Currently being updated – 16 October 2021
By Maria McGuinness Breed Health Officer
I would like to thank all who returned the questionaire to me with regards to the colour code of ethics, out of the 75 sent out only 20 were returned, some of those that were returned the recipients preferred not to comment on the colours and therefore only gave an opinion for Fawn and Brindle.
I have enclosed a table based on the questionnaires that were returned together with the research I have done via the internet and information from ACK and DDC, we all need to digest this information and move forward to establishing what we consider to be best for Great Danes in the UK.
I would like to make a few points:
A Black to be used in Fawn/Brindle mating’s must not have any Harlequin or Mantle in the pedigree.
A Black to be used in Harlequin/Mantle breeding must not have any Fawn/Brindle in its pedigree.
A Blue to be used in a Fawn breeding must not have any Harlequin or Mantle in the pedigree & vice versa.
A Blue to be used in Harlequin breeding must not have any Fawn/Brindle or Mantle in its pedigree.
When it comes to Harlequin breeding White’s, Merle’s, Piebald’s and Tweeds may all carry the deaf gene together with both skin and eye defects so it is advisable not to include these in any breeding programme. The best way we have of eradicating these mismarks is to put Harlequin to Mantle as none of these Blacks would carry the merle or white gene, I could go on and on with regards to Harlequin breeding but all this information is available on the internet.
Questionnaire Findings
|
Fawn |
Brindle |
Blue |
Black |
Harlequin |
Mantle |
|
|
Fawn |
Yes |
Yes |
? |
? |
No |
No |
|
Brindle |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
? |
No |
No |
|
Blue |
? |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
? |
No |
|
Black |
? |
? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Harlequin |
No |
No |
? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Mantle |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
? = Must have good reason and excellent in-depth knowledge.
The following Harlequin mismark colours should not be included in any breeding programmes:
Merle, Whites, Piebald and Tweed.
Last updated
7 April, 2012 10:15