The Labrador Corso or Cane Corso Lab mix is a cross between two purebred dogs; the Cane Corso and the Labrador Retriever. It’s obvious which one of these two dog breeds is a popular parent, but they’re still amazing family dogs.
Their puppy is most definitely one awesome candidate for your BFF.
Letting a mixed breed into your life might be a bit trickier than with purebred dogs because you’re getting two personalities in one puppy. The Cane Corso Lab mix is an especially challenging dog to handle.
Unlike its cousins, the other Labrador mix puppies like the Sheprador or the Goldador, the Cane Corso Lab mix isn’t that popular yet.
The Labrador Corso isn’t a dog for everyone. You need to know what you’re getting into before you become a fresh dog owner. Why don’t we meet the parents first and then check out what kind of puppies these doggies make?
What Are The Parent Breeds?
The Cane Corso and the Labrador Retriever are two very different dog breeds. This is the main reason why the personality and the characteristics of the Labrador Corso may vary a lot.
The key to loving this crossbreed is to love both parent breeds equally. Here are some pointers that will make you fall for both of them.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is also called the Italian Mastiff.
This dog’s original purpose was to work on the farms in Italy’s countryside. They were capable of many things, but their biggest skill was to protect the family and the land. Back in the days, the Cane Corso breed was excellent as boar hunters; hence, the protective trait nowadays.
They’re a large dog breed. A full-grown Cane can weigh between 88 and 110 pounds, and stand tall at 23 to 27 inches. It’s a beefy dog with some roly-poly rolls you’re gonna love!
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this dog breed quite recently, back in 2010. Luckily, their popularity has been on the rise ever since. It’s their tough looks and mellow hearts that turn them from mighty dogs to sweet pooches.
Labrador Retriever
America’s all-time favorite, Labrador Retrievers are excellent family dogs that come in many color variations.
Labrador Retrievers have stood proudly in 1st place on the AKC’s list for nearly three decades. This dog has it all: the looks, the charm, the personality, the friendliness, and a loving character.
If you thought there’s nothing sweeter than a Lab puppy, you’ll soon be proven wrong. Grown-up Labs are even sweeter family members that are filled with energy and even more love.
With Newfoundland origins, it was only natural for these pups to become swimming naturals. Their water- and ice-resistant coat and otter-like tail make them great help when hunting.
These days, Labs are friendly, obedient, and fun dogs. There’s hardly a better family dog than the Labrador Retriever. They usually weigh between 55 and 88 pounds, and measure between 21.5 to 24.5 inches.
With such a terrific family demeanor, it’s no wonder why Labrador Retrievers are amazing parents to several different crossbreeds, including our Cane Corso Lab mix.
Where Does the Cane Corso Lab Mix Come From?
Photo from: @alice_gallonetto
The Cane Corso Lab mix, like many mixes, doesn’t have a definite time and place of origin. What we can know for sure is the origin of the purebred parents.
As we mentioned earlier, the Cane Corso originates from Italy. They were once used as Roman war dogs, making this breed one of the oldest purebred dogs. The Cane Corso breed almost disappeared in the 1970s, but luckily, a group of Corso lovers brought them back.
On the other hand, the Labrador Retriever has Newfoundland origins dating back to the 1700s. They were taken to England in the 1800s and bred for sport and hunting.
It is unknown when these two breeds first met. Maybe, the first Labrador Corso puppy was born a long time ago, but the mix has become popular only recently.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Cane Corso Lab Mix
The pros and cons of having a Labrador Corso can be summed up in the following comparison board:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very intelligent | High energy and large size – less suitable for flats |
| Adaptable with training | Clumsy and underfoot |
| Good watchdogs and guard dogs | Needs more dog training |
| Has a unique background story | Difficult to find |
Cane Corso Lab Mix Or Labrador Corso
Labrador Corsos can sport a variety of different looks and coat colors.
This is a rare mixed breed. In other words, today’s Labrador Corsos are first- or second-generation puppies. Nothing is certain with these doggies, not even the personality or the looks.
However, if you do your research on parent breeds, you will be prepared for several different scenarios. Luckily, the puppy usually inherits the finest traits the parents have.
Cane Corso Lab Mix Temperament
The Labrador family side has kicked in and made Lab Corsos even-tempered and great family dogs.
When you take a look at the parent breeds, you’ll see that one of them is a sociable one while the other one isn’t that friendly. The Lab influence made this puppy much more accepting of strangers compared to the Cane parent.
At first, the dog may be more suspicious, but once he realizes the visitor means no harm, he will warm up to the newcomer.
Since they’re so protective, Lab Corsos are terrific watch dogs. Still, this depends on which parent the puppy takes after. If the puppy takes after the Cane Corso parent, he will be quite protective. The other way around means the mix.
All in all, they do make good guard dogs, but make sure you know what kind of puppy you’re getting first.
When it comes to the affectionate side, they do have lots of love to give. This crossbreed will be obsessed with each family member, and won’t spare anyone from his doggy kisses. As you can predict, these dogs don’t like being left alone, so don’t do that to them that often.
Truth be told, they are a bit needy, but they will say they’re sorry with lots of playtimes.
If you’re in doubt as to whether they make good dogs for families with small kids, you should know that the Lab Corso is a cool big sibling that will bring lots of love and joy to every home.
Cane Corso Lab Mix Size and Appearance
The Lab Corso is a big dog that can get close to 100 pounds in weight, but the average weight is 70 to 95 pounds. It can also stand tall at 22 to 25 inches.
The mixed dog will usually resemble a fit Labrador parent, but it will be a bit more muscular than the Lab and less beefy than the Corso. They do look more approachable, but this doesn’t mean their guard is down.
The Cane Corso Lab mix is square in shape. It has a big and fleshy square nose and large drop-down ears like both parent breeds. It’s more likely for the puppy to inherit the Lab’s otter-shaped tail. It’s not that likely that the puppy will be drooly like the Italian parent.
What the puppy will be is a magnet for casual selfies on the streets.
What Colors Do The Cane Corso Lab Mix Come in?
The Labrador Corso ranges in color, from black to brindle or fawn.
The puppy will inherit the double coat that both parents sport. However, it is more likely that the puppy will inherit the Lab’s thicker and denser coat. There is one con, though; Lab parents shed moderately throughout the year and heavily in the season. You can expect the Lab Corso to shed the same way, too. It will usually range in color, from black to brindle or fawn.
The Labrador Corso is usually black and chocolate; two colors both parents have in common. It’s unlikely for the Lab Corso puppy to be light in color. The eyes will be brown, blue, or gray.
It’s not that unusual for the puppy to have a brindle coat.
Exercise and Living Conditions For Your Corso Lab Mix
The Cane Corso Labrador Mix is suitable for living in a home with a large yard.
This is a physically active dog with lots of mental energy, meaning you need to spare at least an hour a day for the dog’s exercise, or even more if you want to wear them out. If the dog doesn’t get enough exercise, it will get bored easily and take it out on your belongings.
Luckily, the Labrador Corso is a confident and loyal dog, meaning that he will join you in your new hobbies, and thus, spend more time with you. But, you shouldn’t exercise them too much in puppyhood in order to save their developing joints from injuries.
Since the dog is large in size, it will need a large home with a large yard. You can have one of these dogs in an apartment, but it wouldn’t be happy. This is a countryside dog that loves fresh air. Just make sure your yard is secured in case the puppy has more protective traits.
If the dog is socialized, it will coexist happily with other family pets and family dogs, especially if the dog takes after the Lab parent. But, if the puppy lacks socialization and resembles the Cane Corso parent, it might not be as welcoming to newcomers as you might think it would be. Here’s where obedience training plays a major role.
Training a Cane Corso Lab Mix
You’ll want to start training your Lab Corso at an early age.
The Lab Corso is a friendly pup that is obedient, slightly stubborn, and suspicious. This means that the trainability depends on which parent the puppy takes after. If the puppy is more like the Labrador, the training will be easy for both of you.
But, if the puppy resembles the Cane Corso, you will need a firm approach to succeed in training. A big bonus for you would be previous experience with independent dogs.
Training should start at an early age, as soon as you bring the puppy home. Training sessions include socialization and obedience training. You should expose your new Labrador Corso puppy to other animals, humans, environments, and sounds as much as you can. This should be done in order to increase its confidence and prevent overprotective behavior.
Obedience training is important for putting the dog in its rightful place and teaching it that he’s not in charge and there’s no need for him to act protective.
The Labrador Corso is likely to suffer from separation anxiety. They hate being left alone, so make sure you don’t leave them locked inside when you have errands to do. You can crate train them if that’s what you like, but don’t make the crate your only choice.
The Most Common Health Issues
The Cane Corso Lab mix is a generally healthy dog. Just like in training, the health status of your crossbreed puppy depends on the condition of the parents. It’s important to have both of the parents healthy.
Still, there is no such thing as a completely healthy dog. There are some health concerns that affect the Cane Corso Lab mix the most. They’re listed down below:
• Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia – This is one of the most common diseases with all dog breeds. Always ask to see if your puppy’s parents are clear from hip and elbow dysplasia risks.
• Eye conditions – This affects both parent breeds equally. The most common ones are progressive retinal atrophy, entropion, cataracts, and ectropion.
• Cardiac concerns – Heart conditions are common with the Cane Corso breed, so this is something to be aware of. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the biggest cardiac risk that affects the Cane Corso Lab mix.
• Exercise-induced coma – This is a life-threatening condition that the Lab parents face. The biggest symptom of this condition is weakness during exercise, so make sure you notice it in time and seek help immediately.
• Bloat – This is a life-threatening condition that makes the dog’s stomach bloat and twist if he has been too active after a meal. The vet should be consulted immediately.
Cane Corso Lab Mix Lifespan
The Cane Corso Labrador mix has a fairly long lifespan of 10 to 12 years. They’re generally healthy dogs, so you’ll be sure you’ll have your buddy for a long time.
If you take good care of your dog, take him to regular vet checkups, and give lots of love, you’ll be able to enjoy the most of what your dog has to offer.
How Much Food Does The Labrador Corso Need?
Photo from: @cadmus_thebigmans
Labrador Corsos are large dogs and their appetite is quite large, too.
These dogs will eat approximately three cups of dog food a day. However, the food intake also depends on the dog’s size, energy level, and age. It’s absolutely normal that a puppy will eat less than a grown-up dog.
A large dog must be fed high-quality dog food designed only for this breed’s unique nutritional needs.
Proper food will control the rapid bone growth and reduce the chance of joint dysplasias.
To improve the health of your Cane Corso Lab mix, you should always feed him the best dog food you can get. It should be well-balanced, with lots of Omega fats that positively affect the coat.
Meat proteins should be in focus to support large muscle mass.
Some Cane Corso Lab mixes have sensitive stomachs and need a special chicken-free or lentils-free dog food.
Are Cane Corso Lab Mix Dogs Easy To Groom?
The Lab Corso mix is quite easy to groom.
Since the Labrador Corso has a thick double coat, it will need brushing once or twice a week. Brushing removes dirt and dead hair, and keeps the coat looking healthy.
The shedding season is a bit hard as it requires daily brushing in order to keep the shedding to a minimum. You should use a pin brush or a slicker brush, along with a deshedding tool to keep the dog in perfect shape.
The Cane Corso Lab mix should be bathed every 8 to 12 weeks. If the dog has a thick, water-resistant coat like the Labrador parent, you will need a concentrated doggy shampoo for a detailed wash.
The ears will also need weekly cleaning in order to avoid bacteria buildup.
Cane Corso Lab Mix Puppy: Prices And Where To Buy
Prepare about $1,000 or more for a Labrador Corso puppy.
The average price of a Lab Corso puppy coming from a reputable breeder starts around $1,000.
This is a rare crossbreed, meaning that you will need to find a reputable breeder. This should be the person that’s happy to welcome you to meet the parents and the puppies, and show you all the health clearances and conditions that the dogs live in.
Never buy from puppy mills. Not only do they sell puppies with no vet certifications, but they’re also unethical, and they do it for the money, not for the puppies. These puppies never go through socialization, and that’s just something no one should want.
Rescue and Shelters That Might Help You With Adoption
It’s not that common to find a Labrador Corso rescue center or animal shelter. No wonder they’re rare puppies and rare dogs to find off-leash.
However, if you check your local shelters regularly for one of these babies, you might eventually find one.
Also, make sure to check out places that rescue certain crossbreeds or the places that rescue the parent breeds, such as the American Lab Rescue and the Cane Corso Rescue.
What Are Labrador Corsos Really Like?
The Labrador Corso is:
• Very loyal and sweet to the entire family
• Very affectionate and ready for cuddles
• Prone to separation anxiety
• A big fan of kids, but keep them supervised because of the size difference
• Great in larger homes with a big yard
• Energetic and needs at least 45 minutes of daily exercise
• A moderate shedder throughout the year, and a heavy one in the season
• A drooly puppy, especially if it takes after the Cane Corso
• A good watchdog
• Aloof with strangers at first, but warms up quickly
Similar Cane Corso Lab Mixes and Breeds
There are many dogs similar to the Labrador Corso mix in terms of training, maintenance, guarding, and watching capacities. Those dogs are the Curly Heeler, the Slovensky Cuvac, and the Sarplaninac.
Considering how difficult it is to find a Labrador Corso, you might want to see if one of these dogs would be a fit for you.
Also, the Cane Corso is quite popular for having crossed breed dogs with the following breeds: Poodle, Husky, German Shepherd, Pitbull, Golden Retriever, Bulldog, Boxer, Rottweiler, Great Dane, and many others.
They come under many dog names, but they all mean unconditional love.
Many small breeders, farmhouses, and amateur breeders have either these or Lab Corsos available. The only thing is that they don’t have that grandiose name or category that big breeders have, which is the least important thing if you’re looking for a lifetime companion.
Final Thoughts
The Labrador Corso is a perfectly balanced pup coming from the family’s favorite Labrador retriever and the protective Cane Corso. The parent breeds are very different from one another, but this only makes their puppy more special.
The puppy inherited their friendliness and protectiveness, which makes one of the best choices for family dogs. They’re fun, energetic, and sweet, but they still know when it’s cuddle time.
All in all, what this dog needs is a firm leader. A dog lover who is strict, but fair. You should be able to handle one of the parent breeds. If you can find a common language with one of the parents, then you’ll be able to handle this big guy.
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