Great Dane Colors Harlequin
The colors of the Great Dane are determined by a specific combination of genes. A black, merle, or harlequin coat is the result of two genes with different expression levels. The exact nature of the genes that produce these coat patterns is still unknown. However, all living beings share a set of genes, located at a specific place on their chromosome. Each gene consists of two copies called alleles, each of which determines a physical trait (phenotype).
Great Dane Colors Harlequins are those with irregular dark patches over a white background.
Officially, the harlequin color is black, but it is sometimes misidentified as a fawn. Although some individuals display this color pattern in their coats, they do not always exhibit it. Some harlequin Great Danes lack the ‘harlequin’ gene. The N/H genotype of Great Danes is expected to express the harlequin coat pattern in at least 50% of offspring. In addition, breeding two N/H genotype dogs will produce 25% embryonic lethal offspring with the ‘harlequin’ coat pattern.
Some people are not familiar with the ‘harlequin’ color, and many people confuse it with a Dalmatian.
But a harlequin coat is one of the most striking characteristics of this breed. Harlequin Great Danes can weigh as much as 175 pounds. While they aren’t considered a separate breed, many Great Dane owners prize their harlequin coats for their unique look and distinctive markings.
In terms of appearance, Harlequin Great Danes typically have a white coat, spotted with black. They can also be spotted with black or gray hair. In addition, they can be spotted or fawn-colored. The American Kennel Club lists the Great Dane as the largest dog in the canine kingdom. Harlequin Great Danes are often referred to as ‘gentle giants’.
Although harlequin dogs do not naturally exist, they have gained popularity in recent years.
They have a white base coat with patches of fawn markings. But unlike harlequin dogs, fawnequin Great Danes are not considered part of the AKC standards. Consequently, they can’t participate in dog shows. They are, however, great family pets.
Although fawnequins are not recognized by the breed standard, they are considered a variant of harlequin great danes. The fawnequin color is a mix of black and fawn. Typically, the fawn-colored harlequin is white with large patches of golden yellow. This type of great dane is rare.
There are four official color families for Great Danes.
The most common are Yellow-gold with black stripes, Fawn, Brindle, and Harlequin. The American Kennel Club recommends yellow gold fawn for its superiority for breeding purposes. If you are in doubt about which color is best for your Great Dane, this book will help you make a wise decision.
Another popular color pattern of the Great Dane is merle. Merle great danes have a white base coat with black patches. While merle is not an official color, it has been added to the breed standard as of January 2019.
Blue is another color of the Great Dane, and this is one of the two most common and preferred.
It resembles a Weimaraner but is lighter than black. However, it can also appear gray or blue like the color of French Bulldogs. This unique coat pattern is only present in two dog breeds: Great Danes and Dalmatians. To have a true harlequin coat, a dog must have the harlequin gene. If your Great Dane is not born with this gene, the fawnequin color will result.
Great Dane Colors
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