If you are looking for an entertaining hybrid for a family dog, the Great Dane Pitbull mix is an excellent choice. It is likely going to be a giant cross since the Great Dane parent is considered the world’s largest breed. But you will love it if you can stomach its pros and cons.
A Pitbull Great Dane mix is a cross between the Great Dane that is known for its sweet-tempered and patient disposition and the loyal and energetic Pitbull. The mix makes a favorite companion for the appropriate owner.
With that in mind, there are things you should know about this Great Dane Pitbull mix before taking them home. We have compiled everything about this dynamic mix-breed to help you determine whether it is the right choice for you.
Table of Contents
What do you call a Great Dane Pitbull mix?
A Great Dane and Pitbull mix is commonly known as a Great Danebull or the Great Dane Pitbull.
History of the Breed
Like most crossbreeds, very little is known about the particulars of the origin of the Great Dane Pitbull mix. The Great Danebull is a rare mix-breed but given the grown admiration of designer dogs and mixed breeds, this crossbreed may become very popular as well.
Parents
Although most mixed dog breeds, like the Great Dane Pitbull mix, are not easy to predict, looking at their parents might shed some light on what you should expect. So, what do we know about the parents?
The Great Dane – This purebred is thought to have first been spotted in China around the 11th century. The Dane, however, is of German origin and is a descendant of mastiff-like dogs that were bred to hunt boar and protect country estates for the German nobility in the 18th century.
The Great Dane has a smart, loyal, friendly, loving, confident, gentle but reserved personality, and likes playing with kids, especially if well-bred. They are also good with other dogs. This sweet nature makes them excellent family pets. The Great Dane is not recognized by the AKC but is at position 16 in the popularity list.
A male Great Dane stands 30 to 334 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of 120 to 200 lbs. while females are28 to 32 inches in height and between 99 and 130 lbs. in weight. The Dane is prone to health issues such as bloat, cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, cataracts, allergies, wobbler syndrome, skin growths, and osteosarcoma. They have a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years.
Pitbull – Recognized in the United Kennel Club (UKC), the Pitbull’s history dates back to the 19th century. They were bred from Old English Bulldogs for the purpose of contesting in cruel blood sports called bull baiting. The Pitbull we now know is believed to have landed in North America in the 1870s and used as a working dog and guard dog.
Despite the negative reputation, a Pitbull is intelligent, strong-willed, brave, obedient, loyal, and clownish. They are affectionate and gentle with people so they can’t make excellent guard dogs and are very stubborn. Pitbulls are also good with children, all the characteristics that make them good family dogs.
Although generally healthy, they are susceptible to health issues such as hip dysplasia, thyroid disease, cataracts, ichthyosis, allergies, knee complications, bloat, and skin problems. Pitbulls live 10 to 14 years.
Overall
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight | 60 to 90 pounds |
| Height | 24 to 28 inches |
| Child-friendly/ Pet-friendly | Yes, with training & exposure |
| Coat Type | Short sleek |
| Coat Color | Black, red, white, brown, tan, blue, grey & brindle |
| Shedding | Moderate to Heavy shedders |
| Temperament | Extremely energetic, playful, friendly, devoutly loyal & loving |
| Lifespan | 7 to 12 years |
Appearance
What does a Great Dane and Pitbull mix look like?
Being a cross between a Dane, the largest dog breed, and a Pitbull, you would expect it to be a large one. A full grown Great Dane Pitbull mix stands between 24 and 28 inches in height and is muscular with a stocky build and a rectangular head.
The Great Danebull has a short, smooth, and dense coat that comes in a range of colors and patterns. You can either see a solid color or a combination of any color of the parents.
Temperament
As you would expect, the Great Dane Pitbull will inherit the trait to please people from both parents which means they are very affectionate. The crossbreed is highly intelligent, playful, loyal, and very good with children which makes it an excellent family dog.
Even with its large size, the Great Danebull still thinks it can be a lap dog so they will love cuddling with you whenever possible. They are energetic and will love running or playing with you outside. A Great Danebull will always seek your attention and will suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long.
It is advisable that you train your mix from the pup stage if you want a well-behaved pooch and teach your kiddos how to treat them right. And due to their large size, ensure that you supervise when they play with your children as they can knock them over accidentally.
Nutrition
The Pitbull Great Dane mix thrives best on high-quality dog diets that are formulated for large or extra-large breeds. This regimen should be well-balanced and free from ingredients that the Great Danebull mix parents are allergic to. It is always good to consult with your vet before deciding on a diet.
You should know that the Great Danebull has a large appetite so you should not let them free-feed. They eat between 3 and 6 cups a day divided into smaller portions and fed at intervals. Make sure they drink plenty of fresh drinking water too.
Training & Exercise
The parents of the Great Danebull are smart and eager to please which means the mix can be easy to train. And although they can be stubborn, they respond well to positive reinforcement, obedience training, and socialization. Make sure you begin from puppyhood to make them great companions.
Great Dane Pitbulls will inherit the sedate Great Dane parent’s traits and extremely energetic traits from the Pitbull parent. So, your mix will be somewhere in the middle and will do well with 20 to 40 minutes walks at least twice every day. When it comes to playing, they will be very active.
Health Issues
Overall, the Great Danebull is healthy but inherits some health problems from its parents. The most common include hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, cancer, and bloat. It is recommended that you request the medical records of the parents before adopting or buying this pup.
Make sure that your Great Dane Pitbull eats well and visits a vet often for healthy living.
Lifespan
The life expectancy of a Great Dane Pitbull mix is between 7 and 12 years.
Grooming Needs
Neither parent of the Great Danebull parents is high maintenance which means your mixed breed takes after them. Its short and sleek coat will do well with a weekly brushing and an occasional bath with high-quality dog shampoo. Use a slicker brush for their coats.
Make sure you trim their nails every 3 to 4 weeks, brush their teeth at least 2 to 3 times a week, and maintain ear hygiene by cleaning their ears weekly.
Cost and Maintenance
If you have read this far, you could be asking about a Great Dane Pitbull mix price. As said earlier, this cross is rare because it is not as popular. Although the cost will depend on where you are buying your pups or the location of the breeder, expect to spend between $600 and $1,500.
Where to Adopt or Buy
This rare crossbreed is not easy to find but you will find a Great Dane Pitbull mix for sale from a reputable breeder with help. Avoid puppy mills. You can opt to adopt from rescue shelters locally as well. Pitbull Rescue Central and Rescue Me are good places to start.
FAQs
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Hi there! My name is Alex Landy, one of the co-founders here at Our Pets HQ and a parent to a small-breed Yorkie. I am a published author of two books on dog breeding and currently write on various pet-related blogs about caring for dogs. I am a parent of two daughters and live outside Boston where I spend a lot of time with family and serve in different breeding clubs. You can reach me at alex@ourpetshq.com
