When it comes to designer dog breeds, Pitbull mixes are among the most popular ones. With the Great Dane being a famous breed, its mixes are also in-demand.
Mix a Great Dane and a Pitbull, and you’ll get one stunning breed: the Great Danebull.
Although both the Great Dane and the American Pit Bull Terrier are popular dog breeds on their own, their mix is rare.
The Great Dane Pitbull mix, as anyone can predict, is a large dog with an equally huge personality, all thanks to its parent breeds.
Have you been thinking about owning a Great Dane Pitbull mix? Read on and get to know more about the appearance, temperament, health, and maintenance of this mixed breed.
What Is a Great Dane Pitbull Mix?
Photo by @sirduke_greatdanepit (IG)
The Great Dane Pitbull mix, also known as Great Danebull, is the product of cross-breeding the Great Dane and the American Pit Bull Terrier. Because of its affectionate and gentle nature, this designer breed is a charmer for dog owners and other pets alike.
Even with similarities in their parent breeds’ personalities, the Great Dane Pitbull mix’s appearance and temperament may still vary.
The Pitbull Great Dane mix is tall and muscular in build. And despite looking fierce and having a protective streak, they are incredibly gentle and friendly dogs.
Overall, the Great Danebull could inherit some of the best qualities of its parents.
Typically, Pitbull Great Dane mixes are produced from male Pitbulls and female Great Danes due to significant size differences. The Great Danebull is quite rare in the market, but it is more affordable than its parent breeds.
The Great Danebull is recognized as a mixed breed and not a purebred dog by International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Great Dane Pitbull Mix Origin and History: Where Does the Great Danebull Come From?
Much like many mixed breed dogs, the history and origin of the Great Danebull can be difficult to trace. Let’s instead look into the history and origin of its parent breeds, starting off with the Great Dane.
Considered an old breed, the Great Dane dates back as early as 3000 B.C. Used to hunt wild boars, this large dog breed was believed to be brought by Assyrians to other parts of the world.
Despite bearing the Danish name, it was the Germans that refined the breed. The Great Dane established its fame in the 1800s in North America. In 1887, the American Kennel Club recognized the Great Dane as a dog breed.
Another breed coming from a long and rich history, the American Pit Bull Terrier became popular in the early 1800s in England. They were initially bred for bull-baiting and dogfighting.
Gradually, they were bred to be less aggressive and gained popularity as pets all over America in the late 1900s.
This, however, led to irresponsible breeding. And with underground dogfighting existing, Pitbulls gained a bad reputation. The APBT is not recognized by American Kennel Club as a dog breed.
In terms of people’s perception of these breeds, both the Great Dane and Pitbull certainly have come a long way. Efforts have been made to educate the public regarding misconceptions about these breeds.
While it is unclear how the Great Dane Pitbull mix was originally bred, the individual origin of its parent breeds is crucial in better understanding its appearance, temperament, and health issues that may come along with it.
Great Dane Pitbull Mix Appearance: What Does a Great Danebull Look Like?
Photo by @chloe_greatdanebull (IG)
The Great Dane Pitbull mix has no standard appearance. With its parent breeds having totally different physical features, predicting what the Great Danebull would look like can be difficult.
Considering both its parents’ distinct qualities, this mix can have a lean and long body like Great Danes. But they would have less muscle than the Pitbull. They also have large paws with long legs and slightly upward-curled long tails.
Their heads are large with rectangular chiseled faces and rose ears like their Pitbull parent. They can either have deep-set or wide-set dark eyes and typically black noses.
The Great Danebull will have a dense, straight, short, and smooth coat, which they inherited from both Pitbull and Great Dane parents.
Their coat color could be merle, harlequin, black, brown, white, blue, brindle, champagne, or anything in between.
Get a glimpse of what to expect with the Great Danebull in this short video:
Great Danebull | Wag!<a href="https://youtu.be/vIfU9Ryav1M" 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%2FvIfU9Ryav1M%2F0.jpg" alt="Great Danebull | Wag!" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Great Dane Pitbull Mix Size and Weight: How Big Do Great Danebulls Get?
The size and weight of the Great Dane Pitbull mix fall somewhere in between its parent breeds’. The average Great Danebull stands from 24 to 28 inches and weighs from 60 to 90 pounds.
Determining the exact numbers can be tough, given the significant difference in the size of its Great Dane and Pitbull parents.
The Great Danebull could take after its Pitbull parent’s stocky but smaller features, or it could be enormous like its Great Dane parent.
A Great Danebull grows rapidly and can reach its full size in just one year. Evidently a large dog, the Pitbull Great Dane mix will thrive in large homes with fenced yards.
Great Dane Pitbull Mix Temperament: Do Great Danebulls Make Good Family Dogs?
Photo by @sirduke_greatdanepit (IG)
People often see the Great Dane with fierce features and associate the American Pitbull Terrier with aggression. However, these dog breeds have completely different personalities than what people judge them to be.
Both Pitbulls and Great Danes are gentle, affectionate, and social dogs. And Pitbull Great Dane mixes are likely to inherit these traits as well.
They are fond of spending time with family, as they are attention-seeking breeds and people pleasers. In addition, they are small dogs trapped in a large body, making them cuddle-loving lap dogs.
Due to their heavy attachment to their humans and them being dependent dogs, the Pitbull Great Dane mix is prone to separation anxiety.
Along with their family-oriented nature comes their protective streak. But while this dog mix is protective of their owners, they are better watchdogs than guard dogs. They will alert people in their homes from potential trespassers.
Calm and patient around kids, the Great Danebull makes a good family dog. However, being very large dogs, accidents may happen when they are left with small children without adult supervision.
Pitbull Great Danes get along with other pets as well so you won’t have trouble having smaller animals like cats.
When properly socialized and trained, these hybrid dogs generally will not be aggressive. Training them should be easy as they are an active and intelligent mix.
READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Great Dane: Which Is Better?
Great Dane Pitbull Mix Lifespan and Health Issues: Are Great Danebulls Healthy Dogs?
The Great Dane Pitbull mix could live 7 to 12 years when properly cared for. Because the Great Danebull is a large dog, its life expectancy is shorter than smaller dogs. That’s not to say they are unhealthy pooches.
Mixed breeds don’t usually inherit their purebred parents’ health issues, but the possibility still exists. Their lifespan relies on the quality of life their owners will give them, but genetics also plays a huge role in their overall health.
These are some potential health issues a Great Danebull could encounter in their lifetime:
Hip Dysplasia: Much like other large-sized dogs, this mixed breed is prone to hip dysplasia. This happens when the hip’s ball and socket joint do not properly develop. It causes pain and discomfort for a dog and may lead to a more serious condition if not prevented.
Heart Problems: A condition coming from Great Danes, cardiomyopathy can be passed on to the Great Danebull. Cardiomyopathy is the degeneration of heart muscles that results in heart enlargement. If not treated appropriately, it could cause a dog to collapse, faint, or suddenly die.
Bloat: Also known as gastric torsion or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GSV), dog bloat happens when the stomach fills with gas and eventually twists upon itself. Bloat could lead to more serious health issues like difficulty in breathing, decreased blood flow to a dog’s stomach lining and heart, and more.
Awareness of these health concerns is essential if you want to own a Great Danebull. Regular check-ups and veterinary advice are still the most effective for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of these health issues.
How to Take Care of Your Pitbull Great Dane Mix
Photo by @chloe_greatdanebull (IG)
While regular vet visits keep your dog’s health at bay, how you take care of them daily is perhaps the most essential part of providing your dog the best life possible. After all, they will be relying on you for as long as they live.
Taking care of a Great Dane Pitbull mix is fairly easy especially if you know the right maintenance they need. Here are some pointers on how you can optimize your pup’s health:
Food and Diet
Beginning from puppyhood, give your Great Dane Pitbull mix high-quality dog food.
However, they can be sensitive to ingredients and the number of nutrients in their food. Because of this, Great Danebull puppies require giant breed-specific puppy food.
Give your puppy food that is rich in vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, carbs, and protein. It would also help to feed them in a slow feeder, as it can reduce the amount of air they swallow while eating, which helps in bloat prevention.
Great Dane Pitbull mixes need 4 to 5 cups of dry dog food daily. This serving should be divided into 3 portions to avoid the risk of obesity and indigestion.
Your pup’s food consumption will depend on its current age, size, and activity level. You may consult your vet for advice on what and how much your Great Danebull should eat.
Cleaning and Grooming
The coats of Great Dane Pitbull mixes are easy to maintain, even though they can be moderate to heavy shedders. Brushing them using a slicker brush at least once daily will keep their coats smooth and shiny.
Bathe them only when it is needed to avoid skin irritation and loss of natural coat and body oils. Once every two months of bath time will suffice.
Like its Great Dane parent, this mix has a short coat that can’t easily tolerate the cold so make sure to use warm water for baths.
Nail trimming is also necessary, especially when your pup’s nails start to touch the ground. You may take them to the groomers if you’re not comfortable doing it.
Training and Exercise
The Great Danebull is an active and smart dog which means they are easily trainable. They are eager to please their owners and respond well to commands with positive reinforcement.
Proper training and socialization should start at a very young age when they are still developing habits and are most receptive.
In terms of exercise, the Great Dane Pitbull mix needs around 1 to 2 hours of exercise per day.
Their daily exercise requirements can be met by walking, playtime, or running. They will enjoy it more if they are with other pets or children.
How Much Does a Great Dane Pitbull Mix Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
On average, you may expect to pay from $600 to $1,000 for a Great Dane Pitbull puppy. This price may vary depending on many different factors such as your location and the dog’s bloodline.
Considering the factors, you could pay as much as $1,500 if the puppy comes from champion bloodlines. On the other hand, adopting a Great Danebull from a rescue costs from $150 to $600.
Besides the upfront cost of getting a Great Dane Pitbull mix puppy, you will also need to allocate a budget for their essential needs.
Before taking your new pup home, make sure to have these items ready:
The table above shows only the initial cost of owning a Great Danebull. Your choice of buying or adopting this mix contributes to the change in these values. Other long-term expenses are not included in the list.
To find out more about these recurring costs, you can refer to our article on Pitbull prices and costs.
Places to Find Great Dane Pitbull Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Photo by @sirduke_greatdanepit (IG)
Are you ready to buy a Great Danebull puppy? Since they are quite a rare mix, finding a reputable breeder could be a struggle.
To help you with your search, we have listed some places you can get your Great Dane Pitbull mix from.
Here are some reputable sources that may have Great Danebull puppies up for sale:
Greenfield Puppies – Created in 2000, Greenfield Puppies is an advertising source for reputable breeders. With the intent of connecting healthy puppies with caring families, they set strict standards to ensure customers are not dealing with puppy mills. Different breeders on this site offer purebred dogs as well as designer dogs like the Great Dane Pitbull mix.
Puppies.com – Puppies.com is a source of many different breeds, pure or mixed, small or large dogs. Puppies listed on this site come with photos and detailed descriptions for transparency. Some puppies for sale on this site may also be shipped worldwide. You may visit this website anytime to see if there are available Great Danebull dogs available for purchase.
Lancaster Puppies – As a puppy advertising website, Lancaster Puppies offers a way for sellers and buyers to connect, especially in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and other nearby states. Thousands of puppies for sale, purebreds or mixed breeds like Great Danebulls, can be found on this site.
If you want more options, you can try reaching out to any of the breeders listed in our articles on the top 10 best Great Dane breeders and top 10 best Pitbull breeders.
Instead of buying, you can choose to adopt a Great Danebull pup. A lot of mixed breeds can be found in shelters and need forever homes.
Here are some rescue organizations you can reach out to:
Great Dane Love – A Central Florida Rescue, Inc. (GDLCF) – Established in 2012, GDLCF helps find homes for displaced Great Danes and mixes. They have many different Great Dane mixes, and Great Danebulls might be one of them. If you want to apply for adoption, you may visit their website or their Facebook page for more information.
Orange County Pit Bull Rescue (OCPBR) – A non-profit organization helping all types of Pit Bulls, Orange County Pit Bull Rescue seeks to improve people’s perception of these dogs. They strive to find not just homes for their rescues but owners who will treat them as a family as well. Visit their website to see if they have a Great Danebull available for adoption.
Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue (NWFLGDR) – Based in Pensacola, NWFLGDR has adoptable purebred Great Danes and mixes, including Great Danebulls. With the intent of matching every adoptable Great Dane with the best home possible, they provide education on responsible ownership and care of the breed to potential adoptive families.
The list above just shows some of the many different places you can find in buying a Great Danebull puppy or adopting one.
To increase your chances, check out some of the rescue groups listed in our articles on the best Great Dane rescues and top Pitbull rescues.
If you’re still weighing your options, try reading our ultimate guide to dog adoption and puppy buying guide.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Great Dane Pitbull Mix
There are people who frown upon the idea of crossing two different dog breeds together. When you combine a Great Dane and a Pitbull, you’ll convince people to think twice.
However, like owning a purebred dog, having a mixed dog has its pros and cons. You’ll learn more about them in this section.
Let’s begin with the pros of owning a Great Dane Pitbull mix:
Friendly towards people and other pets: Great Danebulls are highly social dogs. They prefer the company of family, other pets, and people as they also love getting attention. Their affectionate, gentle, and eager-to-please traits contribute to their overall charm.
Low grooming needs: Although they are moderate to heavy shedders, their short coats make grooming easier to manage. Brushing at least once daily is recommended but not necessary. Less-frequent bathing is required for this dog to retain its natural body oils.
Alert, smart, and easy to train: These might be some of the best traits of the Great Danebull. Training sessions will be a breeze because they easily pick up new commands and enjoy brain games as well.
Now, here are the cons but certainly not the deal breakers of owning a Great Dane Pitbull mix:
Prone to separation anxiety: Great Danebulls can’t deal with being left alone even for short periods. Not giving them enough attention can result in unwanted behavior. To avoid separation anxiety, make sure to allocate time for playing and other activities.
Not a good guard dog: Despite not being suitable as guard dogs, Great Danebulls can still make great watchdogs for the family. With their protective and alert nature, intruders can be easily kept out of any home. While they may not attack, they can still be effective for calling out attention.
Potential for aggression: If not properly socialized, this mix may have aggression tendencies due to their protective streak. Proper training and early socialization are important for them to become well-behaved dogs and prevent negative traits from showing up.
Weighing the pros and cons of owning a Great Danebull is crucial in making your final decision. Despite seeing the cons, are you still interested in getting this crossbreed?
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo by @chloe_greatdanebull (IG)
Are Great Dane Pitbull Mixes Aggressive?
Great Danebulls are generally not aggressive. They do have aggressive tendencies, but this may be prevented with proper training and socialization starting from a very young age.
Are Great Dane Pitbull Mixes Hypoallergenic?
No. Great Danebulls are not hypoallergenic. They shed all year, heavier on shedding seasons. It triggers allergic reactions caused primarily by dog dander so they are not ideal for allergy sufferers.
Do Great Dane Pitbull Mixes Shed?
Yes. Great Dane Pitbull mixes are moderate to heavy shedders. Unlike other breeds, however, their coats are easier to maintain. Brushing them once daily and bathing them only when needed are enough to maintain their coats.
Final Thoughts: Is a Great Dane Pitbull Mix the Right Dog for You?
A gentle giant mixed with an affectionate pup makes a large dog with an equally huge personality.
Despite their size, Great Danebulls are fairly easy to handle. They might have a few health concerns, but that’s just one more reason to love them.
Perhaps one of the challenges you might face when you choose to adopt or buy a Great Dane Pitbull mix is changing the way other people look and think about them.
Given this dog’s temperament, you can easily debunk the myths surrounding its parent breeds.
Having a Great Dane Pitbull mix can make you experience the best of both worlds: the active and playful dog and the laid-back, relaxed pup.
Comments