Photo from @inka_n_lincoln_ (IG)
Despite what most people say, big dogs are softies, not bullies. They are massive teddy bears that devour kibbles and demand hugs. They are confident dogs who have the potential to be great adventure buddies, heroes, and protectors.
To help you visualize, a Great Dane named Dubai graced news headlines when he chased an intruder out of their Oklahoma City family home.
Another newsmaker is Max, a Siberian Husky from Brisbane, who sought help for his injured owner. There is no doubt that these two large breeds are excellent additions to your family.
If you are looking for a new canine friend, you may want to get a big dog such as a Great Dane and Husky mix. They may require a bigger space, though, since they bark quite often and love running a lot.
Below is a detailed review of their appearance, temperament, health issues, and many more.
What Is a Great Dane Husky Mix?
A Great Dane Husky mix is the cross of a purebred Great Dane and a purebred Siberian Husky. It is similar to a Great Dane in looks and size but more Siberian Husky-like in personality. This mixed breed is the outcome of the ever-increasing demand for more new, unique-looking pet dogs.
Husky Great Dane mixes are patient, loving dogs. With adequate training and socialization, this breed can be perfect for you and your family.
Watch this video to meet Boedy, a three-legged Husky Great Dane mix. He is a wonderful dog with an inspiring story!
Boedy - The Husky/Great Dane mix wonder dog<a href="https://youtu.be/9O9jz4ZfLhU" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F9O9jz4ZfLhU%2F0.jpg" alt="Boedy - The Husky/Great Dane mix wonder dog" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
History and Origin: Where Does the Great Dane Husky Mix Come From?
In this ever-changing world full of shifting trends, there is always the need to produce something new and unique.
In the canine community, the results are many beautiful mixed breed dogs, and one of them is the Great Dane Husky mix. Before we look at the history and origin of this cross, let’s first look at the roots of its parents.
Great Danes are the gentle giants of the dogdom. They originated from Germany and were used by noblemen to hunt wild boars and guard their homes. Until now, they are recognized as fierce yet loving guard dogs.
We can all agree that the most popular Great Dane on the planet is the goofy fictional character Scooby Doo. Indeed, Great Danes are making a mark not just in various households but also in popular culture.
Meanwhile, the Siberian Husky traces its roots from an ancient lineage in Northern Siberia. They were all-around dogs for tribespeople. Eventually, the breed was introduced to Alaska and became the star of sled-dog races.
The most iconic Huskies from history are Togo and Balto, the heroes of the 1925 Serum Run. This mission delivered a life-saving serum to a remote town, saving many lives from a developing epidemic just in the nick of time.
It’s no longer possible for us to know who is the very first Great Dane Husky mix or when he or she was born, but what we know is that the parent breeds have been around for a long, long time, possibly dating back to hundreds to thousands of years.
How are Great Dane Huskies bred? Reputable breeders stick to 50/50 parentage. The Great Dane, the larger dog, is almost always the father, while the much smaller Siberian Husky is the mother.
What Does the Husky Great Dane Mix Look Like?
Photo from @inka_n_lincoln_ (IG)
While both Great Danes and Siberian Huskies are large breeds, they have a lot of differences. In general, Great Dane coats are slightly shorter but highly manageable. Meanwhile, Siberian Huskies have thicker, more high maintenance hair.
Great Danes also have muscular bodies, while Huskies are more compact, with a dense undercoat. So, what do you think the Great Dane Husky mixes look like? Well, somewhere in between.
Below are the specifics of their overall appearance:
Head: A Husky Great Dane’s head is long and finely chiseled.
Eyes: They have medium-sized eyes. As for the color, they may inherit the common dark eyes of Great Danes. Sometimes, they end up having striking blue eyes, a trait common in Siberian Huskies.
Ears: They have medium-sized ears that fold forward.
Nose: The color of their noses is typically black. However, don’t be surprised if your Great Dane Husky’s nose looks pinkish during the colder months. This skin condition is called snow nose and is common in Siberian Huskies.
Neck: Their necks are typically long and muscular, very similar to purebred Great Danes.
Body: A Great Dane Husky’s body usually takes after the purebred Great Dane’s muscular build.
Tail: Their tails are long, powerful, and sleek.
Coat: Some may have thicker coats, others shorter and thinner. It depends on which gene is dominant.
How Big Do Great Dane Husky Mixes Get When Fully Grown?
Siberian Huskies may be a bit smaller than Great Danes, but that doesn’t mean that this combination will result in a small-sized canine.
Great Danes may grow up to 53 inches tall and weigh 110 to 175 pounds. On the other hand, Huskies can reach 21 inches in height and weigh 35 to 60 pounds. Thus, expect your Great Dane Husky mix’s size to be somewhere in between, around 21 to 35 inches tall and possibly 60 to 90 pounds.
How Many Colors Are Available for Great Dane Husky Mix?
Their coats come in a wide range of colors, from harlequin and fawn to merle, brindle, and brown.
Harlequin Great Dane Husky Mix
Photo from @thedaneskies (IG)
Fawn Great Dane Husky Mix
Photo from @aryathedanemix (IG)
Black and White Great Dane Husky Mix
Photo from @elmerthegreatdanehusky (IG)
Merle Great Dane Husky Mix
Photo from @Lady.Ollie (IG)
Brindle Great Dane Husky Mix
Photo from @gore_jess_ (IG)
Brown Great Dane Husky Mix
Photo from @iriedogs (IG)
Black Great Dane Husky Mix
Photo from @hadesthedanskydog (IG)
Great Dane Husky Mix Temperament: Do They Make Good Family Dogs?
A Great Dane Husky is a brilliant addition to every family, but they will do best in homes with older children. They don’t know how big they are, so they can easily knock over smaller kids while playing.
Don’t worry. With adequate training and close adult supervision, they can bond with them, too. Whether you choose to buy a puppy or an adult Great Dane Husky, it’s never too late to socialize and train them.
These dogs are also good with other pets they grew up with, but there’s a big chance that they’ll run after other smaller animals like stray cats and rabbits.
These big dogs may have strong predatory instincts, just like purebred Siberian Huskies. Again, this is where the importance of socialization and training comes along.
Without socialization, Husky Great Danes may become shy or aggressive. These traits can be dangerous, specifically for large dog breeds. They are also prone to separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety and lack of socialization are a dangerous combination. Thus, focus on further improving your dog’s behavior. With love, attention, patience, and hard work, your Great Dane Husky mix can be everyone’s best friend.
Great Dane Husky Mix Lifespan and Health Issues
With their towering size and playful demeanor, Great Dane Husky mixes may sound like a champion in all aspects. When it comes to lifespan, they may or may not be a winner.
While Siberian Huskies have a decent lifespan of 10 to 15 years, Great Danes may live for only around 8 to 10 years.
Thus, the life expectancy for a Great Dane Husky mix may vary, but most breeders observed that they live up to 12 to 15 years. In the end, it depends on good health and a healthy environment.
Here are some of the health issues that you should take note of:
Gastric Torsion: Also called canine bloat, this condition happens when the dog’s stomach fills with food and gas, causing it to expand beyond its limits. Eventually, stomach tissues die due to a lack of blood circulation. It is a fatal illness and is difficult to detect early.
Wobbler Syndrome: It is a canine neurological disease that affects the neck and spine area. The most common symptoms are weakness, stiffness, partial paralysis, and difficulty getting up from a lying position.
Corneal Dystrophy: This is an inherited disease that causes the dog’s eye to look opaque due to mineral deposits within the cornea.
Degenerative Myelopathy: This is an inherited neurologic disease in older dogs that involves poor nerve function in the hind legs. Acupuncture, rehabilitation, and dietary supplements may help ease the pain, but there is no conventional treatment for degenerative myelopathy.
Laryngeal Paralysis: This is a genetic disease that commonly affects purebred Siberian Huskies and other Husky crossbreeds. A dog with this condition can’t close and open his tracheal opening, resulting in breathing issues.
How to Care for Your Husky Great Dane Mix’s Basic Needs?
Photo from @thedaneskies (IG)
Establish a good, consistent care routine for your Great Dane Husky mix to help him live a longer, happier life. Here are some of the things you must know in terms of diet, training, and grooming.
Feeding and Diet
A high-quality, healthy diet will provide your Great Dane Husky mix with all the necessary nutrients to have a shiny coat and healthy skin. Balanced meals will also help him grow at a healthy pace and improve his immune system.
Talk to your veterinarian about the recommended diet for your dog. Canines with medical problems may need specialized feeding schedules, as well as some restrictions to specific types of food.
Here are some general guidelines to remember when feeding large-breed dogs like Great Dane Huskies:
Even without the extra help puppy food brings, they can grow fast enough. As much as possible, go for breed-specific kibbles designed for large puppy breeds.
Find another brand of dog food or another feeding setup once he reaches adulthood. Continuously monitor his diet and his weight.
Big-breed pups typically need three to four meals each day. Adult ones, on the other hand, only need to eat twice a day.
Limit Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium intake. This step is crucial to limit the risks of developmental orthopedic diseases (DOD).
Cleaning and Grooming
Grooming and cleaning a Great Dane Husky mix can be a daunting, challenging task most especially for inexperienced big dog owners. Just imagine chasing a huge, rowdy canine as big as you (or bigger than you) trying to escape grooming time.
Whether you choose to adopt an adult Great Dane Husky mix or buy a younger one, see to it that he gets used to bathing and grooming.
Make grooming time a positive, fun experience. You can do this by frequently handling his paws and looking inside his mouth.
Here are grooming guidelines that will help you out:
Brushing: Most Great Dane Husky mixes have short, easy-to-care-for coats that require weekly brushing. If you end up with a pup with a fluffy, thicker coat, brush him two to three times a week.
Bath Time: Bathing can be done weekly or every one to two months. It all depends on your Great Dane Husky mix’s lifestyle and activity level.
Nails: Failure to trim your dog’s nails may result in ligament and tendon damages. Trim his nails as often as needed. However, if your Great Dane Husky runs a lot around the yard, most likely, his nails will wear down on their own.
Ears: Dirt on the ears accumulate a lot. If left uncleaned, these can escalate to painful ear infections. Clean his ears once a week to prevent buildup.
Training and Exercise
While Great Dane Husky mixes still need exercise, they do not require many physical activities like Siberian Huskies. They are generally content with one hour of walk each day around the neighborhood and playtime around the yard.
Simple games like fetch can help them let go of all those pent-up energies. However, running can be dangerous for young Great Dane Husky mixes below 18 months old. Doing so can damage their young joints and develop orthopedic problems.
Great Dane Husky Mix Puppy Price & Expenses: Can You Afford a Great Dane Husky Mix?
The Great Dane Husky mix is a relatively new and uncommon breed. You would not find it anywhere easily, even in shelters. Thus, the accurate cost is hard to estimate.
Most likely, getting a puppy from a reputable breeder will cost you $800 to $1,000. That can increase if one of the parents has a champion bloodline.
The price you need to pay for your Great Dane Husky mix is just the beginning of a costly but worth it pet parent journey. Expect to pay hundreds of dollars for regular veterinary visits and more if your canine friend has some health issues.
Be prepared to pay around $240 to $800 for the initial supplies alone.
Places to Find Great Dane Husky Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Photo from @Lady.Ollie (IG)
Your search for a new canine best friend starts today. Check out these kennels for available Great Dane Huskies:
Greenfield Puppies – This platform has been finding loving families for Great Dane mixes for many years now. They don’t tolerate puppy mills and expect each breeder on their site to comply with strict guidelines and state laws.
Lancaster Puppies – This is the place-to-be when it comes to Husky mixes. Great Dane Husky mixes are not always available, so be prepared to browse once in a while. They advertise listings from breeders in Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas.
Keystone Puppies – This is a reputable digital advertising platform for many trusted breeders. The breeders that advertise on their pages provide health guarantees and are continuously improving their breeding practices.
BuckEyePuppies – This platform works with pet shops and local breeders in Ohio. It allows you to negotiate directly with breeders and discuss the puppies’ personalities and parentage.
If you are open to adopting a Great Dane Husky, go to these sites:
Adopt-a-Pet – This is the biggest non-profit adoption platform in North America. Their mission is to place homeless pets into loving, forever homes.
PuppyFinder – This site is host to a huge adoption community, with hundreds of dogs listed by individuals and rescue organizations.
Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue – This rescue organization saves abandoned and abused Great Danes and Great Dane mixes and helps them find permanent homes.
Other Similar Dog Mixes and Breeds
Big dogs like Great Dane Huskies are just as loving and huggable as toy breeds. These dogs won’t hesitate to curl up on your lap and keep you company while you relax after a long day at work.
Are you looking for other gentle giants as new family members? Here are similar dog mixes that can be a great addition to your family.
Labradane (Labrador and Great Dane Mix): Labradanes are affectionate dogs that can get along well with children and other pets.
Great Shepherd (Great Dane and German Shepherd Mix): This mixed breed dog is fiercely loyal and highly dedicated to its owner.
Great Pyredane (Great Dane and Great Pyrenees Mix): Great Pyredanes are loyal, high spirited dogs. They are determined to be fierce guardians and defenders of their beloved owners’ homes.
Irish Dane (Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane Mix): Irish Danes are gentle giants that get along well with cats and other small animals.
Daniff (Mastiff and Great Dane Mix): The Danniff is a massive dog and is well suited for owners with vast experience caring for large breeds.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do Great Dane Mixes Live Longer Than Purebred Great Danes?
Great Dane mixes don’t usually live longer than purebred Great Danes. They may still inherit genetic diseases from their parent breeds. Their lifespan depends on their lifestyle, diet, and overall care.
Male vs. Female Great Dane Husky Mix: Which Is Better?
It all depends on your preference as a pet parent. In general, male Great Dane mixes are larger. For some people, they may be too large to handle. Some owners also consider them as more aggressive compared to females.
Female Great Dane mixes, on the other hand, are also great home protectors. For many, they are calmer and much easier to train than their male counterparts.
Final Thoughts
So, are you ready to buy a Great Dane Husky mix puppy as the newest addition to your family? Find a trustworthy breeder, and do not hesitate to ask questions about the pup. Do not be surprised if they ask you some questions, too.
The best breeders want their doggies to end up in loving homes, so they will want to get to know you and ensure that you are the perfect pet parent for their dog.
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