20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Daniff

Nature has given us many great dog breeds, but most breeders today argue that many mixed breeds can be just as great. In fact, the combination of specific majestic breeds has brought on some of our favorite dogs. One mixed breed that exemplifies this notion is the Daniff. The Daniff is a mixed breed that results from the cross between the English Mastiff and the Great Dane—both equally regal dogs each on its own. Combined, however, these incredible breeds become something quite extraordinary. The Daniff is an excellent companion and pet to have. If you’re wondering, here are 20 things about the Daniff you should know about.

1. Origin

It’s highly likely that the Daniff is a modern designer breed. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of information on the actually origin of this breed. What we do know, however, is the fact that the Daniff first became registered under a club in 2009. It might be same to assume that the Daniff was bred during the time when crossbreeding was on the rise about 10 to 15 years ago.

2. Names

Daniff dogs have become popular in recent years, and they are becoming a more abundant breed. You’ll likely come across these dogs in shelters and adoption centers as well, but you might find them called a different name. Daniffs go by different names, including English Daniff, Great Daniff, Mastidane, and a few others. Regardless of which name you prefer to call your dog, it doesn’t change the breed’s incredible pedigree. The Daniff breed comes from two lines of dog breeds with incredibly rich backgrounds and histories. Great Danes, for example, date back to 3,000 years ago by way of Germany. Mastiffs, on the other hand, are at least 2,000 years old, but many speculate that they might’ve been around as early as the 6thcentury.

3. Size

Both the Great Dane and the Mastiff are large breeds, so you can expect any Daniff to be large at any measure. However, the Daniff is a fairly new mixed breed. With new mixes, it’s typical to see a huge variance when it comes to age. As far as height is concerned, you’ll mostly see Daniffs range anywhere between 27 to 33 inches. You’ll also find Daniffs that weigh from 115lbs. to 190lbs. Male Daniffs are also expected to be larger than females. Over time, the trend will tend to normalize so that Daniff dogs will have a smaller size variance.

4. Food

Proper nutrition is important for dogs to maintain good health. But you also have to make sure that your Daniff’s diet is well balanced. Daniffs have high energy, and they require the amount of food proportionate to their weight. High quality dry food should always be the top option for your Daniff. They might need to eat anywhere from 3 to 4 times each day with meal times evenly spaced out. Feeding your dog more than what’s necessary can cause unwanted weight gain and even obesity.

5. Training

It’s interesting how easy it actually is to train these giant dogs. It’s pretty amazing to see Daniff training in action. Daniffs have a tendency to be submissive, so they are naturally obedient animals. They like to follow rules. Daniff are also smart and very eager to learn. They are fun to train because of this fact. Much like other dogs, Daniffs respond better to positive reinforcement.

6. Exercise

They are big, and they are energetic. Daniffs will likely get you exhausted before they even begin to feel tired. These dogs need regular exercise because of how much energy they have. The good thing is you can take these dogs with you while you do your exercises. They enjoy running, jogging, walking, or hiking. In fact, walking these dogs daily for a good period of time will help expend some of their energy. Make sure that you also take care of your Daniff’s mental health. You can do this simply by providing appropriate toys and challenging games.

7. Temperament

It’s difficult to find dog breeds that are gentler than these giants. Daniffs are so remarkably loving and gentle that their personalities totally contradict their size. They are friendly and easy to live with; these dogs are probably more low maintenance than even the best roommate. They adapt fairly easily to any home environment that may have no pets or many pets. Daniffs are wary of strangers, so they will bark as needed.

8. Coat

Daniff dog coats are beautifully distinctive. Both the Great Dane and the English Mastiff come in a variety of coat colors, so it’s only natural that the Daniff does as well. The Daniff dog can have a coat that’s fawn, brindle, apricot, black and white, and even unique patterns such as merle and harlequin. Daniff coats are short, and they tend to shed quite a bit. So these dogs aren’t the most ideal dogs for people who have allergies or for those who don’t like cleaning up after shedding much.

9. Grooming

A Daniff’s coat should be shiny, smooth, and short. The easiest way to keep a Daniff’s coat that way is by regular brushing. Once a week brushing with a pin brush should suffice unless it’s shedding season. During this time, you’ll need to increase your brushing to a few times a week. Some Daniff puppies inherit the Mastiff’s wrinkling traits. If this happens, you have to make sure that you clean gently in between the wrinkles with a damp cloth. This will prevent any bacterial build up that could lead to infections.

10. Health

There are a few major concerns that are typically associated with Daniffs. These concerns are similar to those that happen to large dog breeds (https://wagwalking.com/breed/daniff). Some of the biggest concerns for the health of Daniff dogs include hip dysplasia, bloating, and cancer. Proper care management can prevent these illnesses from affecting your dog. Make sure to visit the veterinarian regularly in addition to getting necessary body scans, blood work, and various other lab tests. As always, proper diet and exercise are also necessary for your Daniff to maintain good health.

11. Intelligence

Daniff dogs are highly intelligent animals. As previously stated, they are easy to train and are quite obedient creatures. However, there are instances when their intelligence borders on stubbornness. If they don’t get enough mental stimulation or exercise, Daniff dogs can become lethargic. These dogs need motivation and challenge in order to stay in good mental shape. Training is really god for your Daniff, but even dog puzzles and dog games will help your dog tremendously.

12. Loneliness

There are some dog breeds that just don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time. Some dogs can handle it and are more independent. Unfortunately, there are some dogs that are prone to getting too lonely. The Daniff happens to belong to the latter group and tend to suffer when left alone for extended periods. If you have to leave your dog at home for work on a daily basis, it might help to give your Daniff another pet companion.

13. Climate

Because of their short coats, Daniffs don’t tolerate the cold very well. If you happen to live in a cooler climate or a place that experiences extreme cold, your Daniff can still live a healthy lifestyle with just a few precautions. A doggie sweater could come in handy during cooler weather. While Daniffs would ultimately do better in temperate climates, there’s also a warning for those who live in hot temperatures. Daniffs have shorter snouts that sometimes result to respiratory issues. Being outdoors too long during hot weather will also not be good for these dogs. It’s better to balance outdoor time properly to prevent heat exhaustion.

14. Drooling

Mastiffs are known to be drooling machines, and there’s always a good chance that your Daniff might inherit this trait. The amount of drooling you can have will vary from dog to dog, but you should always be prepared for the worst. Many Daniff owners have reported excessive drooling from their pets but only from specific times. Daniffs might drool more than usual after drinking or eating. If you suspect that your dog might be drooling abnormally, contact your vet to make sure there are no underlying issues causing it.

15. Space

Given that they are incredibly large animals that require a good amount of running space, Daniffs are not considered to be apartment animals. Although pet owners could definitely make it work, it’ll be the Daniff that would suffer in small spaces. Daniffs require space to run around in and space to expend their energy. If you happen to have a large park nearby or access to walkways, owning a Daniff could still work even if you don’t have a lot of space to work with.

16. Family

When it comes to being a family dog, Daniffs are excellent companions. Because of their friendly and gentle temperaments, these dogs quickly go from friends to family members. They are excellent with children of all ages because they don’t excite too easily, and they can also become protective of their loved ones. Daniffs come from parent breeds that were meant to be guard dogs. The mixed breed inherits this characteristic, and they will definitely be there to announce intruders and offer aggression when it’s called for.

17. Puppies

Daniffs are adorable as puppies—much like any breed. They start out small, but they quickly gain in size. Within the first year, your Daniff can actually quadruple in size. A Daniff has a lot of growing to do in order to reach maturity, but that growth process could last about 18 to 24 months. During this period in a pup’s life, there’s much socialization and training to be done. It’s always better to start a Daniff’s training as young as possible.

18. Recognition

The American Kennel Club does not recognize hybrid breeds, but there are hybrid-specific clubs that recognize the Daniff. Some of the clubs that recognize this mixed breed include the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Dog Registry of America (DRA), and the Daniff Kennel Club (DKC). Every single one of these clubs has specific rules and regulations regarding recognitions.

19. Lifespan

Daniffs have an expected life expectancy of 8 to 12 years. Although most dogs are expected to live this long, there are ways to make sure your dog lives longer than expected. First off, diet and exercise play an important factor in the health of your Daniff. With a good eating and exercise routine, your dog can become stronger and healthier. Regular check ups are necessary as well. As soon as you notice something is not right with your Daniff, you should always take your pup in right away. It’s always best to catch illnesses before they get worse.

20. Cost

The average cost of a Daniff can set you back anywhere from $500 to $1,000. Depending on the breeder, this amount could go up significantly. Although this initial cost may not seem like much, you have to remember that maintenance will also cost a lot of money. During the first year, additional expenses could add up as well. From food to toys and accommodations, you could easily spend another $1,000 to $1,500 to bring your new pet home. Additionally each year, food costs could be at least $600. As a pet parent, you should be prepared for any possible expenses that might come your way, especially with owning a large breed of dog like the Daniff.

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