The FCI standard No.235

It's the most common standard used in 84 FCI (fédération cynologique internationale) countries.

This standard has been taken care of since the year 1888 by the "Dautsche Doggen Club" and has frequently been revised over the years. The present standard meets the requirements of the FCI.  

Date of publication of the official valid standard

08/10/12

Germany

Caiac De Can Duran

Cismeralda von Tir Na Nogh at Daneworth

As forerunners of the present day Great Dane, one must look at the old "Bullenbeisser" (Bulldog) as well as the "Hatz-and Saurüden"(Hunting and Wild Boar Hounds)", which were midway between the strong Mastiff of English type and the fast,handy Greyhound.The term Dogge was at first understood to mean a large, powerful dog, not any particular breed. Later, particular names such as Ulmer Dogge, English Dogge, Great Dane, Hatzrüde(Hunting Dog), Saupacker (Boarfinder) and Grosse Dogge (Great Dogge), classified these dogs according to colour and size. In the year 1878 a Committee of seven was formed in Berlin, consisting of active breeders and judges with Dr. Bodinus in the chair, which made the decision to classify all the forenamed varieties as "Deutsche Doggen" (Great Danes). Thus the foundation was laid for a breeding of a separate German breed.In the year 1880, on the occasion of a show in Berlin, the first standard for the Deutsche Dogge was laid down.

Almost square in build, this applies particularly to males. Females can be a little longer in body.

In harmony with general appearance. Long,narrow, distinct and expressive.Finely chiseled, especially under the eyes. The distance from tip of nose to stop and from stop to the slightly defined occipital bone should be as equal as possible. The upper lines of muzzle and skull should definitely run parallel. The head must appear narrow seen from the front with bridge of nose as broad as possible. Cheek muscles only slightly defined and in no way protruding.

Superciliary ridges well developed but not protruding.

Clearly defined.

Well developed, rather broad than round with large nostrils. Must be black with the exception of harlequins. In these a black nose is desired but a butterfly nose(black with pink patches) or flesh coloured nose is tolerated. In blue dogs the colour of the nose is anthracite(diluted black).

Deep and rectangular as possible. Well defined corners of lips. Dark pigmented lips. In harlequins not totally pigmented or flesh coloured lips are tolerated.

Well developed broad jaws. Strong and complete scissor bite(42 teeth according to the dentition formula).

Of medium size with lively friendly intelligent expression.As dark as possible,almond shaped with closed fitting lids.In blue dogs slightly lighter eyes are tolerated.In harlequins light eyes or two differently coloured eyes are to be tolerated.

Naturally pendant, set on high, of medium size, front edges lying close to cheeks.

Long ,clean, muscular. Well formed set on, tapering slightly towards the head, with arched neckline. Carried upright but inclined slightly forward.

The highest point of the strong body. It is formed by the points of the shoulder blades which extend beyond the spinal processes.

Short and firm, in almost straight line falling away imperceptibly to the rear.

Slightly arched, broad, strongly muscled.

Broad, well muscled. Sloping slightly from hipbone to tail set, imperceptibly merging into the tailset.

Reaching to the elbows. Well sprung ribs, reaching far back. Chest of good width with marked forechest.

Belly well tucked up towards rear, forming a nicely curved line with underside of the brisket.

Reaching to the hocks. Set on high and broad, tapering evenly towards tip. In repose hanging down with natural curve. When dog is alert or moving, carried slightly sabre-like but not markedly above the backline. Bristle hair bone tail is undesirable.

Must be sufficiently angulated and with strong bone and muscles.

Strongly muscled. The long, slanting shoulder blade forms an angle of 100 to 110 degrees with upper arm.

Strong and muscular, close fitting, should be slightly longer than the shoulder blade.

Turned neither in nor out.

Strong and muscular. Seen from the front and side, completely straight.

Strong, firm, only slightly standing out from the structure of the forearm.

Strong, straight when seen from the front and side, barely slanting forwards.

Rounded, well arched, well-knit toes (cat feet). Nails short, strong and as dark as possible.

The whole skeleton is covered by strong muscles which make the croup, hips and upper thighs appear broad and rounded. The strong well angulated hind legs, viewed from behind, are parallel to the front legs.

Strong, positioned almost vertically under the hip joint.

Long, broad, very muscular.

Long, of approximately the same length as the upper thigh. Well muscled.

Strong, firm, turning neither in or out.

Strong, short, standing almost vertical to the ground.

Rounded, well arched, well-knit (cat feet). Nails short, strong as dark as possible.

Harmonious, lithe, ground covering, slightly springy. Legs must be parallel in movement coming and going.

Tight fitting. In solid colours, well pigmented. In harlequins the distribution of pigment mainly corresponds to the markings.

Very short, dense, smooth, close lying and glossy.

The Great Dane is bred in three separate colour varieties:Fawn and Brindle-Black and Harlequin-Blue

Light gold fawn to deep gold fawn. Black mask desired.

Basic colours light to deep gold fawn with black stripes as regular and clearly defined as possible,running with the direction of the ribs. Black mask is desired.Small white markings on the chest and toes are undesirable.

Basic colour pure white,preferably with no ticking. Pure black patches well distributed all over the  body, having the appearance of being torn. Gray or brownish patches are undesirable.

Jet black, white markings permitted. Included here are "Mantle" in which the black covers the body like a coat or blanket and muzzle, throat, chest, belly, legs and tip of tail may be white. Also dogs with basic white colour and large black patches so called "Piebald".

Pure steel blue, white markings on chest and feet permitted.

Males should be at least 80 cm, should not exceed 90 cm. Bitches should be at least 72 cm, should not exceed 84 cm.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Aggressive or overly shy dogs, any dog clearly shoving physical or behavioral abnormalities, fear-biting, easily provoked. Liver colour or split nose. Bite that is overshot, undershot or wry mouth, pincer bite, missing teeth apart from two P1 in the lower jaw. Ectropion, entropion or macroblepharon.Wall eyes or differently coloured eyes in all solid colours, except in harlequins. Tail with kink (i.e. deformed vertebrae). Silver, blue or isabella colour in fawns and brindles. Fawn, brindle or blue dogs with white as blaze, collar, socks or on tip of tail. Miss coloured harlequins:brindle or blue patches, white with fawn. Albino, i.e. no pigmentation. Deafness and below minimum height.

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