German Shepherd Great Dane Mix
The German Shepherd Great Dane Mix is a mixed Dog Breed between the German Shepherd and the Great Dane. It is sometimes known as the Great Dane and German Shepherd mix. This is obviously going to be a large dog as the Great Dane is one of the biggest dog breeds around.
While we really recommend that you acquire one through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their German Shepherd mixed with Great Dane puppy. That is, if they have any for sale. Always screen your breeders as much as possible to ensure that you are getting as high a quality dog as is possible.
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Here are some pictures of the German Shepherd Great Dane Mix
German Shepherd Great Dane Mix History
Here is a brief history of both the Shepherd and the Great Dane. Being that this is a mixed breed dog, there isn’t a lot of history to it. However, we go more in depth to the history of both breeds.
As his name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in Germany, where he was created in the nineteenth century primarily by Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to develop a dog that could be used for military and police work. The result was a dog that encompassed striking good looks, intelligence and versatility. World War I put a dent in the breed’s burgeoning popularity because the dogs were associated with the enemy. German Shepherds braved artillery fire, land mines and tanks to supply German soldiers in the trenches with deliveries of food and other necessities. After the war, movies featuring Rin Tin Tin and fellow German Shepherd Strongheart brought the breed back into favor. American audiences loved them. For a time, the German Shepherd was the most popular breed in the United States.
The Great Dane is very large, old breed of dog. There are known drawings of Great Dane ancestors on artifacts from ancient Egypt dating as far back as 3000BC. In the middle of the 16th century, the nobility in many countries of Europe imported strong, long-legged dogs from England, which were descended from crossbreeds between English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds. They were dog hybrids in different sizes with no formal breed It is believed the Assyrians traded their dogs with the Romans and Greeks who then bred these dogs with the ancestors of the Mastiffs. They used to be called Boar Hounds as they were bred to hunt them. Name changes occurred as they often do and the Great Dane name eventually came about in the 1700s when a French man traveled to Denmark and observed slimmer versions of the dog whom he called Grand Danois. In fact the Danish had nothing to do with this dog's breeding but the name held. It was German breeders who refined him into what we know today, taking the aggressive side from their days of hunting and producing more gentle dogs.
Today the Great Dane is a dog well known for having a great temperament, being sweet, gentle, great with children, loves to play and loves to relax. He also is eager to please and that makes him easy to train. He likes to be where everyone else is and can sometimes do his best imitation of a lap dog despite his size which can get uncomfortable for you but is certainly quite cute!
Awesome videos of German Shepherd Great Dane Mix puppies
German Shepherd Great Dane Mix Size and Weight
GREAT DANE
Height: 28-31 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 110-180 lb.
Lifespan: up to 8 years
GERMAN SHEPHERD
Height: 22 - 26 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 75 - 95 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 14 years
German Shepherd Great Dane Mix Personality
The Great Dane Shepherd Mix will make a great family dog. You are obviously going to need a lot of room for him as they are large dogs. They will need a fair amount of exercise, preferably long walks and hikes. He is intelligent but agreeable making him fairly easy to train as long as you know how to make your dominance clear. It is important that you become the alpha and lead with firm, strong, consistent leadership. He is alert and makes a good watchdog. He is also protective and will act to protect the family if he perceives a real threat to them. He is friendly and affectionate and makes a great companion. He has a lot of patience and is quite laid back. He enjoys receiving lots of attention can be playful and curious.
German Shepherd Great Dane Mix Health
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Great Dane mixed with German Shepherd might be prone to the following: Development Issues, bloat, cancer, heart problems, cancer, surgical issues, DM, EPI, Joint dysplasia and allergies.
Do not purchase a puppy from a breeder who cannot provide you with written documentation that the parents were cleared of health problems that affect the breed. A careful breeder and one who truly cares about the breed itself, screens their breeding dogs for genetic disease and breed only the healthiest and best-looking specimens. One of the most common health problems with dogs is obesity. Keeping this under control is your responsibility.
German Shepherd Great Dane Mix Care
Their shedding is going to vary quite a bit based on which parent breed they primarily take after. The Shepherd sheds like crazy and the Great Dane not so much. Either way be prepared to groom them regularly and to exercise and socialize them as much as possible. So make sure that you can fit long walks and hikes into your daily routine. Be prepared to brush them a couple of times a week and have a good vacuum at your disposal to clean up the floors. Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.
German Shepherd Great Dane Mix Feeding
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet.