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Cane Corso Giant Schnauzer Mix: Info, Pictures, Traits, & Facts

Sarah Psaradelis

By Sarah Psaradelis

Cane Corso vs Giant Schnauzer breed

What do you get when you mix two large dog breeds such as the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer? A just-as-large mixed breed that has all the desirable traits and characteristics seen in their parents. The Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix is a powerful dog breed with an interesting appearance.

This mixed dog breed is inquisitive and full of personality. They are considered more reserved and independent, but ultimately excellent guard dogs that can quickly become a beloved part of your family.

Breed Overview

Height: 24 – 28 inches
Weight: 70 – 110 pounds
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Colors: Black, gray, brindle, red, tan, chestnut
Suitable for: Active families looking for a large and protective dog breed
Temperament: Loyal, protective, independent, and loving

Both the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer have amazing qualities, so the resulting mix breed from these two dogs can be quite interesting, although sometimes unpredictable.

Cane Corso & Giant Schnauzer Mix Characteristics

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

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Cane Corso & Giant Schnauzer Mix Puppies – Before You Bring One Home…

Photo Credit: JumpStory

Cane Corso & Giant Schnauzer Mix Puppies are just as adorable as any other breed, and you’ll find them hard to resist. They need a lot of exercise, attention, and distraction. They can tend to be a bit mouthy and will require toys to divert the worst of the chewing. This should be taken into careful consideration before deciding to bring one of these puppies home.

Training is essential for puppies of this mixed breed. Socializing as early as possible is essential as well. Bringing them around different people, pets, sights, sounds, and more is important for having a well-rounded dog.

Cane Corso versus Giant Schnauzer breed
The parent breeds of Cance Corso Giant Schnauzer mix breed: Left – Cane Corso (Sbolotova, Shutterstock); Right – Giant Schnauzer (Jumpstory)

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso & Giant Schnauzer Mix 🧠

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

If you want a protective dog breed to look after your family, then the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix can be a good choice. They are not the most social dogs, as this mixed breed is known for being slightly more reserved and independent, and they are certainly not the best “lap dogs”.

The Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix is not overly affectionate, although they can form a strong and loving bond with their owners. If you do decide to welcome this mixed breed into your home, it is important to socialize them with children from a young age.

You will also need to ensure that you can take time out of your day to give this breed both mental and physical exercise, as they are active dogs.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

If socialized from a young age, the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix can get along with other dogs. They can become familiar with other dogs they share their home with, but they can also become aggressive towards unfamiliar dogs that they feel are a threat. It is possible to get this mixed dog breed socialized with cats, but it can take longer than it would with another dog.

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Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso & Giant Schnauzer Mix

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mixed breed require a balanced diet rich in protein and carbohydrates to stay healthy. They will benefit from raw food or high-quality kibble that contains all the nutrients they need.

Avoid foods that contain unnecessary fillers that can be difficult to digest, and instead, choose foods rich in animal-based protein with fish oils and glucosamine supplements added for joint support. Digestible proteins and carbohydrates can fuel your Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix throughout the day, and you should separate their portions so that they are fed twice a day.

It is not a good idea to overfeed this mixed breed, as both the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer are prone to obesity. The wrong types of food can also lead to weight issues, so speak with your dog’s veterinarian about a weight management diet if this is an issue.

Exercise 🐕

Giant Schnauzer Cane Corso Mix

The Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix is an active and athletic dog breed that will benefit from daily exercise. You can either take your dog on a walk, or you can play with them in a large yard. They will enjoy a game of fetch or frisbee, while also appreciating a chew toy that they can play with.

Regular exercise should be part of your Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mixes daily routine, and it should be around 2 hours a day, depending on the type of exercise. If you plan to take your Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix on a walk, make sure it is during the evening or early mornings in summer, or during warmer days in winter.

Giving this mixed breed a variety of toys can also help with boredom and prevent them from developing destructive behaviors such as digging or chewing.

Training 🦮

Training a Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix breed comes with its challenges, especially since they can be hyper and typically prefer independence. You will have a better outcome training them from a young age, as it gives them plenty of time to learn new things while they are still young and developing.

They can have a short attention span, as they would prefer playing, protecting, and exercising rather than learning to sit for a treat. However, it is possible to successfully train this mix breed with patience and time as they are fairly intelligent dogs.

Grooming ✂️

This mixed breed will have a fur combination of both the Giant Schnauzer and Cane Corso, so the amount of hair they shed and their coat type can be unpredictable depending on which parent they resemble the most.

The Giant Schnauzer has a wiry and long double coat, but they don’t shed much, whereas the Cane Corso has a short double coat that is wiry with moderate shedding. Both of these dogs are not hypoallergenic.

When it comes to grooming the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix breed, brushing their coat a few times a week and giving them a bath every few months will keep their fur clean and manageable.

You can either groom them at home or take them to a professional groomer who can trim their nails. Their grooming requirements are quite low and undemanding overall, though.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Minor Conditions
  • Bloat
  • Eye problems (cataracts, cherry eye, entropion, and ectropion)
  • Urinary stones
  • Blindness
  • Obesity
  • Allergies
Serious Conditions
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Cancer
  • Gastric torsion
  • Liver shunts
  • Diabetes
  • Pancreatitis

Male vs Female

Giant Schnauzer Cane Corso lying in the grass

The differences between male and female Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix are very slight. Females seem to be rounder and slightly heavier than males, with more of a barrel shape. Whereas males seem to be slenderer with more lean muscle definition. In terms of temperament, the female Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix can be more independent, but both genders are equally loving, loyal, and protective.

The 3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso & Giant Schnauzer Mix

1. Both the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer have a similar height and size

The mix between these two dog breeds looks like an exact combination of the two, with few differences in the dog’s height and weight.


2. This mixed breed is intelligent, but it can be challenging to train them

The Cane Corso Giant Schnauzer dog will need lots of positive reinforcement during training. They are large dogs that can have difficulty socializing and getting them interested in being trained requires patience.


3. They come from herding and guarding backgrounds

Cane Corso’s were originally bred as a hunter and guard dogs, whereas the Giant Schnauzer was developed to drive and herd livestock like cattle. The mix between these two dog breeds leaves you with both a herder and a guard dog, which can be a challenging combination at times.

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Final Thoughts

The Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer can be a good mix for active families that want a large guard dog. Although they are slightly more challenging to train and are prone to a variety of health issues from both the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer breeds, they make fantastic pets.

Their grooming requirements are low, but they require a lot of exercise and a balanced diet to keep them healthy. Overall, the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer mix have an attractive appearance and a desirable temperament that makes them great dogs to own.

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: Left – Cane Corso (Hoika Mikhail, Shutterstock); Right – Giant Schnauzer (Jumpstory)

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