65-90 lbs
28-30"
United States
The Dane Shepherd is a mixture of the Great Dane and German Shepherd parent breeds. He is a large dog who is also a great watchdog and a supreme companion dog. He is a moderate shedder and requires some maintenance. He tends to have a short coat like the Great Dane, but he may have a double coat like the German Shepherd parent breed. He does not like to be left alone for long periods of time, and he may suffer from separation anxiety if he is left by himself for long stretches. He may chew or be otherwise destructive if he becomes anxious. He only barks occasionally, but this does not keep him from being a great watchdog. Often, his size is enough to intimidate would-be burglars.
There is not a lot of information on the Dane Shepherd breed itself, but we can learn about the parent breeds in order to understand what to expect from the hybrid breed. The Great Dane can trace its origins back to a large dog found in Tibet. Illustrations of dogs similar to the Great Dane have been found in Egyptian artifacts and Babylonian temples. It is thought that the Assyrians traded the dogs to Greeks and Romans, who then bred them with other breeds. Some believe that Mastiffs or Irish Wolfhounds might also be distantly related to the Great Dane. The Great Dane was originally called Boar Hounds as they were bred to hunt boars. In the 16th century, the name of the breed was changed to English Dogges. In the 1600s, German nobles began keeping the Great Dane in the homes, referring to them as Kammerhunde (chamber hounds). These dogs were pampered and wore collars lined with velvet. In the 1800s, the name Great Dane became associated with the breed when a French traveler saw a version of the Boar Hound which looked slimmer and more like a Greyhound; he referred to the dog as Grand Danois, which eventually became “Great Danish Dog.” The name stuck. At one time the Great Dane actually had a more aggressive temperament, but German breeders worked to breed this out of the dog. Eventually, they succeeded. The Great Dane Club of America was formed in 1889, although we are unsure just when the Great Dane was brought to America. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed; he originates back to 1899 when Captain Max von Stephanitz decided to breed the various sheepherding dogs across Germany into a distinct breed. Stephanitz studied the breeding techniques of the British and travelled throughout Germany observing dogs at dog shows. In 1899, Stephanitz found what he thought was the perfect dog. He was wolfish-looking. Stephanitz immediately bought the dog and begin breeding with sheep herding dogs. Although sheep herding was fading out of existence in Germany, Stephanitz would not be daunted. He introduced the dog to police work and military service. The German government eventually adopted the breed for military service. However, some Allied soldiers during WWII were able to obtain some German Shepherd puppies, and in this manner, the German Shepherd made its way to America.
The Dane Shepherd will be a combination of both parent breeds, the Great Dane and the German Shepherd. While there is not a lot of information about the Dane Shepherd breed itself, we can study the parent breeds in order to determine what the Dane Shepherd will look like. The Great Dane has a smooth, short coat. He may come in a variety of six colors: fawn with a black mask, brindle, blue, black, harlequin (white with irregular patches all over the body), and mantle (black and white with a solid black blanket over the body). The German Shepherd may come in many colors (although the traditional black with tan trim is most often recognizable). He may be all black, black and cream, black and tan, blue, gray, liver, sable and white. (White German Shepherds are not recognized as an acceptable color under AKC guidelines, but some breeders actually strive for this color.) Your Dane Shepherd will be a large dog with a long muzzle and upright ears. Bright brown eyes will alert you to an inquisitive, kind dog.
There is not a lot of information about the Dane Shepherd; however, we can study the parent breeds in order to determine what type of maintenance the hybrid breed will require. The Great Dane generally has a short, smooth coat. He tends to shed a lot, but with regular brushing, you are not likely to find a lot of hair on your furniture or clothing. The natural oils of his coat will help him look shiny and clean with regular brushing. You should also maintain regular ear cleaning as a part of your the maintenance. A bad odor or redness could signal an infection. The German Shepherd has a medium-length double coat that was meant to protect his tender skin from snow and rain, but it also is resistant to dirt. Some German Shepherds are long-haired, but generally, he will have a medium-length coat. Sometimes the outer coat of the German Shepherd will be wiry to the touch. He may be prone to shedding as they shed year-round; he will also have a “blow” in which he will have a major shedding twice a year. Brush your Dane Shepherd two or three times a week with a smooth bristle brush. He should only be bathed as needed. It is recommended that you take advantage of the fact that the German Shepherd parent loves to chew – give your Dane Shepherd dental chews to keep his teeth clean (in addition to regular brushing) and promote overall dental health.
The Great Dane is a gentle giant. He is often considered one of the best-natured dogs to have. He is very sweet, affectionate and playful. In addition, he naturally loves children. He is easy to train; he wants nothing more than to please his humans. He loves people, and he wants to interact with his family. The Great Dane often forgets just how big he is; he may attempt to be a lap dog from time to time. It is recommended that he gets early socialization, especially with other animals. While he does generally get along with other animals, it never hurts to teach him from an early age how to behave and what is expected of him. Some experts even recommend obedience classes for the Great Dane. The other parent, the German Shepherd, has a reputation for aggression; much of this is undeserved. He is highly alert and is reserved around strangers, so he makes for a great watchdog. It takes a while for him to make friends, but once he does, he is immensely loyal. He is highly intelligent and is easily trainable. However, he does not do well being alone for long periods of time. He needs companionship from his family, and he is exceedingly loyal to them. He may bark excessively or chew if he is bored. Early socialization is also recommended for the German Shepherd. Your Dane Shepherd will be a steadfast companion who is intuitive and very clever. Take him out often on a meet and greet around the neighborhood so that he can show off his people skills and practise them at the same time.
The Dane Shepherd is a fairly active dog. It is recommended that he gets ample exercise to ensure that he maintains a healthy weight. He may have a tendency to gain weight if he is not exposed to regular activity. He has a tendency to do better in a home with a large yard that he can be allowed to run and play in. He may also enjoy joining you for a leisurely walk. The dog park is a great place for the Dane Shepherd; he will enjoy the ability to get out and run and play with other dogs. He needs regular exercise so that he does not chew or bark excessively. Mental stimulation is important for this hybrid as well. A smart dog who is perceptive to your wants, he'll be eager to please but needs interaction and activities that work his mind and his body.
Written by Kathleen Egger
Published: 11/09/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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