Great Dane German Shepherd Hybrid Mix Dog Breed Guide
If you have a soft spot for dogs, a Great Shepherd is simply a dream come through. However, there are factors for you to consider. These include the gender that you may prefer. Males have more strength than their female counterparts, thanks to their bigger size and more weight.
However, the females will enable you to breed more Great Shepherds in the future. What about their age? A puppy is easier to train into how you want it to be. However, it could still be tedious and expensive to afford the services of a qualified trainer.
The Great Shepherds tend to live for seven to ten years. Therefore, the younger he is, the more time you have with him. Fortunately, you are in the right place to find out about the necessary details for this exercise to be a success.
The German Shepherd
One look at this dog, and you can tell that it looks like a wolf, which makes it stand out. It could also be of medium or large size. And unlike the multi-functional dog that it has become today, the German Shepherd would initially herd sheep in Germany.
To prevent extinction, a German officer set out to interbreed it with guarding dogs to get what we refer to today as the German Shepherd. They have now taken up various roles, including household pets, acting, and are more popular with the military and police to find fugitives and rescue people.
Their intelligence, strength, and ability to follow instructions have made them the second most popular dogs.
The Great Dane
This large and muscular pooch was mostly owned by the rich and mainly used for hunting and guarding. Let its name not give you any false ideas about its origin. This athletic dog is not from Danish.
Just like the German Shepherd, its first homeland was in Germany. It is amicable, and many owners also comment on how dependable they are.
The Great Shepherd
If you are looking for a large, intelligent, and adaptable dog, then this German breed is perfect for your choosing. This breed is rarely hypoallergenic and can easily catch up and learn easily. You may have learned of dogs that became obese.
Luckily, the Great Shepherd gains moderate weight. But before dipping into your pockets, ensure that you have the records of the Great Shepherd history. Like where was it bred? What were the behaviors of his parents?
Are there any genetic conditions in his family tree that might arise years later? The medical records are crucial to know about deworming and if they have undergone the necessary vaccination.
Good breeders will not shy away from giving you all the information you need, even when they are not good news. You could also go through other previous customers’ reviews and also make judgments on their ratings.
Weight and Size
You may be wondering about their weight and size. The truth is that there is no specific way that it should look or sum up to when on top of the weighing scale. It entirely depends on the parents, and the features of one breed could overpower the other.
They all have different mixtures of colors with a variety of patterns too. However, the apple does not fall far away from the tree. The German Shepherd is 22 to 26 inches tall and somewhere between 50 to 90 pounds. The Great Dane weighs from 110 to 175 pounds and 28 to 32 inches high.
Character
Great Shepherds tend to have traits from both breeds. And German Shepherds are generally obedient, curious, intelligent, and loyal to their owners. The Great Dane is more of a friendly and courageous dog, and you may not have to worry if you have children around.
However, to be safe, this should happen under close supervision. But the Dane has not been a hound just by name. It can be aggressive to strangers. Therefore, you know what to expect in your desired breed.
It is also a good idea to put them in different situations to know how they will react. Find out how they feel around their mates or other smaller pets in the house; albeit, an adult should be watching.
Do they feel intimidated? Are they willing to interact? You could consider the services of a trainer. However, there are several websites, and with a few clicks, you could find out how to go about it on your own.
But if there is no improvement, think about the first option. It could be the best.
Training and Exercise
As I had said earlier, training a pup is easier when compared to a full-grown pooch. And there are two key things that the Great Shepherd has to learn. That is obedience and good manners. Fortunately, both the Shepherd and Dane have an urge to please you, as their owner, and are highly intelligent.
You may feel that your pup is too young, but that is the perfect stage for this kind of teaching. Do not be lenient. Pay for classes where your puppy can learn about the values that you want to acquire.
Some bad habits include being too jumpy during an encounter with people, which could be scary as they may not be fans of these fantastic pets. And truth be told, their large size is somehow intimidating. They could also be overly aggressive even after being ordered to stand down.
The desired values could be patience, the ability to socialize, or ease in following instructions. Once they are large, they may be hard to control. They could even overpower you with all that weight. Whereas we only think of physical exercise, the Great Shepherd needs some brainstorming too.
You may be wondering how that is possible, or even if it is vital in the first place. Just because this breed gets intelligence from their parents, it shouldn’t limit you. It could only make things better.
You can do it by taking your dog for activities that test characteristics such as the ability to track; it could compete against mates, which is likely to trigger the mind. The juicy detail is that you get to spend some time with your pet and bond.
But at the comfort of your home, the hide and seek game is perfect. You could also get some toys from the dog store around you. However, ensure that they are safe for your best friend, mostly if they are young.
Physically, it is advisable to take your pup for two to three walks every twenty-four hours. But that does not apply to all dogs. Some may have health conditions or are too old or young for a certain number of exercises.
You should consult your vet for the best advice. And even though they gain weight moderately, there are some cases of obesity, and exercising can help keep the Great Shepherd in shape.
Grooming the Coat and Nails
When we talk about grooming, the dog’s coat is the first thing to hit your mind. So how is a Great Shepherd’s coat? It could be similar to that of the Shepherd or Dane. Shepherds can either have long or medium-size fur.
But all in all, they have a double coat. Therefore, its maintenance may need more work, contrary to that of the Dane with a single close coat. You can use a slicker brush or a brush with stiff bristles in the exercise.
It is good that you do this every two to three days to minimize messes around the house. But when it is the season for a coat blow, frequent brushing and combing will help control it. In case you are new to all this, that is when the dog loses so much hair.
And it happens once or twice a year. What about baths? They do not need regular bathing, especially if your dog is healthy. But it also helps to speed up shedding when it is too much. It would be best to watch out for any skin diseases or infections for more appropriate and medicated baths.
Just like humans, both the German Shepherd and Great Dane need to have their nails trimmed from time to time. Is it necessary? Yes, it is. It is not for beauty purposes, but even so, it would be okay. As their nails grow longer, they inhibit the dogs’ movement, with every step feeling torturous and perhaps causing soreness; discomfort.
The inability to move with ease and play freely could make them dull. Secondly, long nails can elongate your dog’s bone structure, which is risky; thirdly, such nails are likely to collect germs from various surfaces.
If you do not do a thorough and regular cleaning, sooner or later, someone will need medical attention from such exposure, which invites all kinds of infections. If you have a crawling baby, that will cause more concerns.
The good news is that you can pay for a groomer to get the job done, should you be unable to keep up with their schedules; every month or on a set regular basis, you can visit a groomer or have one over.
Expense
Owning a dog is quite a cost for some. You have to spend on medical visits and check-ups, which will cost approximately $500 a year. A puppy can cost you an average of $195 to $850. There are also those little but essential expenses, which will go for approximately $550 annually.
Therefore, in a year, the total cost is nothing less than a thousand dollars (inclusive of healthy dog food with the needed nutrients)—it should suffice for the sizeable Great Shepherd, with the need to maintain a muscular body.
There will also be times when the meals may have to change whenever they are not feeling well. In this case, please consider the food that contributes to their recovery; first, visit your vet and get their recommendations.
Living culture
The Great Shepherd will need a spacious house to play and jump around freely without feeling restricted. Therefore, if you have a small apartment, that may not be good for him. He may feel trapped, and many times, he may mess the house due to boredom and lack of space.
His bed should be as comfortable and warm as possible; this is because, after a long day of running around, he will need a place to relax his tired body—it will also help keep him vibrant since their bones and joints are maintained.
Medical care
Just like you and I, the Great Shepherd needs a regular check-up at the vet. Therefore, you have to make an appointment and adhere to it. And luckily for you, this breed tends to be immune to common diseases that affect their mates.
However, over the years, The Great Dane has been prone to hip dysplasia, autoimmune thyroiditis, and cardiac-related diseases. The German Shepherd, on the other hand, tends to suffer from degenerative myelopathy and hip and elbow dysplasia.
Therefore, keep in mind that some of these problems could be genetic. It might be a good idea to find out about the parents’ medical history. There are also cases where both breeds succumbed to gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly known as ‘bloat.’
It is safe to ask your vet for its signs, symptoms, and prevention. A few tips include eating from a bowl on ground-level and going for a short walk after meals. You need to find out if the German Shepherd was vaccinated before your ownership.
You may also want to consider some vital vaccines, which include but are not limited to distemper, rabies, canine hepatitis, and parvovirus. Vaccinating your dog for rabies, for instance, will prevent infections from accidental scratches, which can happen when playing.
There are also vaccines that your dog may need, should he be exposed. They include Bordetella bronchiseptica, Leptospira bacteria, and Borrelia burgdorferi.
Caring for a Pregnant Great Shepherd
It is amazing and unbelievable when it happens. The pregnancy period lasts for approximately two months. But just like human pregnancy, it could happen a little earlier or later than expected. With that, you can watch out for a minimum of 58 days to a maximum of 68 days.
The number will depend on the number of puppies—one, or any number not exceeding fifteen. The more they are, the longer it will take. But how do you know that your Great Shepherd is pregnant? A dog may not show you that it is expectant.
And coming from its nature, the Great Shepherd is likely to tolerate a lot of discomfort and pain. However, there are a few hints that you can watch. The first one is if she seems unsatisfied with the usual amount of food.
You can take her to the vet for an ultrasound to be sure. He may also recommend the kind of food she should start or seize consuming. The focus should be on more nutrition rather than taste. Also, ensure that the quantity is adequate.
Secondly, your dog may start passing urine more often; unfortunately, they can do this at any part of the house, and you shouldn’t blame them—train them. Thirdly, your Great Shepherd is likely to gain weight, with some even having a 50% increase.
It may be weird at first, but you will get used to it. Furthermore, your dog will lose some of that weight after gestation. Once your Great Shepherd is three years old, she cannot reproduce.
Your dog can be your best friend; they need love and care to remain happy and healthy. One of the crucial things every parent should have in their minds and hearts before adopting a dog is the readiness to provide the care they need.
Bottom Line
What do you think about the Great Shepherd? We all have varied preferences, and those will be your guiding light to what works or does not for you. If you are a first-time parent, then you can establish preferences by first learning about these beauties.
If you have had dogs before or still do, then you may be in a better position to distinguish their traits and determine the one that suits you best. Families also have more to think about—children are an integral part of our lives; before introducing a dog, ensure that there will be a good relationship by interacting them in friendly manners and always keeping a close eye.
Once your new guest is comfortable in the new environment, you will have to keep up with its care and general requirements. Grooming Great Shepherds can be hectic; you will need time, and your dog will need some brushing. They do not need regular baths.
It would help if you also prepared for the exercise they will need, training, and their expenses. Summarily, a Great Shepherd is a loyal, obedient, curious, and intelligent dog. If you are looking to get one for your family, it would be good to consider all factors. I hope you find what you are seeking!
