115-125 lbs
23-28"
United States
The Daniff is a mixture of the Great Dane and Mastiff parent breeds. He is a giant-sized dog; however, he is a very gentle giant. He is generally a low maintenance dog who sheds very little. His coat will be soft and shiny. He may be slow to train, but he is intelligent and learns well. Persistence pays off with the Daniff! Although he is very large, he is not sedentary and requires a good bit of exercise to stay in good shape. He is wonderful with children and highly affectionate with his family. Often, his size is enough to intimidate would-be burglars.
The Great Dane was originally known as the Boar Hound. A fearsome hunter, he can trace his origins back to a large dog found in Tibet. History says the Assyrians traded the giant canines to Greeks and Romans, who then bred them with other dogs. Some believe that Mastiffs or Irish Wolfhounds are related. Once their hunting days were over, they were then kept as companions. Further name changes were to English Dogge and then Kammerhunde (German for chamber hound), and as well, the Grand Danois, the final name to be used. The Great Dane was once more of an aggressive type dog but once he became a companion as opposed to a hunter, breeders developed a calmer personality. He was registered in the American Kennel Club in the Working Group in 1887. The Mastiff is a descendent of the molosser which is believed to originate in the mountains of Asia. Mastiffs are depicted in ancient Greek and Egyptian artwork. The Mastiff has been a herding dog and was also used during warfare by Kubla Khan. Unfortunately, the Mastiff has also been used as a fighting dog against foe such as the lion and gladiators. However, the Mastiff of today is quite gentle and still has his protective nature. He is a member of the American Kennel Club, also in the Working Group, and was registered in 1885. This makes the Daniff a great companion, watchdog, and all-around family dog.
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 Mastiff on the other hand, has a short, straight fawn or apricot outer coat, often with black markings. The Mastiff has an undercoat that is short and dense. While the Daniff resembles a Great Dane very much, he is rounder and thicker due to the Mastiff parent breed. He will be muscular, with a large head and floppy ears. He will likely have the characteristic folds of the Mastiff face and maybe even the jowls, but not so deep. His gait will be agile, though not quite as elegant as the Great Dane's.
The smooth coat of your Daniff can be managed easily with a weekly brushing using a pin brush. When shedding season arrives, more than weekly will be the rule. If your Daniff puppy inherits the Mastiff wrinkles, you will need to clean the wrinkles daily to prevent bacterial infections. To clean, use a damp washcloth to wipe between the wrinkles. Be sure not to leave the area moist as this could promote bacterial growth. The teeth of this massive dog are big but need to be cleaned just as carefully as the tiny, crowded teeth of a small breed. Tartar accumulation occurs with any breed of dog so brush at least two or three times a week. Get your Daniff used to all of the grooming expectations when he is a puppy; this will make it easier for when he is big and heavy.
It might be a good idea to enroll your Daniff in obedience classes or a puppy kindergarten class. Working with a Daniff will require patience, firmness, consistency, and loving correction. Your Daniff will benefit from obedience classes from day one so that he can learn to grow with confidence and to trust those around him. Remember, the Mastiff has guardian genes and the Great Dane has inherited the traits of a hunter, so having a large breed that listens well is important. Your Daniff will get along with other animals but socialization when he is young in the form of puppy classes and trips to the park will be best. Consistency is key. Allow your Daniff the chance to learn how to interact at every opportunity, he will thank you for it as a well behaved, all around happy dog.
The Daniff 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 will 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 of one or two miles. The dog park is a great place for the Daniff; 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. However, remember that your Daniff will want to be inside with you at night. Never leave him outdoors all the time.
