are so different, especially in size and weight.

3. They’re Usually Very Affectionate

Because the French Bulldog and the Cane Corso are affectionate dogs with their families, your Cane Corso French Bulldog mix will likely be loving.

Final Thoughts

You don’t see the Cane Corso French Bulldog mix often due to their size difference, which is substantial. The average Cane Corso is three to four times larger than the average French Bulldog, which makes it extremely difficult for the dogs to produce puppies.

Unfortunately, it’s even more challenging to determine the type of dog you’ll get when you adopt a Cane Corso French Bulldog mix. It’s just as likely you’ll get a smaller dog that’s fun to play with and laid-back as it is you’ll get a larger dog that’s more demanding.

However, according to their owners, Cane Corso French Bulldogs make excellent pets for the right families. As with any dog, a Cane Corso French Bulldog mix will likely be well-behaved and friendly if they’re raised in a loving, caring home and trained well.

Featured Image Credit: (L) Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock | (R) Alexandru Sofronie, Unsplash

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