One dog is often characterized as a ‘gentle giant,’ the other a fierce guarding dog, mix both and you’ll get a playful Pitbull Great Dane mix puppy.
If this particular mix has grabbed your attention, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll be diving into the Pitbull Great Dane mix’s physical attributes, temperament, as well as care requirements.
At Good House Pets, we believe every four-legged companion deserves good care. If you’re thinking of owning a Pitbull Great Dane mix puppy, allow us to guide you through the breed’s characteristics and needs.
About Pitbull Great Dane Mix Puppies
As a mixed breed, the Pitbull Great Dane or Great Danebull doesn’t have a fixed set of attributes. In other words, not all of them will act or look the same. It’s worth considering that the mix may not come from a 50/50 purebred line, due to multi-generational crossing.
Origin
The exact origin of the Pitbull Great Dane mix isn’t well-recorded. Nonetheless, by looking at the breed history of the mix’s parents, you may get a brief idea of its background
Pitbull History
The early origin story of the Pitbull involved a lot of violence from bull baiting to rat hunting and dog fighting in the U.K.
The breed’s purpose took a more purposeful turn as it immigrated to the U.S before the Civil War. In the new land, they were sheepherders and livestock guard dogs.
Great Dane History
The Great Dane enjoyed a richer history since the breed’s existence is traced back to ancient Egyptian times. In scriptures, images of the Great Dane, or at least similar-looking dogs, were drawn.
Assyrians were believed to have traded Great Danes to several nations such as Greece and Italy. Upon their arrival in Germany, the dog was given the role of a boar hunter. By the 1600s, Great Danes were then promoted to chamber dogs.
They stayed inside German noblemen’s homes, which may have turned them into the gentle and loving giants we see today.
Appearance
Since this mixed breed has multiple appearances, it may be difficult to pinpoint it. That being so, you may be able to notice a Pitbull Great Dane puppy mix from its coat color and size.
Size
Throughout the Great Danebull’s puppyhood, its size develops relatively fast. In its first eight weeks, you may expect the puppy to be around 18 to 23 lbs and 14 to 16 inches.
If you fast-forward a little longer to the mixed puppy’s six-month birthday, you’ll notice a large difference. At this point, the Great Danebull puppy could weigh between 75 to 85 lbs and tower at 27 to 30 inches.
At 12 months, which is when it reaches its full growth, a Pitbull Great Dane mix can reach up to 100 to 120 lbs. In height, the dog could sprout up to 29 to 32 inches.
Aside from these measurements, a Great Danebull puppy’s size is mostly determined by its parents. Having said that, the average size of a full-grown Great Danebull can be around 60 to 90 lbs in weight and 24 to 28 inches in height.
Coat
Both Pitbulls and Great Danes are single-coated breeds, so their child will similarly carry this gene. The Great Danebull puppy’s coat is smooth, short, and straight. Color-wise, the mixed breed can come in multiple shades.
Their color and pattern can range from:
- Blue
- Black
- White
- Fawn
- Sable
- Brindle
- Red
- Brown
- Grey
- Tan
- Merle
- Harlequin
- Mantle
Build
When it comes to the Pitbull Great Dane’s build, you can expect a variety of shapes. The puppy can take on its Great Dane parent’s elegant long legs. Otherwise, you may see the mixed breed honing its Pitbull genes with its broad and muscular build.
The breed’s tail may also have a curled appearance. Meanwhile, the ears may resemble the Pitbull’s parentage side more. They’re not usually as large as the Great Dane’s. Besides that, the Great Danebull’s head is more likely going to be rectangular.
Health Issues
Pitbulls and Great Danes are prone to developing several health issues. A mixed breed could also be at risk of similar health concerns.
Heart Issues
Heart problems like cardiomyopathy are commonly found in Great Danes. This illness is characterized by a dog’s irregular heartbeat.
The condition could lead to the dog fainting, collapsing, or, in more serious cases, death. The good news is that you can visit your vet to get prescribed medication for this heart illness.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is usually associated with larger breeds. As a result, both Great Danes and Pitbulls may suffer from it.
This disease usually means the dog’s hip joint and socket bones are deteriorating due to abrasive grinding. This issue can be pricey to treat, so proper nutrition should be your main concern.
Cancer
Originating from the Great Dane’s genes, bone cancer could be a possible health concern for your Great Danebull mix. While it can be treated if diagnosed early, it poses serious health risks since it causes swelling, loss of appetite, and swelling.
Bloat
Bloat occurs due to severe indigestion when stomach gases build up and twist the surrounding blood vessels.
Usually common with Great Danes and mixed breeds, this condition needs to be immediately treated before it can turn fatal. Lethal toxins can spread due to twisted innards.
Lifespan
In terms of lifespan, Pitbulls and Great Danes average at about 10 to 12 and 7 to 10 years, respectively. This makes the overall Pitbull Great Dane mix’s lifespan around 7 to 12 years.
Regardless of this, this mixed breed can live longer and reach about 14 to 15 years when properly cared for.
Temperament
Since Great Danes and Pitbulls both hold a docile nature when it comes to their owners, their mixed breed is no different. A Great Danebull puppy will likely enjoy human company and become an ideal and playful addition to a family.
If the puppies become more socialized, they’ll grow up to become more comfortable around strangers and other animals.
Apart from that, Great Danebull puppies are energetic and can sometimes become heavy attention seekers. For this reason, if they’re not given enough attention, they could become prone to separation anxiety and stress.
This could, in turn, lead to lots of barking and overall destructive behavior, especially if they’re not well-exercised.
Are Pitbull Great Dane Mix Puppies Aggressive?
Contrary to popular belief that Pitbulls are naturally aggressive, this mixed breed will not pose any issues to your family. Meanwhile, Great Danes are both big-boned and big-hearted.
Nevertheless, both breeds may hold some aggression towards other animals. Consequently, you may need to train them to become better acquainted with a fellow pet.
Price
The price of a Pitbull Great Dane mix puppy can fetch anywhere between $600 to $1500. They’re generally less expensive than other mixes because Pitbulls and Great Danes aren’t typical show dogs.
That being said, we suggest browsing pet rescue shelters or adoption centers that may house this mixed breed. They’ll likely offer you a cheaper price, plus you’ll be saving an abandoned pet.
Finding a Breeder for Pitbull Great Dane Mix Puppies
When searching for a breeder, you’ll have better luck finding the Great Danebull puppies from a specialized mixed breeder. Now, once you’ve found a breeder, you’ll need to make sure that they carry proper breeding credentials.
Plus, they should be able to provide you with the mixed breed’s parentage record. Aside from that, you’ll need to visit the breeder to get a good look at the facilities they provide for the puppies. Make sure the place is sanitary and the puppies look healthy.
This will essentially determine how well they take care of their puppies or whether or not they’re responsible breeders. In case the breeder lives too far, you can always ask for a virtual tour of the place.
Medical and Parentage History
In addition to this, the breeder must provide you with an honest review of the puppy’s medical history. This may come in the form of medical certificates. The information will allow you to better prepare for any health issues that might pop up.
If possible, you could request to see the puppy’s parents. In most cases, the father may not be in the picture, so you’ll only likely see the mother. You can check the mother’s behavior and general temperament to get an overview of how your pup may turn out to be.
Additionally, try to keep a list of questions ready. Plus, if the breeder, in turn, asks you lots of questions for instance about how you intend to care for the pup, then that’s usually a good sign.
How to Care for a Pitbull Great Dane Mix Puppy
After deciding to own a Pitbull Great Dane mix puppy, you’ll want to prepare yourself for what’s to come. That includes creating the puppy’s training, grooming, exercising, and feeding routines.
Training
Luckily, training a Pitbull Great Dane mix shouldn’t be too difficult. The mixed breed is generally intelligent and can easily catch on to most training practices. The key to a successful training mechanism for your mixed breed is remaining consistent with your demands.
Otherwise, if you fail to be firm, then you’ll only confuse the puppy and they may end up disobeying your commands. Having said that, Pitbull Great Danes are temperamentally clingy dogs, so you’ll want to approach their training with positive reinforcements.
This means rewarding them with treats if they correctly respond to your orders. Alternatively, you can praise or pet them. Overall, the younger they are, the easier their training sessions will stick.
Exercise
In terms of exercise, Great Danes are more sedentary than a highly energetic Pitbull. Subsequently, the mixed breed will fall in the middle where it needs consistent exercise. Time-wise, 20 to 40-minute walks twice per day should be sufficient for your Great Danebull pup.
When it comes to camping, there’s a 50/50 chance of whether your mixed pup will enjoy it. Great Danes are sometimes afraid of the dark and generally may not enjoy the outdoors. Meanwhile, Pitbulls enjoy camping and hiking.
Besides that, when you’re out purchasing toys for your Great Danebull puppy, make sure to find sturdy ones. The mixed pup is strong and can easily break flimsy toys.
Feeding
All in all, a Great Danebull puppy will need about four cups per day. You’ll want to divide this large portion throughout the day to avoid any bloating. You can split the food into three or four servings every day.
Having said that, Great Danebull puppies can feed on dry food and kibble. Just make sure it’s fortified with lots of nutritious supplements. Since the mixed breed is prone to developing allergies and bone issues, try sticking to wheat-free and glucosamine-infused foods.
Grooming
Fortunately, Great Danebull pups won’t require heavy maintenance in the grooming department. Their short coat will mainly require a slicker brush. You can routinely brush their coat weekly. Keep in mind that the mixed breed tends to shed excessively, despite being single-coated.
Apart from that, you don’t need to bathe them regularly. Instead, only bathe them if they’ve played around too much in the mud.
Besides their coat maintenance, you’ll want to clean their ears every week and trim their nails approximately every month. You can also brush the pup’s teeth every couple of weeks to maintain good oral hygiene.
To Conclude
A Pitbull Great Dane mix puppy will make an exceptional addition as a family pet. Since the puppy is relatively big, we recommend owning one if you have large spaces to accommodate its size.
The mixed puppy varies in build as it can be long and lanky or broad and bulky. Additionally, the breed’s personality is loveable and patient. It’ll remain fiercely loyal to its owner as a guard dog.
After finding a responsible breeder or if you decide to adopt a Great Danebull, make sure you respond to its calls for affection. In other words, don’t skimp on those pets!
