Hybrid or mixed breed dogs are more popular than ever because they usually combine the traits of two popular dog breeds. However, you can’t really predict what your resulting puppy will be like or look like, so you’re definitely in for a surprise.
The Great Dane Pitbull mix, or the Great Danebull, might be the right dog for you if you want a dog that will be sweet, affectionate, and alert. So, keep reading to learn more about this interesting mix.
What is the Background of the Great Dane Pitbull Mix?
Most hybrid breeds were purposely created to eliminate some of the less desirable features that can be found in a pure breed. Others were created to highlight some of the desirable traits that people are always after when they’re looking for a dog.
As for the Great Dane Pitbull mix, there’s no clear information regarding how or when this mix was first created.
The Great Danebull comes from two of the most popular dog breeds today. The Great Dane is probably one of the oldest dog breeds out there, with some illustrations on Ancient Egyptian artifacts that show them or their closely related relatives.
They later traveled to Europe with Greek traders, where they would be used in boar hunting.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, these dogs became quite popular among the German nobility. They were often used as guard dogs, where they would guard carriages and estates.
Great Danes are gentle giants, so don’t be intimidated by their big size. They’re sweet, love to play, are patient, friendly, and extremely affectionate.
The other parent in this mixed breed is the American Pitbull Terrier. For years, this dog was heavily misunderstood and given the stigma of an aggressive and violent dog, although this is not true.
Pitbulls are courageous, devoted, and strong dogs, so people used them in bull baiting. However, they can be quite affectionate when trained and will make amazing companion dogs.
They were bred from the Old English Bulldogs, and after bull baiting was banned by the English law, they were used to chase rats. However, this sport wasn’t that entertaining, so people used them in dog fights.
They came to the US before the Civil War when people left the British Isles to start a new life in America. They were given a new role to guard livestock and families against thieves and wild animals.
Despite this violent history, Pitbulls are known to be quite loving towards their humans. Nevertheless, when not trained well or when they’re heavily abused, they can become unpredictable.
The Great Danebull was probably bred to offer the best of both worlds; the big size and elegance of the Great Dane and the energy and courage of the Pitbull. A mixed dog will probably be more gentle than a Pitbull but more energetic and independent than a Great Dane.
What Are the Physical Traits of the Great Dane Pitbull Mix?
The physical traits of the Great Danebull will be a mixture of the two parents, although it’s hard to predict which parent the puppy will favor.
In general, the Great Pitbull mixed dog will be a large to giant dog, so you should bear that in mind if you’re getting a puppy. Also, it’s more likely to have the long, lean body of the Great Dane than the muscular, stocky body of the Pitbull.
However, there are some cases where the Great Danebull will look more like a Pitbull than a Great Dane.
Great Danebulls usually represent what some people call the small dog syndrome. You have a relatively large dog that wants to cuddle and play like a small dog.
So, if you get this mix, you should expect to have a large dog that loves nothing more than spending time in your lap.
Weight and Height
In most cases, the Great Danebull will look a lot like its Great Dane parent. This dog is going to be broad and muscular, usually with a lean body like a Great Dane.
This mixed breed’s average weight can be between 60 and 100 pounds, and its height is usually between 24 and 30 inches. However, in some cases, male dogs can be 200 pounds heavy and 34 inches high. This is almost double the size of a Pitbull.
Coat and Color
Great Danes and Pitbulls have short coats, so the Great Danebull will also have a short coat. The slightly dense coat is glossy and stiff but won’t keep the dog warm in extremely cold weather. Getting your pooch a dog coat is recommended if you experience cold winters.
Because the coat isn’t that heavy, this dog can tolerate warm weather but doesn’t do well in extremely hot weather.
The color of the coat depends on the color of the parents. Great Danes come in different shades, from light to dark gray. Some Great Danes also have a merle pattern, where there will be some darker spots on the coat.
The Pitbull’s coat comes in more different colors. It can be red, blue, brindle, fawn, sable, brown, black, white, or gray.
The Great Dane Pitbull mix could be any of these colors or an interesting combination of several ones.
Facial and Body Features
The body of the Great Dane Pitbull mix looks more like a Great Dane, but the face looks more like a Pitbull.
This dog has a long elongated body, unlike the short and stocky structure of the Pitbull. Your pooch will likely have long legs with big paws and a little tail that curls upwards.
The Great Danebull’s face looks a lot like a Pitbull’s face. It will probably have a rectangular head and short, square-shaped floppy ears.
How Does the Great Dane Pitbull Mix Behave?
Both Great Danes and Pitbulls are people pleasers but in their own different ways. As a result, a mix between these two loved and respected breeds will probably create an affectionate, loving, and sweet pooch.
This is an intelligent dog that obeys orders and will be very protective of you and your family. However, it loves to play and doesn’t stand spending a lot of time on its own.
Great Danebulls are attention seekers and need to spend most of their time with their families. They can become severely bored and depressed if you don’t provide them with enough stimulation and play. They’re also prone to separation anxiety.
They can definitely spend some time outside, but this is a dog that loves to spend most of its time at home.
Trainability
Training young puppies is easier than training older dogs, but if you get an older untrained Great Dane Pitbull mix, it can respond to late training better than most other breeds.
It will take more time, so patience is the key. However, you can still reach your training goals with this mixed breed faster than most older untrained dogs.
This mixed breed comes from two parents that are quite intelligent, disciplined, and always eager to please. As a result, the Great Danebull will have these traits as long as you’re consistent and firm with your training.
Your dog will easily understand your commands, and it’s devoted and committed, just like the Pitbull, so it will always follow your orders.
However, the playful nature of the Great Dane can be an obstacle, so you need to gain the respect of your dog.
Unless you stick to a well-defined routine, the playfulness of the Great Dane and the stubbornness of the Pitbull will win.
Your Great Danebull responds well to positive reinforcement during training. However, this dog is highly energetic, so you need to provide ways to help channel its energy without being destructive.
Friendliness and Aggression
The Great Danebull is one of the friendliest and most affectionate dogs out there. Both its parents are known to be extremely loyal to their owners, and they love spending time with their families.
These dogs are just like their parents, people pleasers, so they make great family dogs. They will try to protect you and your children and go the extra mile to ensure you’re safe.
Great Danebulls are highly adaptive, so they’ll feel happy when they’re cuddling with you on the sofa or while they’re playing outside.
They’re not aggressive or violent, but they can make great watchdogs. The Great Danebull doesn’t bark a lot, but it will alert you in case of an intruder. It might even try to save you.
This is where some aggression can happen, especially if your Great Danebull is more like its Pitbull parent. The dog might feel that you’re in danger and will attack someone to protect you.
This is why early socialization is always recommended. It will help the dog understand its boundaries and witness several interactions with other people so it doesn’t feel startled.
Energy Level
This dog is a high-energy dog that needs a lot of space, time, and exercise. It loves to run around, so it’s suitable for a family that has a large backyard where it can run whenever it feels like it.
Large dogs like the Great Danebull take time until their bones are fully developed. This is why it’s recommended not to excessively exercise this dog before the age of 12 to 18 months.
Once it has fully developed, this dog will enjoy playing games like catch, tug of war, and completing obstacle courses. At least one hour to one hour and thirty minutes of exercise are needed every day to keep this dog stimulated.
It also loves playing with toys, but you need to buy toys that are designed to withstand this dog’s enthusiasm.
Relationship With Children
They’re extremely tolerant of children but might respond negatively to hair pulling or rough play. This is why it’s important to teach your child how to behave around this dog.
Due to their large size, you shouldn’t leave the Great Dane Pitbull dog with toddlers and younger children, as it might injure a child while playing.
Relationship With Other Pets
The Great Dane is highly tolerant of other dogs and pets, but a Pitbull isn’t always like this. The Pitbull has a strong prey drive, so it might start chasing other pets in the house.
Moreover, it can become eagerly aggressive and competitive in a dog park.
Since the personality of your Great Danebull is a mix of the two personalities, you can expect it to be a little bit more enthusiastic than a Great Dane.
You should keep your dog on a leash when interacting with other pets, as it might start a chase.
The Great Dane Pitbull Health Issues
In general, this mixed breed is rather healthy. However, the Great Danebull can inherit several diseases from its parents.
The Great Dane Pitbull might inherit cardiomyopathy from its Great Dane parent. This condition causes irregular heartbeats and might lead to death. Bloat and cancer and two conditions that are common in the Great Dane breed and might be passed on to the Great Dane Pitbull.
From the Pitbull side, this dog might inherit hip dysplasia. Other than that, it’s generally healthy.
Feeding
When picking food for your Great Danebull, you need to ensure that it’s a high-nutritional protein-rich food specifically designed for large and giant dogs. The food should provide this dog with the needed energy to keep it in good shape.
Life Expectancy
The Great Dane Pitbull can live between 7 and 12 years, a little longer than the Great Dane and almost as much as the Pitbull. However, these dogs are generally healthy and can even live up to 14 years. So, if you get a Great Danebull, be ready for the commitment with a large, long-lived dog.
Who is the Great Dane Pitbull Mix For?
The Great Dane Pitbull will be the perfect match for you if you lead an active lifestyle. Whether you’re single or live with your family, this is an excellent dog to jog and run with, and it will enjoy playing different games with all family members.
It will live happily in a house with a backyard where it can run and play whenever it wants to. However, a tall fence of at least six feet is needed to keep it inside.
It can also do well in an apartment, as long as you provide it with enough outdoor playtime.
This dog won’t work for you if you’re always away from home. The Great Danebull needs lots of love and attention and will suffer emotionally and mentally if it feels neglected.
Wrap Up
The Great Dane Pitbull comes from two popular breeds and shares some of their best qualities.
It’s a small dog with a big body and loves to cuddle and play. The Great Danebull might look intimidating, but it’s extremely affectionate and loving, especially towards children.
If you get this dog, be ready to give it a lot of attention. It can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone, and it needs a lot of play and stimulation to stay healthy and happy.
