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English Bull Dane (English Bulldog & Great Dane Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

English Bull Dane (English Bulldog & Great Dane Mix)

Height: 15 – 35 inches
Weight: 53 – 180 pounds
Lifespan: 7 – 10 years
Colors: White, black, brown
Suitable for: Companionship, guarding, small apartments, families
Temperament: Loving, affectionate, down to earth

The English Bull Dane is a mixed breed created by mixing the English Bulldog with the Great Dane. Its appearance, size, and weight can vary quite a bit depending on which parent it takes after. It can be either a medium-sized dog weighing 50 or 60 pounds or a giant breed weighing up to 180 pounds. However, the face generally resembles the English Bulldog with a slightly longer muzzle and the strong athletic build of the Great Dane. Its eyes are usually brown, and its nose is black.

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English Bull Dane Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The English Bull Dane Can be quite expensive because both of its parents are expensive. A reputable breeder can create a higher quality dog because they have a better knowledge of their craft. They may also run a series of tests on your puppy to see if they suffer from any genetic defects. These tests will increase the cost but will greatly reduce the chances of any surprise health problems occurring in the future.

There are plenty of things besides the cost of the puppy you should consider, though. You also need to consider how much food it will eat and what toys it will use. Your dog will also require annual trips to the vet and will likely need flea and tick medication regularly applied. Asides from that, these dogs will require lots of time, attention and energy from you but they’ll be so loving that you’ll find the experience worth it.

3 Little-Known Facts About the English Bull Dane

1. The English Bull Dane prefers human companionship to the hunt.


2. The Bulldog parent was the first-ever mascot when Yale chose it.


3. The Great Dane parent breed is more than 400 years old.

Parent Breeds of the English Bull Dane
Image Credit: (L) Jumpstory | (R) Slavica Stajic, Shutterstock

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Temperament & Intelligence of the English Bull Dane 🧠

The English Bull Dane enjoys pleasing his family and would rather spend time with you than doing any sporting or hunting activities. It doesn’t bark a lot and is not prone to destroying property. It’s very accepting of strangers in most cases, but if the Great Dane parent is prominent, it may be a little more reserved. In any case, it’s not a hostile animal, and a few minutes of getting to know you should be all that’s required to become good friends.

The English Bull Dane is extremely intelligent and easy to train. Besides doing tricks, it’s also smart enough to pick up on your attitude toward others to tell whether or not a new person is a friend or foe. It will also hesitate to make noise at night when it knows you’re sleeping.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The English Bull Dane is a fantastic family dog, in part because it’s big enough to be extremely resistant to children. It’s also careful enough not to knock them over as it’s walking. It loves human company and will often follow you around the house, while its large size makes it a suitable watchdog.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The English Dane usually gets along with other family pets without a problem, but we recommend socializing them at an early age to reinforce the friendly behavior. Small animals like rodents and birds will present the largest problem.

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Things to Know When Owning an English Bull Dane

Here are a few things you should consider before you purchase an English Bull Dane.

Food and Diet Requirements 🦴

The English Bull Dane Can range from a medium-sized dog to a giant breed, so it’s likely to eat quite a bit of food. When you choose your food, make sure it has high-quality ingredients and includes whole meat like chicken or beef at the top of the list. Antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, and omega fats will help your pet grow into a healthy animal.

We recommend consulting with your vet before feeding any specialty foods like puppy food, old age food, or grain-free food to make sure your dog gets the best possible nutrition. Always split your dog’s food up over three or four meals.

Daily Exercise Requirements 🐕

Your English Bull Dane is a moderately active dog that will require regular exercise. They enjoy games of fetch and going for long walks, but two short walks might be a better way to help them get the exercise they need. Look to spend about 40 minutes per day and walking approximately 8 miles per week to keep your pet fit and healthy.

Training 🦮

The English Bull Dane is independent and intelligent. They can learn a variety of new tricks and enjoy performing them for you to get attention. They will often sit longer than many other breeds attempting to learn a new trick to get more treats and spend time with you. Positive reinforcement using praise and treats is the best method, and it’s critical to schedule your training sessions at the same time each day and for the same length as well to get your dog accustomed to the procedure.

Grooming ✂️

The English Bull Dane sheds quite a bit and will require regular grooming. Luckily, the coat is short and straight and is easy to brush. Daily brushing for 10 to 15 minutes should be all that’s required. However, you will also need to make sure their ears are dry and cleaned regularly to prevent the ear infections that commonly occur with floppy ears. The teeth of your English Bull Dane will also require regular brushing with a special dog safe toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth, as it may contain a deadly artificial sweetener called xylitol.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Mixed breeds generally have fewer health problems than purebred dogs. However, some issues do occasionally come up, and we’ll discuss them in this section.

Minor Conditions
  • Obesity
  • Allergies
Serious Conditions
  • Entropion
  • Hip dysplasia

Not sure what these conditions are? Here’s a quick description:

Entropion

Entropion is a condition that causes your pet’s eyelids to roll inward and rub off the surface of the eye. This condition can be painful, and it may cause ulcers and perforations on the cornea. Most dogs will squint and tear excessively if they are developing this condition. Your pet may also try to hold the offending eyes shut. This condition is very prevalent in the Bulldog and Great Dane parents, so it’s important to watch for it.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia affects many breeds and is especially hard on large dogs. Hip dysplasia is a term for an improperly formed hip socket, which won’t allow the ball of the leg bone to move smoothly in the joint. Over time, the ball and hip joint begin to wear down, reducing your pet’s range of motion and ability to put weight on it. Obesity can greatly increase the rate at which hip dysplasia progresses, as can extreme exercise. Medication, and sometimes surgery may be required to improve your pet’s quality of life.

Obesity

Obesity is a major problem among all dog breeds, and this is one condition that’s not random or caused by genes. Overeating and lack of exercise are the primary reasons that a dog becomes overweight. Obesity can increase the rate at which hip dysplasia progresses as well as several other ailments. It can also lead to diabetes and a heart condition. The best way to help your pet avoid becoming overweight is to make sure they get plenty of exercises and follow the instructions on the food bag for your dog’s size. Resist the urge to overfeed, give table scraps, or too many treats.

Allergies

Allergies can affect any dog breed with little warning. Food, the environment, and insect bites can all cause your pet to have an allergic reaction. While most pets can get a rash or itchy ear, other pets may have a more severe reaction that requires medical attention. Food allergies tend to cause itchy ears and itchy paws, so if you notice these symptoms, try changing the brand of food you are using. Environmental allergies usually cause a rash and symptoms will subside as the season’s change. Bug bite allergies are a little harder to determine because they can look like the other types, but sometimes you may notice small bumps that give away the bite.

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Male vs. Female

Male and female English Bull Danes are virtually the same, and there is nothing gender-specific that stands out. Which parent breed they take after more will have a much larger impact on their appearance and behavior.

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Conclusion

The English Bull Dane is a very laid-back large breed that is perfect for large homes. It’s large enough to be perceived as a threat by intruders, but it’s a friendly dog that enjoys making new friends. We recommend early socialization to help it get along better with other pets and a large yard to move around in.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over our look into this friendly dog breed and have found your next pet. If we have helped you discover something new about this breed, please share this English Bull Dane guide on Facebook and Twitter.

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Featured Image: Ross Stevenson, Shutterstock

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