Great Dane Dalmatian Mix
The Great Dane Dalmatian Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Great Dane and the Dalmatian. Both of these dogs have very sweet personalities and will probably have a higher energy level. The Great Dane is a large dog, but not necessarily that high energy. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Great Dane or the Dalmatian? 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Great Dane Dalmatian 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.
Here are some pictures of the Great Dane Dalmatian Mix
Great Dane Dalmatian 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.
Dalmatian History:
The first illustrations of the dog have been found in Croatia in the 1600’s. Like nearly every dog breed, they were used as dogs of war, to help hunt, and to protect the villages and houses. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts. They have a strong hunting instinct and have been used as an excellent exterminator of rats and vermin and bird dogs among other things. You can’t talk about Dalmatians without talking about their role working for the firefighters for their role as firefighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots. It is thought they became so compatible with firehouses since they and horses are very compatible. the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires. They are also pretty good watchdogs and were used to help protect the firehouse from would be thieves stealing strong, steady horses.
Great Dane History:
As early as the 14th–13th centuries BC, large boarhounds resembling the Great Dane 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 Mastiffs 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.Great Dane Dalmatian Mix Size and Weight
Great Dane
Height: 28 - 34 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 100 - 200 lb.
Lifespan: 7-10 years
Dalmatian
Height: 22 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 35 - 70 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 13 years
Great Dane Dalmatian Mix Personality
Trying to predict the personality traits of hybrid dog isn’t always that easy to do. Sometimes the mix takes more from one of the parent breeds than the other. Both the Dalmatian and the Great Dane are very loyal, alert, independent, intelligent, brave, and social. The Great Dane makes an excellent guard dog simply because of it’s size. However, it’s actual temperament is not one that conducive to protection. It is just a big dog. The Dalmatian makes a bit of a better watchdog. The best thing you can do for any puppy or young dog is to socialize it as well as possible. This can’t be stressed enough as socialization is extremely important. This is good for someone who is active, although this mix won’t be nearly as active as other Dalmatian mixes. The Great Dane has a much more laid back temperament and not nearly as high of an energy level.
Great Dane Dalmatian 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. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Dalmatian mixed with the Great Dane might be prone to Joint dysplasia, allergies, among other problems.
Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.
Great Dane Dalmatian Mix Care
What are the grooming requirements?
The Great Dane has a very short coat and doesn’t shed that much. Be prepared to brush them a few times a week and get a good brush. Some of the Great Danes shed more than what you might think. Also, 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. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the exercise requirements?
Plan on taking them for moderately long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. Although the Great Dane is a bigger dog, it is really not that high energy. The Dalmatian was bred to run and work all day and will need that energy burnt off. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog.
Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. A tired dog is a good dog.
What are the training requirements?
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. The Great Dane is known for being hard-headed so plan on having to put a little more energy into that part. 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 Dalmatian 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.
Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.