The Great Dane German shepherd mix is a breed of dog that is a crossbreed between the Great Dane and the German shepherd. The dogs are large and muscular, with long legs, a long back, and a tail that curls over their back.

The Great Dane German shepherd mix has many uses in the world today. They can be used as guard dogs to protect the property or as therapy dogs to help people who suffer from anxiety or depression. There are also many types of competitions that they can participate in such as agility and obedience contests.

This article will explore the different characteristics of the Great Dane and German shepherd mix. It will also provide information on their care, training, and health needs.

What Does a Great Dane German Shepherd Mix Look Like?

Great Shepherds have a strong, muscular build like their parents. They are one of the largest designer dog breeds that you’ll come across. Like any other hybrid dog, you can never surely tell what a Great Shepherd will look like. It mostly depends upon which parent breed the dog takes after the most.

If a Great Shepherd leans more to their Great Dane parent, then they will likely have a broad head, strong legs, a short single coat, and almond-shaped eyes. They will have bonier jaws, natural floppy ears, and a deep-set muzzle. While on the other hand, if the breed takes more after the German Shepherd, then they will have a long snout, triangular ears, a long body with double coats. Or, the Great Shepherd will look anything in between.

How Big Can a Great Shepherd Get?

One thing that most people notice about the Great Shepherd is how tall they are. These dogs have an impressive height of 28-30 inches at the shoulder and weigh around 65-110 pounds!

Great Shepherd Temperament

This crossbreed is one of the few types of dogs that have been bred to have both intelligence and energy from two different breeds. Great Shepherds may inherit the protective instincts from their German Shepherd parents or they may exhibit a friendlier and more mellow side of their Great Dane parents. These dogs are perfect for a large family who has many family members to play with their dog. They are very loyal and patient with children but can be difficult to train because they have a lot of energy as well.

Although Great Shepherds can get along well with children and adults alike, they might be aggressive towards other dog breeds. Due to this, socialization is very important, especially when they are still puppies. Socialization will help your dog to familiarize with other people and pets so that your dog will get used to them in the future.

Additionally, Great Shepherds are not suitable for apartment living as they need plenty of space to run around and burn their massive energy. They also do not do well when they are left alone for a long time period. Your dog might develop separation anxiety or destructive behaviors when they have been left alone for far too long.

Great Shepherd Grooming Requirements

The mix of the Great Dane and German Shepherd will have a dog with a short to medium-length coat, which is relatively easier to groom than the German Shepherd’s coat. Brushing your Great Shepherd once or twice a week with a wide-toothed comb and bristle brush will be enough to keep away tangles and hairballs. Great Shepherds do not need regular baths as their natural oils will be washed away which will only cause drying skins.

During their shedding seasons, however, you need to take extra care of your dog. Make sure that you brush their coat daily and give them a bath regularly to smoothen the coat. Besides taking care of the coat, there are other grooming requirements that you should fulfill to make your Great Shepherd healthy and happy:

• Use nail clippers to prevent nail infection
• Brush your dog’s teeth regularly with a vet-approved toothpaste
• Check and clean the ears with soft cotton balls
• Clean the paws with a damp cloth when your dog has been outside

Training a Great Shepherd

Because of their high intelligence, Great Shepherds are relatively easy to train. They tend to listen and obey their owner’s commands and instructions pretty quickly. When training your dog, make sure that you use only positive reinforcement techniques like praise and treats. Never use punishments to encourage a positive attitude as these dogs do not take punishments well. They tend to distance themselves and eventually develop destructive behaviors in the future.

Due to the breed’s high prey drive, you may want to establish a leash training routine from an early age. Leash training can help prevent your dog from getting into trouble and also provides you with peace of mind knowing that your pet is safe. The training should start when the pup is about 8 weeks old and should be done for at least 10 minutes every day until they are fully trained, which usually takes around 3 months.

Price of a Great Shepherd puppy

The price of a Great Shepherd puppy can vary anywhere between $600 to $1500 depending upon the puppy’s lineage, quality of the breeder, health clearances, or the location of the breeder.

Exercise Needs of The Great Shepherd

One of the most important ways to take care of your Great Shepherd dog is to meet their exercise needs. These dogs need at least an hour of daily exercise to remain fit and healthy. You can take your dog for jogging, hiking, or simply walking in the dog parks to keep their muscles moving. You can also involve your dog in dog sports such as agility or obedience, as they do best when their mind and body are provided with a job to complete.

These intelligent dogs also require mental stimulation which can be done achieved by providing them with puzzles and interactive toys.

Also, check out the Great Dane Doberman Mix.

Health Issues of the Great Shepherd

The Great Shepherd is generally a healthy dog with a lifespan of 7-12 years. But like with any other dog breed, the Great Shepherd is also prone to some health issues which are:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Arthritis
• Bloat
• Ear infections
• Allergies

It is important that you take your Great Shepherd to the vet regularly for health screenings. This will help to detect any underlying diseases that your pup may be suffering from.

Conclusion

The Great Dane German Shepherd mix is an intelligent, energetic dog that has the best traits from both breeds – intelligence from the German Shepherd and energy from the Great Dane. If you think you have the time and commitment to invest in this hybrid dog, then the Great Shepherd may be the right choice for you.

Thank you for reading the article.

To explore more about the two parent breeds, here are some articles on the Great Dane and the German Shepherd that you might be interested in.

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