Dogs Similar to Great Danes

While there are dogs that are alike in some ways to Great Danes, certainly these gentle giants are in a class by themselves. Known for their ginormous size, Great Danes have found a place both in people's hearts and in popular culture. Marmaduke of the funny papers is a Great Dane, of course, but fewer people know that beloved ghost-chaser Scooby Doo is also a Great Dane.

  1. Mastiff

    • The Great Dane breed came about by crossing a mastiff with a wolfhound. Mastiffs have been a known breed going back as far as 3000 BC., and they̵7;ve been recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official breed and member of the working group since 1885. They̵7;re similar to the Great Dane in both size and disposition. Like the Great Dane, these large dogs reach a minimum height of 30 inches. They also share the Great Dane ̵7;s gentle temperament.

    Wolfhound

    • The wolfhound is another dog that shares the Great Dane̵7;s ginormous size and sweet nature. These dogs are so sweet that you can̵7;t count on them to be good watch dogs. The dogs are large -- like the Great Dane around 30 inches in height -- so their size alone may be a deterrent to would-be trespassers. Like the Great Dane and the mastiff, this large dog would do best in a setting where there is plenty of room to roam around.

    Working Dogs

    • Great Danes are members of the working dog group, a designation signifying that the animal was originally bred for a practical purpose beyond companionship. Dogs of this group are, like the Great Dane, generally large in weight and stature. Because of their size and also because they were bred to perform duties, they do better in living situations where they have plenty of space and are given regular rigorous exercise. Besides Great Danes, members of the working group include Dobermans, rottweilers, Newfoundlands and mastiffs.

    Great Dane Hybrids

    • In the age of designer dogs, where virtually every type of breed is crossed with a poodle, it should come as no surprise that there are a variety of Great Dane crosses available to dog lovers. Of course, there is no Great Dane and poodle cross, but there is a surprising array of larger breeds that are crossed with Great Danes. Options include the St. Dane, which is a St. Bernard Great Dane cross; the American Bull Dane, which is a cross between a Great Dane and a bull dog; and a Great Labradane, a cross between the Dane and a Labrador. If considering a designer dog, keep in mind that the dog will have a look and temperament that is a cross between a Great Dane and the breed with which it is crossed, and do research accordingly.