What kind of great danes are there

You can learn more about the Harlequin Great Dane by visiting this article. This is because they also consist of black and white colors but unlike Harlequin Danes, mantle ones have black as their dominant color.

White coloration is limited to specific parts of their bodies but you should remember that black is the dominant color. These white markings can be found on their muzzles, chests, their legs, and even around the collar. Some people still prefer to refer to these dogs as Bostons. And just like with the mantle coloration, there may be some confusion with merle Great Dane colors and Harlequin Danes. With these doggos, you can see both white and black colorations.

Breeding of Merle great Danes is not recommended because they can produce blind or deaf white pups. This Great Dane color is not recognized and that is the reason we did not include it in the list of 7 variations These Danes are rare and highly susceptible to health issues that are mostly gene-related.

The reason that White Great Danes are not preferred is that they may develop hereditary health issues such as deafness and eye anomalies. White Danes may have little to no melanocytes which are vital for a dog to see and hear normally.

They also have fawn and torn patches covering them but they can also have other spots and colors like merle and brindle. White Great Danes may have some sight and hearing complications but these do not affect all dogs. This, however, should not stop you from adopting one because these dogs can lead a happy life like the other colors. You may have a preference for one color to another but you should know that the qualities of a Great Dane outweigh the color.

Color should not be a great deal to you unless you are looking for a conformation dog. When adopting from a shelter or a rescue you may not have the flexibility to choose the color that you prefer. We have looked at the 9 Great Dane colors and variations and by now you have the information that you need to know before buying or adopting. Each dog is uniquely beautiful and color cannot determine the personality traits that the Great Dane is going to have.

This is despite the health implications that each color may have. Want to show your blue Great Dane at Westminster? Merles are much like harlequins, except they have a darker base coat. They look like a harlequin Great Dane that wandered through spray paint. The base coat is generally a light gray instead of white, which allows for both white and black splotches.

Mantle Great Danes have two colors, black and white, with no splotching. The black is the dominant base coat, with white lining their feet, chest, and face. In the 16th century, German nobility bred English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds , along with other large dog breeds, to create a new animal that was capable of hunting deer, boars, and even bears.

In fact, many royals even let their favorite Great Danes sleep in their bedrooms. While they were used for hunting, there was no need to try to camouflage them.

They hunted using brute force instead of their wits, after all. Instead, their markings were designed to be pleasing to the eye rather than to have any utilitarian value. No one is quite sure how these German dogs took on a Danish name. One of the prevailing theories is that due to tensions between Germany and the rest of Europe, breeders renamed them to make them more appealing to potential owners.

Of course, Great Danes can come in more colors than the seven shown here. However, the ones above are the only official colors for the breed. Most of the other potential shades are simply mishmashes of the official colors. For example, you can see coats in patterns like:. As with all dogs, make sure to socialize your Great Dane from an early age so he will be trusting and comfortable with new people and situations. As social dogs, Great Danes prefer to spend time around humans and other animals rather than in solitude.

A large, fenced-in yard will let them comfortably stretch their lumbering legs as desired. But as long as they get the exercise they need we're talking two or three walks each day , a big yard isn't a dealbreaker. In fact, it's possible for a Great Dane to get too much of a workout. The dogs grow so rapidly that, according to the Great Dane Lovers Association of Western Australia , owners should wait until their pup is 18 months old to take him hiking or jogging to preserve the his growing joints.

I see them on a couch a lot of the time. Great Danes are big. And because of their sheer size, caring for them can get expensive. They eat more food than smaller dogs and, if taking medication , require larger doses as well. If they need surgery, they also need more anesthesia, which can raise the cost. Their smooth, short coat might be low-maintenance when it comes to grooming , but Great Danes will shed occasionally throughout the year which, given their size, can be a lot of hair.

Typically, the most shedding happens in spring as weather gets warmer. To help control shedding, owners should consider brushing the dog weekly throughout the year and daily when seasonal shedding sets in.

Baths are needed occasionally, and nails should be trimmed regularly. And fastidious home dwellers take note: Yes, Great Danes drool.

A lot. Training and socializing these dogs while they're young and when you're bigger than them is vital. Great Danes enjoy being around people and other animals, and with their eager-to-please nature, they tend to respond well to consistent positive reinforcement training. Like with most large dog breeds , the Great Dane can be prone to a number of health issues.

The Great Dane lifespan is relatively short at, 7—10 years. The biggest risk they face, Derse says, is gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV , or bloat , a life-threatening condition that occurs when the dog's stomach fills with air and twists or flips, pressuring other organs. Bloat can be prevented by a surgery called gastropexy, in which the side of their stomach is attached to the abdomen wall so it can't flip.

Derse tells all Great Danes owners to have the procedure done early on. In addition, this breed is more likely to suffer from heart disease and eye conditions , autoimmune thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and hip dysplasia. Great Dane owners should seek advice from their veterinarian about measures they can take to reduce risks and improve their dog's health. The "Dane" part of the name can be confusing, but the breed has German, not Danish, origins.

In his own motherland, he's referred to as the Deutsche or German dog. Though bred to be boar hounds and guard dogs for estates and carriages, by the late s German noblemen were breeding them as pets.