The Great DaneGerman Shepherd, also called Great Shepherd or Dane Shepherd, is a hybrid designer breed that combinesthe gentle giant attributes of the Great Dane and guarding and protective qualities of the German Shepherd parent breeds. Like their parent breeds, Dane Shepherds are majestic and adorable dogs recognized for their affectionate, loving, warm, and friendly nature despite their size. These breeds are highly loyal companions and can be protective of their owners with extraordinary watchdog abilities. Their high energy and intelligence help them respond well to training. In addition, both parent breeds have many positive qualities that make this cross genuinely remarkable. Dane Shepherd is a moderate shedder and needs some maintenance as they tend to have a short coat like the Great Dane, but they may have a double coat like the GSD parent breed.
The prominent trait of the Great Dane German Shepherd is its giant size. In some cases, they are unaware of the impact of their size, craving to curl up on your lap. In other cases, and mainly around kids, they seem wide-awake that they can cause harm. Their size does dictate that the Great Dane GSD needs plenty of room: they do not live well in a small apartment. It also indicates their high food and energy requirements, but the GSD lineage also means that he can be trained easily with an experienced handler.
Table of Contents
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Easy Grooming
Takes time to get acquainted with strangers
Great Watchdog
Separation Anxiety
Very loyal and affectionate
Requires large space to move around
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Basic Information
Name: Great Dane German Shepherd Mix
Height: 28 to 30 inches
Weight: 65 to 130 lbs
Size: Large to giant-sized dog
Coat: Short to Medium Length; double-coat
Color: Black, Brown, Hazel, White, Fawn, Brindle, Harlequin, and Merle
A Great Dane and GSD Mix are large to the giant-sized dog with 28 to 30 inches in height and weigh between 65 and 130 pounds resembling either the Great Dane or the German Shepherd dog. They have an elongated body and long, muscular legs with bright brown eyes and long erect ears. Their coats depend on which parent breed they would take them after. They could have a short coat like the Great Dane’s or a medium length like the GSD with colors that differ from white, brown, black, hazel, and Merle.
Despite their giant size, Dane Shepherds are very affectionate, loving, friendly, and playful with adults and kids. However, ensure not to leave them unsupervised around children to avoid any adverse incident caused by their excessive energy and massive bodies. They are curious, clever, brilliant, and intuitive, and eager to please their human family. You can efficiently teach or train them commands or tricks and use this activity and time as a bonding exercise.
Their GSD lineage has given them their protective instinct, making Dane Shepherds an excellent watchdog and trained to become more efficient. They can limit their barking to circumstances that may call for your awareness or alert you of something they sense suspicious. However, these breeds are very wary of strangers; early socialization is needed to help them familiarize themselves with other people or pets.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
Medium to High
Family-friendly
High
Children-friendly
High
Pet-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Low
Adaptability Overview
Apartment living
Medium
Good for new owners
Medium
Sensitivity level
Medium to High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Tolerates hot weather
Medium
Tolerates cold weather
Low to Medium
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Temperament
Since the Dane Shepherd is not a pure breed, you can guess their behavior and traits based on the typical characteristics of the parent breeds. Thankfully, the Dane Shepherd can be a steadfast mate who is very clever and intuitive. They are smart but adorable, making them easy to train, especially if you can establish yourself as the pack leader. We highly recommend getting these breeds involved in some dog sport, such as obedience or agility, as they need mental and physical stimulation.
Some experts even suggest obedience sessions for the Great Dane. On the other hand, the GSD has a reputation for aggressiveness; much of this is undeserved. They are highly alert and are reserved around outsiders, so they make for an excellent watchdog. It takes a while for them to make companions, but he is immensely loyal once he does. They demand companionship from their family, and they may bark excessively or show destructive behaviors if bored. Early socialization and proper training are also recommended for your Dane Shepherd. Therefore, we only suggest these breeds for people who have plenty of time to pay attention to these dogs.
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Training
Training your Dane Shepherds is easy and exciting as these dogs are brilliant and people-pleasing. They pick up instructions or commands quickly and listen to their owners easily. In addition, they are not particularly stubborn and aren’t recognized for ignoring commands. Here are a few points you need to acknowledge for training your dog more efficiently:
Firm and Consistent Trainer – This crossbreed needs to attempt to exert its domination. If you remain firm and consistent with your commands, they will soon learn and follow immediately. Their trainers need to be confident because a Dane Shepherd can sense it and can bring out the alpha in them.
Socializing – Early socializing is necessary for Dane Shepherds as they are wary of strangers. It would benefit you both if they could get familiarized with other humans and pets in your group. It is an excellent way to guide them on how to be comfortable in a crowded environment.
Positive Training Method – These crosses are quick learners and easily trainable. Positive reinforcements with treats will aid you in keeping them obedient and interested. Hard or punishment-based practice can only result in stress, aggression, and fear.
Training Overview
Easy to train
High
Intelligence
Medium to High
Prey drive
Medium
Tendency for mouthiness
Medium
Tendency to bark and howl
Medium
Wanderlust ability
Medium
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Exercise Needs
A GSD crossed with Great Dane has high energy levels and needs adequate and regular exercise. Because of their people-pleasing nature, these breeds favor exercising alongside their people. As a result, they can make great exercise partners. Many dogs will thrive on agility training and similar exercises. Mental and physical activities will help in keeping them happy, healthy, and well-behaved.
Aside from two to three long leisure walks daily, you need to let them join you for a hike, run, jog, or cycling. These breeds need at least an hour of activity every day. In addition, they would need to have some time off-leash to let them freely and play with other pets.
These dogs incline to gain weight when inactive; that is why they necessitate having regular activities. Access to a large yard will be helpful as they can play with a few toys and run by themselves.
They are highly wise, intelligent, and clever. Your dog will highly appreciate the time you can spend with them playing or training. Just be cautious not to over-exercise them. A Great Dane German Shepherd Mix grows fast, making them inclined to injuries, especially when they are still under two years of age.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level
High
Exercise Needs
High
Playfulness
High
Intensity
High
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Grooming
A Great Dane German Shepherd mix should not be so challenging to groom if they inherit a Great Dane’s coat. Managing their coats clean and healthy would only need brushing at least two to three times a week using a smooth bristle brush. Excess bathing can easily throw off their skin’s pH balance and remove their coat of natural oils.
A Great Dane German Shepherd sheds twice a year the most. You can manage their shedding perfectly during these periods by brushing their coats more often, at least once a day. They would also require to be given a bath occasionally or when they get filthy. Bathing can help get rid of dead skin and excess hair too.
Dane Shepherd loves to chew. Consider this as an advantage in terms of taking care of his dental health. Provide your pet with dental chews to maintain and improve his oral health. This coupled with regular brushing of at least three times per week will help keep him healthy.
Like any dog, you need to trim nails regularly to prevent them from breaking or splitting. Ear cleaning should also be an essential part of their grooming routine. You need to continually remove wax, moisture, or debris from their ears to avoid infection.
Grooming Overview
Amount of shedding
High
Tendency to drool
Medium
Easy to groom
High
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Health
Health Overview
Basic health
Medium to High
Weight gain possibilities
Low to Medium
Size
Medium to High
Compared to an average dog lifespan, these breeds have a shorter time, 7 to 10 years, and have been notoriously called heartbreak breeds. Although hybrid canines do not have the same health concerns as their purebred parents, it is essential to be aware of the genetic health issues that your Great Dane GSD may have.
Minor Conditions
Allergies
Ear infections
Joint Dysplasia
Serious Conditions
Bloat
Cancer
Development Issues
Heart Conditions
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: EPI is a pancreatic genetic disorder in which the cells that generate digestive enzymes are destroyed. As a result, the dog cannot consume and digest food. The symptoms are weight loss, loss of appetite, gas, and change in stools. EPI is diagnosed with a blood test, and treatment is easy as the pancreatic enzymes are added to the dog’s food.
Diabetes – Diabetes is a common disease among GSD dogs. A diabetic dog cannot metabolize blood sugar, causing increased eating, urination, drinking, and weight loss. Treatment includes insulin injection and medication.
Cancer – Great Danes are exposed to bone cancer and malignancies of the lymph nodes and system. In addition, GSDs generally develop spleen cancer as they age.
Hip and Elbow dysplasia: Great Danes and German Shepherds commonly struggle with hip and joint dysplasia, which may pass on to their heirs.
One in five GSD dogs will develop severe arthritis in their hips or elbows due to unusual bone development at the joint.
Breeding Great Danes and GSDs should have their joints checked by a veterinarian, who will issue a certification rating their health to protect future generations.
Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy: This genetic disease prevents the small intestine from receiving fats properly, resulting in poor growth.
Allergies – Like their GSD parents, Dane Shepherds may be prone to food allergies, dermatitis, and inhalant allergies.
Bloat – Since bloat is a common ailment of Great Danes and GSDs, you must be extra vigilant of the indications in their puppies. Gastric inflation or bloating is a digestive system disorder. The injured dog’s stomach spins, dilates, and twists, causing agony. In addition, the blood arteries will be destroyed, and blood supply to critical organs will be agitated, resulting in organ failure.
Skin Infection – Most canines can be plagued with skin diseases like dermatitis, ringworm, or mange. However, this hybrid may also be exposed to zinc-responsive dermatosis, demodicosis, hypothyroidism, acral lick dermatitis, and histiocytoma.
Panosteitis: One in ten young GSDs are undergoing intermittent lameness caused by panosteitis, which concerns developing bones. Canines grow out of the situation when their skeleton matures.
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Diet and Nutrition
A healthy German Shepherd Great Danes will need up to three to five cups of dog food daily, depending on their weight and size. However, they are not picky with their food and therefore consume almost anything that you serve them.
The German Shepherd typically eats three cups daily, compared to the Great Dane, who consumes four to six cups every day. This might be shocking, but Great Danes have a slower metabolism than GSDs, so they don’t need much energy.
Dane Shepherds should have a high-quality diet that is designed for large and giant breeds. This is especially important during their young age because it holds the optimum nutrients to manage rapid bone growth.
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Living Condition
Great Dane German Shepherds are large dogs, and they will require a huge backyard to exercise and play. They cannot be limited to indoors or small areas throughout the day, leading to aggressive behaviors and depression.
Adding Great Dane German Shepherd Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember before Adding Great Dane German Shepherd Mix to Your Family
Local, reliable breeders are preferred since they guarantee the health and happiness of both the puppies and their parents. For a vaccinated puppy, they should give health clearance documents as well as gene testing. It would be perfect if you could visit the puppy’s parents. You’ll get a healthy puppy while also knowing about the parents’ traits.
Cost of a Great Dane German Shepherd Mix
The cost of a Great Dane German Shepherd puppy can range from approximately $400 to $1000.
