The Great Dane 175 



animal had to compete in the Variety Class, the 

 breed not being a recognized one in this country at 

 the time. As far as the author recollects, this was 

 about 1878 or 1879, as classification for Boarhounds 

 was first adopted in 1883, and a couple of years later 

 was subsequently changed for that of Great Danes. 

 The sole use of these dogs, at anyrate in Great Britain, 

 is for companionship and guardianship only, and 

 anyone in search of a formidable-looking hound, yet 

 responsive to command, cannot do better than select 

 a Great Dane. It is not a variety that is suitable 

 for living within the domestic circle, being rather 

 cumbersome in the house, but many owners will not 

 willingly accept this statement. The Great Dane 

 exists in a variet}^ of colours, though colour ought 

 not to rank as of much importance — at anyrate it 

 should stand secondary to good conformation. 

 Some are self-coloured, others harlequin. The 

 ground colour ranges from a light yellow to a deep 

 reddish-yellow, striped with deep brindle markings, 

 the latter often being of intense blackness. The self- 

 colours are black, yellow or blue, but sometimes 

 there are darker points on the muzzle, around the 

 eyes and down the spine. In Harlequin Great Danes 

 the ground colour is white, with black or grey patches 

 distributed over the body, even distribution being 

 looked upon as a point of beauty. Many Harlequins 

 have " wall " or " china " eyes, also a pink nose or 



