The Great Dane Husky mix, otherwise known as the “Danesky” is a curious mix of two larger dogs that produces a large, athletic and agile dog that’s great with kids and is a real ‘gentle giant’. One of the rarer breeds of mixed-breed dogs, owning a Great Dane Husky mix is a real commitment to yourself and the dog.
Photo credit: inka_n_lincoln
Great Dane Husky Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 60–90 pounds |
| Height: | 21–35 inches tall |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Coat Colours: | Harlequin, fawn, merle, brindle and brown. |
| Temperament: | Affectionate, energetic, loyal, loving. |
| Suitable for: | Families with children, single individuals, couples. |
What Does a Great Dane Husky Mix Look Like?
The Great Danesky will borrow a healthy amount of its looks from either parent breed. You should expect your Great Daneksy to have a long head, with a chiseled jawline. They may either have brown or blue eyes, depending on their genes. Their ears will likely fold forward, and you can expect them to have a dark-colored nose. Their bodies will be large and muscular, like the Great Dane.
Photo: @stormy_husky_greatdanemix
Don’t expect a double-coat with this mix, but their coats may be either longer or short, depending on the dominant gene.
The History of the Great Dane Husky Mix
As with most designer dogs, the history of the Great Dane Husky mix is hard to come by through our research. However, it’s not difficult to see why people would want to cross these two beautiful breeds together. The strength and power of the Great Dane, along with its physical acumen, combined with the beauty and endurance of the Husky make a formidable dog!.
Great Dane History
The Great Dane began its life in Germany around 400 years ago – descendants of German mastiff-type dogs – they began life as companions of German nobility and were used as working dogs and guardians of their estates and carriages that would ferry the nobility around. Their large, intimidating size made them perfect for such tasks.
Today, they’re loyal, loving and large family pets.
How Popular Are Great Danes?
The Great Dane was first recognized as a breed in the United States by the American Kennel Club in 1887, after being brought over by English newcomers to the country. The Dane’s current popularity remains strong in the country, as it finished 17th in the most-popular rankings of 2021.
Who Are Great Danes a Good Dog For?
Given their large size, Great Danes take up a great deal of space. Therefore, they’re best suited as family pets, for people with plenty of space in their homes for such a large animal. Their overall size makes them great for couples without children – as they can be clumsy – though loving, they may bump into your kids!
They’re size is likely prohibitive for the elderly and people who live in smaller spaces.
How Did Great Danes Come About?
The Great Dane was bred from German Mastiff-type dogs by German nobility in the mid-17th century. The breed was originally used as guardian dogs for nobility estates and carriages.
When Did First Cross-Breed Great Danes?
The exact cross-breeding history of the Great Dane is somewhat spotty, due to the lack of adequate record keeping among those who do crossbreed dogs. However, we can tell you that crossbreeding of a Great Dane isn’t a particularly popular practice due to their very large size.
Husky History
The Siberian Husky hails from… you guessed it – Siberia! Huskies were bred on the Chukchi Peninsula, by the Chukchi People of Siberia and began life as sled-dogs, used to transport people and supplies across the barren wintry tundra of Eastern Russia.
They were then transported to Nome, Alaska in 1908 to serve as working sled-dogs there, too. Huskies were also used in transporting people to the Yukon from Alaska during the Gold Rush and to transport vital medicine and supplies in the Alaskan wilderness. They are also used today in sled-dog races like the Iditarod.
How Popular Are Huskies?
Within the United States, mostly owing to their natural beauty and overall great temperament and friendliness with humans and other dogs. The Siberian Husky ranked 19th overall in the AKC’s 2021 most-popular dog listing.
Who Are Huskies A Good Dog For?
In general, Huskies are great dogs for just about anyone – with or without a family, single individuals, couples and to some extent the elderly. Though anyone elderly looking to adopt a husky should beware of their capacity to run and their strength!
How Did Huskies Come About?
Huskies were originally bred in Siberia in the 19th century to aid the Chukchi people, who live on the Chukchi Peninsula, with transporting goods and people across large distances. They have maintained this sled-dog discipline for a century or more and are still used as sled dogs today.
When Did First Cross-Breed Huskies?
Due to their gorgeous natural appearance, Huskies are a commonly mixed dog, though the precise history of when this began is hard to come by. Some of the most common Husky mixes are with the Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd and the Labrador Retriever.
What is the Temperament of the Great Dane Husky Mix?
The overall temperament of a Great Dane Husky mix tends to be one of a gentle giant. They are loving and affectionate, though also guarded and sometimes reserved around strangers. Though not aggressive, they do have a strong prey instinct. Sometimes, Huskies suffer from separation anxiety. This is something that can be trained with time and effort.
Are Great Dane Husky Mixes Friendly?
Yes, in general, Great Danesky’s are very friendly dogs, though may initially be aloof around strangers.
Are Great Dane Husky Mixes Easy to Train?
Yes, both parent breeds have long histories of being well-trained animals. You should expect a mix of their breeds to be equally receptive to training.
How Much Can Great Dane Husky Mixes Weigh?
These dogs can reach quite a hefty weight of between 60 and 90 pounds.
How Tall Can Great Dane Husky Mixes Get?
The Great Dane Husky mix will typically reach a height of between 21 and 35 inches tall.
Similar Sized Breeds
Given that the Great Dane is really in a class of its own when it comes to sizing, the only other similar-sized breeds are those that are crossed with a Great Dane. These include the Labradane, the Great Shepherd (Australian Shepherd/Great Dane), Great Pyredane (Great Pyrenees/Great Dane), Irish Dane (Irish Wolfhound/Great Dane), and the Daniff (Great Dane/English Mastiff).
Does a Great Dane Husky Mix Shed?
Both of these dogs are known to be moderate to heavy shedders, so you can anticipate that your Great Danesky will be as well. While they may not inherit the double-coat of the Husky, they’ll still shed a whole bunch!
You should brush your Great Danesky at least once per week.
How Much Exercise Does a Great Dane Husky Mix Need?
Given that both of the parent breeds are no stranger to exercise, prepare yourself for the same to be true of the Great Dane Husky mix! At least 45 minutes of walking each day, paired with off-leash time at a local dog park, where your Great Danesky can run free, is one of the best exercise routines for such a large dog.
How Long Does a Great Dane Husky Mix Live?
The lifespan of the Great Dane is between 8-10 years, while the Husky is between 12-15 years.
Therefore we can assume the life expectancy of the Great Dane Husky Mix is anywhere between 12-15 years.
Like with any dog, there are a number of factors that will determine the number of years your specific Great Dane Husky mix lives like diet and exercise.
What Health Conditions Could the Great Dane Husky Mix Have?
How Can You Find a Great Dane Husky Mix For Sale?
While we recommend that you begin your journey to owning a Great Daneksy by first looking into adoption options – check out your local animal shelter, or your local vets first.
An alternative source for adoptions is https://www.petfinder.com/, where you can search your area for your desired breed!
How Much Does a Great Dane Husky Mix Cost?
If you’ve gone down the route of adoption and it hasn’t panned out, It is possible to find a Great Danesky pup for sale, though you can expect to pay between $800 and $1000 USD.
Make sure you’re buying from a reputable breeder and follow the AKC’s advice on reputable breeders.
Is the Great Dane Husky Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’ve been looking for an active, loyal and loving companion for a while – if you have the space and time and energy to devote to such a large dog – then the Great Dane Husky mix may well be the right dog for you to have in your life! Be sure to buy from a reputable breeder, or adopt from a reputable shelter.