Official ICCF Breed Standard
Historical Overview
The Great Dane is one of the ancient Molossoid breeds, descending from large hunting and war dogs used throughout Europe since the Middle Ages. These powerful dogs accompanied knights, hunted large game, and served as reliable guardians. Later, selective breeding in Germany focused on establishing a majestic exterior, balanced temperament, and a harmonious combination of strength and elegance. The Great Dane became a symbol of nobility and aristocratic refinement, distinguished by its impressive height, expressive outline, and confident demeanor. By the 19th century, the breed received official recognition, uniting several regional types. Today, the Great Dane remains one of the most striking and respected giant breeds, preserving its historical courage, calm disposition, and noble character.
General Appearance
The Great Dane is a powerful, large, harmoniously built dog of impressive height without excessive massiveness. The format is slightly elongated, with smooth, expressive body lines. The head is long, noble, with clean, dry contours. The neck is long, muscular, and well-arched. The chest is deep with long ribs, giving the impression of volume. The back is straight and strong, the loin slightly arched, the croup broad. The limbs are long, straight, dry, with well-developed muscles, providing free movement and stability. The tail is sabre-shaped and active. The coat is short, dense, and close-fitting. Overall, the Great Dane must convey an impression of majesty, strength, and elegance. Flews, heaviness, low-set limbs, or an unexpressive head are unacceptable.
Important Proportions
Height at the withers significantly exceeds body length to the croup, creating the slightly elongated, noble format. Chest depth is approximately half the dog’s height. The head is proportional to the body; its length equals about half the back length from withers to croup. Muzzle and skull should be nearly equal in length, forming a balanced profile. The neck must be long enough to emphasize the breed’s elegance and high head carriage. Limbs are long, vertical, with correct angulation ensuring wide reach and strong drive. The tail reaches the hock or slightly below. The Great Dane’s proportions must highlight the harmony of strength and lightness—a key trait of the breed. Any deviation disturbing balance or creating heaviness is considered faulty.
Behaviour and Temperament
The Great Dane is a stable, confident, noble, and reliable dog with strong attachment to its owner. It combines calmness in daily life with natural courage and protective readiness, showing guarding qualities without unwarranted aggression. The breed is known for its tolerance, tact, and steadiness, making it a comfortable companion in the home. The dog must maintain a calm reaction to external stimuli, demonstrating confidence and psychological stability. Cowardice, insecurity, nervousness, or excessive aggression are unacceptable. The Great Dane should remain attentive, friendly, yet always in control of the situation—expressing innate dignity and noble composure.
Head
The head of the Great Dane is large, long, noble, with dry, well-defined lines and a pronounced rectangular shape. The skull is broad but not coarse, with a moderately developed frontal region and a noticeable yet not sharp furrow between the eyes. The stop is well defined but harmonious. The muzzle is powerful, deep, nearly parallel to the skull line, and well filled along its entire length. Cheeks are moderate and not protruding. Jaws are strong and broad, with a scissor bite and large teeth. Skin on the head is tight, without excessive wrinkles. The head must exude nobility, confidence, and clear breed type. Unacceptable faults include coarseness, a short muzzle, rounded skull, weak jaws, excessive folds, or insufficient dryness.
Facial Region
The facial region is massive yet dry, with a strong, correctly shaped muzzle. The nasal bridge is wide and straight. The nose is large with wide nostrils; pigmentation is dark or corresponds to the coat colour. Lips are moderately pendulous, forming the breed’s characteristic square muzzle, but should not appear excessively loose or wet. Jaws are strong, with a broad grip reflecting working origin. The chin is defined but not coarse. Skin is tight and should not form deep wrinkles. The facial region must appear noble, firm, and balanced. Faults include weak lower jaw, light nose, excessive flews, asymmetry, or narrowness disrupting breed expression.
Eyes
Eyes are medium-sized, oval, with an intelligent, calm, and confident expression. Set moderately deep, without bulging. Colour is dark; lighter shades are permissible for some coat colours but darker tones are preferred. Eyelids are dry and close-fitting. Expression should reflect nobility, serenity, and stability. Faults include round or bulging eyes, loose eyelids, weak pigmentation, or anxious/aggressive expression untypical for the breed. Correct eyes define the Dane’s thoughtful, dignified character.
Ears
Ears are medium-sized, natural, set high but not too close together. In the uncropped form they are triangular with rounded tips, hanging close to the cheeks. At rest they lie close to the head; when alert they rise slightly at the base without losing their natural form. Ears must complement the head’s lines without adding coarseness. Faults include oversized or too long ears, heavy or wide-set ears, ears sticking outward or poorly fitting. Proper ear set enhances the noble expression of the Great Dane.
Neck
The neck is long, dry, muscular, well-arched, and set high, blending smoothly into the withers. Its length emphasizes elegance and noble head carriage. Musculature is strong yet refined; the topline of the neck should be slightly curved. Skin is tight; a small dewlap is acceptable but should not compromise dryness or clean outline. A short, thick, weak, or overly loose neck disrupts breed harmony and is unacceptable. The neck is a defining component of the Great Dane’s silhouette, expressing strength, confidence, and aristocratic style.
Body
The body is powerful, well-developed, with a deep chest and firm topline. The ribcage is broad, long, and well-arched, creating significant volume and endurance. The back is long, straight, and strong; the loin is slightly arched and muscular. The croup is broad, slightly sloping, ensuring strong hind drive. The abdomen is moderately tucked; underline smooth. Overall impression: strength, stability, and noble form. Faults include a narrow chest, sway back, short body, weak bone, or excessive massiveness disrupting balance. The body must express the ideal fusion of power and elegance.
Tail
The tail is long, thick at the base, tapering toward the tip. Set high but not excessively so, continuing the line of the spine. At rest, carried downward in a natural curve; in motion, raised but not curled or carried over the back. The tail is active in gait, enhancing balance and expression. Faults include kinks, sharp bends, overly short or excessively long tails, and high carriage disturbing silhouette harmony. Correct tail set completes the majestic outline of the breed.
Forequarters
Forelegs are long, straight, dry, with strong bone and well-developed musculature. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, and well-laid back. Upper arms strong yet not coarse. Elbows face strictly backward, neither turned in nor out. Forearms long, vertical, strong. Pasterns short, slightly sloping, functioning as shock absorbers. Feet compact, round, with well-arched toes and firm pads. Faults include out- or in-turned feet, weak pasterns, insufficient bone, flat feet. Forequarters must ensure free reach, strength, and elegance.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are powerful, long, with strong musculature ensuring strong drive and smooth movement. Thighs broad and deep. Lower thighs long and dry, forming correct stifle angles. Hocks low-set, strong, working in a single plane. Rear pasterns short, vertical, forming stable support. Feet compact, oval, with firm pads. Faults include weak ligaments, straight angulation, cow hocks, barrel hocks, or too narrow/wide stance. Correct hindquarters ensure strength, stability, movement volume, and harmony of the Great Dane’s structure.
Gait / Movement
Movement is free, broad, confident, showing a balance of strength and elegance. Gait must be smooth, rhythmic, with good front reach and powerful rear drive. At the trot the topline remains stable, without sway or softness. In faster movement coordination, reach, and drive must be maintained. Faults include stiffness, short stride, crossing limbs, weak drive, or poor balance. The movement must reflect the breed’s proportions: long limbs give wide reach, powerful body gives stability, elegant outline gives fluidity.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, smooth, and close-fitting with natural shine. Guard hair is fine yet strong and evenly covers the body. Undercoat is minimal or absent, consistent with the dry type. Coat must emphasize the clean lines of the body. Faults include long, soft, wavy, uneven, or sparse coat, plush texture, bald patches, or harsh stiffness. Proper coat quality enhances the Dane’s silhouette and confirms breed purity.
Approved Colours
Approved colours include brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin, and mantle.
Brindle: clear dark stripes on a golden or fawn ground.
Fawn: even, saturated colour, with or without mask.
Blue: uniform steel-grey.
Black: deep, glossy, free of admixtures.
Harlequin: white base with sharply defined black patches of irregular shape.
Mantle: black with white collar, chest, feet, and tail tip.
Faults: muddy shades, blurred markings, brownish tones, blue eyes where forbidden. Colour must be clear, pure, and compliant with strict standard requirements.
Size
The Great Dane belongs to giant breeds; size is one of its defining traits.
Males: 80–90 cm and above.
Females: 72–84 cm.
Weight: 50–90 kg depending on build and sex.
Harmony between height, body length, and bone is essential. Chest must reach elbows; bone strong but not coarse. Faults include overly light or overly heavy dogs, short limbs, disproportions disrupting majesty or function.
Faults
Faults include deviations reducing harmony or breed type.
Body faults: weak bone, narrow chest, sway back, short limbs, square format, excessive mass.
Head faults: short or narrow muzzle, light pigment, round/bulging eyes, loose flews, coarse lines.
Movement faults: short stride, stiffness, crossing, weak drive, instability.
Coat faults: softness, length, sparsity.
Temperament faults: timidity, nervousness, aggression, lack of confidence.
Any disruption of elegance, balance, or noble appearance is considered significant.
Disqualifying Faults
Serious structural or behavioural issues incompatible with breed type:
— Unprovoked aggression or extreme fearfulness
— Psychological instability or panic reactions
— Incorrect bite, multiple missing teeth
— Severe limb deformities, lameness, spinal defects
— Large areas of alopecia
— Blue eyes where forbidden; lack of pigment on nose or eyelids
— Brownish tint in black/brindle coats; incorrect harlequin patterns
— Tail curled over the back or sharply kinked
Any fault destroying beauty, strength, or functionality warrants disqualification.
Important Notes
In evaluating the Great Dane, one must consider its unique combination of majesty, elegance, and strength. The breed matures late, so young dogs may be uneven in development; temporary angularity or lack of substance is acceptable. Movement is crucial—free, light, yet powerful, with a steady topline. Excessive mass, looseness, weak bone, or heaviness are unacceptable. Temperament is essential: the dog must be calm, confident, friendly yet capable of protection. Coat colour specifics must be respected. Harmony of all features defines the ideal Great Dane.
Conclusion
The Great Dane is one of the most magnificent breeds, combining strength, elegance, and nobility. Its majestic outline, expressive head, long limbs, and harmonious proportions create a dog both imposing and refined. Its temperament blends calmness, confidence, and devotion. The Great Dane must be graceful yet powerful, with correct movement and stability. Breeding should preserve the balance of physical strength and dry, refined type that makes the breed unique. A properly raised Great Dane is not only a striking companion but a true symbol of dignity, power, and sophistication.
