Daniff Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Daniff?

As is often the case with designer dogs their history is relatively short and not nearly as well documented as their parent breeds.

The Great Dane is an ancient breed that dates back pre-Roman times during the Assyrian empire and can trace its origins back to Tibet. This giant-sized dog was known as the Boar Hound and was an impressive hunting dog that had its aggressive tendencies bred out of them as it became more popular as a companion breed.

The Mastiff is another ancient breed that originated in the Steppes of Asia where it was used as a herding dog. Like the Great Dane, they have a violent past and were used as fighting dogs in gladiatorial combat. Similar again to the Great Dane, the Mastiff of today is a docile breed that still retains his protective instinct.

The International Designer Canine Registry only recognised this designer breed in 2009, so we can assume their introduction is very recent with their international popularity increasing in the last 15-20 years.

Who are Daniff dogs best for?

The Daniff will need a large home to express itself comfortably, both for you and them. There's no way you could comfortably share an apartment with one without always treading on each other's toes. Having a yard with plenty of space for them to decompress would also be ideal.

Though they get on well with kids their size means they can easily, accidentally knock them over or otherwise hurt them. With that in mind, they either need to be supervised while with kids or are better off in a home with older children.

They are generally laid-back dogs who are easy to be around but will require a confident owner who's able to bring such a large breed to heel. Though they're happy lazing you will also need the energy to give them the proper exercise they require to burn off energy and keep the pounds off as this dog is prone to putting on weight if not exercised sufficiently.

How much grooming does a Daniff need?

These gentle giants require minimal grooming. They don't shed their short, glossy coat often and they should only need brushing once a week to remove loose hair and distribute their natural oils.

Their nails will need clipping occasionally and it's best to get them used to this when they're puppies as trimming the nails of this large dog when they've got other ideas can be a challenge.

Do Daniff bark much?

Daniff dogs are especially mellow and do not tend to bark compulsively.

When they meet new people they may feel inclined to bark a little simply to let you know they're registering a new person but will take the lead from you and generally leave it at that.

Their tendency to look for your approval when they notice someone new is something that makes this dog breed a reliable guard dog.

Do Daniff bite?

The likelihood of a Daniff showing any sort of mouthiness is very unlikely. They're sweet dogs with no aggressive tendencies. Once they've been properly socialised they will be loveable, caring sweethearts with no desire to cause any harm.

What is the temperament & personality of a Daniff?

As the Daniff are first-generation designer dogs, predicting their temperament isn't an exact science, though chances are your Daniff will be a gentle and caring dog. They're as sweet as they are huge and though they're protective they don't have an aggressive bone in their body.

They will bark at someone new but not compulsively and they'll stop as soon as they understand a guest is welcome.

They have no ego and get on well with other pets and make great companions for kids. They are intelligent and perceptive, taking to training well and generally aspiring to please you and your family.

They require plenty of exercise and will need a minimum 3 km walk each day or other forms of exercise like jogging or hiking. They will also benefit from daily play sessions in the yard or in a room with enough space for them to move around.

What is the weight & size of a Daniff?

This huge mixed-breed dog shows a slight variation in size between the sexes but in any case, will grow into a hefty pooch. They can reach between 70-95 cm at the shoulder and between 50-65 kilos.

This size necessitates a spacious home with ample space for them to stretch out and walk around comfortably.

How much training does a Daniff need?

The Daniff is eager to please and as such takes very well to obedience training. They're submissive and happy to follow the rules simply because it makes you happy.

Using gentle training techniques with an emphasis on positive reinforcement is true with any dog and especially in this case. These friendly dogs will simply be upset by any sort of harsh training and you'll find using praise and rewards will reap much better results.

Establish yourself as the pack leader early on with a consistent, firm but patient hand and training should be a walk in the park.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Daniff?

It's hard to protect which health defects a Daniff will inherit from its parents if any, especially as hybrid breeds tend to be hardy as the respective breeds can cancel the weakness from each other.

Some conditions worth looking out for with Daniffs are elbow and hip dysplasia, obesity, and bloating. Regular checkups with the vet are important to stay on top of any developing issues.

What is the lifespan of a Daniff?

With the right diet, plenty of exercise, and all the affection they require this dog can lead a healthy life for between 8-12 years, which is considerable for dog breeds as large as the Daniff.

How much should you feed a Daniff?

Maintaining a healthy weight for your dog is your responsibility and is especially important with a big dog like the Daniff who can be prone to putting on weight. They should be fed an age-appropriate nutritiously diverse diet with plenty of protein, healthy fats, ground bones, and vegetables with a spread of essential vitamins and minerals

The bigger they get the more prone they are to skeletal and muscle problems which can be prevented to some extent with the proper macronutrients they'll receive from high-quality nutrition.

What is the price of a Daniff in Australia?

Depending on the breeder and the quality of their parentage, Daniff puppies will cost between $800-1500.