GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Min. bitches 71cm (28”) - dogs 76cm (30”).
Colour: Black, blue, brindle, fawn or harlequin (white with torn black splashes), Mantle - Black and white with a solid, black blanket extending over the body.
Coat: Short, dense and sleek in appearance. 
Gait: Free flowing with plenty of drive and a proud head carriage.
These large elegant dogs must have lots of dash and daring about them. The head is long and strong throughout with a square lipped muzzle. The medium sized eyes are preferably dark but in Harlequins one or two light blue eyes are permissible. The high set ears are triangular and hang forward to the cheek or erect in countries which permit ears to be cropped. The arched neck runs into a level back. The forelegs are straight and the long muscled hindquarters are well angulated and finish with tight round feet. The tapering tail should be carried in a straight line level with the back.

CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
With a look of being able to do anything or go anywhere, and as if conscious of their size (up to 54kg or l20lb), these giants are unbelievably gentle.
Being essentially people orientated, they are sensitive, intuitive and slow to anger. Human companionship is essential for their well being. Although slow to mature, this breed is not renowned for its longevity. Coat care is minimal.

HISTORY One might easily be excused for thinking these members of the Mastiff family developed their breed type in Denmark - however this is highly unlikely. Their name is a corruption of the French words ‘grand Danois’ meaning ‘big Danish’ and it is a mystery why the British adopted this name when the breed was evolved in Germany. The origins of the Great Danes’ mastiff family are believed to be Asian, and as far back as 3000 BC, there were Egyptian drawings of ‘tiger dogs’ similar to the Great Dane. Certainly this breed was well established when Greece and later Rome were the main powers of western civilisation. Later in central Europe they were sometimes known as the German Mastiff or the Boarhound.