Great Danoodle Dog Breed Facts & Information

By Heather Logue

This Great Dane and Poodle hybrid—the Great Danoodle—is truly the “Gentle Giant” of the doodle family, with a warm, affectionate nature that endears them to everyone they encounter. Large in stature (and heart), this mix has plenty of personality and smarts to make them an ideal addition to any family—and they even get along with children and other pups!

Is a Great Danoodle the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile. We consulted certified professional dog trainer and The Dog People panelist Nicole Ellis, who has long worked with Doodle breeds, breeders, and owners, for the essential facts about Great Danoodles.

Breed Characteristics

Key

Low
Medium
High

Origin: Europe
Size:
Weight: 90-110 pounds
Lifespan: 6 to 10 years
Breed group: Mixed
Activity level:
Barking/howling level:
Good with dogs: yes
Good with kids: yes
Good with cats:
Shedding:
Easy to groom:
Easy to train:
Protective:

Great Danoodle Appearance

It shouldn’t be a shock that this is an extra large breed considering who the parent breeds are. These pups can get up to 110 pounds and generally range between 22 and 27 inches tall, which gives them an elegant and stately appeal. The Great Danoodle tends to look like a large poodle, thought some of the facial features gravitate toward those soulful Great Dane good looks.

Their coats tends to be dense and wavy—though the exact texture and length of the hair will vary depending on each particular pup. The coat’s hue also comes in a variety of color combinations, with black, white, blue, gray, red, beige, silver, apricot and cream being the most popular. You might even come across some Great Danoodles sporting harlequin and brindle patterns with black markings.

Great Danoodle Personality

We’re serious when we call this breed a true “Gentle Giant”. The Great Danoodle has all of the wonderful traits of a Great Dane and poodle wrapped into one giant, elegant, gregarious package – making them a wonderful addition to any family. This breed is generally loving and affectionate with family, and also extremely intelligent and obedient. They usually have a calm, chill nature, and adore getting praise and attention from their loved ones (who they are unflinchingly loyal to).

Great Danoodles are wonderful with children and with other dogs, though you may want to watch them around cats since they do have a tendancy to chase small animals. And though they are a fairly relaxed and low-energy breed overall, they do have a loud bark that is great for deterring danger, making them excellent guard dogs due to their size and vocal talents.

Ideal Environment for a Great Danoodle

The ideal environment for this large dog is somewhere with a lot of room (well, of course!). They’ll do best when they have some space to stretch out in, so a house with plenty of room and a big backyard would be ideal—though a nearby park or outdoor space would also work.

Additionally, this breed truly thrives in a family environment where many folks are available to give them attention, since these social dogs love to be around their people. People-pleasing and affectionate, this breed just wants a supportive and loving environment, and a place where they aren’t left alone too often.

Ideal Human for Great Danoodle

Since we’ve discussed how much this breed craves human interaction and affection, it’s no wonder that their ideal person would be someone who is able to give them the most important thing…their time. A Great Danoodle’s person should have plenty of time and space in their lives (and homes!) to shower this pup with attention, games and activities that encourage mental stimulation, physical exercise to keep them healthy, and cuddles.

The Most Popular Great Danoodle Names of 2020

Great Danoodle Dog Training

Because they’re such an intelligent, eager-to-please mix, Great Danoodles are a cinch to train. They’re super quick learners and love challenging activities that’ll hold their interest and mentally stimulate them.

Since they’re a large breed it’s important to teach them, from a young age, how to heel, how to follow basic commands, and how to use proper leash manners when going for walks. It’s also very important to socialize this breed early on by introducing them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be.

Even though they’re huge, they don’t need an excessive amount of exercise, however you should be sure to walk them regularly and give them plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs.

Great Danoodle Grooming

With their lovely thick, wavy locks, these pups shed a moderate amount, but not enough to make your house a total hair-filled mess. They’re also easy to groom—just make sure to brush them a few times a week to keep any uncomfortable tangles at bay.

You can also take them in to see a professional every few months to give their fur a trim, check on their nails and ears, and make sure everything else is in tip-top shape. You’ll only need to bathe them every month or so (or when they’re particularly dirty), but it’s important to clean their teeth daily to keep up on their oral health.

Great Danoodle Dog Breed Health

Though generally very healthy, Great Danoodles do have a few health issues that can emerge, including bloat, hip dysplasia, and dilated cardiomyopathy. It’s also important to not overdo the exercise when they’re younger and growing, as that can leave to joint issues when they get older. However, using a reputable breeder (if you’re using a breeder), can help cut down the possibility of your dog having these issues. Some dog owners opt for pet health insurance, just in case.

Great Danoodles generally live from 6 to 10 years since they’re such large dogs, but providing your dog with proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet will help improve their chances of a long and happy life.

Great Danoodle History

Poodles and Great Danes have likely been bred together since the early 1900’s, which makes them one of the more stable doodle mixes around. Their history is mostly in European countries, but they do continue to gain popularity in the United States, although they still aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Getting a Great Danoodle

Great Danoodle Breeders

It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other, and this is especially important when choosing a crossbred dog, since you can see just what size the parents are. A good, trustworthy breeder (like this one, or this one) have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter.

Since Great Danoodles aren’t officially recognized by the AKC, you’d need to start your search for a reputable breeder elsewhere, and luckily, due to the popularity of these dogs, they shouldn’t be too tricky to track down. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.

Adopting a Great Danoodle

Great Danoodles may find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health.

A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search.

A Great Danoodle can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.

More on Great Danoodle

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