The Great Dane mastiff mix is a cross between a Great Dane and an English mastiff. Great Dane mastiff mixes are also commonly referred to as daniffs, mastidanes, and English danniffs.
Great Dane mastiff mixes are large dogs, growing up to 33 inches tall and weighing up to 190 pounds. These mixes are loveable and protective. The breed is expected to live for up to 12 years.
Ideal owners for a Great Dane mastiff are people with a roomy home and backyard, and people who have the time and energy to exercise a large dog. Daniffs are overly suspicious if they aren’t socialized properly, which may lead to aggressive, nervous, or defensive behavior.
Great Dane mastiff mixes typically cost $600–$900.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Great Dane Mastiff Mix Characteristics & Overview
| Common names | Great Dane mastiff mix, daniff, mastidane, English danniff |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Parent breeds | Great Dane and English mastiff |
| Breed group | Hybrid |
| Size | Large |
| Height | 27–33 inches |
| Weight | 115–190 pounds |
| Colors | Black, brindle, fawn, harlequin, mantle, blue |
| Coat | Double coat, short length |
| Life expectancy | 8–12 years |
| Temperament | Protective, calm, friendly, intelligent, nurturing, wary of strangers |
| Shedding | Light/moderate shedders |
| Barking tendency | Minimal, only to alert owners |
| Cost | $500–$900 |
Origin & Purpose
The origin of the Great Dane Mastiff mix is unknown. It’s likely that the Great Dane and the English mastiff were bred to combine some of the dogs’ best qualities, including their calm, protective nature, strength, and intelligence.
Great Dane
The Great Dane descends from German hunting dogs, which can be traced back to the 16th century. The dog breed is one of the largest in the world, growing up to 34 inches tall and weighing up to 200 pounds. The dog has a friendly, affectionate nature, and is great with children if properly trained. The Great Dane’s large size and patient, loving personality are passed onto the daniff.
English Mastiff
The English mastiff is a British dog that’s thought to have descended from ancient dog breeds, including dogs of Roman Britain. This breed grows up to 30 inches tall and weighs up to 230 pounds. English mastiffs are courageous, gentle, and loyal. These personality traits and the English mastiff’s large size are inherited by the daniff.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of the Great Dane Mastiff mix is 8–12 years. Several factors affect the lifespan of the dog, including diet, activity level, health status, and living environment.
Daniff Appearance
The daniff is a large dog with long legs and a muscular build. The dog inherits the physical characteristics of both its parents, with a big head, a long tail, and a short, sleek coat. Most daniffs look like a rounder, thicker version of the Great Danes.
Height and Weight
Great Dane mastiff mixes are considered large dogs, with a height at the withers of 27–33 inches and a weight of 115–190 pounds. Like both its parent dogs, the daniff has a powerful, muscular build. The size and weight of the dog depend on which of its parents it more closely resembles — English mastiffs are shorter but heavier than Great Danes.
Colors
Great Dane mastiff mixes are typically black, brindle, fawn, harlequin, mantle, and blue. The dogs’ colors are similar to the Great Dane’s colors. Some daniffs are solid-color, while others are mottled, combining shades of fawn and brown.
Coat
The Great Dane mastiff mix has a single coat. The coat is short, smooth, and dense, but is prone to shedding, so this breed isn’t suitable for people with allergies.
Head and Face Shape
The daniff’s face combines characteristics of the Great Dane and the English mastiff, with the Great Dane’s long muzzle and powerful jaw, and the English mastiff’s wrinkles and jowls. The breed mix has drop ears, which hang by the side of the dog’s head, resembling both parent breeds.
Great Dane Mastiff Mix Personality and Temperament
The Great Dane mastiff mix inherits the positive and negative personality traits of its parents. This breed mix is playful and energetic at puppy age, and calm, patient, and protective at adult age, making it an ideal family dog. The daniff should be socialized properly from an early age to prevent wariness and defensive behavior.
According to the AKC temperament guide, the Great Dane is spirited, friendly, dependable, and courageous, and the English mastiff is good-natured, docile, and courageous. Both dogs are similar in nature, so these traits are likely to be passed on to the daniff.
Barking
Great Dane mastiff mixes aren’t prone to barking excessively. The dogs are naturally watchful, and bark to alert their owners of potential danger. Daniffs are intelligent, so they can easily be trained to reduce their barking tendencies if necessary.
Daniff Care
Caring for a daniff is moderately difficult. Although the dogs are typically docile, they’re large and heavy and need plenty of food, space, and exercise.
Food Needs
The Great Dane mastiff mix eats about 6 to 10 cups of kibble per day or 2,500 to 3,000 calories. Provide specially-formulated dog food for large breeds with medium energy. Split meals in to at least three portions per day to reduce the risk of bloat (which daniffs are prone to).
Grooming Needs
Daniffs have short fur and only require once- or twice-weekly grooming. The dog’s fur is easy to brush and doesn’t require professional grooming. As well as brushing the fur, brush the daniff’s teeth at least twice a week, clean the dog’s ears as advised by your veterinarian, and trim the dog’s nails every 10 days, or when the nails click on the floor.
Exercise Needs
The Great Dane mastiff mix is a large dog with a lot of energy to burn. Provide 30–60 minutes of daily exercise for your dog, including walks and playtime with a variety of toys. Due to this breed mix’s large size and high energy levels, the mix isn’t suitable for apartment living or living with inactive owners.
Mental Needs
Great Dane mastiff mixes are intelligent dogs that need at least 30 minutes of daily mental stimulation. Provide plenty of toys to stimulate your dog’s brain and occupy its attention throughout the day, which should prevent the dog from becoming bored and destructive. Good toys for a Great Dane mastiff are large fetch balls, chew toys and tug toys, and frisbees.
Common Health Concerns
Daniffs are prone to a number of large dog health concerns that affect the parent breeds. Some of these concerns can be avoided by buying a puppy from a reputable breeder who has screened the parent dogs for common health issues, and some can be avoided by raising the dog responsibly.
Bloat
Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus, occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with food, fluid, or gas, causing the stomach to twist. Symptoms of bloat include a swollen or distended abdomen, restlessness, pacing, distressed behavior, rapid breathing, and retching without vomiting. Bloat is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Reduce the risk of bloat by preventing your dog from overeating, eating too quickly, drinking too much water at once, or exercising after eating.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia occurs when one or both hip joints develop abnormally, causing pain, swelling, and arthritis. Symptoms of hip dysplasia include limping, stiffness, running with both back legs moving together, and difficulty jumping or using stairs. The condition is treated with exercise therapy, weight control (if needed), and anti-inflammatory pain relief.
Great Dane Mastiff Mix Training
Training the Great Dane Mastiff mix is easy. This breed mix is intelligent but easily bored, so early training and socialization are essential to ensuring the daniff grows up friendly, obedient, and well-rounded.
Train your puppy from the age of eight weeks old, beginning with simple commands like “sit” and “stay,” and essential toilet training and leash training. Great Dane mastiff mixes respond well to positive reinforcement, which teaches dogs that positive actions and behaviors are rewarded.
Great Dane Mastiff Mix Price
The Great Dane mastiff mix is a moderately-priced dog. The cost of a daniff depends on whether you buy a puppy from a breeder or adopt a dog from a shelter.
How Much is a Daniff?
A Great Dane mastiff mix typically costs $500 to $900. The price of the dog varies depending on factors including:
- Whether you buy a dog or a puppy: Puppies are around $400 more expensive than dogs
- Whether you adopt or buy a dog: Adoption fees are usually $50–$200, much cheaper than the cost of buying a dog from a breeder
- The breeder’s reputation: Reputable breeders often have higher prices than other breeders
How Much Does it Cost to Own a Great Dane Mastiff Mix?
The monthly cost of owning a Great Dane mastiff mix is about $120. Food is the biggest cost of owning this breed mix. Other costs to account for are new toys, grooming and walking supplies, healthcare, and optional costs, like professional dog sitting, training, or dog walking.
Is a Daniff Right for You?
The daniff is a friendly, laid-back dog, but it isn’t suitable for some people or lifestyles.
Great Dane Mastiff Mixes are Suitable for:
Great Dane mastiff mixes are loving, nurturing dogs with a protective instinct, so they’re great pets for families with children. The dogs are large and take up a lot of space, so they’re best suited to roomy homes with secure backyards. Daniffs are suitable for experienced dog owners who have the time and patience to train and raise a large dog breed.
Great Dane Mastiff Mixes are NOT Suitable for:
Great Dane mastiff mixes are big dogs that need to be properly trained and socialized to prevent defensive and aggressive behavior, so they’re not suitable for people who aren’t prepared for the responsibility of training a dog. Due to their large size and moderate exercise needs, daniffs aren’t good pets for inactive people or people living in small homes or apartments. Great Dane mastiff mixes have big appetites, so they’re not ideal for people who can’t afford to spend a lot of money on quality dog food.
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