Great Danes are commonly referred to as gentle giants in part due to their calm demeanor and mindful temperament. Although these dogs are huge, they are loving, kind, and gentle, even with young folks. They can be a child, a cat, or a man’s best friend. These dogs are addicted to affection and would love nothing more than to curl up in their owner’s lap, even though the prospect almost always seems impossible.
Their huge stature sometimes causes problems within the household. For example, their stout tails can knock valuable items over and damage them. These dogs can be stubborn and mischievous at times, especially when they don’t get enough exercise. But overall, Great Danes are loving, loyal, playful, and obedient pets that can get along well with strangers and other animals, even small ones. Great Danes have lower energy levels than other breeds and are even sometimes called couch potatoes.
But they still need long daily walks, as well as plenty of time to run and play in a big yard or at the dog park. The bottom line is that nobody could ask for a better dog companion than a Great Dane for their family of any size. Great Danes are also bred with many other types of dogs and produce a variety of loyal, caring, and worthy pets. Keep reading to learn more about the most popular Great Dane mixes and Great Dane lookalikes.
The 16 Best Great Dane Mixes:
1. The Great Danesky (Great Dane x Husky Mix)
A crossbreed of the Great Dane and Siberian Husky, this stout dog wants to work for their living. They’ll pull sleds and small trailers, help their owners hunt, and be more than happy to hit the agility course in the backyard. These are huge dogs that could be calm and gentle when taking after their Great Dane parent or hyper and active if taking after their Siberian Husky parent. All in all, this is a fun Great Dane mix!
2. The Boxane (Great Dane x Boxer Mix)
The Boxane is one of the most active Great Dane mixes on our list. They can weigh up to 150 pounds, and they need a great deal of exercise. These dogs tend to be extremely playful, so they don’t do well with extended downtime. These dogs are eager to please, but they have a stubborn streak so training could take a little longer than it would with another mixed breed. A large yard is a must, and an active family, couple, or single person would be a good fit for these giant yet playful furballs.
3. The Labradane (Great Dane x Labrador Mix)
Labradanes are the product of breeding Labrador Retrievers and Great Danes together. They’re striking in size and stature and extremely family-oriented. These dogs love to run and play, but they’re also happy to snuggle up on a lazy afternoon. Unfortunately, these dogs tend to be heavy shedders, though this isn’t always the case. These mixed breed dogs are social magicians and seem to get along with other animals of all shapes and sizes.
4. The Great Retriever (Great Dane x Golden Retriever Mix)
This is a rare mixed breed. As a cross between the Great Dane and Golden Retriever, the Great Retriever can weigh anywhere from 60 to a whopping 190 pounds! Although they like other animals, this mixed breed happens to love nothing more than be in the company of humans. The Great Retriever doesn’t like being left alone for long periods of time, so they’re best suited for families, those who work from home, and people who are retired or have a great deal of spare time.
5. The Doberdane (Great Dane x Doberman Mix)
This powerful mixed breed is both huge and muscular. They tend to intimidate people upon a first meeting but quickly win everyone over with their loving and attentive attitudes. But because of their prey drive and high energy level, Doberdanes should be considered as pets only by those who have experience training and raising dogs. These huge dogs shouldn’t be left with young children unsupervised.
6. The Great Danoodle (Great Dane x Poodle Mix)
This is a rare mixed breed that is highly sought after by dog aficionados around the world. The Great Danoodle is the proud offspring of a standard-sized Poodle and a Great Dane. The Poodle ancestry often produces a Great Danoodle that sheds little and is considered “hypoallergenic” by some people. These dogs are great at obedience training and will learn how to sit, stay, and heel quickly. They’re quite shy around strangers but will warm up quickly to friends and relatives who visit often.
7. The Great Shepherd (Great Dane x German Shepherd Mix)
Averaging in at about 100 pounds, the Great Shepherd has a large head and strong body structure that makes for a great guard dog. The German Shepherd side of this mixed breed is suspicious of strangers, so it’s important to socialize them regularly from the time they are young. The Great Shepherd also makes for an effective guard dog to give families peace of mind. But when left alone for long periods of time, these dogs can develop destructive separation anxiety symptoms.
8. The American Bull Dane (Great Dane x American Bulldog Mix)
A delightful mixture of the American Bulldog and the Great Dane, this mixed breed is active and loves going on adventures that include camping, fishing, boating, running, hiking, and even picnicking. These dogs grow up to weigh 190 pounds, so a strong hand is needed from a human pack leader. American Bull Danes tend to take on the large stature of the Great Dane, while their faces typically take after the flat face of the American Bulldog. Unfortunately, these dogs are susceptible to eye and breathing problems, which every owner should be prepared to deal with.
9. The Great Bernard (Great Dane x Saint Bernard Mix)
Also known as Saint Danes, these mixed breed dogs are large yet extremely affectionate. Most Great Bernards weigh in at more than 120 pounds, and many tip the scales at over 190 pounds. Due to their extra-large size, the offspring of Great Danes and Saint Bernards don’t experience as long of lifespans as many other Great Dane mixed breeds. These dogs need a large amount of space to run and play, so they do best in homes with large yards.
10. The Great Danebull (Great Dane x American Pitbull Terrier Mix)
As a hybrid of the powerful American Pitbull Terrier and the supersized Great Dane, the Great Danebull is a powerful mixed breed that tends to be protective of their family and home. These dogs need training from a young age and should never be left unattended with inexperienced dog owners. On the other hand, the Great Danebull is loving, caring, and attentive toward their family members. They love kids and adults alike and can get along well with live-in dogs and cats when introduced early.
11. The Great Pyredane (Great Dane x Great Pyrenees Mix)
Both parents of this mixed breed have the name “great” in it. This could be a coincidence, but we think not because the Great Pyredane is a boastful dog with great personality traits that any person would be lucky to experience. This giant mixed breed is independent enough to stay at home alone while you work, but they also love walking, playing, and snuggling whenever you offer them your time. They need a large amount of room to stretch their legs, so homes with yards are always recommended.
12. The Irish Dane (Great Dane x Irish Wolfhound Mix)
Part Irish Wolfhound and part Great Dane, the Irish Dane can grow up to weigh an unbelievable 200 pounds. It’s important to train these dogs to ensure the safety of everyone they encounter. Even though they have a sweet demeanor, they often don’t understand the gravity of their weight and size, which can result in damaged items within the home or even injuries to kids and adults due to overexuberant play. Proper training and plenty of exercise will minimize the risk of problems.
13. The Great Dasenji (Great Dane x Basenji Mix)
This mixed breed pooch only grows to about 86 pounds, making it one of the smallest mixed Great Dane breeds on our list. The Great Dasenji is an adorable mix of the Great Dane and the Basenji, making it a strong and independent mixed breed that does best in active households. Due to their smarts, these dogs need as much mental stimulation as physical exercise. They garner luxurious coats, but those coats can mean the presence of a great deal of hair in your home if they aren’t combed or brushed regularly.
14. The Weiler Dane (Great Dane x Rottweiler Mix)
This isn’t a common mixed breed, as the Weiler Dane is the result of breeding the Rottweiler and the Great Dane together. These dogs tend to take on both the protective instincts of their Rottweiler parent, while embracing the loving nature of the Great Dane. As a result, you’ll never know what kind of temperament you can expect from a Weiler Dane until they reach adulthood. Training and socialization will go a long way when it comes to raising this strong yet loving dog.
15. The American Foxy Dane (Great Dane x American Foxhound Mix)
This mixed breed is highly energetic and requires quite a bit of exercise on a daily basis. American Foxy Danes are independent, yet they rely on the attention and affection of their family members to be fulfilled. As a mix between a Great Dane and an American Foxhound, these dogs expect to spend a great deal of time running and playing outdoors. The American Foxy Dane typically displays patience too, which is a blessing for families with young children.
16. The Great Swissdane (Great Dane x Swiss Mountain Dog Mix)
These dogs are the product of breeding Great Danes and Swiss Mountain Dogs together. This mixed breed is driven to work, so they’d be happiest living on a farm or other large plot of land where they can haul materials, hunt, or simply run around to protect the land. Without adequate exercise, these dogs can develop destructive behavior that leads to aggression, even if minor. With love, exercise, and a proper diet, these dogs make great family pets, guard dogs, and even service animals.
Our Final Thoughts About Great Dane Mixes
No matter what kind of Great Dane mixed breed you might decide to adopt, it’s important to incorporate socialization and obedience training early. Agility training should be introduced as your puppy ages for mind and body stimulation. Great Danes love to be challenged, so it’s safe to say that any Great Dane mixed breed would love the opportunity to tackle a puzzle toy while spending time at home.
No Great Dane mixed breed should be adopted without doing thorough research first. All puppies should have an opportunity to get used to their new home for a least a few weeks before deciding whether they’re a good match. Whether you live alone, you have a family with children, or you’re getting older and are looking for a therapeutic companion to spend your life with, everyone should consider adopting a Great Dane mixed breed.
Featured Image: belu gheorghe, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 16 Best Great Dane Mixes:
- 1. The Great Danesky (Great Dane x Husky Mix)
- 2. The Boxane (Great Dane x Boxer Mix)
- 3. The Labradane (Great Dane x Labrador Mix)
- 4. The Great Retriever (Great Dane x Golden Retriever Mix)
- 5. The Doberdane (Great Dane x Doberman Mix)
- 6. The Great Danoodle (Great Dane x Poodle Mix)
- 7. The Great Shepherd (Great Dane x German Shepherd Mix)
- 8. The American Bull Dane (Great Dane x American Bulldog Mix)
- 9. The Great Bernard (Great Dane x Saint Bernard Mix)
- 10. The Great Danebull (Great Dane x American Pitbull Terrier Mix)
- 11. The Great Pyredane (Great Dane x Great Pyrenees Mix)
- 12. The Irish Dane (Great Dane x Irish Wolfhound Mix)
- 13. The Great Dasenji (Great Dane x Basenji Mix)
- 14. The Weiler Dane (Great Dane x Rottweiler Mix)
- 15. The American Foxy Dane (Great Dane x American Foxhound Mix)
- 16. The Great Swissdane (Great Dane x Swiss Mountain Dog Mix)
- Our Final Thoughts About Great Dane Mixes
