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Cane Corso vs Doberman: The Differences (With Pictures)

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on November 25, 2024 by Dogster Team

While the Cane Corso and the Doberman are two completely different dog breeds, when you start to learn about their personalities and temperaments, they have quite a bit in common with each other. It’s not hard to see why both breeds appeal to the same type of owner.

But while they’re similar, they’re not identical. When you’re trying to figure out which dog breed is right for you, figuring out all the differences is key. We’ll break down everything you need to know about both the Cane Corso and the Doberman for you here. That way, you can figure out which dog is right for you!

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Visual Differences

Dogster_Side by Side Comparison_ Cane Corso vs Doberman
You’re welcome to use our images, but we require you link directly to this site for credit (ex. Image from Dogster)

At a Glance

Cane Corso
  • Average height (adult): 23–28 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 100–110 pounds
  • Lifespan: 10–12 years
  • Exercise: 30+ minutes a day
  • Grooming needs: Light
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Often
  • Trainability: Intelligent, loyal, eager to please
Doberman
  • Average height (adult): 25–28 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 70–100 pounds
  • Lifespan: 10–13 years
  • Exercise: 2+ hours a day
  • Grooming needs: Light
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Often
  • Trainability: Intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and sweet

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Cane Corso Overview

two cane corso dog sitting
Image by: EKATERINA SOLODILOVA, Shutterstock

Personality / Character

The Cane Corso is an extremely loyal and loving temperament despite their intimidating appearance. They need a little more socialization to thrive around other pets, but for the most part, they will happily accept them as part of the family.

They’re large dogs that thrive as a part of a family as long as the owner has a steady hand and is willing to put in the work with them. This is because while they’re extremely loving, they’re also protective. While this isn’t an issue if you socialize them correctly, it can create problems if you’re not careful.

But because of their loving personality, they make a great addition, and you can even use them as hunting or herding dogs.

Trainability

Because of how fiercely loyal and eager to please the Cane Corso is, they’re generally one of the more trainable dogs. Whether you want them to complete cute tricks or have them as highly trained working dogs, with the Cane Corso it’s a possibility.

You need to stay consistent and positive with their training, and because of their larger size, it’s important to socialize them early on to prevent any problems.

two cane corso dog running
Image by: DTeibe Photography, Shutterstock

Care Requirements

While the Cane Corso doesn’t have the most stringent care requirements compared to other breeds, there are some specific requirements you should be aware of. First, if you get a Cane Corso you need to exercise them about 30 minutes a day.

Second, you need to bathe them about once a month, but because of their double-layered coat, you need to brush them out each day. Finally, as a larger dog the Cane Corso can eat quite a bit, so ensure you have it in the budget to feed them high-quality kibble.

Suitable for:

The Cane Corso is a larger dog that’s suitable for families with older children and experienced dog handlers. While their loving and loyal temperament makes them easy to care for, their protective streak can create problems with an inexperienced owner.

Finally, with a Cane Corso, it’s best if you have a larger property to let them roam around, although you can get around this with frequent trips to the dog park and plenty of exercise.

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Doberman Overview

doberman in grass field
Image by: patstatic, Pixabay

Personality / Character

If you’re looking for the most loyal and most driven dog out there, a Doberman might be the way to go. They’re among the most loyal and affectionate dogs out there, although they do require a bit of socialization.

They are larger dogs, but they tend to do well with children of all sizes. But keep in mind that many Dobermans will bond more with one person than anyone else. Still, you need to be careful because they can be overprotective at times, and this is where early and consistent socialization is critical.

Training

Because of their extremely loyal personality and desire to please their owners, you shouldn’t have any problems training your Doberman with a bit of persistence and consistency. However, they can have a stubborn streak, so it’s essential to keep at it.

Stay positive throughout the training so they want to come back to it. This is especially true since Dobermans like having a job to complete, making them outstanding working dogs.

dobermans sitting on grass
Image by: Piqsels

Care Requirements

While some dogs have a long list of care requirements, that’s not the case with the Doberman. They need about an hour of exercise each day, and you should find a way to stimulate them intellectually to keep them fully happy.

Grooming requirements are light as well, you should bathe them about once a month and brush them out weekly. They eat a bit more than smaller dogs, but as long as you’re giving them high-quality kibble, this shouldn’t be a big deal either.

Suitable for:

Whether you’re living a single life or have a family with kids, the Doberman makes a great pet. They love their families and owners. They are larger dogs, so it’s best if they have a little space to roam. They’re great dogs for first-time owners too; just ensure you take the time to stimulate them both mentally and physically for the best possible experience.

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Which Breed Is Right for You?

Cane Corso vs Doberman Side By Side
Image Credit: Left: (LanaSweet, Shutterstock); Right: (Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock)

Whether you want a Cane Corso or a Doberman, you’re getting an extremely loyal, affectionate, and loving dog. They’re great pets, they do great around other animals and children, and they’ll even act as a protector if you ever need them too!

In the end, there’s no wrong choice for either breed, but we recommend the Doberman over the Cane Corso if you have smaller children. But for the most part which breed is right for you all comes down to personal preference.

Pick your favorite, find a breeder near you, and get ready to bring one of these adorable pups home.

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: Dogster/Shutterstock

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