Also known as the Great Dane Shepherd dog, the Great Dane German Shepherd Mix is a large mixed dog breed that has rapidly become popular among dog owners who prefer larger than medium canines.
The Great Dane Shepherd Mix is considered a designer dog (and not a unique breed in itself).
In this guide to the Great Dane mixed with German Shepherd, we’ll take a look at the major considerations before getting one of these cute puppies.
We’ll start with some helpful information about the origin of the German Shepherd Great Dane Mix as well as their appearance – including their size, height and weight.
Then, we’ll take a look at their temperament, training and exercise needs so you know what to expect from this mixed breed.
After that, you’ll learn about the potential health problems as well as how and where to get a healthy puppy.
By the end of this article, you should be in a position to determine if this mixed dog is actually the best puppy for you and your family.
Table of Contents
Some Quick Facts about the German Shepherd Great Dane Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Size: | Large to X-large sized dog |
| Other Names: | Great Shepherd, Dane Shepherd |
| Good Watch Dog: | Yes, Alert and Protective |
| Average Height: | 28 to 30 inches |
| Average Weight: | 65 to 130 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8 to 13 Years |
| Coat: | They tend to have the short hair of the Great Dane parent, but he might also inherit the double coat of his German Shepherd parent |
| Coat colors: | Black, white, brown, hazel and Merle |
| Suitable for first time owners: | Moderate |
| Apartment Living: | Yes, as long as their exercise needs are met |
| Trainability: | Quite easy to train |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming Needs: | Daily brushing is required to keep your dog’s coat clean and healthy |
| Energy Levels: | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs: | Moderate, at least 60 minutes of exercise every day is required |
| Tolerance to being left alone: | Low, This mixed breed is prone to separation anxiety |
| Feeding and Diet: | 4 to 5 cups of high quality dog food each day, divided into two or three meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Hip dysplasia, allergies, eye issues, skin infections, heart disease, cancer, hypothyroidism and autoimmune issues |
| Temperament: | Smart, loving, adorable, alert, protective, gentle, outgoing, energetic, playful |
| Cat Friendly: | Yes, early socialization is must |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes, with early socialization |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes, with early socialization |
| Barking Tendencies: | If they take after the German shepherd parent, they may bark a lot (train your pooch to bark on command) |
| Price: | Expect anywhere in the $400 – $850 range |
What Is The Great Dane German Shepherd Mix?
The Great Dane Shepherd Mix is a cross between the Great Dane and the German Shepherd purebred dogs.
He is a very large dog with great watchdog abilities. He is a good companion and gentle with children and other pets.
Being a moderate shedder, this dog requires minimal grooming.
A Great Dane and German Shepherd Mix dog tends to have the short hair of his Great Dane parent, but he might also inherit the double coat of his German Shepherd parent.
This mixed breed is prone to separation anxiety, so you should never leave your dog alone for an extended period of time.
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The Origin of the Great Dane Shepherd Mix
Before you can understand the German Shepherd Great Dane Mix traits, it is important to consider its lineage.
So let’s find out more about the history of each parent breed, starting with the German Shepherd.
The History of the German Shepherd Dog
The history of the German Shepherd dates back to the late 1800s when a German captain, Max Stephanitz used different shepherd dogs to develop a new, unique breed.
He copied the British breeding methods and travelled across Germany observing various dog shows.
Stephanitz later found a dog that he believed was the perfect fit. He immediately began breeding the dog with herding dogs.
Even though herding was quite unpopular in Germany at the time, Stephanitz was still undaunted. He used the dog for military service and soon after, the German government took notice.
Solders would later obtain the puppies and the German Shepherd soon made it’s way to the United States.
Today, the German Shepherd is an intelligent, protective, active and easy-to-train dog.
The History of the Great Dane
Great Danes were initially known as Boar Hounds simply because they were commonly used for hunting boars. In the 16th century, their name was changed to “Dogges”.
Later on, however, German nobles would start keeping the best of these dogs at home, renaming them ” Kammerhunde” or chamber dogs in the process.
The term “Great Dane” was first used in the 1700s when a traveling Frenchman saw a boar hound in Denmark and called the dog “Grand Danois” or the Great Danish dog.
That name became popular, even though the dog was not actually bred in Denmark.
Most German dog breeders continued to develop the dog further. They worked to produce calmer dogs and happily for dog lovers today, they succeeded.
It is not known when the original Great Dane moved to the US, but the breed was officially registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1887.
The Great Dane is now a wonderful dog breed – large and unique, affectionately known as the Apollo of dogs or a gentle giant. Although he looks intimidating, he is actually one of the best natured dogs you’ll ever come across.
For all his large size, he is a sweet, loving pet. He is very playful and gets along well with children.
So what does the German Shepherd Great Dane Mix dog look like. Let’s find out:
Great Dane and German Shepherd Mix: Height and Weight
How big do german shepherd great dane mixes get?
A Great Dane and German Shepherd Mix is a large to giant-sized dog standing 28 to 30 inches tall and weighing anywhere between 65 and 130 pounds.
He can resemble either the German Shepherd dog or the Great Dane.
However, he is one of the largest hybrid dogs around. He has an extended body and long, muscular legs with long ears as well.
His coat normally takes after the Great Dane and some of the most common colors include black, white, brown, hazel and Merle.
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The German Shepherd Great Dane Mix Temperament
One of the main concerns about adopting or buying a large dog like the Great Dane Shepherd Mix is their temperament.
Since the Great Shepherd is not a pure breed, its behavior and personality can only be guessed based on the typical traits of the parent breeds.
Thankfully, the Great Shepherd can be a great pet for you and your family, especially if you have enough room for this large dog.
He is smart but adorable, making him quite easy to train especially if you know how to establish yourself as the pack leader.
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The Great Shepherd dog is alert and protective, making him a great watchdog. As such, he will do everything in his power to protect those close to him if they are in danger.
He is outgoing and gentle and can be a great companion.
He is loving and enjoys getting a lot of attention. Therefore, don’t leave your pup alone for long to prevent destructive behaviors from developing.
Behavior with Children and Other Pets
A Great Shepherd dog is playful and gentle with children, but due to his enormous size, smaller kids should be supervised while playing with this dog.
He is also great with other pets in the home, but early training and socialization can also help with this as well.
Also, teach your kids not to play with him while he is eating or try to pull or ride him.
Grooming and Shedding
So, will a Great Dane Shepherd Mix shed a lot? How much grooming is required?
If a Great Shepherd takes after his Great Dane parent instead of the harder coat of his German Shepherd parent breed, he will just need brushing once a day to keep his coat clean and healthy.
Bath your Great Shepherd occasionally and use deodorizing wipes for dogs regularly to help keep their coat clean.
Usually, a Great Shepherd dog sheds twice per year during which time you need to clean up after him.
It is also a good idea to groom your pooch even if he doesn’t shed much in order to get rid of dead skin and excess hair. A furminator can help you deal with this hair issue.
Otherwise, bathing should be done occasionally when he gets particularly dirty.
His teeth should also be brushed at least three times per week and his ears cleaned regularly to prevent infection.
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Exercise Needs
Great Dane and German Shepherd Mixes are susceptible to hip or elbow dysplasia.
Therefore, it is important that these dogs get enough exercises and are provided with a healthy diet to prevent these problems.
Moreover, a Great Dane Shepherd Mix is an energetic breed that will also exhibit a playful nature.
If they don’t get plenty of exercises, destructive behaviors will most likely develop.
Get the right dog toys to help your Great Dane Shepherd Mix stay fit, healthy and happy.
You should also plan to walk your dog for at least one hour every day.
Additionally, your Great Dane Shepherd will need enough room in your premises for them to exercise while you’re away.
It is not a good idea to keep a Great Dane Shepherd Mix if you plan to be away from home for long periods of time.
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Training
The good news is that your Great Shepherd dog is intelligent, so he will be quite easy to train.
However, it is a good idea to start socializing and training them at an early age.
Socialization to a variety of humans and places is the way to go, as it will help your puppy to feel more comfortable.
Also, positive training methods are recommended for this breed. Punishment-based training can lead to aggression and fear in dogs.
If you are overwhelmed or in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek the help of an experienced dog trainer.
German Shepherd Great Dane Mix Health Problems
Just like any other mixed breed, a Great Dane German Shepherd Mix may have inherited conditions or they might experience health problems later in life.
Common health problems that can affect this breed include hip dysplasia, allergies, eye issues and skin infections.
In addition to these health issues, a Great Shepherd Mix can also inherit heart disease, certain types of cancer, hypothyroidism and autoimmune issues from their purebred parents.
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Getting a Healthy Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Puppy
If you’re looking to buy a puppy from a breeder, genetic testing will help determine if any of the parent dogs has any health issue.
Also, make sure that both the purebred parents have reasonable elbow and hip scores.
It is also important to get the Embark Dog DNA Test kit to determine the genetic makeup of your pup and any inherited health conditions.
This DNA test will help you to know whether your Great Shepherd puppy is prone to any health problem even before you spot the signs. Thus, you can take the necessary preventive measures to ensure your pup lives a healthier, happier and longer life.
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Feeding and Diet
To help maintain its health, your Great Dane German Shepherd Mix will require a high quality dog food that is formatted for large breeds with its level of activity.
Meeting your puppy’s nutritional requirements is vital to having a healthy and happy pet without any major health issues.
Usually, this breed will do well on around four to five cups of dry dog food fed each day as two or three meals.
A tool like an automatic dog feeder can help with feeding your dog.
To keep your dog’s digestive system healthy, provide him with probiotics as well.
You should also supplement your dog’s diet with Omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain the health of their skin and coat.
And one of the best options is the Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, a natural supplement that helps to maintain the health of a dog’s coat, skin, joints and hips, as well as the immune system.
You may also want to use a quality water dispenser to ensure your dog has clean drinking water at all times.
Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Lifespan
Like other mixed dogs, you can expect your Great Dane Shepherd dog to live as long as his parent breeds. Therefore, these dogs can live for around 8 to 13 years.
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Finding Great Dane German Shepherd Mix for Sale
The best way to find a reputable breeder is to look for those who deal in large dog breeds.
Make sure the breeders you choose have a thorough testing process. That way, you’ll be able to get a full report on any conditions or behavioral issues.
You can also go online and search for “Great Shepherd dog for sale” or visit any nearby rescue organizations to see if they have any dogs for adoption.
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Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Price
When it comes to price, you should expect to pay around $400 to $850 for a healthy puppy.
Apart from the cost of buying a puppy, you want to factor in food costs, vet fees and pet products like the MidWest Folding Crate for X-large dogs and the Furhaven Orthopedic dog bed from reputable retailers like Amazon.
Conclusion
So that’s all you need to know before adopting or purchasing a Great Dane and German Shepherd Mix puppy.
Both purebred parents are large and active, so your mixed breed puppy will need plenty of room to play and exercise.
Despite their large size, these dogs are truly adorable and loving towards their family.
If you have the time and space to train and take care of your dog, then a Great Dane Shepherd Mix can be a great pet for you and your family.
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