Cane Corso Great Dane Mix: The Ultimate Guide

Published: 11/17/22 •  10 min read

The Cane Corso Great Dane mix perhaps is best described as a ‘gentle giant’, this large dog will just about fill any couch or sofa in your home and needs a lot of room just to move around! The Cane Corso Great Dane is an affectionate dog with a fierce loyalty to their owners and big in both size and heart!

Cane Corso Great Dane Mix
Photo: @plutointhepnw

Cane Corso Great Dane Mix – At a Glance

Weight:115 – 130lbs
Height:35+ inches
Lifespan:8 – 12 years
Coat Colors:Black, blue, fawn, brown – or a mixture
Temperament:Loving, gentle, friendly, affectionate
Most Suitable For:Families with or without children, single individuals with houses or large apartments

What Does a Cane Corso Great Dane mix Look Like?

Cane Corso Great Dane
Photo: @delta_italian_daniff

The Great Dane Cane Corso mix will inherit a decent amount of its physical appearance from both of its parent breeds, this will mean a massive dog, in both height and weight. Most of the time, the Cane Corso Great Dane will inherit the Great Dane’s physical appearance, except when it comes to the breadth of their chest – the Cane Corso has a wider chest than the Dane – this will likely be present in any mix. Beyond that, you can expect the Great Dane’s floppy ears, large head and glassy eyes.

The History of the Cane Corso Great Dane Mix

Unfortunately, as with many mixed breeds, it is difficult to track down a reliable historical record or source of the Cane Corso Great Dane mix, though both of these large dogs have a storied history of their own. So, we’re going to dive into that to learn about where the breeds come from – which may give us some insight into how the Cane Corso Great Dane came to be.

It should be noted that mixed breeding in the United States gained popularity in the 1960s and peaked during the 1990s and early 2000s, so it is possible that this mix was first bred during this time period.

The History of the Cane Corso

The History of the Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is an Italian dog breed dating back centuries to Ancient Rome. Cynology experts believe that the Cane Corso is heralded by the ancient Molossus dogs of Greece. The Cane Corso is otherwise known as the Italian Mastiff, due to its large size. Later in its history, the Cane Corso was bred by Romans in England to English fighting dogs to create a massive dog that was capable of being used as an attack dog against the enemies of Rome in England. 

The Corso almost became extinct in the centuries that followed post-Roman Britain and Europe, but experienced a resurgence after the Second World War and were first brought to the United States in the 1980s, but were only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010.

How Popular Is the Cane Corso in the United States?

Despite their relatively late recognition as a breed by the AKC, the Cane Corso ranks fairly highly on the popularity ladder among breeds in the United States. In 2021, the Corso ranked 21st in the AKC’s most popular dog rankings.

Who Is The Cane Corso a Good Dog For?

The Cane Corso is a great dog for anyone with plenty of space to let it run outside, and plenty of space inside to house such a beast. They’re great working dogs as well if you have an occupation or hobby that they can join in on – hiking, hunting, etc. 

How Did The Cane Corso Come About?

The Cane Corso’s history stretches back a millennium and more to Ancient Rome, though they gained greater popularity during the Roman rule in Britain when they were crossbred with English fighting dogs to create dogs that could be utilized in war.

When Did We First Cross-Breed The Cane Corso?

There’s some evidence to suggest that the Cane Corso were first crossbred in Roman times in England, bred with British fighting dogs to create large, hefty dogs that could take down animals and people during battles. Though more modern crossbreeding of the Cane Corso would likely have taken place in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as crossbreeding gained popularity in the United States.

Popular Cane Corso crossbreeds include:

The History of the Great Dane

The History of the Great Dane

The Great Dane’s history also stretches back centuries, though not as far as the Corso. The Dane was originally bred in Germany in the 16th century to be property and personal guardians for the German nobility of the day. They were also bred as hunting dogs, and often accompanied wild boar hunts. Their parent breeds are thought to be the Mastiff, Greyhound and Irish Wolfhound. 

How Popular Are Great Danes in the United States?

Despite their massive size, the Great Dane is quite popular among Americans far and wide – the breed ranked 17th in the 2021 most popular dog rankings, a list created by the American Kennel Club.

Who Is the Great Dane a Good Dog For?

If you’ve got a large yard or a large house, then the Great Dane will absolutely love being your family pet! They are behemoths who need plenty of space to move around! They’re great family pets and good with children. They’re also great for single individuals or couples, but not necessarily a great fit for the elderly because of their size and weight. 

How Did The Great Dane Come About?

The Great Dane was first bred in Germany in the 16th century as a guardian dog for the nobility’s estates and carriages. It was also used to hunt wild boar by the aristocracy of the day. 

When Did We First Cross-Breed The Great Dane?

Given the age of the Great Dane, it’s not difficult to imagine that they were indeed crossbred many times throughout their history, but this crossbreeding was undocumented. However, in the United States, crossbreeding dogs began to gain popularity in the 1960s and was hugely popular by the 90s and early 2000s.

There are a number of popular Great Dane crossbreeds, despite their enormous size! These include:

How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?

A dog’s temperament is what sets it apart from other dogs. Certain breeds are predisposed to exhibit different temperaments, but dog temperaments are also dictated by the environment, upbringing and life experiences. This is why it’s so crucial to do your research before you consider the adoption of a puppy or older dog, to find out if the dog is a good fit for your family and their temperament.

For example, an active dog will do much better with an active family and vice versa for a more laid-back type of dog. A temperamental mismatch could mean that your new dog will need to find a new home if behavioural issues begin to appear, which can only be traumatic for you, your family and the dog itself.

What is the Temperament of the Cane Corso Great Dane Mix?

Luckily for most dog owners, the Cane Corso Great Dane mix is a very gentle, friendly and loving dog. They aren’t called “gentle giants” for no reason! Though loyal and protective, expect the dog to get along well with children, other pets (they tend to be aloof and non-confrontational with them), and strangers. They’re also fairly energetic, despite their size, so be prepared to give them a fair amount of intense exercise and walks.

Is the Great Dane Cane Corso Mix Friendly?

In general, the Cane Corso Great Dane mix is a very friendly animal.

Is the Great Dane Cane Corso Mix Easy to Train?

Yes, the Great Dane Cane Corso mix is fairly easy to train, though you may experience some stubbornness, they’re quick to re-learn commands and un-learn bad behaviour.

How Much Can The Great Dane Cane Corso Weigh?

The Great Dane Cane Corso is a massive dog, weighing anywhere from 115 – 130 pounds.

How Tall Can The Great Dane Cane Corso Mix Get?

At shoulder height, the Great Dane Cane Corso mix stands a whopping 35+ inches tall.

Similar Sized Breeds

There are very few breeds that are of similar size to the Great Dane Cane Corso mix, but some include the Irish Wolfhound, Black Russian Terrier, Scottish Deerhound and the Great Pyrenees.

Does the Cane Corso Great Dane Mix Shed?

Luckily for any owners with dander allergies, though not hypoallergenic, the Great Dane Cane Corso mix isn’t known to be a heavy shedder. Though you should still brush their coats at least once every two weeks.

How Much Exercise Does A Cane Corso Great Dane Mix Require?

These dogs will require plenty of exercise, which can be a limitation for some people. For those who aren’t put off by this, the Great Dane Cane Corso will require at least an hour of exercise per day – two half-hour walks should do the trick, plus free roam over a large area where they can run freely is ideal!

How Long Can a Cane Corso Great Dane Mix Live?

The Great Dane Cane Corso mixes tend to live between 8 and 12 years.

What Health Conditions Could the Cane Corso Great Dane Mix Have?

How Can You Find a Cane Corso Great Dane Mix Puppy For Sale?

If you’re looking for a Great Dane Cane Corso mix puppy for sale, you may be better (and we recommend) first checking for any adoptees! These pups can often be found at your local animal shelter or veterinary clinic.

Alternatively, you can check out AdoptAPet.com, a website that allows you to search your local area for specific breeds that are up for adoption!

How Much Does a Cane Corso Great Dane Mix Puppy Cost?

Let’s say that your hunt for an adopted pup hasn’t gone well and you’re considering making a purchase of a Great Dane Cane Corso instead. That’s totally fine! Though, if you’re going down this route, expect to pay between $800 and $1000 USD.

Given this large cost barrier, we strongly advise that you read and follow the AKC guidelines on finding and working with a reputable breeder. 

Is the Cane Corso Great Dane Mix the Right Breed For You?

The Cane Corso Great Dane mix might well be the perfect dog for you if you’re looking for a large addition to the family! Being a huge dog, they require a lot more maintenance than a Chihuahua in terms of exercise, but are friendly, loving gentle giants that will give you more than a run for your money! If you think you might be a good fit for such a large dog, contact your local breeder or search online for an adoptee today!

Nick Meagher

I'm Nick Meagher, a lifelong dog enthusiast and the voice behind this blog. Having grown up with dogs, I've developed a deep understanding and an unbreakable bond with these amazing companions. Through MyK9Life, I aim to share insights, tips, and heartwarming stories, celebrating the joy and journey of life with our four-legged friends.

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