Great Danes come in a variety of colors, but not all of them are recognized by kennel clubs.
The most common colors for Great Danes are brindle, fawn, black, blue, and harlequin.
A Great Dane's coat can also be a combination of these colors, such as a brindle fawn or a black harlequin.
Great Danes with a predominantly black coat can have a small amount of brindle or fawn markings, but these markings should not cover more than 10% of their coat.
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Great Dane Dog Colors
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes ten standard Great Dane colors, but only seven are considered acceptable in the show ring. The remaining three colors, black and white, white, and silver, are technically standard but undesirable.
The AKC lists seven standard Great Dane colors that are considered acceptable in the show ring. These colors include brindle, fawn, black, blue, harlequin, mantle, and merle.
Responsible breeders focus on breeding for health according to the breed standard, not for color. This means that the healthiest Great Dane colors are often the standard ones.
Studies show that merle-coated dogs have increased health-related issues, and double merles even more so. But this doesn't mean merles are automatically unhealthier than fawn or black-colored Danes.
Your Great Dane's medical bills can be sky-high due to their large size, so it's essential to sign up for pet insurance while your dog is young. This ensures better coverage for vet bills in case of an emergency.
Physical Characteristics
Great Danes are big and powerful dogs with a regal appearance. They come in a range of colors, including black, fawn, blue, and harlequin.
Their massive head is narrow and flat on top with prominent brows. Ears drop forward from their head.
The Great Dane's body is muscular, with straight front legs and a long, strong neck. A thick, medium-length tail completes their powerful physique.
Female Danes can weigh up to 140 lbs and reach 30 inches in height, while males weigh up to 170 lbs and reach 32 inches tall.
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Common Colors and Patterns
Non-standard Great Dane colors are a delightful aspect of the breed. They come in many different combinations.
Brindle Great Danes have a base color of yellow and gold with black cross stripes. The intensity of the base color affects the distinctness of the stripes, with a more intense base color resulting in more visible stripes.
Black facial masks and black-tipped ears and tails are common on brindle Great Danes.
Coat Patterns
The Great Dane's coat pattern is a vital aspect of their overall appearance.
The Harlequin Great Dane has a white background coat color with few to many black torn patches on the body.
Fawn Great Danes have a beautiful yellow gold coat with a deep black mask and black on the eye rims and eyebrows.
Brindle Great Danes have black chevrons on a golden brown background, often with a black mask and ears.
Mantle Great Danes have a black base coat with white trim on the nose, chest, legs, and tail.
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Merle Great Danes have a pale gray to dark gray merle base color with black torn patches within.
Merle-coated dogs have an increased risk of color-related health issues, especially in puppies with two merle parents.
The coat pattern of a Great Dane should be evenly distributed, with no white marks on the chest or toes for brindle colors.
The Harlequin Great Dane's markings can vary from a few to many black torn patches on the body.
The Merle Great Dane's coat can be a solid merle or a merle with a merle mantle pattern.
Color Change
Color change can occur in Great Danes as they transition to their adult coat, causing them to become lighter or darker. This change is influenced by various factors, including diet, exposure to sunshine, and underlying medical conditions.
Some Great Danes may experience hair regrowth after an injury, which can also affect their coat color. This is why you should wait until your Great Dane has fully grown their adult coat before entering them into a competition.
Other Colors and Patterns
There are many Great Dane color combinations, but some stand out as particularly unique and popular. Non-standard colors are a great way to add some individuality to your Great Dane's appearance.
Some of the most common non-standard colors include those mentioned in the article section, which highlights the diversity of Great Dane colors. These colors can add a fun and interesting twist to the breed's classic appearance.
Great Dane breeders and owners have come to appreciate the beauty of non-standard colors, and they're a great option for those looking for a dog that stands out from the crowd.
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Non-Standard Colors
The American Kennel Club (AKC) lists ten standard Great Dane colors, but only seven are considered acceptable in the show ring.
The AKC considers black and white, white, and silver to be technically standard Great Dane colors, but they are undesirable and disqualified in the show ring.
There are many Great Dane color combinations beyond the standard colors, and they're often referred to as non-standard colors.
Some of the most common non-standard Great Dane colors include those that are technically standard but undesirable in the show ring, such as black and white, white, and silver.
Non-standard colors can add a unique touch to a Great Dane's appearance, but it's essential to remember that they may not be recognized in official dog shows.
Disqualified Colors/Patterns
The Great Dane breed standard disqualifies dogs with certain colors and patterns from the show ring.
Merlequin dogs, with their white coats and only patches of merle, are disqualified.
Faults in patterns and markings are not as important as conformation and breed type faults.
Silver
Silver Danes are not as vibrant as their blue counterparts, their coat being pale or dull compared to the steel blue color of blue Danes.
The silver gene in Danes dilutes a black coat, much like the blue gene, resulting in a diluted black color.
Silver Danes are very similar to blue Danes, sharing a common characteristic in their coat color.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rarest color of Great Danes?
The rarest Great Dane color is a pure white coat, which is extremely uncommon and not recognized by most breed standards.
What color Great Dane is most expensive?
The rarest and most expensive Great Dane color is Harlequin, which can cost around $2000 due to its limited occurrence.
What is the Harlequin color of a Great Dane?
The Harlequin color of a Great Dane is a unique combination of white fur with large black patches. This distinctive coloration is the result of a specific genetic combination, making it the most challenging to breed in Great Danes.
Sources
- Great Dane Colors - Fawn Brindle Black Blue ... (wvgdc.org)
- Great Dane Dog Breed Information (akc.org)
- PetMD - Great Dane (petmd.com)
- Vetstreet - Great Dane (vetstreet.com)
- Animal Corner - The Great Dane – Breed Guide and Top Facts (animalcorner.org)
- Dogs Australia - Great Dane (dogsaustralia.org.au)
- United Kennel Club - Great Dane (ukcdogs.com)
- The Spruce Pets - Great Dane (thesprucepets.com)
- The Kennel Club - Great Dane (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- Great Dane Club of America Rescue (gdca.org)
- Great Dane Rescue, Inc. (greatdanerescueinc.com)
- Reddit (reddit.com)
- Facebook (facebook.com)
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