Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix

The Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Great Dane and the Portuguese Sheepdog. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Great Dane is known for being devoted, friendly, and reserved. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Great Dane or the Portuguese Sheepdog? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix puppies for sale.

If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals.

Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Great Dane History

As early as the 14th–13th centuries BC, large boarhounds resembling the Great Pyrenees appear in ancient Greece in frescoes from Tiryns. For many subsequent centuries these large boarhounds continue to appear throughout ancient Greece. The Molossian hound, Suliot dog, and specific imports from Greece were used in the 18th century to increase the stature of the boarhounds in Austria and Germany and the wolfhounds in Ireland. Bigger dogs are depicted on numerous runestones in Scandinavia, on coinage in Denmark from the fifth century AD, and in the collection of Old Norse poems. The University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum holds at least seven skeletons of very large hunting dogs, dating from the fifth century BC to 1000 AD. Obviously very large dogs were a part of our history even thousands of years ago. In the mid of the 1500’s, central European nobility imported strong, long-legged dogs from England. These English dogs had descended from crossbreeds between English Great Pyreneess and Irish Wolfhounds. Since the beginning of the 1600’s, these dogs were bred in the courts of German nobility, completely outside of England.
The purpose of these extremely large dogs were to hunt bear, boar, and deer. The favorite dogs got to stay the night at the bedchambers of their lords. These so called chamber dogs were there to protect the princes while they slept from assassins.

Portuguese Sheepdog History

The Portuguese Sheepdog is not a very common breed. It has been around since the early 1900s and as you might guess is from Portugal. It is also a herding breed that is used primarily to herd goats and sheep. They almost went extinct in the 1970’s but were resurrected and have a decent population. Aside from being a good herding dog, they are also a good watch dog and are loyal to their family. They have the nickname, of “monkey dog” due to their expression that resembles the monkey. This is a very intelligent dog.

Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix Size and Weight

Great Dane
Height: 28 - 34 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 100 - 200 lb.
Lifespan: 7-10 years

Portuguese Sheepdog
Height: 17 - 21 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 35 - 60 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 13 years

Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix Personality

The Great Dane and the Portuguese Sheepdog might be a little bit spunky. They can be an inquisitive little fella so keep on the lookout for that behavior! All dogs need attention and don't want to be left alone. That's why you have a pet, right? Plan on putting forth effort to socialize her as this will reap dividends in the long run. Please use always use positive reinforcement even though they can have a mind of their own. Enjoy being with your new mixed breed and love the relationship you will have with them.

Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog 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. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Great Dane mixed with the Portuguese Sheepdog might be prone to joint dysplasia, bloat, allergies, eye problems, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Great Dane Portuguese Sheepdog 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. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Great Dane Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in