The Great Dane Husky Mix, also known as the Danesky, is a hybrid of a Great Dane and a Siberian Husky.
It’s an interesting combination between the Great Dane’s laid-back nature plus guard dog instincts and the energetic and social character of the Husky.
If you’re planning to get one, it may be helpful to find out more about this mixed breed. Read on!
History and Where the Great Dane Husky Mix Comes From
The Danesky’s origin is hardly traceable. But, you can learn a thing or two from its rich heritage.
Great Dane History
The Great Dane originated from Germany and is aptly called the German Mastiff. Other accounts, dating back to the 13th to 14th century, mention dogs with similar features.
Nevertheless, documents pointing specifically to the Dane show that they’ve descended from the cross between English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds of England.
In the 16th century, the resulting breed was used for hunting boar and hence, is swift, powerful, and prey-driven. Later on, they’re imported all over Europe including Germany.
During this time, their role as boar hounds changed into Chamber Dogs. Nobilities have kept them in courts for protection. Post-18th century, they were bred in Germany independent of the English methods.
The Great Dane of today has a calm personality and is a dependable family companion.
Siberian Husky History
The Siberian Husky comes from the Northeastern region, particularly Siberia. This breed is believed to have existed for about 3000 years.
They were bred as sled dogs by the Chukchi tribe. The main purpose of this is the transport of food and trading with other groups. The tribe’s isolation has made the Husky breed pure for many generations.
Nonetheless, their popularity rose with their participation and winnings in sled races in the 20th century. They eventually made their way to North America through fur traders.
Great Dane Husky Mix Facts
Like all crossbreeds, a Danesky will inherit traits from its parents uniquely. That said, there’s no sure way to tell what your dog will look like or how it behaves.
The best you can do is to know more about the parents. From this, you’ll know what to expect of the offspring.
Size and Weight
Most Danesky mixes tend to take their size and shape from the Great Dane. Hence, they’re considered large dogs.
They grow typically to about 21–35 inches. On the other hand, their weight ranges between 90–170 lbs.
Life Expectancy
The Great Dane has one of the shortest lifespans among dog breeds, with only 7–10 years to live.
Crossing with a Siberian Husky, somehow balances that, with its 12–15 years of life expectancy. This gives your Danesky around 12 years and can even go up to 15 years of survival.
Great Dane Husky Mix Appearance
This hybrid’s appearance can come as varied as its parents. Let’s look into these aspects:
Coat
The Great Dane is usually associated with fawn, black, and blue. But in fact, they have 17 recognized color variations.
On the contrary, the Siberian Husky, besides its popular gray and white coat color, has eight more color distinctions. You can just imagine the many possible looks that an offspring can exhibit.
Moreover, the coat can be as thick as a Husky’s fur or as short as a Dane’s. This will partly dictate the maintenance requirements for your dog.
Eye Color
The eye color can vary in the range of yellow to dark brown and some cases blue. One eye may even be different from the other. This expressed gene comes from the Siberian Husky.
Great Dane Husky Mix Price and Expenses
Owning a Great Dane Husky is an investment and a responsibility. You should be ready to invest time and effort, as well as a chunk of your finances.
Rarity
This crossbreed is rare and relatively new. So, it’s harder to find one for sale, even more so, when the parents are purebreds.
Some mixes come from other hybrids too. Thus, it’s recommended to ask the breeder regarding this particular matter.
Price of a Great Dane Husky
The price of owning a Great Dane Husky mix is in the range of $800–1000. That’s from a reputable breeder. Still, this value can go lower or higher depending on location, appearance, and age.
Ownership Expenses
On top of the initial price, you need to prepare for the cost of ownership as well. Allocate a budget for regular expenses such as food, health care, and grooming. Plus, invest in necessities like a collar, leash, bed, crate, and feeding bowls, as well as toys, and treats.
It’s also beneficial to set aside money for emergency purposes. Even better, if you can invest in pet insurance.
Great Dane Husky Mix Behavior and Temperament
This crossbreed has two parents with some contrasting characteristics. So, make sure you’re up for the challenge when owning this dog, as it comes with good and bad traits alike.
Perfect for Families
The Great Dane Husky is a perfect household companion. This stems from the fact that both parents are affectionate to their families.
Additionally, this breed is generally good with children. But with its size and playful nature, precautionary measures should be taken when around them.
Impressive Guard Dogs
The Siberian Husky is highly sociable even with strangers. But the watchful and protective character of the Great Dane balances this out.
Combined with the loyalty trait of both parents, the Great Dane Husky mix proves to be an impressive guard dog.
Unwanted Behaviors
Some unwanted behaviors can surface with this mixed breed. One of these traits is the Dane’s moodiness. It can be attentive, yet willful at times.
Stubbornness is another tendency you should watch out for. This comes from the Husky’s independent nature. Plus, they have an inner prey drive. When this comes out, they can chase after small animals.
Training and socialization will temper these behaviors, yet is harder to achieve compared to other hybrids. Make sure to be patient and give it enough time.
Great Dane Husky Mix Health
Learning about the parent breeds allows you to know the kind of health conditions your dog is at risk from. Educating yourself about the symptoms will make treatment much faster.
Below are some of these diseases that may affect your Great Dane Husky mix. It’s worth noting, though, that the risks are diluted, as genes are mixed and expressed differently.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is common in large dog breeds but can’t be ruled out in smaller ones. In this condition, the ball and socket of the hip joint improperly develop. They grind and rub against each other instead of gliding smoothly.
If left unchecked, the hip joint will eventually lose its function.
This condition is extremely painful. When your dog suffers from this, you may observe limping, bunny hopping, difficulty while standing or sitting, and hear some popping sounds from the joints.
Bloating
Bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) is another serious condition that can affect your Danesky. In fact, this is a leading cause of death in Great Danes.
This medical emergency afflicts deep-chested dogs. It occurs when the stomach traps gas inside, inflates, and causes pressure build-up. As a result, blood recirculation is hindered, cutting back on the supply of vital organs.
Additionally, the lack of oxygen to the pancreas initiates the release of toxic enzymes that stops the heart.
Make sure not to feed your dog too much food or drinks immediately after strenuous exercise. Slow feeding is also recommended to avoid this occurrence. Hyperactivity should be prevented as well.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a condition that can start to show in your puppy in as early as 4 months of age. Just like hip dysplasia, this results from improper development of the joint.
In this case, the bones—radius, humerus, and ulna—show abnormal growth. As such, there’s an uneven weight distribution, which causes pain and lameness.
If your dog suffers from this condition, you’ll notice some limping, especially after exercise, stiffness in the elbow joint, an uneven gait, and a crackling sound in the area.
Osteosarcoma
Bone cancer or osteosarcoma typically affects middle-aged to older large dogs. This disease is due to abnormal cell growth and behavior that starts in the marrow. As a result, bones in some areas are damaged. While in other parts, there’s an overgrowth.
Since the target of this cancer are the limbs, afflicted dogs experience lameness. They’d also feel pain while walking or when limbs are touched. Other symptoms include asymmetrical limb size, soft tissue swelling, dehydration, and decreased appetite.
Other Health Concerns
Minor issues to watch out for in your Danesky include eye problems, such as glaucoma, cataracts, entropion, ectropion, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
How to Care for a Great Dane Husky Mix
To keep your Danesky in tip-top shape, you need to care for it through proper diet, exercise, grooming, training, and socialization.
Exercise Needs of a Great Dane Husky Mix
Both the Husky and the Dane are high-energy dogs. So, it’s not surprising that the offspring share the same energy level. With it comes the need for daily exercise for an hour.
If you’re getting this crossbreed, make sure there’s an accessible park or a secure yard for running and playing. Take it out on a leash to keep it in control, especially when it’s still socializing.
Bear in mind that the Danesky is attention-seeking. As much as possible, do these activities together, so you foster a stronger bond.
Grooming a Great Dane Husky Mix
The grooming routine for this hybrid will depend on the coat inherited from the parents. The Dane has a smooth, short coat. On the contrary, the Husky has a double, medium-length coat.
Aim for a weekly brushing. This will keep your dog looking neat and clean. The activity also distributes natural oils and avoids infections. Plus, it’s another good way of bonding with your dog.
Moreover, as part of your hygiene check, bathe your dog, trim its nails, and clean its ears regularly or as needed.
Training and Socialization of a Great Dane Husky Mix
Training and socialization push back the willful and stubborn traits of a Danesky. It’s best to start before they’re 10 weeks old. This will also reduce their prey drive and allow them to adjust to humans and dogs alike.
During training, positive reinforcement is key. Dogs react negatively to harsh words and punishment. Instead, reward good behavior through petting, treats, or praise.
Great Dane Husky Mix Diet
The food requirement for this dog hybrid has something to do with the risk of getting hip and elbow dysplasia. For a puppy, feed it with specially-formulated dog food for large breed puppies. These recipes are made to avoid excessive growth and prevent skeletal disorders.
As for adults, they need around 20–25% protein in their diet. Carbohydrates should also come from wheat, oat, and barley.
If you want to be extra careful, consult your Vet when to switch your pup to an adult formula. This way, you can also seek help on how much to feed your dog relative to its weight.
Is a Great Dane Husky Mix a Good Family Pet?
As mentioned above, a Danesky is a good family pet. It’s extremely loyal, affectionate, and protective. However, it requires much training, socialization, and reinforcement to temper some unwanted behaviors.
How to Acquire a Great Dane Husky Mix?
You can acquire a Danesky through a breeder or a shelter. Both have their advantages:
Breeder
Purchasing your Danesky from a reputable breeder gives you a better idea of what to expect with your dog.
The sale usually comes with registration certificates and medical records that may come in handy anytime.
Shelter
Since this breed is rare, you have a higher chance of finding a Great Dane Husky mix from a breeder.
Nevertheless, you can try contacting shelters if they have one available. This will set you back much less compared to buying from a breeder. Plus, there’ll be one less dog looking for a home.
You’ll likely get an adult dog, though, and little will be known of its heritage.
Conclusion
The Great Dane Husky mix is a large, affectionate, and highly protective breed. It’s perfect for experienced pet parents and active families, preferably with a big home space and a secured yard.
It has certain undesirable traits, like stubbornness and prey drive, which can be curbed by early socialization, training, and constant reinforcement.