The Great Dane and the Siberian Husky are two of the most popular and beloved dog breeds of all time. It is no surprise that their offspring – the Great Dane husky mix – is becoming something of a superstar in the world of crossbreeds.
| HEIGHT: 21 to 35 inches | WEIGHT: 60 to 90 pounds |
| LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years | BREED SIZE: large |
| INTELLIGENCE: medium to high | EXERCISE NEEDS: medium |
| ENERGY LEVEL: medium | BARKING LEVEL: infrequent |
| DROOL TENDENCY: medium | COAT LENGTH: short to medium |
| COLORS: black, white, fawn, harlequin, merle, sable, brindle |
| TEMPERAMENT: affectionate, loving, gentle, calm, outgoing, playful, friendly, tolerant |
| GOOD WITH: older children, active families, first-time pet owners |
| HEALTH FACTORS: hip dysplasia, canine bloating, corneal dystrophy, laryngeal paralysis, wobbler syndrome |
| OTHER TRAITS: minimal shedding, protective, ideal for homes with lots of space |
Apart from its impressive appearance, this designer hybrid has a winning personality.
Background | The Great Dane Husky Mix is quite an uncommon breed, hence hard to find.
There is no available record as to when and where the first Great Dane and husky mix came to exist. Since the 1980s, breeders have crossbred some of the most popular dogs to create a healthier and more well-rounded breed. The Great Dane and husky mix may have been among these pioneer crossbreeds.
Breeders usually stick to 50-50 parentage, and in nearly all cases, the Great Dane is the father, while the Siberian Husky is the mother.
Appearance | They typically get the looks of the Great Dane…
When it comes to crossbreeding, the results are often unpredictable. While there is no specific way of knowing exactly how the offspring of a Great Dane and husky will look, their mix almost always takes on the appearance of the Great Dane parent. Generally, an adult Great Dane and husky mix can grow between 21 to 35 inches tall and weigh around 60 to 90 pounds. Their size varies depending on which genes they inherited.
As with their size, their color is also hard to guess. The Great Dane’s coat tends to be black, blue, fawn, gray, and white, while the husky is black, red, gray, and white. When the two are combined, you get a wide range of colors and patterns, including harlequin, merle, sable, brindle, and solids, such as white, brown, black, and fawn. The two breeds have opposite types of coats. Their offspring can get the short, glossy fur of the Great Dane or the thick, fluffy hair of the husky.
Blue eyes are typical in both huskies and Great Danes, although those of the Great Dane usually change to brown as they get older. Their offspring will likely get pale-colored eyes, though brown eyes are more prevalent.
Temperament | …and the personality of the Siberian Husky.
The laid-back and calm disposition of the Great Dane balances out the playful and restless nature of the husky. The result is a mix that is outgoing and spirited but at the same time chill and relaxed. They are very loving and loyal to their families, even a little overprotective. Their Great Dane genes make them effective watchdogs. They are non-aggressive, but they may be wary around strangers.
Great Dane Husky mix dogs love to be around their humans and are prone to separation anxiety. While they get along well with children, they are more suitable for households with older kids. These enormous canines are often unaware of their size and could easily knock over and step on small children during playtime.
Some Great Dane huskie mix dogs may inherit the high prey drive of the husky. They may chase other animals, such as cats, rabbits, even smaller dogs. For this reason, they don’t do well in multi-pet households. However, early and proper socialization will help them get along with their animal housemates.
Care | Grooming a massive Great Dane Husky Mix can be daunting.
Imagine chasing around a giant, boisterous dog who refuses to take a bath. The Great Dane husky mix is not high maintenance. But it can be challenging to get them used to brushing and bathing. If you make grooming a fun and positive experience, though, this dog wouldn’t mind and may even look forward to it.
Most Great Dane husky mixes inherit the short hair of their Great Dane parent. Keep their fur healthy and shiny by brushing them at least twice a week. If the dogs got the thick, double-layered coat of the husky, brush them daily to prevent tangling, remove dead hair and reduce shedding.
Bathe them once a month or more often if they get messy playing outdoors. Trim the nails twice a month or when needed to prevent ligament and tendon damage. Clean their ears at least once a week as dirt build-up may cause infection, and brush their teeth once daily.
Exercise | They need space to move around.
Unlike their husky parent, these dogs do not need long hours of exercise and high-level physical activity. An hour walk combined with play is generally adequate to keep them happy and contended. Note that the Great Dane Husky mix dogs are not for small spaces. They will do better in a home that has a spacious yard where they can run and play.
Drain their excess energy with a game of fetch, tug or hide and seek. However, if your Great Dane husky mix is 18 months or younger, don’t expose it to strenuous running as it could damage their joints and lead to orthopedic issues.
Diet | The Great Dane Husky Mix is prone to hip dysplasia so overfeeding is a no-no.
Feed your Great Dane husky mix protein-rich food. These dogs need about 20 to 25 percent protein in their diet. Aside from lean muscle meat, you can give them plant-based protein from lentils and peas. They will also benefit from food rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Cut their carbohydrate intake and make sure they only get it from sources like barley, oats, brown rice, or wheat.
Overfeeding the Great Dane husky mix can exacerbate hip dysplasia, an incurable joint disease that commonly affects medium and large dogs. Talk to your vet for recommendations on the proper food portion for these dogs. Be sure to set a fixed feeding schedule and limit the treats you give them.
Training | Training them can be challenging.
Huskies aren’t exactly known for their obedience as they are stubborn and fiercely independent. On the other hand, Great Danes are relatively easy to train, though they are not always quick to grasp instructions. The Great Dane husky mix will be in the middle regarding trainability. Training sessions and socialization should start while the dogs are still puppies. They will respond well to the lessons with patience and consistent positive reinforcement.
Health | Inherited health issues threaten the lifespan of the Great Dane Husky Mix.
The Great Dane husky mix may inherit the longer lifespan of the Siberian Husky (10 to 15 years) or the shorter one of the Great Dane (8 to 10 years). Breeders observe that these dogs live up to 12 years on average. It all boils down to proper diet, good living conditions, and regular exercise.
Apart from hip dysplasia, these dogs are prone to canine bloating and corneal dystrophy. They may also suffer laryngeal paralysis, which causes breathing issues, and wobbler syndrome, a neurological condition affecting the neck and spine.
This charismatic dog breed is still new and it’s pretty rare to see any about, but you can still adopt them online.
