Judging by its name, it comes as no surprise that the Great Daniff is a huge dog. This is a cross between the great dane and the Mastiff.
When you crossbreed two large breeds, of course you only expect to end up with a hybrid that is gigantic.
With one of the parent breed known for its courage and calmness and the other for its gentle and loving nature, you are probably going to get a hybrid that is generally affectionate and loyal to its human family.
Well, here is everything that you need to know about the Great Dane Mastiff mix.
Table of Contents
Some Quick Facts about the Mastiff Great Dane Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Size: | X-Large sized dog |
| Other Names: | Great Daniff, Mastidane, Daniff, English Daniff |
| Good Watch and Guard Dog: | Yes, very protective of their territory and family |
| Average Height: | 27 to 34 inches |
| Average Weight: | 115 to 130 pounds (although there have been dogs reaching up to 195 pounds) |
| Lifespan: | 8 to 10 Years |
| Coat: | Short coat |
| Coat colors: | Fawn, black and white, brindle, and even two unique color patterns |
| Suitable for first time owners: | No |
| Apartment Living: | No |
| Trainability: | Moderate Difficulty |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Shedding: | Low |
| Grooming Needs: | They have short hair that makes maintenance easy. You need to brush his coat at least once a week |
| Energy Levels: | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs: | They normally require at least 30 minutes of exercise every day |
| Tolerance to being left alone: | Low, they can easily get bored |
| Feeding and Diet: | 3 to 5 cups of high quality dog food each day, divided into three or four meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Heart problems, hip dysplasia and bloating |
| Temperament: | Affectionate, loyal, stubborn, gentle, playful, loving |
| Cat Friendly: | Yes, with early socialization |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes, with early socialization |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes, with early socialization |
| Barking Tendencies: | Rarely barks |
| Price: | Expect anywhere in the $500 – $1500 range |
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The Origin of the Great Dane Mastiff Mix
It would certainly be a great injustice not to shed some light on the origin of the Daniff.
The origin of the Great Dane Mastiff Mix can be studied through tracing the history of the parent breeds separately. Therefore the only way to appreciate the origin of the Great Daniff is to trace the lineage of both the Great Daniff and the Mastiff.
The History of the Great Dane
This is a very big dog, actually one of the largest dog breeds in the world that originated from Germany.
This gigantic breed descended from large dog breeds such as the Irish Wolf, the Mastiff and also the Greyhound. With its lineage being traced back to ancient Greece in the 13th century BC, this breed was actually recognized as the boarhound.
It was around the 16th century that the Irish Wolfhound was crossed with the English Mastiff that resulted in the Great Dane. The Great Dane was bred mostly for big-game hunting like the boar, deer and bears because of its large size.
Great Dane Puppy
The History of the Mastiff
The Mastiff, also a very huge dog, is said to have descended from Central Asia. Since time immemorial, the Mastiff breed was kept for its hunting prowess, fighting because of its protective nature and guarding too due to its huge size.
It was also a breed that was preferred when it comes to offering security to the nomads and traders who came from Northern India. It was as a result of these long distance trade travels that the breed came to spread to the rest of the world.
Mastiff Dog
The Physical Characteristics of the Daniff
How big does a Great Dane Mastiff mix get?
When you look at the two parent breeds, it is not very hard to imagine what the hybrid would look like. As the saying goes, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
Size
The Mastiff and the Great Dane can grow up to 30 inches. The Mastidane therefore is likely to grow approximately 27 to 34 inches.
Weight
The parent breeds, the Mastiff and the Great Dane weigh at least 150 pound each, although the Dane is a bit lighter than the Mastiff. The average weight of the Daniff is therefore between 115 to 130 pounds. There have been records of some even weighing up to 210 pounds.
Here is a video of Great Dane Cross Mastiff dog showing perfect obedience:
Great Dane Mastiff Mix Behavior and Temperament
The great daniff is the hybrid of two gigantic but very gentle dogs. It comes as no surprise therefore that the Daniff should also be gentle and very affectionate in nature.
The mastidane is also a very playful and energetic dog. It is very affectionate towards young children so you need not to worry if you have small kids.
It was originally bred as a guarding dog so the Mastidane can be really protective of their territory and family. Your kids will most likely fall in love with this particular dog just from his size.
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His large physique makes him so adorable and huggable. However, it is recommended that you should always be close to supervise whenever your small kids are interacting with your daniff puppy. This dog is also very friendly with other dogs and pets as well.
You need not worry about your Daniff’s loyalty. The great Daniff is extremely loyal to his owner and family too. It is dedicated to protect and defend you no matter what. You will also hardly hear him bark unless something is really off.
Great Dane Mastiff Mix Grooming and Maintenance
The Daniff has a short coat, this also means that he doesn’t shed much. You need to brush his coat once a week at least which will be enough to keep him spick and span. A kempt looking dog is always impressive to behold.
Make sure to maintain his fur coat to prevent his hair from tangling. You can also remove weak and lose hair by brushing it regularly. Take time to bathe him at least twice a week. This will help to prevent parasites like fleas on your dog.
You can also utilize deodorizing wipes to keep your dog clean in between baths.
Remember to maintain a good dental hygiene as well. If your dog does not like a toothbrush in his mouth you can give him a raw bone to chew. It helps remove the plaque that is stuck in between his teeth.
Their nails may wear down over time, but you should consider investing in quality dog clippers to help keep them short.
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(@frankiemay1)Feeding and Diet
Always bear in mind that the Great Daniff is a huge dog and is very likely to bloat. You need to give your canine friend high quality dog food and a bowl of fresh water.
High quality wet dog food is recommended because it is highly nutritious and doesn’t stick in between your dog’s teeth causing plaque.
Give your Daniff plenty of fresh water as well. Make sure it is easily accessible and at a point where he can always reach when thirsty.
In order to prevent bloating, you can give your Daniff small but frequent meals. Dog experts usually recommend that you need to feed your dog at least twice a day, however, for your Daniff, you can do it at least 3 times a day.
Just make sure that you space the meals evenly while ensuring that the amount of calories you give him are commensurate to his needs.
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.
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Exercise Needs
It is worthy to note that both the parent breeds of the Daniff have below average exercise needs. This essentially translates to the amount that your Daniff needs.
You will only need to walk him for at least 30 minutes every day. This should be enough for your Mastidane. If you have the chance, you can do at least two 30-minute walks every day.
Mental exercise is equally important as well. Invest in interactive dog toys to help exercise your dog’s brain. There are plenty of good quality interactive dog toys and puzzles that you can use to exercise your dog’s brain.
It is not a good idea to keep a Great Dane Mastiff Mix if you plan to be away from home for long periods of time.
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Obedience Training
Dog training can be quite challenging, especially if you are doing it all on your own.
The Great Dane and the Mastiff are both quite stubborn dogs to train. It is therefore natural that the Daniff be equally challenging to train. Timing is everything when it comes to obedience training your Daniff puppy.
Training should begin immediately you bring your Mastidane puppy home. It is much easier to train your dog when he is still young and curious to learn about everything in his new environment. As the saying goes, you can’t teach an old dog new trick.
You may also seek the help of a professional dog trainer to help you train your Mastidane puppy which is a highly intelligent one. Simply begin your training sessions early enough. Make the sessions fun and short because your puppy doesn’t have a very high concentration span.
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Teach him the basic commands like “COME!” “STOP!” “SIT!”. Try teaching him his name as well. If you haven’t picked a name for your mastidane yet, I would advise that you pick one that is short and easy for him to remember and identify with.
Dogs just like children like to be praised and pampered for everything they get right. You need to use positive reinforcement when teaching your dog these basic commands.
Give your dog some yummy treats whenever he follows and obeys your commands. This will motivate him to always be obedient because he knows that a treat is in the offing.
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Have a routine planned out for your dog. It gives him some sense of security knowing that his day is well planned out for him. He sure knows perhaps that when he wakes up, he needs to go to release himself in the potty. He knows his training sessions, his exercise periods and so on.
Establish yourself as his alpha. Dogs always listen to and obey their dog leaders. Remember that both the Great Dane and the Mastiff were hunting and guarding dogs. They are therefore good at following instructions and will do so to please their leader.
Mastidane Socialization
Training and socialization go hand in hand. You also need to socialize your Mastidane puppy early enough. Let him know how to play and interact with fellow dogs and other pets.
It is therefore recommended that if you are considering getting yourself a Mastidane puppy, just ensure that it is older than 3 months. This is simply to ensure that the puppy has bonded with his littermates. This is important as it enables him to learn a few important things from his dog family.
One good way of making your dog learn how to socialize with other dogs is by taking him to the dog park. Most neighbourhoods sure have a recreational park that is meant just for dogs.
However, before taking him there, make sure that he is well vaccinated so that he doesn’t contact any dog illnesses at the park. Make sure to carry deodorizing wipes as well as plenty of fresh water especially if it is hot.
You can also try to enroll your dog in a kindergarten class meant for puppies so that they are able to learn how to interact with other dogs and other people apart from your family members. If you also have a friend with a dog, you can arrange a play date and just have fun bonding.
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(@boston_aus)Great Dane Mastiff Mix Health
Some of the likely health problems of the Daniff include heart problems and hip dysplasia. Your great dane mastiff mix puppy can also experience bloating and related complications.
According to research, this breed is more sturdy than their parent breed. Make sure that you give your dog the amount of exercise he needs to keep his bones healthy and strong.
Be mindful of the diet as well. Avoid giving your Daniff too much calories and foods with bad cholesterol. High quality dog food is recommended as well as healthy treats. Take your mastidane puppy to the Vet for regular check-ups.
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Mastidane Lifespan
The average number of years that your mastidane will live is dependent on several factors. The Daniff can live for at least 10 years on average. This is all dependent upon proper care and nutrition.
However, just like most giant breeds, they don’t live that long. The shortest number of years being anywhere between 6-8 years.
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Where can you get Daniff puppies for sale?
You may be debating and wondering whether to adopt a puppy or simply buy one straight from a breeder. How do you even know a good breeder?
One good thing about adoption is that the puppy is a bit grown and you can easily begin training him to adapt to his new home. However, buying from a breeder has certain advantages. Most reputable breeders have already screened their puppies and will guarantee you that they are free from any illnesses and can give sound advice on what to expect in your dog’s latter years.
A reputable breeder also uses the embark dog DNA test kit to ascertain the lineage of the Daniff puppy. This you can also use to know what health issues your Mastidane is likely to have. It is a good way of tracing the genealogy and origin of your Mastidane.
How much does a Mastiff Great Dane mix (Daniff) cost?
The price of a Daniff puppy will depend on the breeder as well. You can ask friends and relatives to give you referrals and also more information is available online.
Visit the breeder’s website and go through their customer reviews before deciding to get your puppy from them.
On average, the price of Great Dane Mastiff mix puppy may vary anywhere between $500-$1500.
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.
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In case you have decided to adopt a dog, please fill free to check these websites:
– Big Dogs Huge Paws
– Adoptapet.com
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the Great Daniff Mastiff Mix is an amazing dog to have around. He is a loyal friend and companion. He is very gentle with kids and is a very good watchdog. You just need to train him and you have yourself a wonderful pet.
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