Great Dane Dalmatian Mix: Info, Pictures, Care Guide & Traits

The Great Dane Dalmatian Mix is a mix of the gigantic Great Dane and the spotty Dalmatian. The resulting dogs tend to be a huge spotted dog that is affectionate with family, gentle, and doesn’t require as much exercise as most people think when they see huge dogs. The resulting Great Dal, as it is sometimes known, will tend to look like a giant Dalmatian although it may take on the Great Dane’s more jowly appearance.

You can’t be entirely sure of what you will get with a mixed breed, and you could get a dog that is more like either parent breed or that falls somewhere between. This is especially true of the Great Dane Dalmatian Mix because it remains a fairly uncommon cross.

Breed Overview

While the Dalmatian is considered a moderately large breed, the Great Dane is the largest dog breed in the world. Little is known of the history of this hybrid, but the breeders likely wanted a dog that had the distinctive markings of the Dalmatian combined with the massive size of the Great Dane. And, generally, that is what owners will get. Because the mix isn’t that popular, most Great Dals are born as a result of accidental or unintentional breeding.

Great Dane Dalmatian Mix Characteristics

Great Dane Dalmatian Mix Puppies

The Great Dane Dalmatian Mix is a hybrid and not an officially recognized breed. While some hybrids, like the Cockapoo, have become very popular and can cost as much as and be as easy to find as some of the more popular purebred dogs, the Great Dane Dalmatian Mix is still an uncommon breed that has not yet gained popularity. This means that it can be difficult to find the Great Dane Dalmatian Mix and the mix usually occurs as a result of unintentional breeding.

If you can find one, the lack of popularity does mean that the puppies won’t be too expensive, with prices usually ranging from around $500 to $1,000. The size of the dog means that some owners may surrender these dogs when they become adults and the owner realizes exactly how much dog there is! In this case, you may be able to find one in a rescue or shelter where prices vary according to the location but are usually between $250 and $500.

The puppies will be large, at least compared to most other breeds. While they will be lively because they are young, they won’t be quite as nippy and agile as breeds like Collies and Retrievers. It is important that you start training and socializing any dog when they are still young, but this is especially important with large breeds like these.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Great Dane Dalmatian Mix

Because the dog is an uncommon breed, not much is known about the specific mix. However, we can look at the parent breeds to determine likely characteristics and traits. While little is known about the cross, we know plenty about the Great Dane and Dalmatian breeds.

Both parent breeds are intelligent, with the Great Dane considered moderately intelligent and the Dalmatian very intelligent. The Great Dane tends to be easier to train than the Dalmatian, however, and it is a very gentle breed, despite its size. The size of this dog means that it will benefit from living in a house with a yard so that it has ample opportunity to stretch its legs and move around freely. It will struggle to get around a small apartment.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Great Dane Dalmatian Mix will grow to be a large dog, and it could become a monster of a companion. While it will usually be a very gentle dog that has an understanding of its size and knows to be gentle, especially around children, accidents can still happen, and it can cause injury if a 150-pound Great Dal accidentally stands on a young child. For this reason, the mix is best with families that have older children.

One can be suitable for senior owners, but it will need to be well-trained and will need to learn boundaries, so it doesn’t try sitting on laps.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Dalmatians and especially Great Danes tend to get along well with other dogs, although introductions should always be made carefully. Neither breed has an especially high prey drive, so the mix should be able to get along with and live close to cats, too.

Again, though, size is a consideration here because cats are easily injured by massive paws. Try to introduce the dog and cats when they are all young as this will help ensure a close relationship and prevent any problems. Where this isn’t possible, take introductions gradually and give the cat its own space to get out of the way and enjoy some peace.

Things to Know When Owning a Great Dane Dalmatian Mix:

The Great Dane Dalmatian Mix will be a big dog. A fully grown adult can weigh between 100 and nearly 200 pounds and stand up to 32 inches tall. It will usually have a short coat because both parent breeds share this feature, and while it will be closer in size to the Great Dane, it will normally adopt the spotted coat of the Dalmatian. It is important to remember that every mix can be a little different, though, so there is no guarantee that you will get a giant spotted dog.

Food & Diet Requirements

This is a big dog with a big appetite. If you feed dry food, you will need to feed between 3 and 3.5 cups of kibble a day. If you feed canned or wet food, you will need to weigh your dog and then feed it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. It can be difficult to weigh a dog of this size yourself. With smaller animals, you can weigh yourself and then weigh yourself and your dog, with the difference being the dog’s weight. However, with a Great Dane Dalmatian Mix, your best option is likely to be to have the dog weighed at the vet's. Some groomers may also have scales that they can use to weigh the dog.

Exercise 🐕

The two parent breeds have somewhat different exercise requirements. The Dalmatian, although smaller, has high energy levels and needs plenty of exercise. While the Great Dane enjoys a good walk, it doesn’t need excessively long walks or particularly intense exercise. Because the Great Dane Dalmatian Mix gets its physical size and characteristics from the Great Dane, it won’t need excessive exercise, but if it gets the Dalmatian’s playfulness, you might have your hands full.

Training 🎾

Both parents are intelligent and while the Dalmatian can be a little tricky to train, the Great Dane is considered easier. Whether your mix is easy or more challenging to train will depend on which parent breed it takes after, but training should be considered important.

You will want to train your dog to display good manners, therefore preventing it from jumping up to greet people and ensuring that it walks sensibly on a leash, doesn’t push past you at doors, and doesn’t jump on visitors’ laps. Socialization is an important part of the development of your dog. It helps ensure that the dog will get along with other people, including strangers, as well as other dogs and animals. Socialization should start as soon as possible and continue throughout the dog’s life.

Grooming ✂️

Both parents are easy to groom because they have short hair. You should brush once or twice weekly but you won’t need to trim their hair. The Great Dane does tend to drool, which can mean some cleanup, and may also leave a mess around the face that needs cleaning. You should brush the dog’s teeth at least three times a week and ensure that their nails are kept short. Nails will usually need trimming every 2 or 3 months.

Health & Conditions 🏥

Mix breeds do not have the same chance of developing hereditary conditions as purebred dogs, but there are certain conditions that giant breeds are prone to, as well as some other conditions that might be an issue for a Great Dane Dalmatian Mix.

Male vs Female

The male Great Dane Dalmatian Mix will usually grow taller and heavier than the female, tipping the scales closer to the 190-pound maximum. With that said, the female is still going to be a very large dog.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Great Dane Dalmatian Mix

1. Great Danes Are the Tallest Dogs in the World

There are many ways to measure the size of a dog and when the Great Dane is described as being the biggest dog breed in the world, this refers to its height rather than its weight. The Great Dane can grow to 32 inches at the shoulder. And while it isn’t the heaviest breed in the world, it can still weigh as much as 180 pounds or more, so it is certainly no lap dog. Your Great Dalmatian Mix is likely to weigh a little less because of the Dalmatian genes, but this isn’t always the case, and you should be prepared for a giant of a pet.

2. Dalmatians Are Born Without Spots

Dalmatians are best known for their spots. They have white coats with black spots on their bodies and faces. However, they are born completely white and with no spots whatsoever. The spots only develop as the dog's age, which means that you won’t know how many spots or their placement until your dog gets a little older.

3. Training & Socialization Are Very Important

Great Danes tend to be gentle and friendly dogs, but their size means that they need to learn good manners. You don’t want a 180-pound dog jumping up at everybody it meets, and you need to be sure that it understands the command to get down off your lap because you will struggle to physically encourage it off. Training and socialization of this breed need to start as soon as you get the puppy home.

Final Thoughts

The Great Dane Dalmatian Mix is a hybrid breed that combines the massive Great Dane and the spotted Dalmatian breeds. The mix is a giant breed. It is intelligent and can be easy to train, and early socialization and training are important. Minimal grooming of the breed is required, and while the Great Dane doesn’t need intense exercise, the size means that the mix will need regular walks.

Although the Great Dane Dalmatian Mix is likely very good with children, accidents can happen and injuries may ensue so the dog, which is not recommended for novice owners, is not recommended for families with very small children, either.

See also:

• Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

• Jackmatian (Dalmatian Jack Russell Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

Featured Image Credit: Kharzey, Shutterstock