Daniff, Great Dane Mastiff Mix – Full Guide

Daniff dogs are a mixed breed, a combination between Great Danes and Mastiffs. Usually, hybrid dogs are created by breeders in order to obtain dogs with certain characteristics, but often enough they’re simply the product of accidental breeding between dogs of different types.

For that simple reason, you may very well be able to find a Daniff puppy to adopt, so breeders are not your only solution if you want one of these dogs.

Being a hybrid, the Daniff will take some characteristics from both the Mastiff and the Great Dane. The result is a bit unpredictable, so a dog might look more like a Mastiff, but might have the temperament or health issues that are characteristic of the Great Dane.

The fact that they’re mixed doesn’t make them any less intelligent or lovable, so if you have one of these dogs, enjoy them and give them a good home.

This breed of loving giants is also sometimes called Mastidane, English Daniff, and Great Daniff. Males can grow up to 35 inches, while females don’t get bigger than 30 inches tall.

Daniffs usually weigh between 115 and 130lbs (52-60 kg) and have a lifespan between 8 and 12 years. Both the Great Dane and the Mastiff tend to live up to 8-10 years.

Below we’ll cover the Great Dane Mastiff mix, by looking at the things that are characteristic of these dogs. Some things they will have in common, while others are different. By knowing what each dog brings to the table, you will know what to watch for in your own Daniff.

Quick – Pros & Cons of Owning a Daniff

You can get this dog regardless if you’re a single adult or if you have a family with small children. They make excellent family dogs and they often mistake themselves for lap dogs, which is just hilarious.

Daniffs are great watchdogs and they need to live in houses with a lot of space. They live best in larger homes that have a backyard.

You have an extremely low chance of getting a Daniff with anger issues. They’re highly intelligent, protective, and loving. And despite their size, they’re not extremely active dogs.

Pros

• Highly intelligent
• Excellent watchdogs
• Very friendly
• Easy to groom
• Great with kids and other pets

Cons

• Huge size, they need a lot of space and they should be supervised when they’re around children as their huge bodies can knock anything off unintentionally.
• Daniffs need socialization and training early on.

Temperament of a Great Dane & Mastiff Mix

Daniffs come from two lines of pure breeds that are known to be excellent hunters and watchdogs throughout history. This makes this dog be careful with his barks and only get vocal when there’s a threat approaching your home.

These dogs are people pleasers and they love interacting with anyone. They will be a little bit drawn back with strangers until you confirm they’re not a threat.

You should keep in mind that Daniffs need to be introduced to as many new experiences, people, pets, and places as possible from a very young age. This ensures they won’t be overprotective when they get older.

If you shower him with love and attention, your Daniff will return that love thousand times more. They’re loyal, brave, protective, and love cuddling on the couch.

Is a Daniff good with children?

The way you train your Daniff puppy will form his personality when he’s mature. This means that if you socialize him properly, he can be an amazing family pet that loves children.

Despite the fact that Daniffs are very understanding and won’t retaliate when your kid plays too rough, you will need to educate your child about treating a dog properly as soon as possible. The big size of the Daniff might cause an injury when he suddenly gets up and tries to run from your kid.

Behavior towards strangers

Being a watchdog is in a Daniff’s blood regardless of which parents he takes after more. They are excellent protectors and they will always defend their family.

You should start training them as soon as you brought them home as they need to learn to bark at strangers but not bite them.

How a Daniff does with other pets/dogs

Socializing them from a very young age will help them become incredibly friendly with other pets. Even when they have to live with another male, they won’t start a fight over their territory.

Just because you’ve socialized your Daniff as a puppy doesn’t mean that you should stop when he grows up. They need continuous socialization to remain well-behaved and civilized.

Aggressiveness

Despite the fact that their parents’ breeds were trained for hunting for hundreds of years, in the last few decades they’ve only been bred to be family companions. This got rid of up to 90% of their aggressive side.

Temperament wise, the dogs are fairly friendly when it comes to strangers, especially true for the Great Dane, which is a great family dog to have. These dogs are dependant on people so there is no independent streak to worry about if it’s something you don’t want.

They’re also submissive, so obedience training shouldn’t be difficult. They’re very good family dogs and they do well with kids. As for other pets, as long as they were around while the dog was a puppy, they should be OK.

Does a Mastiff and Great Dane mixed dog bark a lot?

The bark of a Daniff is not easy to ignore. They’re incredibly huge dogs and can be heard from miles away. But the best thing about them is that they don’t get fussed over any little thing they see or hear and they don’t bark in response to other dogs.

This means that when a Daniff barks, he tries to warn you about an actual possible threat. They only bark with purpose and they prefer cuddles over fighting with other dogs through the fence.

Appearance and Grooming

Due to the size of these dogs, the average lifespan is not as long as it is for other breeds. While the Mastiff is expected to live a bit over 10 years, the Great Dane usually has a lifespan of less than 10 years.

The Great Dane Mastiff mixed dog is a big pet since both breeds have over 25 inches in height and weight of over 110 pounds. You can expect their offspring to be just as big.

Both breeds have short coats, they shed an average amount and the grooming process is very easy to do, or almost non-existent.

How big does it get?

A male Daniff can get between 30 to 35 inches tall and weigh between 115 and 150lbs. A stranger will most likely get nervous looking at a full-grown Daniff. Their big size means that if you don’t have a spacious house they will continuously knock things down accidentally.

On the other hand, female Daniffs are slightly smaller. They typically grow to be between 23 and 28 inches tall and weigh between 115 and 125lbs. This still makes them very impressive dogs that make great watchdogs and excellent family companions.

Sadly, many people don’t realize what it means having such a big dog living with you and they often discard them in shelters after a few months.

What does a Daniff look like?

A Daniff can end up looking nothing like his parents or be the spitting image of them. You can also end up with a dog that takes more after one parent than the other.

Generally, Daniffs look a lot like Great Danes, except they are rounder and thicker due to the Mastiff parent. They will be muscular, with a very large head, and floppy ears.

It’s also a big chance that your Daniff will have the characteristic folds of the Mastiff face and the jowls as well, but not as deep as a Mastiff’s. A Daniff will also have an agile gait but not as elegant as a Great Dane’s.

Appearance and color

Daniffs are very big and come in a variety of colors. If they take after the Great Dane parent, this includes fawn with a black mask, blue, brindle, black, harlequin, and mantle.

Harlequin Daniffs are while with irregular patches all over their bodies. And the mantle Daniff is black and with a solid black blanket over the body.

But if your Daniff takes a lot after the Mastiff parent, he may be full of black markings all over his body.

When it comes to their eyes, they are always brown and their noses are always black. They will also have some wrinkles

Type of coats for Daniffs

Daniffs have a smooth and short coat, which is typical for both Great Danes and Mastiffs. However, some dogs might have a denser coat than others. But regardless of how much hair he has, your Daniff’s coat will always be straight.

These dogs shed minimally, so you won’t have to deal with a lot of hair-cleaning throughout your home and vehicle. This also means that you will be able to cuddle these loving giants without getting yourself full of hair.

How easy it is to groom?

Since they don’t have an excessive amount of hair and they don’t shed all the time, a good brushing process should be done once a week. You can use a pin brush, a slicker brush, or a comb.

When the shedding season comes, you will have to start brushing your Daniff’s coat up to three times a week. And despite the fact that they have big teeth, they need to be cleaner just as gently and carefully as a small breed’s crowded teeth up to three times a week.

If your dog takes after their Mastiff parent, you should pay attention to their wrinkles as well. You’ll need to use a damp washcloth and gently wipe between the wrinkles every day. It’s also very important not to leave any area full of moisture as it will create the ideal place for bacteria to grow.

Similar to any other dog, your Daniff needs his nail clipped as well, especially if he’s very lazy and doesn’t get to deal with his nails naturally.

Daniff Care Guide – Diet, Exercise & Health Issues

Taking care of a Daniff is much easier than you’d expect taking into consideration his size. You won’t face any difficult problems when it comes to his grooming, diet, or health.

Daniffs love spending lots of time on the couch and are known to be pretty lazy. This doesn’t mean they don’t need their daily exercise. You should always involve him in your outdoor activities to help him maintain a healthy life.

It’s a bad idea to keep your Daniff in your backyard without giving him much attention. They need all the socializing they can get and will quickly get depressed if ignored for long periods of time.

You should have enough space in your home for him to avoid knocking things over all the time. And you need to dedicate a little bit of time to your Daniff every single day, no matter how busy you are.

Diet Tips: What does it eat?

Despite their big size, they only need around 4 cups of food every day. But it’s always recommended to talk with your vet about what exactly and how much you should feed your dog. Generally, the diet should be formulated for a giant breed with medium energy.

Daniffs have a tendency to gain weight so you need to be careful with their food. You can start with high-quality dry food that contains whole-food ingredients. It’s important to stay away from allergens or artificial ingredients.

If you want to add some variety to his diet, you can add some high-quality canned dog food or homemade dog food. To avoid bloating, you should pay attention to the way he eats, and if he eats too fast you should use a slow-feeder or split the food into various meals.

Exercise Requirements: Keeping the dog in shape

Puppies are always very active and they love getting as much attention and exercise as they possibly can. You will have to be fit enough to be able to keep up with them

Adult Daniffs are not as energetic and you need to be careful how far you decide to take them on a walk. When they are too tired they will simply lay down and refuse to move. They’re too big to be carried home so be careful how far the walk is.

Daniffs need regular exercise to remain happy and fit. You can take him with you jogging, hiking, biking, exploring, and much more. They have a medium level of energy.

They should also have various toys that can help them remain mentally stimulated and prevent boredom. Bored dogs tend to chew on house objects and this giant breed can do a lot of damage in just a few hours if left unsupervised and without entertainment.

Common Health Issues

Big breeds tend to take a long time for the bones and joints to properly mature. This means that you shouldn’t let your Daniff run too much or jump before maturity. Their bones are extremely fragile and can result in irreversible injuries.

Like any other hybrid breed, this dog can take on the health problems of his parents. But since they can always take more after one parent than the other, it’s always impossible to predict what health problems they may face.

You should always pay attention to the possibility of developing Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, and Cancer. It’s highly recommended to do various occasional tests. This includes X-Rays, CT Scans, Physical Examination, Blood Work, and Lab Tests.

Training a Daniff

The Daniff’s training process will vary, depending on the side of the gene pool they take after. The Dane is the one that is trainable at a decent pace, but the Mastiff is known for being a bit harder to train.

Both breeds need a certain amount of exercise in their life, especially the Great Dane. A big yard is recommended, especially if it takes after the Dane side of the family, but the Mastiff needs some open space as well.

It doesn’t mean that they will not do well in apartments though. Both dogs will be OK, as long as their owner makes sure they get their daily exercise. Daniffs are known to be as lazy as they are friendly.

Obedience Training

When it comes to training a hybrid breed, its difficulty always depends on which of the parents the dog takes after. In this case, the Great Dane is extremely easy to train, while the Mastiff can be more stubborn. But on a general scale, Daniffs are fairly easy to train.

You need to start training since they are very small and show early on who is the alpha. This will help him learn what is right and what is wrong very quickly. After that, training them will be a piece of cake.

Considering his size, a Daniff is NOT a dog you can afford to have around your children untrained and without a master. Many dog owners overlook training because they have small dogs and the damage done is not that noticeable. But a 150lbs uncontrollable dog can be very dangerous.

Socialization

Socialization is extremely important to Daniffs from the moment you brought them home. This will ensure that they’re not aggressive and overprotective when they’re older.

You should introduce your Daniff to as many new experiences, people, places, and pets as possible. And if you plan on having more than one pet, it’s best to have them around when the Daniff is a puppy so he can get used to them.

It’s also important to teach your Daniff how to control his excitement. Otherwise, you will end up with 150lbs jumping on you and visitors every time someone enters your home. They love attention and cuddles.

Exercise requirements

You can end up with a Daniff with a low-to-medium level of energy, or one that’s a little bit more active. It’s always important to adapt to his needs. They’re impossible to carry once they’re big so be careful about exhausting them.

Between 50 to 90 minutes a day of walking should be enough for any type of adult Daniff. Younger dogs might have more energy. You should walk around 14 miles a week for him to get all the exercising he needs.

Breeding & Puppies

The breeding of two massive breeds such as the Great Dane and a Mastiff needs to be done by professionals. You should make sure the breeder you choose respects and loves his dogs and that he provides all the medical care needed.

Daniff puppies are incredibly adorable and they’re just as active as any other breed of canine. They love hugs, being petted, and as many treats as possible. But you should be careful that the treats are well-deserved and that they don’t cause overeating.

Finding a Great Dane Mastiff Mix – Kennels & Pedigree

The sad fact about Daniffs is that they are often abandoned because of their giant size. Lots of people love the idea of having a giant dog that frightens strangers but most of them don’t realize the space, attention, and work needed to raise one.

Going to a breeder means having all the health details you need. But if you have the resources of dealing with a Daniff with an unknown health background, you might want to consider adopting.

This is a mixed breed so the AKC (American Kennel Club) refuses to recognize it as an official breed.

Daniffs are also not bred between themselves as there can occur a lot of unexpected health problems. Multigenerational breeding is almost always avoided between mixes of two pure breeds.

How much does a mixed Daniff cost?

The price of a Daniff puppy is anywhere between $800 and $1500. This mixed breed is very popular among people that want a reliable and giant watchdog and a very friendly companion.

As mentioned before, you can also find them in shelters where the fees are considerably lower. This allows you to invest more in food, leashes, toys, collars, and more necessities.

History & Origins of the mixed breed

While the Great Dane and the Mastiff have an extremely rich history, the Daniff has a pretty mysterious past. They are slowly getting more and more popular but no one knows where this breed of friendly giants started.

The International Designer Canine Registry only started registering them in 2009. This means that they have been bred intentionally for around 20 years. And while there’s no information about those that started this breed, it’s safe to assume it was in the U.S.A. as most designed dogs are developed here.

Great Danes have been created more than 4 centuries ago and the Mastiff can be found as far as the 15th century. Both pure breeds are known to be loyal friends and amazing guard dogs. We can only expect the same thing from the Daniff.

Daniff Recommended Products

Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food
Custom Embroidered Dog Collar (daily use)
Dog Training Collar (training use)
TaoTronics Retractable Dog Leash, 16 ft & Dog Waste Bags
PetFusion Ultimate Pet Bed & Lounge
Dog Treats - Cow Ears All Natural 12 Pack
2-in-1 Combo Brush
Dog Flea & Tick Treatment (free 1-2 day shipping over $49)

These are products that you could need for your new Daniff, or for other medium to large dogs in general. These are all high quality and recommended by those that bought them in the past.

Conclusion

Daniffs love socializing and hate being ignored for days. This is why they thrive the best in homes with backyards where children are heard shouting and there are countless toys around.

These dogs need training as soon as you get them home and they can become irreplaceable as a family dog. Otherwise, you might end up with a 150lbs dog that doesn’t listen to anyone and can’t be kept with other pets or children.

It’s very important to never neglect your Daniff and give him lots of attention and cuddles. He will surely return all the love and more.