Cane Corso Doberman Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts
By Lorre Luther
Updated on
| Height: | 23 ½–28 inches |
| Weight: | 65–120 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 9–12 years |
| Colors: | Black, gray, fawn, red, and blue |
| Suitable for: | Active families looking for a loving yet protective dog |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, alert, and active yet calm |
Cane Corso Doberman mixes are gorgeous, powerful dogs. These first-generation hybrids can end up with physical and temperamental traits from both parents. Cane Corsos and Doberman Pinschers are large dogs with serious muscles and tons of smarts. Both were bred as guard dogs, so they tend to be dominant and sometimes aggressive toward people and other animals without proper socialization and obedience skills. Cane Corso Doberman mixes can be a bit assertive and territorial as well.
Cane Corso Doberman mixes can be loving and devoted companions. Many become quite attached to and protective of children they know and regularly interact with. But they’re not always the best choices for families with cats, as Cane Corso Doberman mixes often have high prey drives.
They require frequent physical activity to stay healthy and centered. Depending on the dog, expect to spend at least 1 hour exercising with your pet every day. Dogs with more Doberman-like physiques and temperaments often need closer to 2 hours of daily physical activity.
Cane Corso Doberman Mix Puppies – Before You Get One…
3 Little-Known Facts About Cane Corso Doberman Mixes
1. Doberman Pinschers were the 16th Most Popular Breed in the US in 2021.
2. Cane Corsos have Roman war dog heritage.
3. The AKC first recognized Cane Corsos in 2010.
Temperament & Intelligence of Cane Corso Doberman Mixes 🧠
Cane Corso Doberman mixes often have a nice combination of mellowness and athleticism, making them wonderful companions for those looking for a reasonably laid-back protective dog. Cane Corsi and Dobermans are quite intelligent, and mixes between the breeds usually are as well, but Cane Corso Doberman mixes may be a bit stubborn and willful without solid early training.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
Cane Corso Doberman mixes can be good family pets, particularly if they’re well-socialized as puppies and have solid obedience training. Cane Corsi and Dobermans have strong protective tendencies, but both breeds typically behave quite well with children they know and consider part of the family.
Dogs with more Cane Corso-like temperaments may be more relaxed and laid back around kids. Pets who lean more toward their Doberman side may be more excitable. But with proper socialization, both make wonderful family dogs. Because Cane Corso Doberman mixes are so big, they can sometimes knock over smaller children. Most experts suggest it’s best always to supervise children and dogs until kids are old enough to understand how to interact with pets.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Cane Corsi and Dobermans both have high prey drives, which smaller critters, like cats and squirrels, can easily trigger. Unless exceptionally well socialized and trained, Cane Corsi are inclined to chase small animals. Dobermans often do fairly well with cats, particularly ones they grow up around. Cane Corso Doberman mixes are large and can do severe damage due to their size and the strength of their bites, making them best suited to homes where they won’t be tempted to chase cats and become triggered by scampering children.
Cane Corsi and Dobermans can get along with other dogs under the right circumstances, but both can be aggressive toward other canines. Cane Corso Doberman mixes will likely exhibit the same protectiveness and territoriality as their parent breeds. They can learn how to behave appropriately around other dogs with good early socialization. But due to how strong and powerful Cane Corso Doberman mixes are, they can potentially threaten smaller critters and other dogs.
Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Doberman Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Cane Corso Doberman mixes have the usual large-dog dietary requirements. Most do best when eating formulations optimized for large breeds. Large breed puppies often require special dietary management to prevent excessive growth that can harm their growing joints and bones. Because large dogs frequently suffer from joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia, many veterinarians recommend adding supplements such as chondroitin, MSM, and glucosamine to their diets. Speak with your veterinarian to determine if your pet should eat a large breed formulation or take joint supplements.
Pet food brands that conform to the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional guidelines include all the nutrients dogs need in the appropriate quantities. Be prepared to shell out a good amount on food, as Cane Corso Doberman mixes can eat anywhere from 3½ to 5 cups of kibble per day. Avoid feeding them too much food at once or going for a run with your pet right after they’ve eaten, as they have large deep chests and are therefore prone to developing bloat.
Exercise 🐕
Cane Corsi and Dobermans both require frequent exercise. Cane Corsi need anywhere from 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise. Dobermans are happiest when getting around 2 hours of daily physical activity. Plan to exercise at least 1 hour daily with your Cane Corso Doberman mix.
Morning and evening walks are a good start, but the pace needs to be kept up to meet these dogs’ needs for serious movement. Intense games like frisbee and flyball provide fun, an excellent workout, and lots of human-canine bonding time.
Some Cane Corso-like pets may have difficulty with endurance activities at first, as Cane Corsi are typically large, muscular animals. But most can become great running or biking partners if given enough time to get fit. Give the process time and keep an eye on your pet to ensure they’re comfortable while exercising.
Training 🦮
Good training is essential when it comes to Cane Corso Doberman mixes, as both were bred to be guard dogs and tend to be protective of their loved ones. Both breeds also have high prey drives, making obedience training critical for everyone’s safety. Being clearly in control of a well-socialized and trained dog can go a long way toward increasing others’ comfort around these large, powerful animals.
Cane Corsi and Dobermans do best when socialized early, so they learn how to behave around strange people and other animals. Basic obedience training should begin as early as possible. Puppies learn faster, and with dominant breeds like Cane Corsi and Dobermans, early training gets things started on the right foot as far as future learning skills are concerned. Cane Corso Doberman mixes often shine with positive, reward-based training. Harsh training methods, raised voices, and punishment can lead to canine stress and aggression.
Grooming ✂️
Cane Corsi and Dobermans have short coats that are relatively easy to care for. Cane Corsi coats tend to be coarse, while Dobermans have smooth fur. Neither of these breeds sheds excessively. Dobermans have a single coat and shed year-round. Cane Corsi have double coats and usually shed more during the early spring and late fall. Many Cane Corso Doberman mixes shed year-round, so be ready for daily vacuuming!
Most require at least weekly brushing, but some super shedders benefit from more frequent grooming. Most only need occasional baths, but it may require a bit of bribery to get dogs with Cane Corso-like temperaments to agree to get in the tub, as some don’t like water that much. They must have their teeth brushed at least three times per week to reduce plaque accumulation between regular dental cleanings. Their nails usually need clipping every 3 to 4 weeks.
- See Also: 11 Best Dry Dog Shampoos
Health and Conditions ❤️
Cane Corsi and Dobermans have a few breed-specific conditions that any Cane Corso Doberman mix can inherit and develop. While both breeds are usually relatively healthy, as large dogs, they typically don’t live much past 10 or 12. Cane Corsi often suffer from health conditions such as hip dysplasia and idiopathic epilepsy.
Eye conditions such as ectropion and cherry eye are also commonly seen. Dobermans are prone to developing Von Willebrand’s disease, hypothyroidism, and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Both breeds can develop gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat. Large breeds with deep chests are most at risk for developing GDV, a potentially fatal condition that occurs when dogs eat too quickly or exercise right after eating.
- Ectropion
- Cherry eye
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Hip dysplasia
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
Male vs Female
Cane Corsi and Dobermans both have sex-driven physical and behavioral differences. As first-generation hybrids, Cane Corso Doberman may have similar variations. The size is the most obvious difference between male and female Cane Corso Doberman mixes. Female dogs are often about 2 to 4 inches smaller than their male counterparts and weigh proportionally less.
Male Dobermans tend to be slightly more playful than their female breed mates. They also have a reputation for being more accepting of strangers. Some suggest that male Dobermans are also more difficult to train due to their easy distractibility. Males reach adulthood much later than female Dobermans and often take longer to settle down.
Regarding protective behavior, female Dobermans have a reputation for being the more aggressive sex. Male Cane Corsos are generally more inclined to actively react to situations they perceive as threatening than females. And female Cane Corsos tend to be easier to train than males, as they’re less likely to test your limits.
Final Thoughts
Cane Corso Doberman mixes are gorgeous, muscular, devoted dogs that often bond deeply with and become protective of their humans. These first-generation hybrids can exhibit qualities inherited from both parents, but Cane Corsi and Dobermans have a few traits that overlap, making it likely any mix of the two will have similar characteristics.
Cane Corso Dobermans mixes have profound guard dog heritage, so they can be protective and territorial. They’re also smart and happy to learn but can be difficult to manage if not exposed to early socialization and solid obedience training. Be prepared to invest plenty of time and effort in rewards-based training to get the most out of any Cane Corso Doberman mix, as harsh training techniques have the potential to increase stress-related aggression. They’re best suited for experienced dog owners able to provide consistent, clear, loving guidance.
They also require a fair bit of exercise, although dogs with more Cane Corso-like physiques and temperaments may need slightly less exercise than more Dobermanesque pets. Cane Corso Doberman mixes are great choices if you’re looking for a strong, athletic companion to join you in outdoor activities. If you have the time and the experience, Cane Corso Doberman mixes can make wonderful, attentive companions.
See also:
- Cane Corso Husky Mix; Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts
- Doberman Dalmatian Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit: Left – Cane Corso (Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock) | Right – Doberman (Nikolai Tsvetkov, Shutterstock)
