General Appearance

The Danoodle is a large, well-proportioned dog with a tall, athletic build. It has an elegant yet powerful stance, a refined head, and a wavy or curly coat. Its expression is intelligent and friendly, reflecting both the regal nature of the Great Dane and the keen awareness of the Poodle.

 

Size

• Weight: 75–120 pounds.

• Height: 22–30 inches at the shoulder.

 

Coat

• Texture: Wavy to curly, soft, and low-shedding.

• Length: Medium to long, requiring regular grooming.

• Colors: Black, white, cream, blue, brown, apricot, merle, harlequin, or a mix of these. Some may inherit the Poodle’s solid coat or the Great Dane’s distinctive markings.

• Shedding: Low to moderate, depending on the coat type inherited from the Poodle parent.

 

Head

• Skull: Broad but slightly refined, proportional to the body.

• Muzzle: Long and well-defined, slightly tapered.

• Nose: Black or dark brown, well-developed nostrils.

• Eyes: Medium to large, round or almond-shaped, dark brown or amber; blue may occur in merle or harlequin coats.

• Ears: Medium to large, set high, and may be floppy like a Great Dane’s or slightly lifted with a Poodle’s influence.

 

Body

• Neck: Long, slightly arched, and muscular.

• Chest: Deep and broad, with well-sprung ribs.

• Back: Strong, straight, and level.

• Tail: Long and tapering, may have a slight curve, often carried high when active.

 

Legs

• Forequarters: Straight, long, and well-muscled.

• Hindquarters: Strong and well-developed with moderate angulation.

• Feet: Large, compact, with well-arched toes and thick pads.

 

Movement

The Danoodle moves with grace and efficiency, covering ground smoothly and effortlessly. Their gait is balanced and powerful, showcasing their agility and strength.

 

Temperament

• Personality: Affectionate, intelligent, and friendly. The Danoodle is known for its loyalty and strong bond with its family.

• Energy Level: Moderate. Requires regular exercise but enjoys lounging with its owners.

• Trainability: Highly trainable, thanks to its intelligence and eagerness to please. Responds best to positive reinforcement.

• Socialization: Gets along well with other pets and children when properly socialized.

 

Faults

• Excessive shyness or aggression.

• Poor coat quality or excessive matting.

• Disproportionate build affecting movement or balance.

 

Care Requirements

• Grooming: Brushing 3–5 times per week to prevent matting and tangles. Professional grooming may be needed every 6–8 weeks.

• Exercise: Requires daily walks, playtime, and mental stimulation. Due to Great Dane genetics, avoid excessive high-impact exercise at a young age.

• Diet: A high-quality diet suited for large breeds, with proper nutrient balance to support joint health.

• Health: Regular veterinary check-ups. Potential health concerns include hip dysplasia, bloat (gastric torsion), heart conditions, and joint issues.

 

Ideal Owner

The Danoodle is best suited for families, individuals, or experienced dog owners who can provide proper training, socialization, and care for a large breed. They adapt well to homes with space to move around but can thrive in an indoor setting with sufficient exercise.

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The Danoodle — also known as the Great Danoodle, Danedoodle, Great Danepoo, and Great Dane Poodle Mix — is a designer breed created by crossing a Great Dane with a Standard Poodle. Lancaster Puppies confirms the Great Danoodle has no documented single originator, with deliberate breeding generally placed in North America during the designer-dog boom that followed the Labradoodle's appearance in 1989, becoming visible from the late 1990s and 2000s. The Great Dane parent carries one of the most extraordinary historical pedigrees of any dog breed: Wag! documents that drawings depicting Great Dane-type dogs have been found in Babylonian temples placing these ancestors as originating around 3000 B.C., and that it is thought the Assyrians traded this giant breed to the Romans and the Greeks. The Great Dane was registered with the American Kennel Club as early as 1887 — yet despite this centuries-long documented heritage, any Danoodle cross between a Great Dane and Poodle is permanently ineligible for AKC registration as a hybrid.

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Because the Danoodle is a crossbreed — a hybrid of Great Dane and Standard Poodle — A-Z Animals confirms the Great Danoodle is not a standardized kennel-club breed and appearance and temperament can vary by individual and generation. AKC does not register Danoodles, Great Danoodles, Danedoodles, Great Danepoos, or any Great Dane and Poodle cross, regardless of generation (F1, F1B, or Multigen). Designer Kennel Club (DKC) was built specifically to serve Danoodle owners and breeders who need official registration papers and cannot obtain them through AKC.

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Designer Kennel Club provides official registration papers and ownership documentation for Danoodles, Great Danoodles, Danedoodles, Great Danepoos, and Great Dane Poodle Mixes with no AKC papers or pedigree lineage required. DKC Foundation Dog Registration ($65) accepts any Danoodle without existing documentation. For breeders, DKC Litter Registration ($100) gives each puppy an individual DKC registration number that new owners can use to register for $45. All registrations are completed online and papers are delivered as a PDF via email within 2–3 business days.

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Registering your Danoodle or Great Danoodle with Designer Kennel Club establishes an official record of breed, ownership, and identification accepted for veterinary records, grooming services, training programs, apartment and housing requirements, and general ownership verification. Register at designerkennelclub.com/registration.