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If you are looking for a large and fuzzy dog, you might want to consider a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff mix. These dogs can grow very large, have a lot of soft fur, and are incredibly loyal. One look at these adorable dogs, especially as puppies, is enough to get almost anyone interested or even hooked. But are they good dogs? How big do they really get? Will they fit well with my family? These are important questions that need to be asked and answered, especially for a dog of this size. And we have the answers to all of these questions and more. Here is everything you need to know about Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff mixes.
Breed Overview
Colors:
Black, brown, red, gray, fawn, blue
Suitable for:
People who love large dogs
Temperament:
Calm, courageous, loyal
Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff mixes are a combination of a Cane Corso and Tibetan Mastiff. These are two very large dogs, but they are similar enough in size that they can easily be bred. These mixtures are relatively new, and they thrive in cooler climates. Not only are they large and powerful, they also sport a lot of thick, warm fur.
Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix Characteristics
Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix Puppies
If you want to find yourself a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff puppy, you will likely need to find a breeder. Unfortunately, these breeders are not very common. You will likely need to look up specialty dog groups, and you might need to drive to go get the puppy. Since these dogs are uncommon, be sure to vet any breeder or potential breeder before you buy. See if you can find any reviews or health information. Never give a deposit to someone that you do not know and try not to have any puppies shipped to you. There are many scams out there surrounding remote puppy buying. You don’t want to buy an unhealthy pup, and you don’t want to get ripped off.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Yes. Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs can be excellent family dogs. They are large and like to cuddle. They are often very calm and collected. As they age, they slow down and become much easier to handle and will spend lots of time lying on the floor and waiting for treats. These dogs can also be extremely loyal.
However, as puppies and as young dogs, a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff can be very willful and energetic. Since they are so large, this can be a concern for families with small children. These dogs can easily knock a child over and can be intimidating or downright scary for small children. If you have never had a dog before, you might not want to choose such a large dog as your first one if you have little kids running around.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Most of the time, yes. Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs will usually get along with other dogs, especially smaller dogs. You might have some issues if you have two large male dogs under one roof, as they can compete or become defensive. Most of the time, these calm dogs will have no problem with other canine companions.
You will want to be careful about bringing a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff around other small animals. Pets like cats and rodents could set off your dog’s predatory drive. Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs are so large and can become riled up by small animals like cats, so they could be dangerous to other small pets. Not all dogs will be a problem, but some of them have the potential to cause an issue.
Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Since these dogs are so large, they are going to eat a lot of dog food. You are going to need to budget quite a bit of money per month on kibble for a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff. It is also suggested that you put your Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff on special dog food that supports healthy joints due to their potential joint issues (more on that below), which costs more than regular kibble. These dogs are going to eat 3 to 6 cups of food per day based on their adult size, which is a lot of food.
Exercise 🐕
Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs do not typically need high-intensity exercise, but they will need some long walks. Long, steady walks are suitable for their joints and help keep them stimulated both mentally and physically. These dogs do not need to run around like crazy or do any type of sports activity. They just need long, calm walks. Typically, the larger the dog, the longer the walk they will need to keep their energy levels balanced. Make sure to set time out of your day to take your Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff on at least one long walk per day, preferably two.
Training 🎾
Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs are pretty easy to train. They are smart, attentive, and loyal. That makes them eager to please. However, due to their large size and muscular build, training and socialization are imperative. You do not want to skip training your Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff and end up with a 120-pound dog that will not listen. That can be frustrating and even dangerous.
If you get these dogs as puppies, you need to start socializing them right away. The earlier you socialize them, the more likely they are to do well around kids, strangers, and other dogs. You also need to make sure they know basic commands, especially stop, stay, and come. You need to be able to control these dogs when they are full-sized to avoid any potential issues.
Grooming ✂️
You will also need to keep up with the grooming of your Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff. These dogs have long, thick fur and double coats. That means they are a shedding risk. During the spring and summer, these dogs can shed copious amounts of fur. You will need to brush and wash your dog regularly to help keep the shedding down. If your Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff spends a lot of time outside, it will potentially pick up dirt and become matted. You might need to wash and groom them more regularly if that is the case. If you are looking for a low maintenance dog with a short coat, you definitely do not want a Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Together, Cane Corsos and Tibetan Mastiffs are fairly healthy dogs. Many of their health problems come from their size. Since these dogs are so big, they are prone to developing joint issues, which can cause problems with mobility as the dog ages and result in severe pain. They can also develop mange due to their thick double coats. Large dogs also tend to have shorter lifespans due to the extra wear on their bodies.
Serious Conditions
- Gastric torsion
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
Male vs. Female
This mixture can get very large, but if you want a dog on the smaller side of the scale, you want to try to get a female if possible. Female Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs can be noticeably smaller than their male counterparts. Some males can get up to 120, 130, or even 150 pounds. The females will likely weigh less than 100 pounds. Females will also tend to be leaner and less muscular than the males. Males can be powerful, which can make them hard to handle if they become unruly. Size is the primary difference between males and females when it comes to this particular breed mixture.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff Mix
1. Both Cane Corsos and Tibetan Mastiffs Are Ancient Breeds
Thanks to modern DNA analysis, we know that both Cane Corsos and Tibetan Mastiffs are ancient breeds. Cane Corsos date back to the time of the Roman Empire when they protected farms and guarded Roman villas. The Tibetan Mastiff, similarly, has been living in the mountains of Tibet for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The Tibetan Mastiffs were used to guard snowy mountain trails and helped to protect ancient Buddhist monasteries located in this region. Despite DNA telling us that Tibetan Mastiffs have been a breed stretching back for centuries, they only became public knowledge in the 19th century when the British made inroads into the Tibet region.
2. Cane Corsos Almost Went Extinct In the 20th Century
Despite their ancient heritage, Cane Corsos almost went extinct in the middle part of the 20th century. As farming numbers declined in Italy, the appetite for a powerful rural dog also dwindled. The number of Cane Corsos began to dwindle, which alarmed some dog enthusiasts in Italy. A concentrated effort was launched to save the breed, and the numbers were slowly rejuvenated between 1970 and today. Now, Cane Corsos are known all over the world. If the Cane Corso had faded into obscurity in the 1950s and 1960s, there would be no Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff mixtures to love on.
3. Despite Their Ancient Pedigree, Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs Are a Recent Breed
Since Tibetan Mastiffs only started appearing in the Western world in large numbers in the 20th century and the Cane Corso was struggling with its popularity at the same time, the Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff mix is a recent development. This breed is not old and does not have a long history. It is very much the result of 21st-century breeding practices and the current dog craze. Knowing the history, that is not surprising. There were not that many Romans traveling to Tibet with their dogs and seeking to breed them with the local canine population. Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiff mixes are only possible due to modern globalization.
Final Thoughts
Cane Corso Tibetan Mastiffs are great dogs for people or families who love large dogs. These dogs can easily surpass 100 pounds and are very fuzzy. They are also loyal, calm, and attentive. However, their size means they need to be well trained in order to handle them. They also have long, thick coats that will shed. In warm climates, they might get hot as they are meant to live in higher altitudes and cooler climates. Overall, these dogs can be giant sweethearts and can be great companions for many years.
Featured Image Credit: (L) Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock | (R) Marina Plevako, Shutterstock