115-125 lbs
23-28"
United States
The Daniff is a cross between the Great Dane and the Mastiff. It’s no surprise then that this is a giant dog — but one that is definitely a gentle giant. They’re very affectionate with their family and great with children.
However, both their size and the fact that training can sometimes be a slow process, means this crossbreed will benefit from an experienced pet parent that has the time and patience to do this.
In this guide to Daniffs, you’ll discover:
So, what is a Daniff dog? The Daniff is a cross between two of the largest breeds of dog, the Great Dane and Mastiff. You may also hear them referred to as the Mastidane, Great Daniff and English Daniff.
If you’ve been looking at Daniff puppies and would like a youngster then you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $900, from a reputable breeder. You may also be able to rescue this crossbreed and provide it with a loving new home. Not only does this give the dog a second chance, it will be significantly cheaper.
The Daniff dog lives up to around 12 years — giant dogs do tend to have a shorter life expectancy than smaller breeds. However, this is slightly longer than both the Great Dane and Mastiff who have an average lifespan of up to 10 years.
If you have a Daniff then you’ll want peace of mind that your pup is covered for any health issues. It’s quick and easy to compare the best pet insurance plans from top providers.
The Daniff is a relatively new crossbreed — they’re believed to have originated in North America in the late 20th century.
The Great Dane, which originated in Germany, dates back to around 3000 BC. The English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound are believed to be among their ancestors. It’s thought Assyrians traded the giant canines to Greeks and Romans, who then bred them with other dogs. They were once fearsome hunters and known as the Boar Hound as this is what they would hunt. Once their hunting days were over, they were then kept as companions.
Their name was changed over time and included: English Dogge and Kammerhunde (German for chamber hound.) In Denmark, a slimmer version became known as Grand Danois — which changed to Great Danish Dog, with larger ones being known as Danish Mastiffs.
German breeders refined this dog — and knew it as the Deutsche Dog or German Dog but this eventually became the Great Dane — although not every country uses this name. This dog, which was once an aggressive hunter, is now a calm and loving family pet.
They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in the Working Group in 1887.
The Mastiff is an equally giant and ancient breed that is believed to be a descendent of the molosser. In 55 BC Julius Caesar invaded Britain and was impressed by how this breed defended the island. They were then taken back to Rome where they were used to fight in arenas againsts both wild beasts and gladiators.
In Medieval England they were hunters, guardians and war dogs. It’s thought that after World War II only a small number had survived but with the help of US breeders their numbers were built back up again. Today, this breed is much more calm and friendly. They have been recognized by the American Kennel Club, also in the Working Group, since 1885.
As a mixed breed, the Daniff isn't recognized by the American Kennel Club.
You’ll already be aware that this is going to be a very large crossbreed. A full grown Daniff dog can reach up to 35 inches tall and weigh a whopping 150 pounds.
The Daniff most often resembles the Great Dane. However, due to the Mastiff parent breed, they are sometimes rounder and thicker.
They have a muscular build, with a large head and floppy ears. They’re likely to have the characteristic folds of the Mastiff face and maybe even the jowls, but these won’t be as deep. His gait will be agile, though not quite as elegant as the Great Dane's.
They have short fur that can come in various colors, including: brindle, fawn with a black mask, black, harlequin (white with irregular patches) or mantle (black and white with solid black backs.)
Not sure a Daniff is right for you? What about one of the two dogs that form this mixed breed:
You might also like to consider similar breeds, such as:
Alternatively, you may be interested in other breeds crossed with the Great Dane or Mastiff, including:
Doberdane — Doberman Pinscher and Great Dane
Boxane — Boxer and Great Dane
English Mastweiler — Rottweiler and Mastiff
Mastador — Labrador Retriever and Mastiff
Whether you choose a Daniff, Mastiff or Great Dane you need to look after their health.
Sign up to a wellness plan which covers their annual shots and boosters then compare the best pet insurance plans so that if your Daniff does suffer from health issues you’ll be covered.
Daniff dogs are fairly low-maintenance and shed very little. Their smooth coat will need brushing with a pin brush around once a week, and slightly more during shedding season.
They’ll really only need bathing when required. However, if your Daniff puppy inherits the wrinkles of the Mastiff, you’ll need to use a damp washcloth to wipe between these daily. This is to prevent bacterial infections but you’ll also need to ensure that it’s dry afterwards as if left moist it can promote bacterial growth.
This dog has big teeth that will need to be cleaned two to three times a week to prevent the build-up of tartar. You’ll also need to check and clean the ears when necessary and trim their nails when required. This is a very large dog, so if you get them used to being groomed when they are a pup, it’ll make it much easier when they are much bigger and heavier.
The Daniff tends to be a healthy crossbreed but, of course, like all dogs, can be prone to some health conditions. The ones you need to be particularly aware of are:
Cancer — including skin cancer
Although the Daniff is quite a healthy crossbreed they are still prone to some health issues. Make sure you are prepared for this by browsing and comparing top pet insurance providers to find the best option for you and your dog.
Hip dysplasia is when the ball and socket hasn’t formed properly so it rubs and grinds instead of gliding smoothly. This can happen to dogs of any size but is most common in larger breeds and can be in one or both of their hips.
It can happen at any age — dogs may get it later in life but, if it’s early onset, this could be from as young as 16 weeks. It will restrict movement as well as being very painful. There are a number of causes but it can develop because of rapid weight gain or obesity. This may mean you need to look at their diet and weight management alongside other treatments such as physiotherapy and surgery.
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus - GDV) is common in large or giant breeds with deep, narrow chests. The Great Dane is among the breeds known to be most at risk, but it’s more likely in older dogs, than younger ones. This is when there’s excess air in the stomach that causes it to dilate and even rotate. Symptoms include breathing rapidly, retching, a fast heart rate and a bloated abdomen. It can progress very quickly and your dog can go into shock. If you suspect this you should get your pup to the vet as soon as possible as it can be life threatening.
Just like humans, dogs can get cancer and it can be in various parts of their bodies such as breast, skin or bone marrow. Your dog may become more sedentary than usual and you may notice sensitivity and localized swelling as well as changes to their behavior. Many of the symptoms can be quite similar to other more common diseases. So, tests will be performed on your dog. Once they have a diagnosis, treatment may include surgery and chemotherapy.
The Daniff dog is a giant breed and so will benefit from high-quality dog food specifically formulated for large and giant breeds, with protein as the main ingredient.
You should bear in mind that their size means they will eat significantly more than smaller breeds. But, they can easily become obese if they’re overfed or not getting enough exercise, so make sure to keep an eye on this as this can also cause joint issues.
Daniff puppies should be fed four meals a day. Then, for adults, this can be reduced to three meals per day. As this breed is prone to bloat you can help prevent it by feeding them smaller meals, more often. Likewise, a slow feeder will stop them from eating too quickly and you could elevate it off the floor. Make sure you don’t exercise them straight after they’ve eaten as this can increase the chance of bloat.
Do you think you are feeding your Daniff the best possible diet that’s both tasty and beneficial to their health? Why not take a look at the advice from our friends at Dog Food Advisor such as the best large breed puppy food and the best large breed dog food.
At Wag! we’ve compiled a selection of the Best Dog Food for Large Dogs, which may suit your Daniff.
Like both parent breeds, the Daniff is a gentle giant, both loyal and protective.
They make a wonderful companion — known to be very affectionate with the family and are great with children. Although you should know they’re quite clumsy, enthusiastic and often forget their large size, so Daniffs should always be supervised around youngsters for this reason.
This crossbreed will also get along well with other animals but socialization — including puppy classes and trips to the park, when they are a youngster — will really help them. Your Daniff will benefit from having every chance to learn how to interact to become a well-behaved and happy dog.
Despite the fact they’re intelligent and do learn well eventually, they can be quite slow to train. Persistence will definitely pay off with this crossbreed, as will positive reinforcement.
As well as helping with socialization, this pup will really benefit from obedience classes that will help to build their confidence. You’ll need to be patient, firm and consistent with this dog. But, with a dog of this size, it’s very important that they listen to you.
They’re not an aggressive dog but their loyalty and size can be enough to make them a good watchdog and intimidate potential intruders.
Despite their giant size, the Daniff is a fairly active dog and will require plenty of exercise to keep them a healthy weight and avoid them chewing or barking excessively. To prevent boredom you should also keep them mentally stimulated with puzzle toys, for example.
They’ll do best in a home with a large yard where they can run around and play. You can take them to the dog park to run and play with other dogs or on a leisurely walk. After this, they’ll usually be happy to snuggle up and cuddle; your Daniff will want to be inside with you at night. Never leave him outdoors all the time.
Written by Ellie Roddy
Published: 11/09/2017, edited: 02/26/2024
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I have a daniff pup and I was wondering if he needs to lay down while eating cause I’ve heard Great Danes need to lay down while eating
