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Great Dane and Basenji Mix (Great Dasenji): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

Jordyn Alger

By Jordyn Alger

Great Dane and Basenji mix

The Great Dane and the Basenji are as different as day and night. For example, the Great Dane is a massive dog, whereas the Basenji is more moderate in size. The Basenji is tidy when it comes to drooling, but you better be ready to clean up after the Great Dane.

The personalities of each breed are relatively different as well. Great Danes are highly affectionate, while Basenjis are reserved. When combined into a Great Dane and Basenji Mix (otherwise known as the Great Dasenji), the result is a well-balanced canine companion.

Height: 23–25 inches
Weight: 65–85 pounds
Lifespan: 7–14 years
Colors: Black and white, cream and white, brindle and white, red and white, sable and white, black, blue, brindle, white, chocolate, silver, fawn
Suitable for: Families with older children, active households, and those who want low-maintenance grooming
Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, patient and dependable, occasionally independent, playful, vigilant

The Great Dasenji is a designer dog that is fairly new to the canine world. They are typically medium-sized dogs with friendly and intelligent personalities, but like any mixed breed, they have an element of unpredictability. A Great Dasenji may lean more toward their Great Dane heritage or their Basenji parentage, so it is impossible to determine precisely how an individual Great Dasenji will turn out.

However, there are general expectations for the Great Dasenji, especially regarding temperament, intelligence, and needs. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Great Dasenji’s personality and care requirements, so if you are curious to learn more about this special designer dog, keep reading below.

Great Dasenji Characteristics

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

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Great Dasenji Puppies

Parent breeds of the Great Dane and Basenji Mix (Great Dasenji)
Photo Credit: Left – Jesus Souto, Shutterstock | Right – Inheart, Shutterstock

Great Dasenjis are not the most popular designer dogs, so finding a Great Dasenji puppy may be a challenge. Your best chance of finding a Great Dasenji is to search for a reputable breeder specializing in breeding hybrids. While looking for a breeder to work with, be cautious and do not jump at the first opportunity you are given. Ensuring the breeder is experienced, responsible, and ethical is vital.

You may also be able to adopt a Great Dasenji at your local animal shelter. Reach out to animal shelters or rescues in your area to inquire if they have any Great Dasenjis in their care. If they do, you can provide a loving home for a Great Dasenji puppy in need.

While most Great Dasenjis are medium in size, some may exceed your expectations. Monitor your Great Dasenji puppy’s growth to make sure that you are prepared to keep up with any surprise growth spurts. Likewise, these puppies can be active, so providing activities for them will be essential. Purchasing plenty of toys and interactive puzzles is a great way to help your Great Dasenji burn off energy.

Parent breeds of the Great Dane and Basenji Mix (Great Dasenji)
Photo Credit: Left – Nikolas Otto, Shutterstock | Right – Grisha Bruev, Shutterstock

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Great Dasenji 🧠

Great Danes and Basenjis typically differ in temperament, but both are known to be excellent companions. The Great Dasenji can be a fantastic dog for all sorts of household dynamics due to their friendly temperament.

The Great Dasenji often inherits the Great Dane’s affection and patience, but they can occasionally be independent and aloof like the Basenji. Great Dasenjis are at least moderately playful and full of energy, making them great pets for active dog lovers.

In terms of intelligence, the Great Dane and the Basenji pass their cleverness down to the Great Dasenji. As a result, the Great Dasenji needs a lot of mental stimulation and may become restless if not given a task. Training opportunities or puzzle toys for your Great Dasenji will help keep them mentally enriched.

Apartment living is not suitable for the Great Dasenji, as they are highly active and can grow larger than expected. Great Dasenjis need outdoor space to run, but they should never be given free rein outdoors since their hunting instincts may cause them to run off. They can be great companions on hikes if their owner keeps them on a leash and has a confident recall ability.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Great Danes are highly affectionate canines, and while Basenjis can be a bit reserved, they are also known to show love for their favorite humans. As a result, the Great Dasenji is an excellent family companion. They may occasionally be aloof or independent, but by and large, they are devoted to their families and happy to spend time with them. They are also vigilant and protective of their household, making them good guard dogs.

The Great Dasenji is tolerant of children, but it is recommended that they be housed with older children rather than younger ones. Older children typically understand boundaries with pets better, which will make the Great Dasenji feel more comfortable in the home.

Parent breeds of the Great Dane and Basenji Mix (Great Dasenji) with family
Photo Credit: Left – Yuri Nunes, Shutterstock | Right – Klever LeveL, Shutterstock

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Great Dasenjis get along with other dogs as long as they have been properly introduced and socialized. The independent nature of the Great Dasenji may make them somewhat irritated around hyperactive, clingy puppies, so supervising all interactions between your canines is essential.

As for smaller pets such as cats, ferrets, or hamsters, the Great Dasenji is not highly recommended. Basenjis have high prey drives, which may cause your Great Dasenji to see smaller animals as prey. They may chase or accidentally injure a smaller animal, so careful supervision is required.

 

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Things to Know When Owning a Great Dasenji:

The Great Dane and the Basenji have very different needs. Therefore, caring for the Great Dasenji can be a unique challenge. To better prepare for a Great Dasenji, it is best to brush up on their dietary needs, exercise and training requirements, grooming care, and other health needs.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Great Dasenji needs high-quality dog food appropriate to their age category (such as puppy, adult, and senior). Bloat is a serious concern for Great Danes, so scheduling multiple small meals daily and eliminating intense exercise after a meal is necessary.

While offering your Great Dasenji table scraps may be tempting, human food is rarely a good treat for your canine. If you feel you must share your meals with your dog, research which human foods are safe for your dog to snack on and only offer them as rare treats. Your veterinarian can help you develop a healthy diet and feeding routine for your dog.

Exercise 🐕

While Great Dasenjis can be reserved and calm sometimes, they must receive regular, vigorous exercise each day. They are energetic dogs that may become destructive if they do not have an outlet for their energy. Brisk walks or long play sessions are great ways to keep your Great Dasenji active.

While the Great Dasenji can be an excellent running companion, it is recommended that you wait until they are at least 2 years of age. Great Danes grow quickly and may sustain damage to their growing joints if they run too much before the age of 2, so keep that in mind for your Great Dasenji when finding ways to keep them active.

Parent breeds of the Great Dane and Basenji Mix (Great Dasenji)
Photo Credit: Left – mkzdillon, Shutterstock | Right – alektas, Pixabay

Training 🎾

Obedience training is necessary for the Great Dasenji, especially if they grow larger than expected. If you cannot reliably recall your Great Dasenji, they may be prone to chasing other animals. This becomes even more difficult to manage if your Great Dasenji is big.

Socializing your Great Dasenji is also important. The more well-adjusted your Great Dasenji, the less likely they are to act out in unfamiliar or stressful situations.

When training your Great Dasenji, positive reinforcement is your greatest tool. While the Great Dane and the Basenji can both be stubborn at times, they respond best to reward-based lessons. Training sessions should be kept short, as the Great Dasenji will quickly lose interest.

Grooming ✂️

The Great Dasenji is a low-maintenance pet in terms of grooming. Both parent breeds have smooth, short coats that are easy to keep clean and orderly. Great Dasenjis will shed moderately at the most and will only need monthly coat grooming.

Depending on which parent your Great Dasenji takes after the most, drooling may be a problem. Great Danes are known to drool excessively, whereas Basenjis are relatively clean. Either way, you should be prepared for your Great Dasenji being a heavy drooler.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Great Dasenji’s parent breeds are typically healthy, but like any dog, they are prone to specific health conditions. The most severe conditions to watch out for are bloat and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Bloat is a condition in which a dog’s stomach expands rapidly with gas, cutting off blood flow to other parts of the body. If not treated promptly, an afflicted dog can suffer from shock or other serious conditions.

Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs when the muscle in the heart begins to degenerate. As the walls of the heart grow thinner, the blood pressure begins to stretch and enlarge the heart. Annual checkups are essential to catching this condition, as the onset can occur rapidly if other signs are missed.

As for relatively minor conditions, you should have your Great Dasenji checked frequently for joint issues such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia.

Minor Conditions
  • Joint problems
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
Serious Conditions
  • Bloat
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy

Male vs Female

The most notable difference between the male and female Great Dasenji is their size. Females are typically shorter and lighter than their male counterparts, but with the unpredictability of designer breeds, this is not a hard rule.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Great Dasenji

1. Basenjis Are One of the Oldest American Kennel Club Breeds

Although the Basenji was only just accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1944, the breed is believed to be one of the oldest among AKC’s registered breeds. The first domesticated canines closely resemble the Basenji, whose likeness has been observed in ancient Egyptian artifacts.


2. Great Danes Aren’t Actually From Denmark

Despite their name, the Great Dane does not come from Denmark. Instead, they’re a German breed. In Germany, the Great Dane is called the Deutsche Dog or the German Dog.


3. The Basenji Is Known as the “Barkless Dog”

Basenjis are not especially vocal, but when they make noise, you may be shocked by what you hear. Rather than barking, the Basenji makes a yodeling type of noise.

Basenji outdoor
Image Credit: Verbitskaya Juliya, Shutterstock

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Final Thoughts

Great Dasenjis are not as well known in the designer dog arena, but their well-balanced personality will surely make them more popular in the future. These dogs are excellent companions for active individuals who have a lot of outdoor space around their home. They are also ideal for anyone looking for a pet with low-maintenance grooming.

Experienced dog owners are recommended for the Great Dasenji due to their stubbornness during training. A confident, firm owner who knows how to handle the Great Dasenji’s independence while still providing encouragement is ideal for this dog.

If you are an active, experienced dog owner who doesn’t mind when their pet is occasionally aloof, the Great Dasenji could be perfect for you. Whether you find your pet through a breeder or adoption, you will surely have a special companion in the Great Dasenji.

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Featured Image Credit: Crystal Alba, Shutterstock

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