Cane Corso and Labrador Retriever Mix: A Complete Guide

Cane Corsos have a long history. They fought alongside the Romans and worked as warriors, hunters, farmers, and guards throughout their time as a breed.

Labrador Retrievers, on the other hand, don’t have nearly as long of history yet have plenty of experience as a helping hand for hunters and as a family dog. 

If you want an incredibly intelligent working dog, a Labracorso might be a dog to look into. Both parent breeds have a long history of working various jobs, are fairly easy to train, and are excited to receive praise.

While you have to be willing to stay the top dog and show little weakness, if you can train them properly, they make amazing family dogs that double as a guard or hunting dogs. 

Continue reading to learn more about Cane Corsos, Labrador Retrievers, and the Labracorso.

Cane Corso, Labrador Retriever, and the Labracorso Comparison Table

	Cane Corso	Labracorso	Labrador Retriever
Height	23.5-27.5 inches	22-28 inches	21.5-24.5 inches
Weight	88-110 pounds	55-110 pounds	55-80 pounds
Life Expectancy	9-12 years	10-12 years	10-12 years
Colors	Black Fawn Gray Red Black brindle Chestnut brindle Gray brindle	Black Brindle Brown Gray	Black Chocolate Yellow
Coat Type	Smooth, double coat short length	A higher amount of shedding	Double coat Short length
Affection levels	Pretty affectionate Average playfulness	Very affectionate Pretty playful	Very affectionate Very playful
Shedding Level	Less shedding	Average shedding	Bloat Exercise-induced collapse Eye conditions Heart disorders Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Hereditary myopathy Heart disorders
Temperament	Very protective	Pretty protective	Average protectiveness
Health Issues	Bloat Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Heart conditions Eye disorders Demodex mange	Bloat Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Eye disorders	Bloat Exercise induced collapse Eye conditions Heart disorders Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Hereditary myopathy Heart disorders
Trainability	Pretty easy to train	Pretty easy to train	Very easy to train
Exercise	Pretty high energy	Pretty high energy	Very high energy
Friendliness to People	Alright with strangers	Alright with strangers	Very friendly with strangers
Friendliness to Dogs	Alright with other dogs	Alright with other dogs	Very good with other dogs
Drooling Levels	Average drooling	A little drooling	A little drooling
Mental Stimulation	Average mental stimulation	A fair amount of mental stimulation	A fair amount of mental stimulation
Barking Level	Average barking	Average barking	Average barking

Related Reading: Great Pyrenees Lab Mix | Ultimate Guide

About Cane Corso Dogs

The Cane Corso is a type of mastiff, and easily the one with the most speed and energy. They relish both exercise and cuddling and don’t do well on their own for long periods. 

Although documentation is relatively sparse, it is believed that the breed has earned its keep through various occupations over the years. Existing accounts indicate that one of their most high-profile roles was as a warrior fighting alongside the legions of Rome. In more modern times, they are used as watchdogs and companions. 

This means that they need proper socialization and training early on. Otherwise, they may tend to lean towards dog and people aggression. They are very strong dogs and aren’t easy to control if they act out. Giving them proper training at an early age is key to being able to control them as they grow. 

They are also very dominant dogs. If they sense weakness or fear in their owner, they will likely not listen, even if they’ve been properly trained. You must be confident and calm when working with your dog, and make sure you stay at the top of the food chain of your household. 

Despite their stubborn and dominant behaviors, if you can manage yourself as an alpha, your Cane Corso will be eager to please.

This makes them great dogs for competition, especially in agility and obedience competitions. If you give them a job, love, and plenty of exercise, they will be fantastic family dogs that you will never have to worry about. 

As with most other large dogs, they are fairly healthy except for higher risks of bloat, hip dysplasia, and demodectic mange. 

About Labrador Retrievers

Native to the Newfoundland region of Canada, the Labrador Retriever has no known association with the area of Labrador.

The breed is the quintessential working dog for retrieving waterfowl, like ducks or mallards, on hunting expeditions and gathering fish coming off the trawl of a fishing vessel.

The physical nature of the dog with its short, dense coat was desirable during long, cold Canadian winters as any dogs with longer coats would end up becoming matted with ice after retrieving their game.

The signature thick tail helped these working dogs swim and turn in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. It is also said that a Labrador is not a Labrador if it lacks the gentle and outgoing temperament that is a classic staple of the breed.

These dogs are among the most popular dogs for first-time owners since they are so willing to please, gentle, smart, and devoted.

They are a wonderful fit for families of all sizes and ages but they will require some good exercise to keep them from becoming curiously mischievous.

Some puzzle toys and tricks will also go a long way in keeping your dog’s brain occupied. It’s no wonder that the Labrador Retriever has been America’s favorite dog breed year after year since 1991.

About The Labracorso Dog Mix

Labracorsos are a large breed. Depending on which parent they take the most after, they can easily get up to 100 or more pounds and stand up to 28 inches in height.

They usually have a lot of the muscles that come with Cane Corsos and are often very strong. This mix is also very healthy and tends to be free from most issues except health problems that regularly affect large dogs. 

Their strength alone makes them difficult for new dog owners, but they also have a keen awareness of weaknesses and are stubborn.

Making sure they are trained and socialized properly and given strict rules is important to prevent them from walking all over you due to a moment or two of weakness.  

How Intelligent is the Labracorso?

Like both parents, this mix is very intelligent. Sometimes, they may be too intelligent, using their smarts to get their way and assertively pushing the envelope to test the waters.

They will need to be trained and have the time put into them so that they know what the rules are and that they must be followed all the time. A Labracorso needs to know that puppy eyes and tantrums won’t get them far. 

Though it can be hard to be constantly strict with a puppy, it is a very important step in training these dogs. As they get older, they will be much harder to control due to their size and weight. So teaching them early on that they must listen to you is necessary. 

It is also a good idea to get them socialized with other dogs and people outside of your home and make them experience new situations so that they know how to act around new things without getting aggressive or stressed. 

Conclusion

Labracorsos are not easy dogs for beginner dog owners. They are stubborn and need a strict set of rules to prevent any misbehavior. However, if you do manage to train and socialize one properly, you will find they are well worth the time and effort. 

Labracorsos, like their parent breeds, are eager to please and be attentive family dogs. However, they easily double as working dogs with the need for a job and have experience with farming, hunting, retrieving, guarding, and more.

Related Reading: Presa Canario vs Cane Corso: What’s the Difference?