What do you get when you mix a great dane with a Siberian husky?
You get a gentle giant, with a lovable personality and lots of energy. While the parent breeds are very different at first glance, they do have some surprising similarities.
Like any mixed breed, there’s an element of unpredictability with these pooches. However, they are considered to have some of the best traits of both breeds.
Quick Profile
Before we get into the details of the great dane husky mix, let’s take a look at some basic facts.
If you think this might be the right pooch for you, be sure to keep reading below to learn more.
- Other Names: Great Danesky, Husky great dane, Great dane husky
- Average Lifespan: 7-10 years
- Average Height: 24-28 inches
- Average Weight: 60-90 pounds
- Coat appearance: Dense, short to medium, white, fawn, brindle, merle, blue, brown, black, harlequin
- Eye Colour: Brown, blue, bi-color
- Activity Level: Moderate
- Grooming Frequency: one to 3 times a week, daily if shedding
- Typical Temperament: gentle, energetic, loyal, friendly, stubborn
- Daily Food Consumption: 3 to 4 1/2 cups daily
- New Owner Friendly: Moderately, can be stubborn, generally easier to train than huskies
- Suitable to live with children? Yes
- Suitable to live with other dogs? Yes
- Suitable to live with cats? Yes if socialized early
Want to see a full comparison of these two breeds instead? Click here for our rundown on the Siberian Husky vs Great Dane.
Appearance
The great dane husky mix can take after either parent, with characteristics of both.
This means that there’s quite a bit of unpredictability when it comes to their appearance. In fact, even puppies from the same litter can look very different.
To get a better idea of what the great dane husky will look like, let’s take a closer look at the parent breeds.
Husky Appearance
Huskies are originally from Siberia. They are slightly longer than they are tall, and have long, bushy tails.
They were bred to pull sleds. Because of this, they have a thick, double coat.
When it comes to coat colors, there are a wide variety of possibilities.
Husky colors include:
- White
- Gray
- Black
- Tan
- Sable (red with black-tipped hairs)
- Agouti (gray or wolf sable)
- Tan
Most huskies are bi-colored, which means there are two colors on their coat, or tri-color, which gives them three coat colors. They can also be solid colored, although this is rare.
They have triangle-shaped ears and an elongated head. They have a medium-length muzzle, and expressive eyes.
Their body shape is lean and graceful. This can be observed despite their fluffy coat.
Great Dane Appearance
Great danes are majestic dogs. They have lean muscular bodies, and are a large or giant breed. They have a large head, with a flat top.
They sport a long neck and droopy ears. They have long bodies and long straight legs. Their tail is medium in length, and narrows towards the tip.
Great dane coat colors include:
- Black
- Blue
- Fawn
- Brindle (yellow with black stripes)
- Harlequin (white with black spots)
- Mantle (Black with white areas)
- Merle (spotted, gray base)
Average Size
You can expect a great dane husky mix to be larger than a husky, but smaller than the average great dane. The size can vary significantly, based on the genes they inherit from each parent.
However, they will typically be 24-28 inches tall, and weigh 60-120 pounds. Females will be a bit smaller than males.
Huskies reach 20-24 inches tall and weigh 35 to 60 pounds. Great danes are much larger. They grow to 32 inches tall, and weigh 110 to 175 pounds, according to the AKC.
Coat Appearance
Because the parent breeds have such different coats, it’s impossible to know for sure what coat your pooch will inherit.
Most great dane huskies will inherit the great dane coat, which is short, flat, and sleek. It’s possible for them to inherit the fluffy coat of a husky as well, but it will be shorter than a purebred husky.
When it comes to coat color, they can be white, gray, fawn, blue, brown or black. They can also inherit a harlequin, brindle, or merle coat pattern. Thanks to their husky parent, they can also be bi-color.
Physical Features
Like the coat, a great dane husky can have a stronger resemblance to either parent, with some features of each parent.
Most seem to look more like a great dane, with a strong, powerful body, and droopy ears. Their head shape is a cross between the two, slightly elongated with a long muzzle.
Some will resemble a husky and will have a broader head, along with a husky coat. They typically have a smooth long tail, similar to the great dane.
Both parent breeds can have blue eyes, so these pooches have a good chance of blue eyes as well. They can also inherit heterochromia, which means they have one eye that is each color, from their husky parent.
Grooming Guide
How to groom your husky great dane will depend on the type of coat they inherit.
The good news is, they are typically easier to groom than huskies.
Grooming Tools
- Bristle brush (for a great dane-type coat)
- Pin brush (for a husky-type coat)
- Undercoat rake (husky-type coat)
- De-shedding tool (all coats)
- Dog shampoo
- Nail clippers
Grooming A Great Dane Husky Coat
How you groom a great dane husky coat will obviously vary a bit, based on the coat they inherit.
If they have a great dane type coat, you’ll need to use a bristle brush about once a week. When they are shedding, use a de-shedding tool, and a bristle brush, at least every other day.
If they have a husky type coat, you’ll need to brush them daily. Use a pin brush to remove tangles. You’ll need an undercoat rake to maintain their undercoat if they have one.
You’ll also need a de-shedding tool. When they are shedding, use the de-shedding tool and brush them daily.
Bathing Your Great Dane Husky
Neither parent breed requires frequent bathing.
These pooches don’t produce a lot of oil, so they don’t develop a doggie smell. You’ll need to bathe them once every 1 to 3 months.
It’s best to use a shampoo designed for sensitive skin, as this breed is prone to dry skin. Avoid getting water in their ears when bathing them.
Nail Clippers
You’ll need nail clippers designed for large breeds to maintain your pooch’s nails.
Huskies don’t typically require nail trimming, but great danes do. Expect to clip their nails every 2 to 6 weeks, when the nails are nearly touching the ground.
Scissor-type clippers or a nail grinder are the best choices. Avoid guillotine-type clippers, because these put too much pressure on the nail.
Temperament
These pooches are extremely loyal and affectionate.
The great dane is calm and happy to lounge around the house, or in your lap. The husky is higher energy, so these two traits can balance each other out.
You’ll have a pooch that loves to play and enjoys exercise, but shouldn’t be too much of a handful in terms of energy levels.
When it comes to training, the great dane is easy to train. They have a high desire to please their owners.
However, when you do trigger their stubborn streak, you have a real challenge.
Huskies are not as motivated to please their owners, and are motivated by treats and positive rewards instead.
They do have an independent streak, and are difficult to train, particularly for new owners.
Your pooch may inherit any combination of these traits. You can expect them to be easier to train than a husky. However, you’ll need to establish yourself as the alpha early on.
These dogs are great with children. They seem to sense their large size and act very gentle, especially with little ones. They are patient and tolerant. They love to play as well, which makes them great pooches for children.
They tend to get along well with other dogs, and can get along with cats or other small animals. However, you should socialize them well as puppies to avoid any issues.
They may inherit the guard dog instincts of the great dane. However, both parent breeds are relatively friendly with people, including strangers.
Health
Mixed-breed dogs are often considered healthier than their purebred counterparts, but they are still prone to some health problems, particularly those common in their parent breeds.
The great dane husky is considered relatively healthy, but there are some conditions you should be aware of.
Bloat
Bloat can occur in any breed, but it’s particularly common in great danes and a few other large breeds. Bloat, also known as gastric dilation vulvitis, or GDV, is a life-threatening condition.
It occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food or fluid. This results in excess pressure in the stomach. If not treated, this pressure can cause the stomach to twist, which is often fatal.
Immediate veterinary care is essential if your pooch develops bloat. It can be fatal within hours of the symptoms beginning.
Bloat causes stomach swelling or bloating, severe stomach pain, retching or gagging without productive vomiting, and drooling.
You can reduce the risk of bloat by feeding your pooch a few smaller meals each day, rather than one larger meal. If they are a fast eater, get a slow feeder bowl. You should also avoid exercising them for at least 30 minutes after a meal.
Joint problems
Joint problems are very common in great danes because they are so large. Huskies can develop joint issues as well, particularly as they age.
Hip and elbow dysplasia occurs when the hip or elbow joint doesn’t form correctly. This allows the joint to slip out of place easily. Hip or elbow dysplasia can cause pain, particularly with movement, limited range of motion, and limping.
Arthritis is another concern for these pooches. Arthritis causes inflammation or swelling of the joints, which leads to pain and stiffness. Pain may be worse in the morning.
Like hip dysplasia, you may notice your pooch limping, struggling to move in certain ways, or avoiding movement.
Eye disorders
Great dane husky mixes are also prone to a few eye conditions. Huskies are prone to PRA, or progressive retinal atrophy. This causes the eyes to stop functioning completely, and there is currently no effective treatment for it.
Corneal dystrophy is another concern for these pooches. This causes cloudiness to form in the cornea and affects both eyes.
They can also develop cataracts, which cause a film to form over the eye. This affects their vision and is common in older dogs.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a concern for great danes, and can also affect great dane husky mixes. It causes the heart chambers to thin and stretch, which causes the heart to become larger.
As the heart gets larger, it becomes harder for it to pump blood to the body. Symptoms of the disorder include difficulty breathing, unexplained weight loss, lethargy, coughing, and collapse.
Allergies
Both parent breeds are prone to allergies, particularly skin and food allergies. Skin allergies are often triggered by environmental allergens, which include grass, mold, pollen, and dust.
The symptoms of skin allergies include itching, frequent scratching, hair loss, and skin lesions.
Food allergies include beef, chicken, eggs, wheat, dairy, soy, and corn. These can also trigger skin allergy symptoms. They may also cause stomach upset, runny nose and respiratory issues.
Exercise Needs
Exercise is essential for these pooches, but they need much less than a purebred husky, which makes them a good choice for less active families.
Great danes younger than 18 months old should have 15-30 minutes of low-intensity exercise each day. Because their bodies grow so rapidly, they are fragile as puppies and young adult dogs.
An adult great dane can exercise for 20-40 minutes daily.
Huskies are very active and require 2 hours of exercise each day.
Your great dane husky will need around 1 hour of exercise each day. They may need as little as 45 minutes of activity or as much as 1 1/2 hours.
You should use caution when they are young. They may inherit some fragility from their great dane parent, so avoid high-intensity exercise, particularly during growth spurts.
In Summary
A great dane husky mix makes a great pet for families. They are very loyal, patient, and gentle. They are a large breed, so you’ll need to be sure you have enough space, both indoors and out, for them.
They are less active than huskies and inherit the great danes relaxed attitude. They may make good guard dogs, particularly if trained as puppies.
