Great Dane Lab Mix Breed

Are you wondering whether the Great Dane Lab Mix Breed is a fantastic choice for a family dog? Trust me nothing can be further from the truth. Hybrid or designer dogs, such as the Great Dane Labrador Retriever mix breed or Labradane are among the many hybrids available today.

I do not know about you but at the mention of the Great Dane, the first thing that crosses my mind is the famous 1969 cartoon Scooby Doo: Where Are You! I’m sure most of you can relate since Scooby Doo looks exactly like a Great Dane. Anyway, back to our topic today…

If you are wondering how a boar hunter purebred and fishermen helper purebred dog offspring would be like, the Great Dane Lab Mix breed will answer all your questions. This mixed breed boasts both parents that are classified under larger dogs; one with a black coat and the other tall.

In brief, the Labrador Retriever and Great Dane mix breed or Labradane makes an admirable family dog due to it kid-friendly nature, affection, and loyalty. The crossbreed might be gigantic but a Labradane is good at heart and gentle. What many people ask is ‘will the Labradane be more like the Labrador Retriever or the Great Dane? 

Today, our topic pays special attention to this mix breed to see whether it makes a great family dog or companion before you take him home. To do this, we shall look into the traits of parents, temperament, size, health, dietary needs, lifespan, grooming, training, and associated costs. By the end of the review, you shall decide for yourself whether it suits you or not.

Shall we?

What is Great Dane Lab Mix Breed?

The Great Dane Lab Mix breed is a cross or mix breed dog between two famous purebred dog breeds parents: the Great Dane and the Labrador Retriever. Both parents of this crossbreed hail from the category of larger dog breeds with a sweet character full of loyalty and very smart.

The Labradane has the likelihood of being large, a trait they inherit from the Great Dane parent which means they need an owner who is into exercise without compromise. We shall discuss more on this below.

History

Initially established in the 1980s, the Great Dane Lab Mix Breed or Labradane came during the dawn of the small dog trend. As some hypotheses put it, the crossbreed focused on creating a smaller type of the huge and well-liked Great Dane. The today’s version is a massive family pet.

In fact, the Labradane stands out as one of the most popular mixes of the Great Dane out there and were all bred as companion dogs. The mix breed is admired for being a gentle giant who create a strong bond with kids and grown-ups alike. It would make a perfect family dog.

Parents

Although their history is known, it does not explain how the mix breed is like completely. So, the best way to understand the Great Dane Lab Mix Breed is reviewing their purebred parents for a full insight. In that case, we can see if the Labradane inherits from both parents or favors one of its parents more.

• The Great Dane

At the mention of the Gentle Giant, only two things run in my mind: the late Country Music icon Don Williams or the Great Dane, and in this case, the latter is my focus.

As the name suggests, the Great Dane is one of the largest purebred dog breeds in the world that is known to be huge and noble. At first sight, the Apollo of Dogs (another name for the breed) might seem terribly creepy but they are sweet-natured at heart and affectionate. They are gentle with kids and like to play and a protector of the family they live in.

Initially bred in Germany to hunt boar, the Great Dane, also known as the German Mastiff or Deutsche Dogge, was developed from Mastiff-type dogs but are more cultured than other offspring of its Middle Ages breeds. The ones we have today might not have the aggressiveness to track and hunt down such a big, cunning animal. But terrifying a burglar out of your home, nothing comes close.

The dog breed was a prominent guardian of carriages and estates in the 18^th century and are very fast as they can run up to a speed of 30 mph. After all, they hail from two other strong breeds – the Irish Wolfhound and the Mastiff. The Great Dane was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887 and ranks as the club’s 34^th breed.

If you are looking for a large family dog that loves cuddling and relaxing on the sofa watching TV with you, a Great Dane would be a fantastic choice. Unfortunately, large dog breeds have a short lifespan and for the Great Dane is 7 to 10 years.

When it comes to size, the dog breed is great just like its name. A male Great Dane stands at 30 to 40 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of 120 lbs. to 200 lbs. A female Great Dane, on the other hand, stands 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of 100 lbs. to 130 lbs. Some pooches, however, can be either smaller or bigger than the Great Dane’s average height.

Generally, Great Danes are very healthy! But like any other dog breed out there, however, Great Danes are also predisposed to some health issues. And while not all dogs in the breed contract the diseases, it is better if you know about them just in case your dog or your neighbor’s show signs and symptoms. These conditions include hip dysplasia, development issue, gastric torsion, bone cancer, and heart disease.

In terms of colors, the Great Dane comes in a variety of colors, including black, mantle, brindle, fawn, harlequin, and blue. When it comes to shedding, Great Danes are notorious but you can manage it easily by brushing regularly to keep the coat healthy and neat. An occasional bath is also crucial and should be introduced since their pup stage.

Diet is crucial for these fast-growing large dog breeds. You might think that due to their size, Great Danes eat a lot but that is not the case. During their puppyhood, feed them dog food that is designed for large dog breeds without supplements. About feeding quantities, consult your vet.

• The Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever or simply Labrador stands out as one of the most popular breed of dogs in many countries worldwide, especially in the Western world. Bred to be a sociable companion and working dog breed, the today’s Labradors jobs include retrievers for hunters, search & rescue dogs, show competitors, among other dog tasks.

With origins in the region of Newfoundland, this friendly and intelligent dog breed ranks at the top list of breeds that in to be recognized in the American Kennel Club. The Labrador Retriever features a muscular and athletic build, a short coat that is easy to care for, and is very energetic. The Labrador was initially named the St. John’s dog after the capital city of Newfoundland and was bred as a family dog and fisherman’s dog to help them haul nets, retrieve fish, and fetch ropes.

If you are looking for a canine buddy that will excel in dog sports such as obedience and agility contests, you can never go wrong with a Labrador Retriever. Being calm, gentle, kind, trusting, and friendly are the specific traits that make it a perfect family pet but a miserable watchdog.

Like the Great Dane, the Labrador Retriever is also among the larger dog breeds category. A male Labrador stands 22.5 to 24.5 inches tall on the shoulders with a weight of between 60 lbs. and 80 lbs. A female Labrador stands 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 55 lbs. and 70 lbs.

With a proper diet and care, the Labrador Retriever boasts a lifespan of 10 to 12 years and is also very expedient and flexible with a top speed of between 20 mph to 30 mph. Add that to the winning personality, eagerness to please, and intellect and you have an energetic happy pooch.

Typically, Labrador Retrievers are a healthy dog breed but like any other, they are disposed to some health conditions. And although not all dogs catch these diseases, knowing about them is better as the old adage states ‘knowledge is power’. The health conditions in Labradors include hip & elbow dysplasia, cataracts, Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD), epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), myopathy, tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD), gastric dilation-volvulus, cold tail, acute moist dermatitis, and ear infections.

Labs feature a smooth and easy-care coat with two layers comprising of a soft, weather-resistant undercoat and a short thick straight top-coat that protect it from wetness and cold. The Labrador coat comes in three colors including chocolate, yellow, and black. Although they are notorious shedders, grooming the Lab is easy but you will need to invest in a quality vacuum cleaner and a brush.

You should brush your Labrador daily during shedding period and a bath every two months at least, trim their nails once or twice-weekly and brush their teeth twice or thrice a week. Check their ears as well for redness and awful odor. Ensure you introduce grooming from puppyhood.

Breed Characteristics

The Labradane or Great Dane Lab Mix Breed is characterized by a large well-build stature, intelligence, devotion, and sociability. But you must keep in mind that the Labradane can be occasionally wary of outsiders despite their friendly nature.

Because of their size, these gentle giants demand lots of exercise, at least 30 – 60 minutes a day. The breed loves hanging around dog parks and going for brisk walks just like the Lab parent, and can at times behave a little silly – a trait they inherit from their Great Dane parent.

When it comes to color, Labradanes come in brown, white, and black coats which are the most common. Usually, the mix breed features a single color all over but small patterns can be seen in some cases.

Of course the big size means the Labradane is best suited for active families with a big yard as they need ample space. Do not go for the Great Dane Lab Mix Breed if you live alone in an apartment. It is not the breed for you!

Temperament

It is easy to predict the temperament of the Great Dane Lab Mix Breed as their parents have lots of common traits. Both the Labrador Retriever and the Great Dane, for instance, are well-known for being intelligent, friendly, and fiercely loyal. As such, the Labradane will be loyal, smart, friendly, social, dog-friendly, outgoing, trainable, and great with children.

The main difference between their parents, however, is that the Great Dane parent loves to relax while the Labrador Retriever parent is very active. In most cases, the Labradane will be active like the Lab parent and will mostly suffer from separation anxiety if left alone.

Images – Male, Female, and Puppy

Size, Height, and Weight

From the beginning, we have described the Great Dane Lab Mix Breed as a gentle giant or large dog breed. And since both parents actually fall under the larger breeds’ category, their offspring would most likely be on the larger edge of the scale – large mix dog breed.

As such, most Labradanes will stand 24 to 30 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of between 100 lbs. and 180 lbs. Male Labradanes, however, can be a little taller than their female colleagues. As you can see, the Great Dane Lab Mix Breeds are large dogs.

Lifespan

Life expectancy is yet another difficult factor to determine when it comes to hybrid dog breeds like the Labrador. On the one hand, their Great Dane parent has a short lifespan of 6 to 8 years while the Labrador Retriever parent boasts 10 to 14 years.

Dietary Needs/Feeding

If I forgot to mention, the Labrador Retriever has a big appetite that can make it do anything for a treat or extra food on the bowl, or checking what the garbage has in store. This desire for food makes them prone to obesity if overfed or even bloat. The Great Dane’s appetite, on the other hand, does not match its size at all, yet they grow rapidly and need special large breed dog foods.

This means that a Labradane is likely to have a high appetite but their dietary needs will change as they grow and develop. As such, he should be fed a well-balanced and healthy diet that is crafted with minimum energy. The high appetite can lead to bloat and obesity which, in turn, can lead to movement issues later in life.

For the best feeding guidelines of your Great Dane Lab Mix Breed, make sure that you consult your veterinarian for a specific recommendation based on energy level and age.

Health

Like their parents, Labradanes are a generally healthy dog breed but predisposed to certain health issues mainly inherited from their parents. You should know, however, that not all Labradanes get these diseases but you should know about them anyway.

Great Dane Lab Mix Breeds are deep-chested which means they are inclined to digestive issues and bloat as well as panosteitis. And since both parents are prone to developing hip & elbow dysplasia, the same goes for their offspring – the Labradane.

Grooming

Do they shed a lot?

That question is common among many mix breeds enthusiasts and the simple answer to it is that the Great Dane Lab Mix Breeds shed moderately. This, however, changes in specific seasons such as Spring. The breed can live in any climate but look out for warmer weather to prevent heat exhaustion. Remember to take care of dental hygiene as well as it is linked to heart disease.

When it comes to grooming, the Labradane is easy to maintain with regular brushing at least twice-weekly. For bathing, once-a-month is enough for this mix breed or just when needed especially after playing in muddy places or after swimming. Make sure that the ears are cleaned after your Labradane comes into contact with water to prevent infections or bad smell.

Companionship with Children

As we mentioned earlier, both Labradane parents are kid-friendly and so is their offspring. The Great Dane Lab Mix Breed is playful and enjoys human bonding. But if you have very young children, be sure to monitor how they play with the Labradane as it can sometimes be overjoyed and becoming overwhelming.

The Labrador can also be overprotective with its family members which is a good thing for kids especially. However, both the kids and the pooch must be socialized since your Labradane’s puppyhood stage.

Training

Both parents of the Labradane are well-known for their willingness to please their owners, which means they are usually excited and inspired to learn. Interestingly, they are also commonly used as therapy pooches. This means training them is easy, especially with the level of intelligence.

The same goes for their Labradane offspring. And since they are welcoming and love greeting, it should be without jumping up which should be controlled during training. That is because it can be scary or even dangerous for small kids.

Do you plan to introduce crate training for your Great Dane Lab Mix Breed? Then you must be prepared a very large place for this, and remember that he is prone to separation anxiety when left alone for long.

Although training is crucial, make sure you have use regular short training sessions when dealing with the Labradane to prevent boredom or stress. For best training results, incorporate rewards especially for any positive achievement your Labradane makes.

Cost

How much does it cost to have one and to maintain them?

A Labradane pup would cost anywhere between $250 and $550 but the prices are expected to change depending on the breeder’s popularity or the location where they are being sold.

Feeding costs for a Labradane depends on how much they eat which should be three cups per day which is between $2.75 and $3. The monthly cost should be between $80 and $90. Other costs include travel costs during vet visits and vaccination, if any. In case you seek pro grooming services, that is an additional cost on the list but it can be avoided by creating time for it.

Where to Buy or to Adopt

Unfortunately, most mix breed dogs will stroll their way into shelters and the Great Dane Lab Mix Breed is not an exemption. Due to their popularity, however, the Labradanes are easy to find. However, I recommend that you buy a Labradane puppy and train him from scratch.

Before you settle on adopting or buying a Labradane from a breeder, which is what many people do, sit down and conduct in-depth research and know the right questions to ask. Make sure that the breeder is responsible and has all the health records of the parent breeds with a signature from a certified veterinarian.

Also ask that you meet the pup’s parents in person. If all that is clear, you can take your Labradane pup home and raise him. If he refuses, that is a red flag so run for the hills.

Great Dane Lab Mix Puppies

The Great Dane Lab Mix Puppies are a large breed of dogs that develops fast which means that you should be careful with their dietary needs. The pups should not be free-fed with foods that that contain calories (high-energy) or high-calcium as they can cause orthopedic diseases.

Make sure you consult your dog’s vet and discuss the best diet for your little friend and be gentle on your Labradane during training to prevent joint problems later in life.

FAQs

How big will a Lab Great Dane mix get?

Given both parents of the Lab Great Dane Mix are classified under the larger dog breed category, a Labrador will be a large mix breed as well. Most Labradanes will stand 24 to 30 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of between 100 lbs. and 180 lbs. Females can be a bit smaller than males.

Do Great Dane mixes live longer?

No, Great Dane mixes do not live longer but have a sweet life expectancy of 8 to 12 years. However, sometimes this depends on the other parent of the mix, especially their health and lifespan.

Is a Great Dane a good family dog?

Yes, a Great Dane is a good family dog as its gentle giant nickname means it all. However, it has to be trained from a young age how to socialize.

Are Great Dane dogs dangerous?

Yes and No! Initially bred to hunt boar, the Great Dane is powerful and massive which means its bite is strong and immense energy. With the appropriate training and socialization, the Apollo of Dogs, as he is nicknamed, makes a perfect companion, but can be dangerous and hostile without proper training.