Duetsche_Doggen
Well-Known Member
I’ve been really hesitant about posting this as I do not want to start any sort of conflict. However I feel that most folks here are mature and this forum is quite different from others I’ve been on so….here goes.
I’ve been getting questions in regards to the Harl x Harl breeding. I’m not a genetic expert and I’m not trying to be. I created this thread for those what wanted to have a basic understanding behind the breeding and the controversy surrounding it. Forgive me this is a little long……
Great Danes can come in many color varieties however only 6 colors are recognized by the parent club GDCA, AKC, UKC, FCI, and so forth. “Recognized†in the sense that these are the clubs “approved†colors, for ethical breeding and showing. To keep the lines “pure†the club has adopted a “color code†meaning only certain colors may be breed to one another.
Below is a snippet of the code:
When breeding Harlequin you are breeding for PATTERN not color, the ratio of black and white. Second Harlequins are actually a “modified/diluted†form of Merle. A gene in the Harlequin alters the effect of the Merle, thus the large colored regions are removed leaving Harlequin coat pattern we see.
When breeding for Harlequins it is important to understand that Harlequin dogs will produce “mismark†pups, Blacks, Harl, Merle, Merlequin, and White. In order for a dog to produce a Harlequin, genetically speaking the alleles “HhMm†(double heterozygote), must be present.
H=Harlequin
h=non-harlequin
M=Merle
m=solid color
Note: heterozygote= two different alleles for one particular trait. “H†being the dominant trait, “h†recessive trait.
Below examples of different coat patterns of Harlequin and Mantle coat patterns:
Below is known as a Piebald pattern, considered a “mismark Mantleâ€. Can result from Harl x Mantle, or Harl x Black ( this pattern is not a recognized color with the GDCA)
All Harlequin dogs carry the Merle allele “Mmhhâ€, thus which is why Harlequin dogs produce Merle. All white dogs are “HhMM†(carries Harl gene) or “hhMM" ( non-carrier for Harl). Dog’s that have a few patches black/merle, usually the lack the necessary pigmentation and thus the dogs can be blind/deaf.
Below from left to right
Desirable quality “Ideal†Harlequin pattern, Merle, and Mantle (sometimes referred to as Boston or Irish)
I’ve been getting questions in regards to the Harl x Harl breeding. I’m not a genetic expert and I’m not trying to be. I created this thread for those what wanted to have a basic understanding behind the breeding and the controversy surrounding it. Forgive me this is a little long……
Great Danes can come in many color varieties however only 6 colors are recognized by the parent club GDCA, AKC, UKC, FCI, and so forth. “Recognized†in the sense that these are the clubs “approved†colors, for ethical breeding and showing. To keep the lines “pure†the club has adopted a “color code†meaning only certain colors may be breed to one another.
Below is a snippet of the code:
| 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 backwards, 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:
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| NOTE: Black Bred Great Danes may be bred to Blacks, Blues, Harlequins or Mantles only. Puppies resulting from these breedings 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). |
When breeding Harlequin you are breeding for PATTERN not color, the ratio of black and white. Second Harlequins are actually a “modified/diluted†form of Merle. A gene in the Harlequin alters the effect of the Merle, thus the large colored regions are removed leaving Harlequin coat pattern we see.
When breeding for Harlequins it is important to understand that Harlequin dogs will produce “mismark†pups, Blacks, Harl, Merle, Merlequin, and White. In order for a dog to produce a Harlequin, genetically speaking the alleles “HhMm†(double heterozygote), must be present.
H=Harlequin
h=non-harlequin
M=Merle
m=solid color
Note: heterozygote= two different alleles for one particular trait. “H†being the dominant trait, “h†recessive trait.
Below examples of different coat patterns of Harlequin and Mantle coat patterns:
Below is known as a Piebald pattern, considered a “mismark Mantleâ€. Can result from Harl x Mantle, or Harl x Black ( this pattern is not a recognized color with the GDCA)
All Harlequin dogs carry the Merle allele “Mmhhâ€, thus which is why Harlequin dogs produce Merle. All white dogs are “HhMM†(carries Harl gene) or “hhMM" ( non-carrier for Harl). Dog’s that have a few patches black/merle, usually the lack the necessary pigmentation and thus the dogs can be blind/deaf.
Below from left to right
Desirable quality “Ideal†Harlequin pattern, Merle, and Mantle (sometimes referred to as Boston or Irish)
