We would like to give you some information concerning the "merle".

The color called "merle" is a slant that at present, is still considered to be a default within the breeding standard of Great Danes.  Even though there are already merles on show, they do not yet get any champion titles.

In other countries like France, Lithuania, and several clubs within the United States, these Great Danes sometimes are admitted for breeding.

If you think it over, this really makes sense.  After decades of champions breeding, the vitality of our dogs has deteriorated.  For many generations, only Great Danes champions have been paired - health and life expectancy often have been ignored.  As merles are not entitled to become champions, they have never been recognized, even though they indeed could compete with their sisters and brothers.  Therefore, we look for the vitality of our Great Danes, not for their titles.

At last, I would like to say, that it is impossible to eliminate the merle by breeding selection.  As long as there's a breeding of harlequins, there will always be merles, too.

 IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS, YOU WILL NOT BUY FROM BREEDERS THAT CULL (KILL) THEIR MERLE PUPPIES!!!