Great Dane Poodle Mix

The Great Dane Poodle Mix is a cross between two popular purebred breeds.

Both the Great Dane and the standard Poodle are well-loved, so it’s no surprise that many are interested in the cross.

This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about this unique and interesting breed.

Where Does The Great Dane Poodle Mix Come From?

Unfortunately, there is not much information on the background of the Great Dane Poodle Mix itself.

However, we can gain a good understanding of the breed’s history and background by looking at the parent breeds.

Great Dane History

The Great Dane is a very old breed, bred as a distinct type for over 400 years.

Despite the breed’s association with Denmark, it actually originated within Germany.

In the past, the Great Dane was used by the Germans to hunt wild boar.

The large and powerful stature of the breed proved perfect to take on such dangerous game.

Today, the Great Dane is known as a loyal and protective companion dog.

Poodle History

The Poodle is similar to the Great Dane in that there is much confusion about its home country.

Despite being lauded as the national dog of France, it actually also originated in Germany.

Back in the early days of the breed, they were used by nobility as water retrievers.

Their dense and corded coat provided good protection from the elements.

The breed was a naturally gifted swimmer, making it perfect for the job.

In modern times, Poodles are well-loved for their flashy coats and incredible intelligence.

They serve as companion dogs and also excel in a variety of canine sports.

Fun Facts About The Great Dane Poodle Mix

• They are known by a few cute nicknames, such as Great Danoodle and Great Danepoo.
• Both parent dogs are within the top 15 most popular breeds, according to the American Kennel Club.
• Yes, this mix can potentially result in the corded coat of the poodle on a dog with the height of a Great Dane!

Great Dane Poodle Mix Appearance

The first question when it comes to this cross is probably “How big can I expect a Great Danoodle to be?”

There is no definitive answer.

First-generation crosses are notoriously hard to predict. The puppy may take after either parent in any aspect.

This applies to their height and weight as well, so the best we can provide you with is an estimated range.

It’s important to note that the size of Poodle commonly involved is the Standard Poodle.

For the Great Dane Poodle Mix, you can expect height to range between 15-32 inches, and weight to be around 40-175 pounds.

These ranges are very large

A closer estimation of a specific puppy may be obtained by asking for the heights and weights of the parent dogs.

The puppy will likely fall somewhere within the height and weight ranges of its parents.

The Great Danepoo certainly has the potential to be very large, so it is very important to be prepared for that.

As for the physical characteristics of the Great Dane Poodle Mix, they may take after either parent breed.

They may have the strong and muscular build of the Great Dane or the more delicate and square build of the Poodle.

As for the coat, the Great Danoodle can indeed inherit the curly and corded coat of the Poodle!

However, it is just as possible for them to inherit the short, smooth coat of the Great Dane.

Potential coat colors include yellow-gold, black, white, blue, gray, silver, apricot, brown, merle and cream.

Black markings may exist too.

Great Dane Poodle Mix Temperament

Great Danepoos can be very friendly and intelligent dogs.

However, there are a few potential temperamental issues within this breed.

First, both breeds are very people-oriented.

This means that they are very likely to be a loving dog to members of the family but it may lead to issues with separation anxiety.

Leaving this dog on its own for an extended period of time may result in negative behaviors due to anxiety.

Therefore, it’s recommended that there is always at least one member of the family around.

It is also possible for Great Danoodles to inherit a strong urge to chase from the Great Dane parent.

Instincts and Training

Due to the Great Dane’s background as a hunter, this instinct may compel them to chase after running animals or humans.

While good obedience training can help with this, it is still advised to not house this dog with particularly small children or animals who may be at risk from this behavior.

They are very large dogs and while they may only mean to play, they may still cause accidents.

There is also the possibility for this breed to have guard and territorial instincts.

While this is rarely strong enough in this breed to cause a problem, it is still something to be aware of.

If your Great Danepoo is exhibiting aggression or is very high-strung, they may need focused training to lessen this behavior.

Great Dane Poodle Mix Training

As both parent breeds tend to be very intelligent and eager to please, dogs of the Great Dane Poodle Mix usually aren’t too difficult to train.

It is very important that they are trained in both obedience and socialization from a young age.

As this cross has the potential to be a very large and powerful dog, it is imperative that you are the one in control.

We have some resources below to help train your puppy to grow up into a well-mannered adult.

• Understanding Your Dog
• Training Your Dog
• Potty Training Schedule
• Crate Training

If you are struggling to train the dog yourself, enrol them in training classes.

Never skip training the dog, as it will quickly lead to the formation of negative behaviors and habits.

As for the exercise requirements of this breed, they tend to need around 2-3 moderately-sized walks a day, perhaps with some outdoor play.

Within the first few years of their life, however, particularly strenuous exercise should be avoided as their skeletons are still developing.

Do not take them out for long and high-intensity play during this time.

Great Dane Poodle Health

Unfortunately, there are some serious health issues you must be aware of before making any decisions on purchasing a puppy of this cross.

The most severe health risk for this breed is bloat.

This is a sudden-onset condition in which the stomach will fill with gas and then twist.

This blocks proper blood flow around the body, leading to cell death and toxins entering the blood.

This can quickly be fatal and requires immediate vet attention.

As both parent breeds are predisposed to developing this condition, it is likely that dogs of the Great Dane Poodle mix are at a high risk as well.

Therefore, it is very important to read up on the preventative measures you can take against bloat and educate yourself on the early symptoms.

Potential problems to be aware of

Other major health issues the Great Dane Poodle mix may be at risk of include:

• Hip dysplasia.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and cherry eye.
• Epilepsy.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy.

As you can see, there are a lot of potential health issues which may affect Great Danepoos.

Therefore, if you decide to purchase a puppy, do so from a respectable and trustworthy breeder.

A good breeder should be able to provide the results of health evaluations for both parent dogs, so you know that you are receiving a healthy puppy.

Health tests for the parents

A Great Dane will require these evaluations:

• Hip Evaluation
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation
• Thyroid Evaluation
• Cardiac Exam

A Poodle will require these evaluations:

• Hip Evaluation
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation

The expected lifespan for dogs of this breed is 8-13 years.

Feeding and Grooming

Dogs of the Great Dane Poodle mix do well on high-quality dog food.

They may require quite a bit more food than your average breed if they take after the Great Dane’s large size.

And a special puppy food tailored to the needs of Great Danes.

Their grooming requirements depend wholly on the coat they have inherited.

If they have the Great Dane’s short and smooth coat, grooming can be kept quite simple.

A weekly brush is usually enough, but a daily brush may be needed during shedding seasons.

However, if they have taken after the Poodle’s naturally corded coat, they will require a daily brush down to the skin to keep their fur from matting.

Optionally, you can trim the coat to reduce the daily workload.

Does the Great Dane Poodle Mix Make a Good Family Dog?

The Great Dane Poodle mix can make for a good family dog but is not suitable for all families.

As a potentially large dog, they will require a lot of space to stretch their legs.

Their large size and tendencies to chase can also create issues in families with young children or other pets.

They need proper training.

It is also necessary for them to have company as much as possible, as they can suffer from separation anxiety.

However, if you can provide everything this breed needs to be comfortable and happy, you will quickly find they are loyal, loving and gentle pets.

Rescuing a Great Dane Poodle Mix

As opposed to buying a puppy from a breeder, you can also choose to rescue a Great Dane Poodle mix from a shelter.

This comes with its pros and cons, of course.

On the pro side, it allows you to purchase an adult dog knowing full well what size it may be, what it will look like, and what health issues it may have.

It can also be significantly cheaper than purchasing a puppy.

However, some dogs in rescue may have been treated poorly and as a result of that may have temperament and socialization issues.

Cases such as those require an experienced hand.

Finding a Great Dane Poodle Mix Puppy

If you decide to try and buy a puppy, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure you have the best chance of receiving a healthy one.

There are a lot of bad breeders out there, sadly, who have forgone proper care for the dogs in favor of more efficient sales.

It is your biggest priority to avoid these puppy farms.

It is also important to avoid purchasing from pet stores as the majority buy all their dogs from puppy farms.

To have the best chance of finding a healthy puppy, search for a breeder who has recognition from a breed society and positive feedback from previous customers.

A good breeder will not be evasive when asked questions and will allow you to see the parent dogs.

Raising a Great Dane Puppy

Raising a puppy can seem incredibly daunting, but luckily we have a lot of resources on the topic!

See our guides below:

• Puppy Care
• Puppy Training

Great Dane Poodle Mix Products and Accessories

Depending on how your Great Danepoo turns out, they may need some specific accessories to make both of your lives easier!

If the corded coat of the Poodle is present, we’d advise you to take a look at this guide for grooming their coat and some recommendations on which brushes and combs to purchase.

Finding a crate big enough for a Great Dane Poodle mix may also be an issue if they have taken after the Great Dane’s size. We have some suggestions here!

Pros and Cons of Getting a Great Dane Poodle Mix

Cons:

• Potentially large size
• Potential tendencies to chase
• Separation anxiety issues
• A significant amount of health issues

Pros:

• With correct training and socialization, they can be a very loving family-centric breed
• Eager to please, take quickly to training.

Similar Great Dane Poodle Mixes and Breeds

Here are some similar breeds and mixes:

• Great Dane Lab Mix
• Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix
• Newfoundland

Great Dane Poodle Mix Rescues

Unfortunately, no rescue centers exist specifically for the Great Dane Poodle Mix.

However, you may find luck searching rescue centers for the parent breeds! Here are a few suggestions below.

UK:

• Daneline
• Poodle Network UK

US:

• Great Dane Rescue Inc
• Great Dane Rescue Alliance
• Poodle Rescue of Houston

Canada:

• Great Dane Angels
• Standard Poodles In Need

Australia:

• Poodle Cross Rescue

Is a Great Dane Poodle Mix Right For Me?

Consider your current family situation and home. Will this breed make a good fit?

Be sure that you have enough time to devote to this breed too before making any decisions. Take into account their exercise and grooming needs, and their separation anxiety issues.

They will need as much company as possible to be a happy dog.

Have you ever owned a Great Dane Poodle Mix? Have any stories to tell?

Let us know in the comments below!

Related Articles

• Great Dane Colors

References and Resources

• Richardson, DC. The Role of Nutrition in Canine Hip Dysplasia. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 1992.
• Nesbitt, GH, et al. Canine hypothyroidism: a retrospective study of 108 cases., Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1980.
• Battaglia, CL. Bloat and the Risk Factors, Breeding Better Dogs.
• Wood, JLN, et al. Relationship of the degree of goniodysgensis and other ocular measurements to glaucoma in Great Danes. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2001.
• Mazzucchelli et al. Retrospective study of 155 cases of prolapse of the nictitating membrane gland in dogs. The Veterinary Record, 2012.
• Runge, JJ, et al. Distraction index as a risk factor for osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia in four large dog breeds. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2010.
• Licht, BG, et al. Clinical characteristics and mode of inheritance of familial focal seizures in Standard Poodles. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2007.
• Gough, A, et al. Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats. John Wiley & Sons, 2018.
• Meurs, KM, et al. Clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes and results of a pedigree analysis: 17 cases (1990-2000). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2001.