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).
PurposeThe GDCA considers mixing color strains to be an “inadvisable practice” and potentially injurious to the breed. The goal is to produce pure-color-bred Great Danes for at least four generations, preserving the integrity of each recognized color
In summary: Breeders must follow strict inbreeding rules within each color strain to maintain GDCA-recognized colors, avoid cross-strain breeding, and ensure pedigrees reflect only approved color lines. This code is part of the broader GDCA Code of Ethics, which also emphasizes health, temperament, and responsible ownership Great Dane Club of America
In summary: Breeders must follow strict inbreeding rules within each color strain to maintain GDCA-recognized colors, avoid cross-strain breeding, and ensure pedigrees reflect only approved color lines. This code is part of the broader GDCA Code of Ethics, which also emphasizes health, temperament, and responsible ownership Great Dane Club of America
The Merle is now an approved color
On January 1st, 2019, the Great Dane breed standard was updated to include merle coats and the American Kennel Club began to allow entries. This change came after decades of argument over whether or not Merle should be celebrated and included in the written breed standard for Great Danes.