The Great Dane is known as a gentle giant whose love and devotion has made them the 16th most popular breed in the United States. With their handsome features, tender personality and undeniable popularity, the Great Dane has become a popular choice to mix with other canines in the pursuit of the ideal giant breed.
This practice is known as Designer Dog breeding, which results in a mix born of two different purebred parents. Obviously, this can happen randomly out in nature as well, with two purebred pups mixing together with a Dane as a parent. In today’s article, we are going to look at 20 different Great Dane mixes that have been produced from mixing a Great Dane with another breed.
Many deserving mixed breed dogs are suffering in shelters across the country. If you love Great Danes like we do, but are open to the idea of a Great Dane mix, you can find many of the lovable hybrid pups below in your local shelters!
Great Dane Mixes
There are typically two different ways people end up with Great Dane mixes; From a shelter, or adoption from a designer dog breeder. Here at LYD, we always recommend that you adpot before you shop! There are many mixed breed pups that are waiting for there furever home at a local shelter or Dane Rescue.
Traits and appearances of these mixes will vary. Some will take after their Dane parent for size, and coat colors will range from white to black, or brindle as well. If you adopt a puppy, you’ll want to make sure you plan in advance for Great Dane sized life to take place in your home. If you adopt an older pup, you’ll have a better idea on how big your Dane mix will get.
If you do intend to shop, make sure you are getting your pup from a breeder where both parents are papered, so you can ensure that your pup is less likely to have health issues as it ages. The list below contains 20 of our favorite Great Dane mixes. There are plenty of others out there of course, that we don’t mention in this article. If you have a special Dane mix that you’d like for us to include, please feel free to comment at the bottom of this post so we can include it!
Great Danesky
Breeds: Great Dane and Siberian Husky
The Great Danesky is a regal giant breed. A mix between a Siberian Husky and a Great Dane, this impressive pup can reach weights of up to 190lbs! This canine is likely to be gentle, like the Great Dane, and independent like the Husky. While Danes can be a lazy breed, Huskies were bred to run and therefore we do not recommend this breed for small living spaces such as apartments.
The Great Dane has a short coat, while the Husky sports a thick double coat. The Great Danesky could have either or somewhere in between. This mix does well within families with kids, both parent breeds are innately good family dogs and are both protective over and gentle with children. They may not be a great fit for households with other small animals, such as cats, due to their high prey drive. This mix should have a well-balanced temperament with the Great Dane’s laid-back personality and the Husky’s more boisterous nature, making the Great Danesky a wonderful option!
Great Retriever
Breeds: Great Dane and Golden Retriever
The Great Retriever is as great as their name suggests! A more rare mix between the ever-popular Golden Retriever and the lovable Great Dane, this large breed dog is sure to win your heart. This mix is likely to weigh between 60 to 190 pounds, but any potential owner should prepare to make room for the latter as mixed breed sizing can be somewhat of a guessing game.
This pup is the definition of a people-loving canine, they just want to be surrounded by those they love. Because of this, the Great Retriever does not do well being left alone for long periods of time and the Great Dane, in particular, is prone to separation anxiety. This pup does exceptionally well in families of all types, even those with children and other animals due to their patient and tolerant nature. However, families with very young children should not leave them alone as accidents can happen with a large and playful breed such as the Great Retriever.
Boxane
Breeds: Great Dane and Boxer
Meet the Boxane! A playful mix between a Boxer and a Great Dane. This pup is likely to have a short coat and can either sport the flat-face of a Boxer or favor a Dane’s facial features. Either way, this dog is very large and can weigh up to 150 pounds. The Boxane is one of the more active Great Dane mixes on this list, with their Boxer parent being known for its playful and lively personality.
The Boxane will be an agile and athletic dog who is quite powerful and requires a leader who can manage this breed’s size and strength. When training a Boxane, it’s important to note this breed can be both sensitive and stubborn so kind but firm training will give you the best results. Despite being somewhat intimidating in stature, the Boxane is a goofy and friendly family dog that will surely keep you laughing.
Doberdane
Breeds: Great Dane and Doberman Pinscher
The powerful Doberdane is a mix between a Great Dane and a Doberman Pinscher. This imposing canine can weigh up to 190 pounds and is considered a high-energy dog. Because of this, we do not recommend this breed to inexperienced owners. The Doberdane is very protective by nature and should be socialized as early as possible to ensure you have a well-adjusted pup. Regardless, you will have a very capable guard dog on your hands.
A properly trained and socialized Doberdane will be gentle, affectionate and very loyal. While they may look intimidating, this breed is very capable of being a loving and friendly pup if given the right leadership and environment. Because of their size, the Doberdane should never be left unattended with children and other smaller animals in the house. This is one of the more popular Doberman Pinscher mixes that you’ll see due to people that love Dobermans wanting to get a little extra size boost.
Labradane
Breeds: Great Dane and Labrador Retriever
The Labradane is a popular mix between a Great Dane and a Labrador Retriever. This gentle giant is an extremely affectionate and family-oriented dog. Like many on this list, this is a large-to-giant breed dog. They are very social and generally get along well with other dogs of all sizes! They can have a high prey drive and should be monitored around other small animals and have excellent recall if they are to be allowed outside off-leash.
Labs can be quite energetic and active, which means a Labradane will enjoy activities that allow them to stretch their legs and enjoy the outdoors. They require a moderate amount of exercise and, depending on the coat they inherit, can be quite heavy shedders. They love children and can have a goofy personality, meaning the Labradane will surely add tons of laughter to your family and be a great companion to your kids!
Great Danoodle
Breeds: Great Dane and Poodle
The Great Danoodle is an uncommon mix between a Great Dane and a Standard-sized poodle. It is very rare to find a Great Dane mixed with a Miniature Poodle. Due to this factor, and their Great Dane parentage, this pup will be quite large, generally reaching around 100 pounds. Thanks to their Poodle genes, the Great Danoodle will exhibit very minimal shedding, if at all.
The Great Danoodle has moderate exercise requirements and is generally friendly with other dogs. This mix tends to resemble a large Poodle with the head and facial features of a Great Dane. Both parent breeds are known for their obedience and eagerness to please, therefore you should not have any issues training a Great Danoodle. They can be reserved around strangers and can serve as an alert guard dog. However, when properly socialized this pup wants nothing more than to be surrounded by their family, no matter their size, species or age!
Daniff
Breeds: Great Dane and Mastiff
The Daniff is a giant breed that results from mixing a Great Dane and a Mastiff. It’s a popular mix, and in fact it’s one of the more popular mixes with a mastiff as the parent breed. With two giant breed parents, this hybrid can reach can impressive sizes, generally falling between 110 to 230 pounds! As one of the largest breeds on this list, the Daniff is obviously not a choice for everyone. While they have moderate maintenance and exercise requirements and produce minimal shedding, they are better suited for an owner who has experience with breeds of this size.
The breeds are often compared, and when combined, the Daniff can be quite stubborn and will require patience and persistence to train. Another downside is this breed has a relatively short lifespan, usually living 6 to 10 years. This should be considered by anyone who is thinking of adopting a Daniff. Despite this, the Daniff is wonderfully affectionate, the definition of a “gentle giant” and does especially well with children!
Great Shepherd
Breeds: Great Dane and German Shepherd
The Great Shepherd is a large mix between a Great Dane and a German Shepherd. This pup usually matures at a weight of around 100 pounds but can weigh in as little as 60 pounds and as much as 190 pounds. Socialization will be important for this hybrid, as German Shepherds are known for being very suspicious of strangers. Introducing your Great Shepherd to as many people and animals from a young age as possible with help with their defensive nature.
This is not a mix that should be left alone for long periods of time. They are prone to destructive separation anxiety, so considering your schedule before adopting a Great Shepherd will be very important. The Great Shepherd is a beautiful and loyal pup that will be a fiercely dedicated companion to the right owner.
Great Danebull
Breeds: Great Dane and PitBull
The Great Danebull is a hybrid American Pitbull Terrier and Great Dane. This large breed dog is very protective and powerful. Due to their size and strength, we do not recommend the Great Danebull for first-time dog owners. While the Pitbull has a reputation for aggression, they are actually a very loving and affectionate breed when properly trained and socialized. Great Danes have a similarly people-oriented disposition, meaning this mix is bound to offer lots of devotion and love.
In general, a Great Danebull will resemble a larger Pit Bull with a Great Dane face. They are very muscular with short, dense coats that tend to shed year-round. While this dog may look intimidating, they are usually quite gentle, a trait they most likely get from their Great Dane side. They are eager to please which makes them very trainable and they just want to spend time with their family. This is a pretty common mix Pitbull mix, but not as popular as some others.
Great Bernard
Breeds: Great Dane and Saint Bernard
A Great Bernard, also known as a Saint Dane, is a mix between a Saint Bernard and a Great Dane. Expect a very large pup here, with two giant breed parents this mix usually weighs between 120 and 190 pounds. Unfortunately, their life span is short in comparison to other dogs. They live between 7 to 10 years. The Great Bernard is very gentle, especially with children and does well as a family companion pet.
Due to this pup’s massive stature, we do not recommend them for those who live in apartments or have limited space. They also have an appetite to fit their size, so be prepared to invest more than your average dog in their food and care. If you have the budget and room for this giant-size breed, they will reward you endlessly with the devotion, love, and gentleness this hybrid is known for.
American Bull Dane
Breeds: American Bulldog and Great Dane
The American Bull Dane is an agile and powerful hybrid between an American Bulldog and Great Dane. This mix is likely to be a large breed but can fall anywhere between a medium-sized 40-pound pup to a whopping 190-pound giant breed. This breed can serve as an excellent guard dog since they are known for their bravery and attentiveness. However, this does not stop them from being very affectionate and playful.
It’s possible for an American Bull Dane to inherit the flat-faced features of its Bulldog parent. This feature is known to cause various health concerns, most commonly respiratory and eye issues. Any potential American Bull Dane should be aware of these risks. This intelligent and devoted breed is an excellent option for those who have experience with dominant breeds and can provide the appropriate boundaries for this amazing mix to flourish.
Great Pyredane
Breeds: Great Dane and Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyredane is a giant breed whose parents are a purebred Great Dane and a Purebred Great Pyrenees. As you might have guessed from their names, this breed is pretty great! This hybrid is one of the more independent mixes on this list, which may mitigate concerns of separation anxiety, which many Great Danes suffer from. They are heavy shedders year-round, so be prepared for lots of brushing and vacuuming!
Due to the Great Pyredane’s size and tendency to be quite vocal and spirited, we do not recommend keeping them in an apartment setting. Likely inherited from their Great Pyrenees roots, who were bred as fierce defenders for flocks of sheep, this mix can exhibit overprotectiveness and should be properly socialized to ensure you can introduce a well adjusted and happy pup to strangers and other animals.
Weiler Dane
Breeds: Great Dane and Rottweiler
A less common mix, the Great Dane and Rottweiler come together to make a powerful and impressive pup known as a Weiler Dane. This pup generally weighs between 80 and 190 pounds. Despite their size, the Weiler Dane is usually fairly calm and low-energy and therefore can live well in an apartment as long as they are provided with an appropriate amount of exercise. However, they are also very powerful and can sometimes be stubborn, so we recommend this mix only to those who can take on the role of a firm and confident leader.
The Weiler Dane takes the best of both their parent breeds. Gentleness from the Dane and total devotion from the Rottweiler. They tend to resemble a taller Rottweiler, which can make their appearance quite intimidating. While the Weiler Dane can be protective, when properly socialized, this giant breed is wonderful with children and very sweet-tempered.
Great Dasenji
Breeds: Great Dane and Basenji
Meet the Great Dasenji! A unique mix between a Great Dane and a Basenji. This pup is one of the smaller mixes on our list, weighing between 60 to 85 pounds. The Basenji is an independent and energetic breed, two strong characteristics that are likely to be present in this mix. Therefore, this Great Dane mix does better with an owner who can provide them with proper exercise and stimulation. They are very smart and will require mental activity as well as physical.
While they may get their independence from their Basenji parent, the Great Dasenji still maintains the gentleness and loyalty Great Danes are known for. This is a very affectionate breed that loves to be around their family. They can be reserved, however, and may take time to open up around strangers, both humans and animal. Socialization and positive reinforcement can help your Great Dasenji become a more trusting pup.
Irish Dane
Breeds: Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound
One of the largest on our list, the Irish Dane is a massive dog and is the result of mixing an Irish Wolfhound and a Great Dane. This pup usually weighs between 110 and 200 pounds, but can exceed that! Make sure you have room in your home to accommodate a breed this large. Like many others we’ve highlighted, the Irish Dane is a gentle giant and is both devoted and affectionate with their family. This mix will sometimes look a bit like the Scottish Deerhound, which is a breed that the Irish Wolfhound is often compared with.
They tend to be quite mellow and gets along well with animals of all sizes. The Irish Dane does especially well with children and makes a wonderful family pet. They are not considered a loud breed and in fact, rarely barks. If you have the space for an Irish Dane, they will certainly fill your home will a lot of love to match their impressive size!
American Foxy Dane
Breeds: Great Dane and American Foxhound
The American Foxy Dane is a mix between an American Foxhound and a Great Dane. This energetic breed will need plenty of exercise. They do better in a home with an active family who can manage both their energy levels and size. This breed usually falls between 80 and 120 pounds. They are very intelligent and eager to please, meaning they will likely take well to positive reinforcement training.
This mix is very sweet and generally exhibits a lot of patience towards young children and other animals, making them the ideal addition to many family dynamics! This pup does not like to be left alone for long periods of time and can grow sullen if they aren’t made to be part of the family. You should consider your schedule and lifestyle before adopting an American Foxy Dane, making sure you have the time and energy to dedicate to this loyal breed.
Weimar Dane
Breeds: Weimaraner and Great Dane
The Weimar Dane is an unusual mix between Weimaraner and a Great Dane. This pup will most likely be a large to giant breed which will need lots of exercise. The Weimaraner is a very energetic dog and while the Great Dane may mellow this mix, they are still likely to have high energy levels and will require consistent training and activity to remain well behaved and well balanced.
Because of their size and temperament, coupled with the fact that these pups are generally quite vocal, we do not recommend keeping a Weimar Dane in an apartment setting. This breed can easily fall victim to boredom and can exhibit destructive behaviors if left under stimulated for too long. However, given proper attention and playtime, this mix makes a wonderful companion who is loving and gentle towards children and other animals.
Greater Swissdane
Breeds: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Great Dane
The Greater Swissdane is the result of a mix between a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a Great Dane. This large breed will likely weigh between 85 and 190 pounds. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog’s were bred to be determined workers. This deeply engrained trait is likely to carry over into this mix. Any Greater Swissdane owner should be committed to providing adequate outlets for this drive to work, otherwise, you will have a bored, defiant, and even destructive pup on your hands.
This hybrid is known for being more independent than other Great Dane mixes. This independence can be shown in stubborn ways and they require consistent and firm training with a strong leader. With proper leadership, this highly intelligent breed will be very trainable. Provided with proper structure and exercise, the Greater Swissdane is an incredibly affectionate and joyful breed.
Great Hound
Breeds: Bloodhound and Great Dane
The Great Hound, a Bloodhound and Great Dane hybrid, is a giant breed dog which usually weighs between 100 and 200 pounds. This friendly pup is pack oriented and enjoys being around their family. If they are left alone for long periods of time they may suffer from separation anxiety.
The Great Hound can be stubborn and needs firm and frequent training to establish leadership and provide the mental stimulation this intelligent dog requires. Due to the Bloodhound’s deeply ingrained hunting instincts and strong prey drive, you should never let a Great Hound outside off-leash. This is a very devoted breed and is a great addition to active families!
Plush Danois
Breeds: Anatolian Shepherd and Great Dane
A mix between an Anatolian Shepherd and a Great Dane is known as a Plush Danois. As both parents are giant breeds, the Plus Danois will also be of substantial size, generally weighing around 150 pounds. Due to their size and protective nature, the Plus Danois is not recommended for families with small children. They can become very territorial and while socialization can help, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
The Plus Danois is an excellent guard dog and they can easily turn overprotective and even aggressive if they are not given proper training, socialization, and leadership. Because of this, Plus Danois does better with a strong leader who has experience with giant breeds. With the right structure, the Plush Danois is an extremely devoted companion.
Final Thoughts
Great Danes have long been a favorite breed and for good reason. This loving and sweet breed adds gentleness, stature, and so many other wonderful qualities to any mix. The above are just a few of our favorites! There are obviously many more potential Great Dane mixes that you might encounter if you check into your local rescue, which we’d always recommend you do before going to a breeder.
If you’re considering owning a Great Dane, being open to a Great Dane mix can lead to a healthier and more unique pup. It may also allow for the possibility of a mixed breed shelter dog to find a forever home. Looking into some of these amazing Great Dane mixes could find you your next best friend!
Roy Nelson
August 18, 2022 at 9:17 am
G.danes impressive would like to make them more populare by perfect mix new hybrid dog Irish setter ?
Thomas Allan
May 6, 2022 at 1:24 am
I have a Great Dane/ English short haired Pointer , I’m glad everyone else is having the same problem I just thought he was stupid but very far from it , as I have learned , he is 18mths , I can nearly have a conversation with him, he hangs out with a few cats a cane in after being with them all day when he came in he laid down meowing 3times and went to sleep I saw it and heard it myself very strange??
Kristie Baczkiewicz-Zuehlke
June 9, 2021 at 7:37 am
As someone who has had Great Danes for over 20 years, I found this info fascinating. I have had a Labadane as well. So, thank you!
Kelly Wilson
June 10, 2021 at 5:27 pm
Glad you found it useful Kristie! Thanks for commenting!