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Last Updated on July 2, 2024
The Great Dane Pit Bull mix is among the mixed-breed dogs that both Great Dane and Pit Bull admirers take interest in due to their growing popularity in recent years.
Also referred to as the Great Danebull, this crossbreed inherits both of its parents’ best characteristics. It is energetic, playful, affectionate like the American Pit Bull Terrier and is big, sweet, and friendly like the Great Dane.
If you’re interested in owning a Great Dane Pit Bull mix or simply want to know more about this interesting crossbreed, then we’ve got you covered! Continue reading to know everything you need to know about the Great Dane Pit Bull mix.
The Great Dane Pit Bull Mix Parents
Before we get to know this beautiful crossbreed, let’s first get to know its parents – the Great Dane and the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Great Dane
The Great Dane breed is a popular dog breed that has been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as early as 1887.
The AKC describes the breed as a combination of “regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with great size and a powerful, well-formed, smoothly muscled body”.
The Great Dane breed is often referred to as a “Gentle Giant” and the “Apollo of Dogs” – two names that are in sharp contrast of each other but perfectly describes the Great Dane.
While their size intimidate a lot of people and fellow dogs, their personality is the exact opposite. They are very gentle, patient, loving dogs, and are actually great with other dogs and children.
And contrary to popular belief, the Great Dane did not originate from Denmark. They originated in Germany over 400 years ago and were bred for the purpose of hunting wild boars.
Today, Great Danes are no longer used for hunting but have become a favorite addition to families due to their affectionate and loving personality.
The American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a muscular and energetic dogs originally bred to be bait for bulls in the fighting pits. However, as animal welfare laws were introduced, the breed became an all-around farm dog used to hunt hogs and drive livestock, and later become a family companion.
While there is a stigma that American Pit Bull Terriers are aggressive dogs, largely due to their history of being used for bloodsports (such as bull baiting and dog fighting) and their muscular build, these dogs are actually very gentle and loving dogs.
As a matter of fact, American Pit Bull Terriers are called “nanny dogs” due to the fact that they are naturally loving towards humans, especially children.
Unlike the Great Dane breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier is not a recognized breed by the AKC. Instead, it is recognized by by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA).
In saying this, the AKC does recognize a very similar breed, American Staffordshire Terrier, in an effort to separate the breed from a negative past.
The American Pit Bull Terrier’s essential characteristics according to the UKC are strength, confidence, and a zest for life. The UKC writes, “This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm.”
The Great Dane Pit Bull Mix Breed History
In saying this, the origin of the Great Dane Pit Bull mix is not well documented. However, the cross breed has likely been bred since the mid to late 1900s and have originated in the United States.
Similar to its Pit Bull parent, the Great Dane Pit Bull mix is not recognized by the AKC. However, it is recognized by both the Dog Registry of America (DRA) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) as a mix breed.
Great Dane Pit Bull Mix Appearance
A Great Dane Pit Bull mix is a cross between the Great Dane and American Pit Bull Terrier. And while it will inherit both of its parents physical characteristics, there is no particular breed standards for this dog.
However, by having a Great Dane parent, it is a given that a Great Danebull can inherit their parent’s intimidating size. So, they can grow to a height of 24 to 28 inches tall and can weigh 60 to 90 lbs when they’re adults.
And since they have an American Pit Bull parent, you can expect the Great Dane Pit Bull mix to be muscular and stocky. And they can also inherit their Pit Bull parent’s large and rectangular heads.
Thankfully, both their parents share similar coat type and colors, so you can expect their coat to be smooth and short.
It comes in a variety of solid colors such as, black, red, white, brown, tan, blue, grey. And it can also come in a variety of patterns such as brindle, harlequin, merle and sable.
Furthermore, like other crossbreeds, the Great Dane Pit Bull mix’s life expectancy is longer than its Great Dane parent, which is about 7 t 12 years. But this can still vary depending on the dog’s size, health, and physical condition.
The Great Dane Pit Bull Mix Personality
The Great Dane Pit Bull Mix is a beautiful mix of personalities, thanks to its parent breeds. These dogs are friendly, loving, and gentle. But don’t be fooled by their loving and friendly nature! These dogs will protect and guard their family when the need arises.
A cross between a “gentle giant” and a “nanny dog” will tell you almost everything you need to know about a Great Dane Pit Bull Mix’s personality.
Something that the Great Dane and the American Pit Bull Terrier share is their love for children. So, when it comes to kids, they know just how to handle them – with patience and tenderness.
Another thing that the Great Dane Pit Bull mix inherited from both parents is their eagerness to please their people. So, they are very enthusiastic and training them might not be as difficult.
And as mentioned above, they are loyal dogs that will protect and guard their family and loved ones when need be – a trait that the mix breed got from both parents, making them an excellent choice for a family companion.
Furthermore, having a parent that is lively and energetic (American Pit Bull Terrier) and a parent that is a bit more laid back (Great Dane), you can expect the Great Dane Pit Bull mix to be somewhat in the middle, not too energetic, but not too laid back – the perfect mix of energy, if you ask us!
Taking Care Of A Great Dane Pit Bull Mix
A Great Dane Pit Bull mix is a sweet, loving, and loyal dog with intimidating size and strength. In saying all of this, this dog will require a lot of proper care.
Training
A Great Dane Pit Bull mix is a smart and loving dog. However, that doesn’t mean training is out of the picture. Training a dog, regardless of its breed, is vital to help a dog positively develop its personality.
When To Start Training A Great Dane Pit Bull Mix?
With the Great Dane Pit Bull mix’s known size and strength, paired with their strong and vibrant personality, training should start at a very young age, as soon as possible.
You’d be pleased to hear that this dog is quite trainable, thanks to both of its parents’ intelligence and eager to please personality. This means that they respond well to training that involves positive reinforcement, obedience training, and a lot of socialization.
But this does not mean that training a Great Dane Pit Bull mix doesn’t require effort and patience, because it still does. With the proper attitude for training, you’ll be able to train your dog well.
Furthermore, making sure that you reward your your Great Dane Pit Bull mix with treats or praises will teach them to associate the training with something positive.
When properly trained, a Great Dane Pit Bull mix is one amazing family companion!
Exercise
The Great Dane Pit Bull mix can be a little energetic. So, it needs daily exercises and workout to release all their energy. In saying this, they will need a 20 to 45 minutes of walk daily.
Furthermore, they also need a good amount of playtime. So, if you ever consider owning a Great Dane Pit Bull mix, it would be great if you have a large backyard for them to play and run around.
Diet
It is recommended that you should feed them with high-quality dog food that is rich with all the nutrients they need to grow properly.
How much you feed your Great Dane Pit Bull mix will vary depending on the dog’s size. But generally, it can have three to six cups of dog food every day, divided into two to three meals a day.
Dividing their meals into two or three times a day will prevent them from over eating and most importantly, bloating.
You can also add fish oil supplement to your Great Dane Pit Bull mix’s diet. It has a lot of benefits that can help tackle health issues that a Great Dane Pit Bull might be prone to.
Aside from supporting your dog’s heart health, it can relieve joint pain, strengthen a dog’s immune system, and can help relieve allergies and reduce itchy and flaky skin.
Furthermore, having access to fresh water at all times is a must for a Great Dane Pit Bull mix.
Potential Health Problems
Mixed breed dogs tend to have a longer lifespan than purebred dogs. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t suffer from health issues.
So, it’s important to be well-informed about the health problems that the Great Dane Pit Bull mix’s parents are prone to.
Here are some of health problems that Great Danes and American Pit Bull Terriers are prone to that might also affect your Great Dane Pit Bull mix:
| Great Dane Health Problems | American Pit Bull Terrier Health Problems |
| Hip Dysplasia | Hip Dysplasia |
| Bloat | Spinal Cord Disease |
| Wobbler Syndrome | Skin Allergies |
| Dilated Cardiomyopathy | Mange |
| Canine Osteosarcoma | Knee Complications |
| Addison’s Disease | Hypothyroidism |
Hip Dysplasia is a common health problem for both Great Danes and American Pit Bull Terriers. So, a crossbreed of both will most probably suffer from it as well.
Furthermore, obesity is a serious problem that a Great Dane Pit Bull mix can suffer from. it can lead to other life-threatening issues in the long run. So, watching what and how much they eat is very important.
If you want to make sure your Great Dane Pit Bull mix is healthy, you can always consult with a veterinarian.
The Cost Of Owning A Great Dane Pit Bull Mix
Owning a Great Dane Pit Bull mix can be costly. So, be prepared to have deep pockets! The cost of a puppy can be around $600. Other than that, you also have to account for the following expenses:
- Collar and leash, spaying/neutering, a microchip, blood tests, and a shot: around $450 to $500
- Yearly medical cost including emergency medical treatment, regular checkups, vaccination, and flea prevention: $500 to $600
- Toys, treats, and other needs: around $700 (yearly cost)
Conclusion
Great Dane Pit Bull mix are becoming increasingly popular in recent years – and it’s easy to see why. They are loving, gentle, sweet, yet loyal and protective, so they make amazing guard dogs and family companions.
However, like any other dog, they still need to be properly trained and cared for to be able to live a happy, long, and healthy life.
If you wish to buy a Great Dane Pit Bull mix, it’s always best to do your research first and choose a responsible breeder. Alternatively, you can always choose to adopt one to give it a second chance in life.
Love this! So true, we have a greatdanebull and this article is spot on!
So blessed to have rescued a Great Dane Bull at just under a year. He is amazing! He loves all animals, does great with the grandkids and what a good boy playing in a pack at the dog park. I’ve had several lg breeds of dogs in my life. But, my Rebel… They broke the mold when they made him!!
Is this possible to increase the life span of this large sized dog breed?