The Great Dane Breed Standard
The Great Dane is a very distinguished, noble dog with a kindly disposition, affection for children and devotion to the family. He also has an easy tolerance of other animals. He is very clean in his habits and his short coat makes it easy to keep him well groomed. On the other hand his size must be remembered as he loves to stretch out in front of the fire or commandeer the most comfortable settee.
Very muscular, strong though elegantly built with look of dash and dare. Head and neck carried high with tail carried level with back, but, never curled over hindquarters. Elegance of outline most essential. Alert expression, powerful, majestic action displaying dignity, friendly and outgoing without nervousness.
Muzzle broad with skull proportionately narrow so that the whole head when viewed from above and in front has the appearance of equal breadth throughout. Length from nose to the point between the eyes should be equal or of greater length than from this point to back of occiput. Skull flat with slight indentation running up the centre, occipital peak not prominent. Decided rise over the eyes but with no abrupt stop between them. Face well chiseled, well filled in below the eyes wit no appearance of being pinched. Cheeks showing as little lumpiness as possible compatible with strength. Underline of head viewed in profile runs almost in a straight line from corner of the lip to the corner of the jaw bone, allowing for fold of lip but with no loose skin hanging down.
Head Study (An Adult Bitch)
Champion Arondyke Astra The Nomical J.W.
Bridge of nose very wide with slight ridge where cartilage joins the bone (This is a characteristic of the breed). Nostrils large, wide and open, giving a blunt look to the nose. Lips hang squarely in front forming a right angle with upper line of foreface. Eyes deeply set, not giving appearance of being round, medium sized and preferably dark, but wall eyes or odd eyes are permissible in harlequins. Ears not pendulous but of medium size, triangular, set high on the skull and folded forward. Jaw strong with a perfect scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. neck long, well arched, quite clean and free from loose skin, held well up, well set into shoulders, junction of head and neck should be well defined.
Side angle (A Veteran Dog!)
Champion Ambassador of Auldmoor At Arondyke J.W.
Shoulders muscular, not loaded, well sloped back, elbows well under body, forelegs perfectly straight with big flat bone. Body very deep with the brisket reaching the elbows. Ribs well sprung with stomach well tucked up. Back and loins strong with the latter slightly arched.
Hind quarters extremely muscular giving strength and galloping power. Second thigh long and well developed, good turn of stifle with hocks set low, turning neither in nor out. Feet should be cat like with toes well arched and close also not turning in nor out. Nails should be strong and curved preferably dark except in harlequins where a light colour is permissible.
The tail must be thick at the root, tapering towards the end and reaching to the hocks or just below, carried level with the back when on the move, slightly curved towards the end but never curling or carried over the back.
Movement must be lithe action, springy and free, covering the ground well, hocks moving freely with driving action and head carried high. The coat must be short, dense and sleek looking, never inclined to roughness.
There are five recognized colours in the breed. Brindle- this is black striped with ground colour from lightest buff to deepest orange, dark shading on the head and ears are acceptable. Fawn- lightest buff to deepest orange with dark shading on head and ears acceptable. Blue- this colour varies from light gray to deep slate and the nose and eyes may be blue. Black- Black is Black!! In the above colours white is only permissible on the chest and feet but not desirable. Harlequin- pure white ground with, preferably all black patches or all blue patches, having the appearance of being torn, not spots. Light nails, wall or odd eyes, pink noses or butterfly noses are all permissible but not desirable. Any other colours i.e. bostons, mantles, merles etc. are considered as mis-marks and cannot be exhibited in this country.
The minimum height of a male over 18 months old is 76cm (30") and the minimum weight is 54kg (120lb.). The minimum height of a female is 71cm (28") and 46kg (100lb.) in weight. Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Any departure from the foregoing points is considered a fault.
29/09/03