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COLOURS IN THE GREAT DANE
The Great Dane has six colours acceptable in the show ring (mantles are
currently not acceptable for show in the UK and hence SA). They are:
FAWN
BRINDLE
BLUE
BLACK
MANTLE
HARLEQUIN
BUT, there are many other
colours in the Great Dane!
Some of these colours are
standard "mismarks" in harlequin breeding programmes (as I am more conversant
with harlequin breeding I will not cover the mismarks that can crop up in the
breeding of the other colours) and other are due to deliberate cross colour
matings. These colours are discussed in full in "Rare" Colours.
Below follows more
information on the standard colours. Be sure to read the article entitled "Rare"
Colours as well.
FAWN
|
FCI Standard |
UK Standard |
|
Light gold fawn to
deep gold fawn. Black mask desired. Small white marks on chest and
toes undesirable. |
Colour varies from
lightest buff to deepest orange, dark shadings on head and ears
acceptable; eyes and nails preferably dark. |
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The main difference is that the FCI standard desires a mask, while the
UK standard finds this "acceptable". Although this colour is not my area
of expertise I would agree that a mask is to be desired. |
BISS Ch Glensharon Cannock -
A lovely fawn Great Dane with a black mask.
BRINDLE
|
FCI Standard |
UK Standard |
|
Basic colours, light
to deep gold fawn with black stripes as regular and clearly defined as
possible, running with the direction of the ribs. Black mask desired.
Small white markings on chest and toes are undesirable.
|
Must be striped,
ground colour from lightest buff to deepest orange, stripes always
black, eyes and nails preferably dark, dark shadings on head and ears
acceptable. |
|
The main difference is that the FCI standard desires a mask, while the
UK standard finds this "acceptable". Although this colour is not my area
of expertise I would agree that a mask is to be desired. |
A beautifully marked brindle
Great Dane with a black mask.
BLUE
|
FCI Standard |
UK Standard |
|
Pure steel blue,
white markings on chest and feet permitted.
|
Colour varies from
light grey to deep slate; the nose and eyes may be blue. |
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I would dispute that a blue Dane with blue eyes as per the UK standard
would be accepted in the show ring! |
Arabiatta of Saxony - A good
strong blue colour
BLACK
|
FCI Standard |
UK Standard |
|
Jet black, white
markings permitted. |
Black. |
|
The FCI standard permits white markings while the UK standard is very
clear! |
Knighthaven Taine of Saxony -
A well marked black, but with white on his throat, chest and toes.
MANTLE
|
FCI Standard |
UK Standard |
|
Included here are
"Manteltiger" in which the black covers the body like a coat (“mantel”)
or blanket and muzzle, throat, chest, belly, legs and tip of tail may be
white. |
Does not exist at
present. |
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In my opinion the FCI standard fails here as it is too open to
interpretation and in theory would allow a mismarked black to be
exhibited as a mantle.
Symmetrical markings in the mantle Dane are of importance. To see why
click here |
Saxony Ferris Bueller -
Ferris's markings are the closest to the mantle ideal that I have ever seen
firsthand.
HARLEQUIN
|
FCI Standard |
UK Standard |
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Basic colour pure
white, preferably with no ticking. Pure black patches well distributed
all over the body, having the appearance of being torn. Grey or
brownish patches undesirable. |
Pure white
underground with preferably all black patches or all blue patches,
having appearance of being torn. Light nails permissible. Walleyes, pink
noses or butterfly noses permissible but not desirable. |
|
The main difference is that the UK standard allows for blue harlequins.
Although not stated in either standard, harlequin breeders strive for a
dog with a clear front and neck i.e. a mantle distribution pattern. Yet
another reason to have the mantle accepted for show! |
Saxony Editor In Chief - A
beautifully marked harlequin
To find out more
about colours in the Great Dane go
back
to the Information Page
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