Catahoula-great Dane mix dogs are generally known for their speckled coats and sociability--but these traits are just the beginning of the positive traits you'll possibly get with this large mixed breed. Mixed breeds tend to get their physical and personality traits from both breeds, but if you want to predict what your catahoula Dane puppy's behavior will be like, just take a look at who he physically favors the most. Interestingly, mixed breed dogs usually act more like the side of the family he most resembles.
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Both great Danes and catahoula leopard dogs are affectionate canines who love their human family. No matter who your mix looks like the most, you can expect him to enjoy spending time with his people.
Compatible with Older Children
Even though both breeds are considered ideal family pets, families with children who are toddlers or younger may want to reconsider. Both the catahoula and the great Dane are large, energetic breeds. They may love and be protective of the children in the family, but as big as they are and as rowdy as they can get during play time, a small child could easily be inadvertently hurt. Older kids, on the other hand, make compatible playmates as they are big enough to handle themselves with a large dog and are more inclined to play the active games like tug-of-war and fetch that will give both the child and the dog exercise and keep them occupied.
Easily Trained
Your catahoula Dane mix dog should be fairly easy to train. From the catahoula side of the family he gets his working dog genes, ones that drive him to perform the task you set before him. From the great Danes your mixed pup gets his urge to please his people. Either one makes for a trainable dog, but combined you'll get a dog who wants to learn and make you happy. For both breeds, the earlier you start training the better, so your mixed breed should start potty training the moment you bring him home and should get into a puppy kindergarten class as early as 10 weeks of age for obedience training and socialization.
Activity Level
Playfulness and activity is where your mixed breed dog's behavior can vary. Although both great Danes and catahoula leopard dogs are playful, if your dog leans more toward his catahoula roots he'll need more exercise as well as an outlet for his herding and hunting instincts. Training him to hunt and taking him along on hunting trips should fulfill this need, but if he doesn't get to spend time doing what nature tells him he was bred to do, you could have an unhappy, bored and destructive dog on your hands. Great Danes can do damage, too, if they are unsupervised, untrained and left on their own to entertain themselves. However, they tend not to need as much exercise as the catahoula breed does and don't necessarily need a "job" to give them purpose. If your mixed breed takes after the Dane side of the family, he'll be more free and easy, a dog who is happy just to be included in your life.
By Elle Di Jensen
References
American Kennel Club: Great Dane
Vet Street: Catahoula Leopard Dog
Vet Street: Great Dane
Understanding Your Dog for Dummies; Stanley Coren, Ph.D., Sarah Hodgson
About the Author
Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.