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A blend of loyalty and intelligence, the Cane Corso Doberman mix is a rare sight compared to its parent breeds. Nevertheless, this hybrid of purebred dogs is extremely loyal, easy to groom, and quite affectionate—the whole package.
The breed is also a twist on the conventional conception of a designer dog. When you hear “designer,” you probably think of something small, cute, and with a lot of fur, but the Cane Corso and Doberman combo is a mix of two formidable watch dogs, replacing cuteness with agility and intelligence.
Want to learn more about this unique hybrid of two powerful breeds? Read on for more.
Breed Overview
Height:
23–28 inches
Weight:
60–110 pounds
Lifespan:
10–12 years
Colors:
Black, gray, fawn, red, and brindle
Suitable for:
Active families looking for an alert guard dog
Temperament:
Skeptical of strangers but loyal and loving with their owners
The Cane Corso Doberman mix is a hybrid of Cane Corso and Doberman Pinscher. It has the shared qualities of both breeds, such as their large size, guard-dog capabilities, smooth and short coat, moderating shedding, high drooling, and high energy levels.
The core qualities of the Cane Corso Doberman mix are trustworthiness and loyalty. They are tough and dedicated watchdogs, making them perfect for families who want protectors of their homes.
The physical characteristics of the Cane Corso Doberman mix resemble a cross between its parent breeds. Cropping and docking are common in such hybrids to ensure their loose body parts do not disrupt their duties. Although some countries have banned these practices, do not be surprised to see a Corso Doberman mix with cropped ears and a docked tail.
The Cane Corso Doberman mix may be stocky or lean, depending on its diet, lifestyle, and activity level. They have a smooth and short coat with moderate shedding. It’s not a social breed since the dog is responsible for watching its territory to ensure protection. These dogs tend to be hostile toward strangers, doing a good job of keeping their owner’s homes off-limits for intruders.
As for coat colors, they range from black and gray to red, fawn, and brindle. Their bellies are rust-colored with red, blue, or black fur on their head, neck, and back.
Males reach in height from 24 to 28 inches, while female Cane Corso Doberman mix dogs are 23 to 26 inches. Males are also heavier at 75 to 110 pounds, while females weigh 60 to 100 pounds.
Your dog’s temperament will depend on which parent they take after. If they take after their Doberman Pinscher parent, they’ll have a low prey drive. But dogs with an affinity for their Cane Corso genes have a high prey drive and do not get along well with small pets in the house.
Cane Corso Doberman Mix Puppies
Cane Corso Doberman mix pups need a lot of attention, but as they grow older, it becomes easier to handle them. The breed typically sees one person as its owner, so your dog may try to dominate everyone else in your family.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the breed is prone to obesity. Keeping your Cane Corso Doberman mix puppy at an appropriate weight will help expand their life and keep them safe from diseases. Some health issues the breed is susceptible to include elbow dysplasia, eye entropion, gastric torsion, and hip dysplasia.
As for sourcing a Cane Corso Doberman mix dog, you’ll need a reliable breeder for it. Make sure the breeder is certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). They should also have clearance from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation and high scores from the University of Pennsylvania HIP, which measures the hip health of the dog.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cane Corso Doberman Mix
Like its parents, the Cane Corso Doberman mix is typically not open to strangers. Even at home, the breed will be more comfortable with one person and can be jealous of others. The breed also has low socialization and playfulness levels.
The Cane Corso Doberman mix is quite an intelligent breed, quickly learning agility and obedience training. Their main purpose is to be guard dogs since they’re watchful, suspicious of strangers, and highly alert.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Cane Corso Doberman mix dogs are good for families that need an alert watchdog for safety. When it comes to interactions with kids, it’s best to exercise caution.
The breed is great with kids if they have been raised together. Good training and proper socialization help the breed become more accepting of people and other animals. However, you should still not leave your Cane Corso Doberman mix dog alone with small children.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Since Cane Corso Doberman mix dogs have their parent’s hunting tendencies, they do not usually do well with other pets, especially smaller dogs and cats.
You can minimize the risk of conflict through proper socialization at a young age. If they are trained to see other pets as playmates and not as threats, they can coexist peacefully. However, you should still be cautious and supervise their interactions carefully.
Things to Know When Owning a Cane Corso Doberman Mix:
Being a responsible owner of your Cane Corso Doberman mix is important to ensure optimal health and wellness.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Cane Corso Doberman mix should be fed high-quality dog food, whether prepared at home or commercially bought. It’s always best to get approval from a vet in this regard.
The diet should be in accordance with your dog’s age and weight. Since the breed is prone to obesity, you should watch their weight level and calorie consumption.
Treats are a good way to aid training, but they should not make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily calorie intake. Consult a vet if you want to introduce human foods to your Cane Corso Doberman Mix.
Also, make sure clean and fresh water is always available for your dog.
Exercise 🐕
Like its parents, the Cane Corso Doberman mix also needs serious exercise. The breed enjoys brisk walks or runs with its owners. You should try to get them to walk or run at least 2 miles a day, preferably one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Cane Corso Doberman mixes make great companions for hikes and bicycle rides too. If you train them right, your dog can also participate in canine sports, like agility, tracking events, protection sport, dock diving, and obedience games.
Training 🎾
The Cane Corso Doberman mix requires early socialization training to grow into a well-mannered adult. Since the breed learns easily due to its intelligence, training isn’t always difficult.
But the dog’s strength might make it unmanageable and destructive if it’s not raised properly. Therefore, it’s recommended to enroll them in puppy training classes.
Grooming ✂️
The breed has a short coat, which sheds according to the climate in your geographical region. Although shedding occurs throughout the year, it’s more frequent in the spring.
Weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush keeps the coat in good condition. You can also use a hound glove or grooming mitt to remove dead hair.
The breed does not need to be bathed too often. Bathe them with a quality dog shampoo about once per month. Trim your dog’s nails regularly and wipe their ears to avoid infection.
Health and Conditions ❤️
Cane Corso Doberman mixes are generally healthy dogs, and responsible breeders test and screen the stock for diseases like eyelid abnormalities, hip dysplasia, idiopathic epilepsy, and other health conditions.
Some minor health conditions that may affect the Cane Corso Doberman mix are ear infections, allergies, and skin irritations.
- Ear Infections: The Cane Corso Doberman mix is predisposed to ear infections due to their droopy ears. Signs of an inflamed ear are swelling, redness of the skin, increased discharge, odor, and scaly skin.
- Obesity: The Cane Corso Doberman mix is also prone to obesity, which can make dysplasia worse. You can avoid obesity in your dog by monitoring its calorie intake, providing at least 2 hours of activity, and limiting treats to 10% or less of its daily caloric intake.
- Skin Irritation: Some common causes of skin irritation in dogs are seasonal allergies, flea allergy dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and sarcoptic mange (mites). The best way to prevent skin irritations is to maintain a regular flea and tick prevention program, provide adequate nutrition for your pet and keep them clean.
- Allergies: Doberman Pinschers are prone to developing allergies in their paws, sides, hind end, legs, and face. The same is true for the Cane Corso. Common allergens for these breeds are pollen, perfumes, some shampoo, latex, and certain medications. Since the Cane Corso Doberman mix is a combination of both breeds, it may also develop these allergies.
Some severe conditions this mix is prone to include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, epilepsy, eye problems, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Since the breed is deep-chested, it may also be susceptible to bloat.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Dysplasia refers to development disorders caused by lax and dysmorphic joint formation. The malformation results in abnormal bone wearing, leading to degenerative joint diseases and osteoarthritis. Although dysplasia occurs in large and small breed dogs, it is more common in larger breeds like the Cane Corso Doberman Mix.
- Patellar Luxation: A luxating patella occurs when a dog’s kneecap shifts out of alignment. It can happen in one or both legs. Standard treatment methods include glucosamine and anti-inflammatory medications and supplements. Dogs suffering from stage-4 media patellar luxation need surgery for patellar correction.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy: This is a condition that affects the heart muscle’s normal functioning, leading to the organ’s enlargement and weakening. Cardiomyopathy is common in large breeds. Signs of this condition can include shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing, exercise intolerance, and weight loss.
- Epilepsy: Being the most common canine neurological disorder, epilepsy affects 0.75% of dogs. The disease is characterized by recurrent and unprovoked seizures due to a brain abnormality.
- Bloat: Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or bloat is a serious condition in dogs that can prove to be fatal if not treated. It occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with fluid, food, or gas and twists on itself. Since bloat progresses quickly and occurs without warning, it’s important to recognize the signs. These can include a distended abdomen, restlessness, excessive drooling, and attempts to vomit without success.
Medical testing of the parents can help reduce the chances of these diseases. You should purchase a Cane Corso Doberman mix from a breeder who has genetically tested their stock for common conditions.
Male vs Female
There aren’t any significant differences between the male and female Cane Corso Doberman mix. The biggest difference is that the males are slightly larger, likely requiring feeding them a bit more.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Cane Corso Doberman Mix
Owning a Cane Corso Doberman mix can be fun and challenging at the same time. Here are three little-known facts to prepare you for owning this breed:
1. Cane Corso Doberman Mixes May Be Susceptible to Von Willebrand’s Disease
Cane Corso Doberman mix who take after their Doberman parents are prone to Von Willebrand’s disease, a blood-clotting disorder that can cause excessive bleeding. Common symptoms include bleeding gums and nosebleeds. Luckily, the mix of Cane Corso genes reduces the risk of this disorder.
2. Cane Corso Doberman Mixes Need To Be Active
As the old saying goes, ”A tired dog is a good dog,” this mix loves to be exhausted and needs plenty of exercise. Anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours of activity will keep your Cane Corso Doberman mix healthy and prevent them from lashing out due to boredom.
3. Cane Corso Doberman Mix Hair Might Cause Allergies
It’s important to note that Cane Corso Doberman mix dogs are not hypoallergenic. That means their saliva, fur, and dander can cause allergies in sensitive individuals.
The fur shed by the breed contains dander, which is tiny dead skin particles. Dander is responsible for causing allergic reactions in those sensitive to dogs.
Conclusion
The Cane Corso Doberman mix is an intelligent, large, and loyal dog with an inherent nature for being a watchdog. Like all big dogs, the Cane Corso Doberman mix also has high nutritional, training, and exercise needs.
Being a responsible owner, you should train your dog during its childhood years. Obedience and socialization training works wonders for this breed, making them friendlier towards family and other pets.
See Also:
- American Pit Corso (Cane Corso Pitbull Mix): Guide, Pictures, Care & More
- Cane Corso Shar Pei Mix: Guide, Pictures, Care, and More
Featured Image Credit: Left – Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock | Right – YamaBSM, Pixabay
