HISTORY

The Great Danes is among us for centuries. There are divergences from his origin. Some affirm that he came from Denmark, what explains the name that the race receives in certain countries: Danish or great Danish. Others affirm that he is a German race of the area of Württemberg. The FCI opts for the second hypothesis. The Great Danes, although at first was used for hunt, was also created for the protection of properties (watchdog).

THE STANDARD OF THE GREAT DANE 
 
Original of Germany, the pattern is what defines a breed. The Great Dane dog is essentially a molossian type.
 
GENERAL APPEARANCE AND TEMPERAMENT 
 
The Great Dane is imposing and his appearance has a noble impression. It is one of the largest dogs of the canine breed. It has a friendly temperament. It is an animal which gives a lot of love and affection to its owner, especially to children, showing itself, however, reserved and suspicious to strangers. When in danger, it is courageous and not afraid of attacks. 

It is a dog that grows fast physically, however his maturity is only reached about the
twenty-four or thirty months. Because of this, we should not expect an adult behavior
from it before that time.

HEAD
The head is distinguished and expressive, with a strongly pronounced stop (a naso-frontal cut).
The muzzle is black (except in the harlequins), the lips are large with scissors bite. The length from the tip of the nose to the center of the stop should be equal to the center of the stop to the rear of the occipital.  
 
EYES
The eyes are medium size, round, expressive and with great eyelashes. 
 
EARS
The ears show high set (insertion) and good size. Note: In Europe, the cut is prohibited. 
 
NOSE
The nose is large and black (except in the harlequin), keeping the straight line of the nasal cane. 
 
TEETH
The teeth are strong and clear, with scissors bite. 
 
NECK
It is strong, of high set (insertion). 
 
BODY
It shows itself square in relation to its height; the chest is as high as the elbow; lanky belly. It has a good croup slightly sloping, forming a continuous line with the base of the tail.  
 
FORELEGS AND HINDLEGS
They should be strong, with powerful bones and muscles, and the behind should have good angulations.  
 
TAIL
Medium size, with wide and high insertion, tapering to the tip. 
 
COAT
The coat is short and thick with a smooth glossy appearance.

COLORS
 
Brindle: The base color is from light golden brown to dark golden brown with strong black cross stripes.
 
Fawn: yellow gold to deep yellow gold with black muzzle (mask)
 
Blue: pure steel-blue; white markings are not desirable. It can have light colored eyes.
 
Black: a glossy
 
Harlequins: the base color is pure white with black and irregular patches. Small gray or brownish patches are eligible since they don't cover more than 30% of the coat. 
 
Mantle: white with a solid blanket extending over the body; the muzzle, the collar, the chest, the belly, the paws and the tail tip are white.

Merle: The coat has the gray bottom (more darkness) and black stain.
 
ABOUT MERLE  
 
For now this color is not recognized by the Pattern in vigor in FCI in some countries as capable dogs for reproduction. They receive pedigree, but that comes with a stamp indicating that the dog cannot have his registered brood. 
 
Therefore the nestlings of Great Dane of such color are considered merles. 
 
The nestlings "Merle" differ exclusively for the color, (they are not  
blacks nor harlequins). Structurally the characteristics are identical, the  
genetics is similar. 
 
The coat usually has the gray bottom (more darkness) and black stains. 
The nestling merle is born in many crossings, it is inevitable, because they are  
Harlequins, blacks and mantle’ crossings and in "mixture" everything happens. 
They are Great Dane in any way, it only changes the color. 
Recently, in France, they began a reproduction program with this color  
for experience.   
  
In the future the Merle will be inserted in the reproduction, as the other colors.  
We will await...

BREEDINGS
Desirable Matings:

Harlequin x Harlequin
Black from Harlequin breeding x Black from Harlequin breeding
Mantle x Mantle
Harlequin x Mantle Black from
Harlequin breeding x Mantle
Blue x Blue
Black from Blue breeding x Black from Blue breeding
Blue x Black from Blue breeding
Fawn x Fawn
Brindle x Brindle
Fawn x Brindle

Some types receive the classification of “Inadequate Types for Reproduction” even if originated from correct breeding: Merle (mousy grey) Porcelain (Harlequin with blue, grey, gold or brindle patches)

CHOICE AND CARE WITH THE PUPPIES

The first thing to remember when buying a dog is that it will be a member of the family for many years and should be treated as well.

The choice of the breed is very important. Many people buy a dog without any previous research due to excitement or in a hasty decision and the animal becomes a problem to the family in a long run.

The Great Dane has some fantastic behavior characteristics: sociable and friendly. It is a companion and protector. It prefers its owner’s companionship more than anyone else.

If it has its owner’s care together with love and tenderness, everything becomes easier since its love is unconditional: you will not have a rather loyal friend in your life.