THE GREAT DANE 



55 



Neck. Next to the head, the neck is one of the chief characteristics. It 

 should be long, well arched, and quite clean and free from loose skin, held 

 well up, snakelike in carriage, well set in the shoulders, and the junction of head 

 and neck well defined. 



Shoulders. The shoulders should be muscular but not loaded and well sloped 

 back, with the elbows well under the body, so that when viewed in front the dog 

 does not stand too wide. 



Fore Legs and Feet. The fore legs should be perfectly straight, with big flat 

 bone, the feet large and round, the toes well arched and close, the nails strong 

 and curved. 



Body. The body is very deep, with ribs well sprung and belly well 

 drawn up. 



Back and Loins. The back and loins are strong, the latter slightly arched 

 as in the Greyhound. 



Hindquarters. The hindquarters and thighs are extremely muscular, giving 

 the idea of great strength and galloping power. The second thigh is long 

 and well developed, as in a Greyhound, and the hocks are set low, turning neither 

 out nor in. 



Tail. The tail is strong at the root and ends in a fine point, reaching to or 

 just below the hocks. It should be carried, when 

 the dog is in action, in a straight line level with 



A Badly-carried Tail. 



A Well-earned Tail. 



the back, slightly curved towards the end, but 

 should not curl over the back. 



Coat. The hair is short and dense and sleek- 

 looking, and in no case should it incline to 

 coarseness. 



Gait or Action. The gait should be lithe, 



springy, and free, the action high. The hocks should move very freely, and 

 the head should be held well up. 



Colour. The colours are brindle, fawn, blue, black, and harlequin. The 

 harlequin should have jet black patches and spots on a pure white ground ; 

 grey patches are admissible but not desired ; fawn or brindle shades are 

 objectionable. 



