adopting a mix breed, any info?

**Karen** · 05-23-2011, 09:51 AM

Puppy proof everything, and do not assume something is where he cannot reach it unless it's over your head!

Be prepared to keep him busy - a tired pup is a well-behaved pup. A shepherd mix will likely be smarter than your average Dane (no offense, I love them dearly, but in general they are NOT the rocket scientists of the dog world) so lots of activities, games, and toys, and never, ever, ever let him off leash unless you are in an enclosed space. A Great Dane can cover ground faster than you'd think, so best not to take chances!

It'll be interesting to see which side of the gene pool he favors, but good luck anyway!

**BdaBoss** · 05-23-2011, 10:04 AM

Thank You!

**Freedom** · 05-23-2011, 10:20 AM

Oh you must share photos! And at 7 months, he still has some growing to do, so plan on posting on here for a long time.

I suggest taking doggie manners classes, the GSD side of him will love it, and will need it too. Find a place which uses positive reinforcement and you will be set.

**IRescue452** · 05-23-2011, 02:36 PM

Definately try your local dog club for some classes. Even if he has basic training already its good socialization and structure. My 11 year old dog has always been very well trained so most of her life she hasn't been corrected a lot and I've let little things slide. Now I'm thinking of taking her to another class so she can remember just who's boss. Obedience classes aren't just for teaching puppies the basics and never using them again. They're great little brush-ups throughout life. The one thing I don't like are Petsmart classes. They overcharge from what I've heard ($200 as compared to $75 at the dog club) and I don't like when I see them in the store. They have the owners walk the dogs around the store for like "heel" exercises, but they can't see what the owners are doing right or wrong because they are walking around the aisles in and out of view of the instructor. If you're paying money for classes, go to professional dog handlers. Don't go to a retail store and pay more for a high school dropout who's watched a video on obedience training.

You may want him on glucosamine already since he'll be big. I believe if you wait until a dog is already developing arthritis, its too late to do a whole lot of good with supplements. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be sure to have him on a good diet too.

**Asiel** · 05-23-2011, 02:50 PM

While a Dane/Shepherd might be cute as a pup the end result is nearly always the same. The mix is a recipe for disaster. I''ve seen 4 people adopting these mixes and it never ends well. If you research the two breeds both have the same issues with the backs so putting the two together is asking for huge vet bills and losing your dog at a very early age. Canine Myeolopathy is one of the issures that will wreck havoc with both breeds to only name one. Degenerative disk disease is another issue that will pop up. I have a friend who works for a Dane rescue and he has seen quite a few of these mixes, others also but these are the most common, don't know why.

**BdaBoss** · 05-23-2011, 03:43 PM

He is a light tan coloring, with dark shepherd features in the face.
the humane society we are adopting has recommended some local one on one trainers, they also urged positive reinforcement. sounds like a plan to me!

I've been looking for prevenitive measures but so far no such luck, any suggestions?

**Freedom** · 05-23-2011, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by BdaBoss

He is a light tan coloring, with dark shepherd features in the face.
the humane society we are adopting has recommended some local one on one trainers, they also urged positive reinforcement. sounds like a plan to me!

I've been looking for prevenitive measures but so far no such luck, any suggestions?

Thanks for the photo! Aw, big Dane look with GDS ears, ha ha haaa. Handsome!

Why are they sending you to a one on one trainer? Does he already have behavior issues?

One on one training costs much more than group classes. In a group setting, your dog is learning to work with you when other dogs and other people are around. You do the same 1 on 1 home work, with no distractions, between sessions. Unless the dog has issues, I encourage group sessions.

**dab_20** · 05-23-2011, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Asiel

While a Dane/Shepherd might be cute as a pup the end result is nearly always the same. The mix is a recipe for disaster. I''ve seen 4 people adopting these mixes and it never ends well. If you research the two breeds both have the same issues with the backs so putting the two together is asking for huge vet bills and losing your dog at a very early age. Canine Myeolopathy is one of the issures that will wreck havoc with both breeds to only name one. Degenerative disk disease is another issue that will pop up. I have a friend who works for a Dane rescue and he has seen quite a few of these mixes, others also but these are the most common, don't know why.

This is not necessarily true. While certain diseases are common among breeds, they don't happen to every dog. I also do not believe two breeds that have the same common diseases put together makes them much more of a risk then the two separate breeds alone. Although, I am not incredibly educated on genetic diseases and how they effect mix breeds.

He is absolutely beautiful! Did you end up adopting him? Any name yet?

**Karen** · 05-23-2011, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Asiel

While a Dane/Shepherd might be cute as a pup the end result is nearly always the same. The mix is a recipe for disaster.

As dab_20 said, this is not true for every dog, some will be perfectly fine. As long as the owner is aware of issues like paying attention to back and hips, making sure not to let him run or play a lot right after eating to guard against bloat, and getting a good relationship with a vet at the beginning of your time with the pup, many issues can be forestalled and in some cases prevented.