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Some dog owners love having a powerful dog to guard the home and protect its occupants. If this sounds like you, you might consider one of the strongest hybrids possible: the Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff.
This hybrid combines each parent breed’s best (and most challenging) traits. It is loyal, protective, and affectionate but can also be overly vigilant and aggressive without proper training.
Read on to learn more about this powerful hybrid to see if it’s right for you.
Breed Overview
Height:
24–31 inches
Weight:
90–150 pounds
Lifespan:
7–9 years
Colors:
Brown, black, gray, red, fawn, chestnut, blue, tawny brown
Suitable for:
Experience dog owners without small children
Temperament:
Affectionate, loyal, protective, strong-willed, stubborn
The Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff isn’t the most popular hybrid dog. It is born out of two massive and strong dog breeds, the Cane Corso and the Neapolitan Mastiff, that won’t suit some homes. Its large size can be difficult to manage, especially in smaller spaces. In addition, it demands an active home with humans willing to work to train and socialize it.
This unique hybrid showcases the best qualities of both parent breeds. It tends to be friendly once it warms up to people and is intelligent and eager to please.
Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff Puppies
(@makavelithecorso)The Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff isn’t a very common dog breed. Unfortunately, we were unable to find any breeders online advertising this particular mixed breed. That’s not to say that you won’t be able to find such a dog, however. You may have better luck scouring local rescues than trying to find a breeder that specializes in this hybrid.
The Cane Corse Neapolitan Mastiff is considered a mixed breed and has no backing from the American Kennel Club. As such, you’ll need to tread carefully if you find a breeder advertising this hybrid. More often than not, such breeders aren’t licensed and won’t necessarily follow safe breeding practices. This may mean you end up with a puppy with parents that weren’t properly vetted, which could result in health issues later in life.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff
The temperament and intelligence of your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff will depend upon which side of its lineage your individual pup draws from more.
Cane Corso dogs and Neapolitan Mastiffs share many similar traits. They both have a deep love and affection for their family members. They can both be wary of strangers but are intensely loyal to their families.
Both breeds were born to be guard dogs, but the Cane Corso is more likely to be aggressive with newcomers. Neapolitan Mastiffs are rarely aggressive unless a true threat is present, while a Cane Corso will go into attack mode if needed.
Both breeds are intelligent, so training shouldn’t be too difficult. However, proper training and socialization from an early age is key to ensuring you have a well-behaved fully grown Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff. The resulting adult will be calm, confident, and able to distinguish between friends and foes.
Neopolitan Mastiffs are gentle giants that love snuggling up on laps. They’re much more affectionate and laid-back than Cane Corsi, but their guarding instincts are always alert.
The Cane Corso has a hunting background, much higher prey drive, and energy level. They are very active dogs that require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. On the other hand, an adult Neapolitan Mastiff is to lounge around most of the day.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 
Families looking for a fierce and loyal protector will love having a Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff in the home. Both parent breeds were built to defend their homesteads, so your pup will grow to be quite the guardian.
Since the Cane Corso and Neapolitan Mastiff are both large breeds, you can expect the resulting puppy of such a pairing to be large, too. Because it will be a big dog, it’ll do better in families with older children.
The Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff will need training and socialization not only to promote better behavior and reduce the likelihood of aggressive tendencies but to understand its size better. Remember, this breed can weigh as much as 150 pounds so it can do much damage around young children or elderly folks. A properly trained dog can be taught to be careful and not allow its sheer size and bulk to cause damage to the at-risk humans and other pets in your home.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
(@kobe_the_canecorso)A Cane Corso can get along fine with other dogs, but it can be aggressive around those of the same sex. Therefore, early socialization is necessary to prevent territorial behaviors when you take your pup out for a walk or to the dog park. Yet, as surprising as it may sound, the Cane Corso generally gets along well with cats, provided they were introduced to each other early.
Neapolitan Mastiffs can be aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex. They want to be the Alpha, and their huge size makes it easy for them to take control of smaller dogs. However, this breed tends to get along well with other pets, provided they were introduced early and proper training has taken place.
Remember, however, that your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff is a large dog. Even if it gets along well with other pets, its huge size can become an issue if you have smaller animals in your home. Ensure your smaller pet has a safe space to retreat if it needs some time apart from your pup.
Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff:
Food & Diet Requirements
Your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff needs an Association of American Feed Control Officials-approved diet. They require food formulated for large or giant dog breeds, especially as puppies. Large breed puppies grow unnaturally fast, putting them at risk of developmental orthopedic diseases. The proper food can slow their growth rate, thus lowering their risk of such conditions.
A large breed-specific diet contains unique ingredients, like joint supplements, and lower calcium levels than regular food.
Your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff may be susceptible to bloat and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), so you’ll need to take some precautions when feeding your pup. Feed it smaller meals throughout the day and steer clear of elevated food bowls. In addition, do not let your dog eat just before or after exercising.
Exercise
The exercise needs of your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff can vary depending on which parent breed your pup takes after. Neapolitan Mastiffs tend to be more laid-back and less active than a Cane Corso. Regardless, you should expect to take your dog out for at least an hour of exercise daily to help it stay fit and burn off excess energy. If your pup takes after its Cane Corso side more, you must increase the activity to two hours daily.
Training
Your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff will need a lot of training and socialization, regardless of which parent it takes after. Without training, your pup will test its boundaries and may even assume the alpha role in your “pack.”
Thankfully, this hybrid is intelligent, so training shouldn’t be too challenging. Of course, your dog may be a little headstrong, so make sure you’re striking a balance between respecting your pup’s independence and allowing it to show leadership.
Keep training sessions short and engaging. Focus on reinforcing obedience and desired behaviors by providing high-value treats and much praise.
Grooming
The Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff will undergo periods of light shedding throughout the year. You should brush your dog weekly, except during the spring and fall, when it may start shedding more heavily. Daily brushing may be required.
Baths should happen every two to three months unless your pup is excessively dirty, using a high-quality dog shampoo.
Dogs favoring the Neapolitan Mastiff side may have wrinkling around their face. If this is the case for your pup, you must clean the area regularly to remove any lingering food particles.
Health and Conditions
Hybrid dogs are typically—but not always—healthier than purebreds. However, educating yourself on the health complications that can afflict your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff is still important. Your pup may be at risk of health conditions its parent breeds are prone to.
Male vs. Female
The biggest difference between male and female dogs of any breed is their size. Males are typically heavier and taller than their female counterparts.
As for temperament, males tend to be more domineering and boisterous during playtime. They can also be territorial.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff
1. Both parent breeds hail from Italy.
The Neapolitan Mastiff descends from the traditional guard dogs of central Italy, though evidence of its ancestry dates back to 700 B.C. It descends from the now-extinct Molossus and other giant war dogs of the Middle East and Asia.
The Cane Corso was once highly distributed throughout the Italian peninsula. However, in the recent past, the breed was only found in the province of Apulia and adjacent regions in southern Italy. As a result, it became a very rare breed. The modern Cane Corso is what it is today thanks to selective breeding that occurred in the 1980s from the few surviving dogs.
2. Both breeds are very sensitive.
Both the Cane Corso and Neapolitan Mastiff are sensitive dogs. Neapolitan Mastiffs need positive reinforcement during their training sessions, as even soft punishment can affect them emotionally. The Cane Corso, on the other hand, is highly attuned to your moods and feelings.
3. Both breeds are very pricey.
If you were to adopt a Cane Corso from a breeder, you could pay anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000. A purebred Neapolitan Mastiff is typically pricier, somewhere in the $2,500 and $5,000 range.
Final Thoughts
The Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff is a big, beautiful dog with a lot of affection and loyalty for its humans. Because it is a mixed breed, its appearance and general temperament can vary dramatically depending on which parent the pup takes after.
Dogs favoring the Cane Corso side may be slightly smaller, eager to please, and energetic. However, they can also be very assertive, stubborn, and willful.
Those that favor the Neapolitan Mastiff side may be larger, placid, and sweet. They are known droolers and can be very strong-willed.
This hybrid won’t suit every family regardless of which parent your Cane Corso Neapolitan Mastiff takes after. People considering adopting one need to be prepared to take charge and become the Alpha. This breed is unsuitable for new and inexperienced dog owners or folks who aren’t entirely confident in training and socializing their pets.
However, its loyalty and affectionateness can make this hybrid a rewarding pet for the right family.
Featured Image Credit: (L) Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock | (R) VKarlov, Shutterstock
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