The Great Dane Catahoula mix is a large dog breed, usually with a beautiful speckled coat.
This mixed breed makes a great watchdog with a sense of duty, but the pooch can still be very affectionate.
That said, owners need to take the time to exercise and train the Great Dane Catahoula mix. There are also some potential health concerns to keep in mind.
Great Dane Catahoula Mix’s Temperament and Personality
Great Danes and Catahoulas have traits that mesh well together, and this reflects well on the mixed pups’ temperament.
Good With People
Whether your pup looks more like a Great Dane or a Catahoula, one thing’s for sure: he’ll love his family!
While a Great Dane Catahoula Mix will take his job seriously, he’ll also know when to have fun.
Even if he weighs over 100 pounds, the big guy might act like a lapdog. That’s why playtime can get quite rowdy.
So, families with small children may want to wait a while before getting the Great Dane Catahoula mix.
Intelligent and Trainable
Catahoula dogs are good at hunting and herding and have been so for ages. Meanwhile, the Great Danes are always eager to please their human friends.
Together, these characteristics make the mixed dogs intelligent and willing to learn. So, you can train them in a short amount of time.
However, you’ll still want to start as early as you can. After all, they might try to become pack leaders, which only makes it harder for you to control them.
All in all, the Great Dane Catahoula mix can serve as a watchdog with his intimidating size and loud barks. Because of his loyalty to the family, the pooch also wouldn’t hesitate to come to the rescue.
Varies in Energy Levels
Great Dane Catahoula mixes can vary in energy level.
For one, Catahoulas are much more active and want to fulfill their hunting instincts.
Without plenty of exercise time, pups that are more similar to their Catahoula parent can become destructive inside the home.
On the other hand, Great Danes don’t usually have the same drive to work.
If your dog is more similar to a Great Dane, he may be easygoing. You’ll still need to provide ample exercise, though.
Gets Bored and Lonely Quickly
The Great Dane Catahoula dog might feel more comfortable when he can get attention any time he wants.
If you leave him alone for long periods, he could suffer from separation anxiety. As a result, he may end up exhibiting destructive behavior, such as chewing furniture or barking a lot.
So, if you ever need to leave your mixed pup for several hours, it’s best to have a dog walker check in on him. If you’ll only be gone for a while, you can just keep him occupied with toys and food puzzles.
Great Dane Catahoula Mix’s Appearance
Both parent breeds have short, straight coats and floppy ears. They can also have blue or brown eyes.
Aside from the common traits, here’s what you can expect from the mixed pup’s appearance:
Size
This mixed breed makes large dogs, but not quite as giant as a pure Great Dane.
At maturity, Catahoula dogs can reach around 22-24 inches tall and weigh 50-95 pounds. On the other hand, Great Danes can grow to 28-32 inches tall and weigh 110-175 pounds.
So, when you mix these parent breeds, the dog’s size will be somewhere in between.
Coat
This mixed dog breed comes in many coat varieties.
Some of the common Great Dane colors are black, gray, and golden yellow. For patterns, they could be brindle, harlequin, merle, and mantle coats.
Common Catahoula coats include blue merle, red merle, white merle, brindle, and chocolate.
So, you can expect a Great Dane Catahoula mix to have any of these coat colors and patterns.
Grooming
Taking care of a Great Dane Catahoula mix dog’s short coat is relatively easy. Brushing your dog once or twice a week should suffice.
You can also occasionally trim his nails and give him baths at home without the need for professional grooming.
Exercising a Great Dane Catahoula Mix
This mixed breed needs regular exercise to maintain muscle mass and prevent obesity.
At the very least, your Great Dane Catahoula should get about an hour of exercise daily. If you’ve got a particularly active dog, you’ll need even more playtime.
Common Health Problems for the Great Dane Catahoula Mix
There are a couple of common health problems that affect breeds like the Catahoula and Great Dane.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition that usually affects large dogs.
When the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t fit properly, they’ll grind against each other. This prevents the joint from working smoothly.
As a result, the dog may experience pain whenever he moves. His hips could deteriorate over time.
By observing how your mixed pup walks, you may be able to identify if he’s suffering from hip dysplasia. For instance, you might hear his joints cracking or notice that he has trouble walking and getting up.
If you see any warning signs, you’ll want to take the poor guy to the vet for a check-up.
Bloating
Bloating is also a common concern for large breeds.
It’s a condition caused by a buildup of gas, food, or fluid in the stomach. This stretches the dog’s stomach and cuts off the blood flow to other parts of his body.
In severe cases, this condition can be fatal. So, if your mixed pooch has it, you’ll need to seek immediate medical attention.
Ear Infections
Dogs with floppy ears, like the Great Dane Catahoula mix, are highly susceptible to ear infections.
You can tell that it’s an ear infection if there’s a foul odor. Your dog may also scratch his ears, shake his head, and show pain whenever you touch his ears.
To help prevent this condition, keep your Great Dane Catahoula mix’s ears clean and dry. After all, the common culprits are bacteria, yeast, or ear mites.
Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament.com. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog.
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