The Color Codes of Ethics
Below is an excerpt of the Great Dane Breeders Color Code from the Great Dane Club of America.
Great Dane Breeders Color Code
(As endorsed by The Great Dane Club of America)
"It shall be the goal of all to breed forward, never backward, to attain pedigrees of puppies which have the desired color strains endorsed by the Great Dane Club of America."
There are only six recognized colors; all these basically fall into four color strains:
- Fawn and Brindle
- Harlequin, Mantel, and Harlequin Bred Black
- Blue and Blue Bred Black
- Black
Color Classifications being well founded, the Great Dane Club of America, Inc. considers it an inadvisable practice to mix color strains, and it is the club's policy to be cognizant of the following breedings:
Color of Dane
1. Fawn1. Brindle2. Harlequin2. Mantle2. Black (Harlequin Bred) 3. Blue3. Black (Blue Bred)4. Black (Black Bred)
Approved Breedings
1. Fawn Bred to Fawn or Brindle Only1. Brindle Bred to Brindle or Fawn Only2. Harlequin Bred to Harlequin, Black from Harlequin Breeding, or Black from Black Breeding Only2. Mantle Bred to Harlequin, Mantle, Black from Harlequin Breeding, or Black from Black Breeding Only2. Black from Harlequin Breeding Bred to Harlequin, Black from Harlequin Breeding, or Black from Black Breeding Only3. Blue Bred to Blue, Black from Blue Breeding, or Black from Black Breeding Only3. Black from Blue Breeding Bred to Blue, Black from Blue Breeding, or Black from Black Breeding Only4. Black from Black Breeding Bred to Black, Blue, or Harlequin and Mantle (See note below.)
Desired Pedigrees
- Pedigrees of Fawn or Brindle Danes should not carry Black, Harlequin, or Blue upon them.
- Pedigrees of Harlequin, Mantle, or Harlequin-Bred Black Danes should not carry Fawn, Brindle, or Blue upon them.
- Pedigrees of Blue or Blue-Bred Black Danes should not carry Fawn, Brindle, or Harlequin upon them.
- Pedigrees of Black-Bred Danes should not carry Fawn, Brindle, Harlequin, Mantle, or Blue upon them.
Note: Black-Bred Great Danes may be bred to Blacks, Blues, Harlequins, or Mantles only. Puppies resulting from these breeding will become Blacks, Harlequins from Harlequin breeding, or Mantle (Category 2 Above), Blacks or Blues from Blue breeding (Category 3 Above), or Blacks from Black breeding (Category 4 Above).