Many people write to us daily and ask....
What is a Harlequin Great Dane? What determines the color? How are
they priced? How do you know they are show marked/quality? We
hope this will help give you an idea of what is the most desirable and
what is least.
Harlequin is a specific color pattern.
Harlequin is one of the
American Kennel Club's recognized
6 SHOW colors of Great Danes.
The other 5 are Fawn, Brindle, Blue, Black & Mantle
As Quoted from the AKC Standard about Harlequin Great Danes
(in regards to conformation showing)
"The base color shall be pure white with black torn patches
irregularly and well distributed over the entire body; a pure white
neck is preferred."
"The black patches should never be large enough to give the
appearance of a blanket, nor so small as to give a stippled or dappled
effect."
"Eligible, but less desirable, are a few small gray patches."
”Any variance in color or markings described above
shall be faulted to the extent of the deviation. A Great Dane which
does not fall within the above color classifications must be
disqualified.”
Quoted from the Great Dane Club of America's Website:
"A wide range exists as to the amount of markings which may be
present; however, dogs with very few patches and dogs so heavily
marked that little white area is left; are both outside the desired
range."
"When all the markings have rounded, well defined edges (spots)
as opposed to the required torn edges, the dog does not fall into
the harlequin classification (This would be considered a Piebald)."
"Harlequins may correctly have black patches on the chest and legs.
Although a white neck is preferred, black patches on the neck
should not be penalized. "
We have included this diagram as a visual aid, to help clairfy
understanding. Please contact us at anytime for more information.
A few Harlequin facts:
What is a Mantle Great Dane? What determines the color? How are
they priced? How do you know they are show marked/quality? We
hope this will help give you an idea of what is the most desirable and
what is least.
Mantle is a specific color pattern in Great Danes.
Mantle is one of the American Kennel Club's recognized 6 SHOW
colors of Great Danes.
In the U.S. Prior to 1998 Mantles were often referred
to as Bostons due to the similar coloration & pattern
as a Boston Terrier.
Ideally Marked Mantle below
Figure 1 Mantle Chart
Figures 2-5 below are in the acceptable range of variation as
defined in the Standard for the Mantle Great Dane
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Quoted from the AKC Standard conformation showing
"The color shall be black and white with a solid black blanket
extending over the body; black skull with white muzzle; white blaze
(a blaze is a white stripe between the eyes) is optional;
whole white collar preferred; (a collar refers to a full white band
around the neck) a white chest; white on part or whole of forelegs
and hind legs; white tipped black tail."
"A small white marking in the black blanket is acceptable, as is a
break in the white collar."
*Note: Ears do NOT have to be cropped for show In any of the
show colors
A few Mantle facts
What is a Merle Great Dane?
(resembling a Harlequin) often referred to as a Merlequin.
Merle MerleQuin Mantle Merle
What is a Harlequin Great Dane? What determines the color? How are
they priced? How do you know they are show marked/quality? We
hope this will help give you an idea of what is the most desirable and
what is least.
Harlequin is a specific color pattern.
Harlequin is one of the
American Kennel Club's recognized
6 SHOW colors of Great Danes.
The other 5 are Fawn, Brindle, Blue, Black & Mantle
As Quoted from the AKC Standard about Harlequin Great Danes
(in regards to conformation showing)
"The base color shall be pure white with black torn patches
irregularly and well distributed over the entire body; a pure white
neck is preferred."
"The black patches should never be large enough to give the
appearance of a blanket, nor so small as to give a stippled or dappled
effect."
"Eligible, but less desirable, are a few small gray patches."
”Any variance in color or markings described above
shall be faulted to the extent of the deviation. A Great Dane which
does not fall within the above color classifications must be
disqualified.”
Quoted from the Great Dane Club of America's Website:
"A wide range exists as to the amount of markings which may be
present; however, dogs with very few patches and dogs so heavily
marked that little white area is left; are both outside the desired
range."
"When all the markings have rounded, well defined edges (spots)
as opposed to the required torn edges, the dog does not fall into
the harlequin classification (This would be considered a Piebald)."
"Harlequins may correctly have black patches on the chest and legs.
Although a white neck is preferred, black patches on the neck
should not be penalized. "
We have included this diagram as a visual aid, to help clairfy
understanding. Please contact us at anytime for more information.
A few Harlequin facts:
- Great Danes are the only breed of dog with this color pattern
- When Harlequins are bred together they may or may not
produce white puppies.
- Harlequin bred to Harlequin can produce White puppies
- Harlequins are frequently mistaken by the general public as
Dalmatians (trust me a lady once bought one from us and told her
husband that her harlequin was a Dalmatian)
- Harlequins sometimes can be so heavily marked that they
resemble a Mantle with the only noticeable difference being that
they have merle (grey) somewhere on them (this is undesirable)
What is a Mantle Great Dane? What determines the color? How are
they priced? How do you know they are show marked/quality? We
hope this will help give you an idea of what is the most desirable and
what is least.
Mantle is a specific color pattern in Great Danes.
Mantle is one of the American Kennel Club's recognized 6 SHOW
colors of Great Danes.
In the U.S. Prior to 1998 Mantles were often referred
to as Bostons due to the similar coloration & pattern
as a Boston Terrier.
Ideally Marked Mantle below
Figure 1 Mantle Chart
Figures 2-5 below are in the acceptable range of variation as
defined in the Standard for the Mantle Great Dane
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Quoted from the AKC Standard conformation showing
"The color shall be black and white with a solid black blanket
extending over the body; black skull with white muzzle; white blaze
(a blaze is a white stripe between the eyes) is optional;
whole white collar preferred; (a collar refers to a full white band
around the neck) a white chest; white on part or whole of forelegs
and hind legs; white tipped black tail."
"A small white marking in the black blanket is acceptable, as is a
break in the white collar."
*Note: Ears do NOT have to be cropped for show In any of the
show colors
A few Mantle facts
- Mantles are strictly Black & White
- Mantles cannot have any Merle (grey) on them
- Otherwise they would be considered a heavy marked or
blanketed Harlequin.
- Some parts of the world still refer to this color as "Boston".
- Mantles come from Harlequin breeding.
- Mantles can be bred to Harlequins without the risk
What is a Merle Great Dane?
- Merle is a color of the Great Dane.
- Merle is a companion color of the Great Dane that comes from
Harlequin breeding.
- Just because Merle is not a show color, does NOT mean it can not
be AKC registered.
- Merle is generally a grey base color (but not always) with black
patches.
- Merle coloration can vary from pale silver to dark gray
- Merles can vary in pattern as well as in color.
- They can be primarily solid merle with few white markings,
(resembling a Harlequin) often referred to as a Merlequin.
- They can also have specific white markings like a mantle;
Merle MerleQuin Mantle Merle
