The Daniff is the result of taking two immense dog breeds and combining them. These pups are a mix between the Great Dane and the English Mastiff and can weigh anywhere between 115-190 pounds. While their size is quite intimidating, the Daniff is a gentle giant on the inside and is very lovable.
This breed is relatively new, however, they are quickly growing in popularity. They were originally bred in the early 2000s in the USA. The Daniff goes by several other names as well such as the “Mastidane”, “English Daniff”, and “Great Daniff”. Due to the huge size of these dogs, it is recommended to have a yard available to them so they will not feel overly confined.
The prey drive of the Daniff is on the lower side because their parents were both primarily used as guard dogs. Given their background, these dogs make amazing guard dogs and will not bark for no reason. If you hear your Great Daniff barking loudly, there is a high chance that someone is close to your front door. Their size alone is usually enough to scare away any intruder, and they will not shy away from being aggressive if they feel as though there is a real threat. This breed has a very protective nature, and they are usually a bit wary of strangers. Once they warm up to new people and realize that they are not a threat, they will go back to being the big goofy pet that everyone loves.
These dogs love going out to play and exercising, but they certainly have a lazy side to them too. Their immense size can be tiring, and they are often happy to lounge around the house without a care in the world. While the Daniff is highly intelligent, training them is not always easy. They have a stubborn side, and proper training will require consistent effort. These big guys absolutely love interacting with their family and other people. Even though the Daniff is about as big as 10 small dogs combined, don’t be surprised when they jump up on the couch and begin to cuddle like they are a 10-pound lap dog!
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