Cane Corso Akita Mix Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Cane Corso Akita Mix is one of the most interesting dog hybrids on the market. On one side, you have the Cane Corso, an ancient war dog that is as affectionate as it is fierce. On the other side, you have the Akita, the famous Japanese breed known for its intense loyalty and spiritual significance.

Breed Overview

Hybrid dogs are typically unpredictable. You can’t always pick and choose the traits you get in each dog. However, two loyal, confident breeds brought together into one animal result in a steadfast dog that may or may not be fluffy.

Cane Corso Akita Mix Characteristics

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Akita Mix

When it comes to hybrid breeds, determining temperament is challenging. Unless frequent breeding has perfected the breed, you never know which breed’s temperament your puppy will inherit.

Cane Corsos and Akitas are both reserved dog breeds, meaning they won’t be happy-go-lucky dogs like Labradors or Golden Retrievers. Both dogs are calm, confident, and agreeable during training, although Cane Corsos tend to be easier to train.

What sets apart the two breeds is their vigilance. Akitas are much more attentive than Cane Corsos and will bark at anything it finds threatening or disagreeable. Cane Corsos are less hyper-vigilant and more subtle in their warning signs.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Ideally, a Cane Corso Akita Mix should live with an active family to prevent destructive behavior. Both dog breeds do well with families with small children as long as they are under close supervision. Cane Corsos and Akitas can become reactive to children who don’t know how to handle dogs.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Cane Corsos are friendly with other pets under supervision. Unfortunately, Akitas are better off living with no other pets. It’s best to assume your Cane Corso Akita Mix will be an only child.

That’s not to say your dog can’t be trained to handle other pets. Many Akitas live with families with small children and other dogs, especially if it’s been mixed with a family-friendly dog breed.

Generally speaking, though, Akitas have a short fuse, so proceed with caution.

Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Akita Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements

The Cane Corso Akita Mix will thrive on a high-quality, manufactured, or home-prepared diet with your veterinarian’s supervision.

Consider your dog’s age when offering any diet. Puppies should be fed a puppy food high in protein and caloric density to meet their energy needs. As dogs age, you may need to cut back on calories to avoid weight gain. Some dogs may naturally be more relaxed and less energetic, so keep this in mind when offering food and treats.

If you’re unsure how much food to offer your Cane Corso Akita Mix, talk to your veterinarian about your dog's ideal body condition score. From there, you can calculate how many calories and exercise your dog needs.

Exercise

Exercise will vary depending on your dog’s genetics.

The Cane Corso is a highly active dog and needs space to run and play. Companionship is necessary, so they exercise best with other dogs and their owners. Vigorous sports like long runs, dog sports, and long-distance fetch games are ideal.

However, if your dog has more of an Akita temperament, you can expect more solitary play and relaxed energy. A brisk walk or jog around the block will suffice. With a Cane Corso Akita Mix, you’ll have to find a happy medium between the two energy levels.

Regardless, Cane Corso Akita Mixes can do well in apartments and suburban areas, so long as it has a place to stretch their legs.

Training

The Cane Corso and Akita are agreeable to training but also have a strong instinct to protect. Both breeds can become stubborn and end up owning the owner without proper training.

Akitas also have a strong prey drive and will lunge after small animals. They should never be left off of a leash when out for walks. You can bet on this prey drive staying with your Cane Corso Akita mix.

Ultimately, early socialization and consistent training will ensure that you remain in charge and avoid uncomfortable confrontations with children and other pets down the road.

Grooming

Odds are, your Cane Corso Akita Mix will inherit the fluffy, thick fur of the Akita. Akitas shed twice a year, and it’s intense. Large clumps of fur will be everywhere. Thankfully, a good brushing once per week can help minimize the fur in the house.

Cane Corsos have thin fur with a double coat that sheds throughout the year. They don’t require much grooming except a quick mouth swipe when drooling.

Both dogs need their nails trimmed when necessary and their teeth brushed about once per week.

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Health and Conditions

Akitas and Cane Corsos are both healthy dog breeds, but every breed has some setbacks. Here are a few hereditary diseases found in both dogs:

Male vs. Female

The only difference between the male and female Cane Corso Akita Mix is size. In the Akita and Cane Corso, the females tend to be smaller and leaner than the males. Akita females tend to be more agreeable than male Akitas, making them easier to train and handle children and other animals.

Male and female Cane Corsos are equally agreeable. The males tend to be more aggressive and rougher in play, specifically with other dogs and when females are present.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Akita Mix

1. Akitas Are Profoundly Loyal

For an Akita, the loyalty well never runs dry. The most famous Akita was named Hachiko, the dog that waited in a Japanese train station for his master for 9 years. Unknown to Hachiko, the owner had died unexpectedly.

2. Cane Corsos Were Used as “Fire Bearers” on the Battlefield

Moving on to the Cane Corso side of the breed, ancient Roman soldiers trained Cane Corsos as periferi, dogs that fiercely charged the enemy carrying buckets of flaming oil on their backs.

3. The Cane Corso and Akita Almost Vanished

Like many breeds during WWII, the Cane Corso and Akita almost vanished off the face of the earth. Changes in agricultural practices and war rationing almost made both breeds obsolete.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that the Cane Corso experienced a revival. Akitas had a darker time since the Japanese government ordered all non-military pets to be killed. Akita owners took their dogs to remote locations to save their beloved pets and cross-bred them with German Shepherds.

Both breeds pulled through and came to the United States, where they live happily as clams.

Final Thoughts

Genetics are a bit of a gamble, regardless of breeding practices. With a Cane Corso Akita Mix, you’re likely to inherit a bold, profoundly loyal dog that’s affectionate and fluffy.

You may have difficulty finding a mix with a breeder, but it’s not impossible. Start with an Akita or Cane Corso breeder and ask about mixes. Your breeder could lead you in the right direction to finding the perfect pet for you.

See also:

• Akita Corgi Mix: Pictures, Care, Temperament & Traits

• Akita Samoyed Mix: Pictures, Care, Temperament & Traits

Featured Image Credit: Cane Corso- Korolenok, Shutterstock; Akita- TMArt, Shutterstock