Great Danes are massive canines that make excellent pets. There are various types of appearances within the breed itself. Some dogs may be all black, while others have a unique coloring.
Today we’re going to be looking at piebald Great Danes and everything you should know about what it is.
What Is a Piebald Great Dane?
Without their size, many would confuse piebalds with Dalmatians.
©Aleksandr Zotov/iStock via Getty Images
A piebald is a coat coloration of this dog breed. Though not recognized by the American Kennel Club, a Great Dane with this name has a coat coloration that occurs in this breed when a Mantle and/or Harlequin Great Dane mate.
Pinto, colored-headed whites, and parti-colored are other common names for piebald Great Danes. This type of coloring has the dog mostly white with black markings. Dogs born with this type of coat usually have a Mantle coloring on the head, with a combination of Harlequin and Mantle around the body.
The Piebald Gene
Piebald genes are much more common than albino genes.
©Mongkolchon Akesin/Shutterstock.com
Regarding piebald Great Danes, there is an abundance of uncertainty. Because breeds fluctuate in terms of look and performance, people become perplexed. For that reason, it can be challenging to identify a piebald Great Dane.
A piebald has two white spotting genes (S\S) in its genetic makeup. The piebald gene can affect every Great Dane’s coat shade. As a result, the dogs come in a variety of Great Dane colors.
Moreover, the piebald gene is regarded as a “gene of excessive whiteness.” Mantle-bred Great Danes are the most well-known type of piebald Great Dane. Their coats are mostly white with random spots.
Additionally, their heads are typically black like a Mantle Great Dane due to their piebald genetics. If you’re picturing a cow with their iconic black-and-white markings, that’s not too far off!
Types of Piebald Great Dane Coats
This breed was originally bred to be hunting dogs.
©Ricantimages/Shutterstock.com
With so many variations possible, here’s a look at some of the most common piebald mixes.
| Popular Type of Piebald Great Dane | Markings |
|---|---|
| Fawn Piebald Great Dane | Majority white coat with fawn spots around the body. |
| Harlequin Piebald Great Dane | Similar to a Harlequin Great Dane with a few light spots. |
| Merle Piebald Great Dane | Majority white coat with Merle-colored markings around the body. |
| Boston Head Piebald Great Dane | Mostly black head with splotches around the body. |
Do Piebald Great Danes Have Health Issues?
Possible Great Dane health problems include Addison’s Disease, which is a lack of cortisol production.
©hedgehog94/Shutterstock.com
Due to their size, all Great Danes can face health issues. Hip dysplasia, bloat, joint issues, heart disease, and bone cancer are some of the main problems. Because of their lack of pigment, piebald is seen as “genetically flawed.”
Strangely enough, an extreme lack of pigment and genetic issues within these dogs can lead to deafness. Sunburns and skin issues can also occur if you live in a warm environment due to the lack of melanin.
Breeding Piebald Great Danes
It’s generally not a good idea to breed two piebald Great Danes. With the piebald gene getting carried on by breeding, it can lead to more and more health issues in future dogs. If this is done in excess, the entire breed could change.
Breeders can even opt for the piebald gene test to ensure that the dogs they are breeding don’t have the gene.
Piebald Great Dane Size
A
chihuahua
is between 5 and 6 pounds, which is over 100 pounds less than a Great Dane.
©Eric Isselée/iStock via Getty Images
We all know that Great Danes are massive dogs, but just how massive? On the low end, the Great Dane weighs around 120 pounds. Many have tipped the scale closer to 200 pounds. They measure between 34 and 36 inches tall at the shoulder.
Piebald Great Dane Temperament
Although their size can be intimidating, these beautiful canines are playful. They are extremely friendly and have no shortage of energy. Because they’re so social, Great Danes are amazing family dogs.
These animals can grow to be around 200 pounds, making obedience training a priority. Start training them as young as possible to get ahead of their size.
Piebald Great Dane Lifespan
Great Danes thrive on having a buddy who can keep up with them.
©FranJ K2Photographic/iStock via Getty Images
Because of the piebald gene, they have a shorter lifespan than other dog breeds. Great Danes live an average of nine years. Things such as regular veterinary appointments, a healthy diet, and plenty of love can help extend their lives.
Rare Types of Great Danes
| Ordered Rank | Type of Great Dane | Coloration | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Great Danes | Entirely white or albino. | Results from a genetic combination making the rarest color of the breed |
| 2 | Grey (Silver) Great Danes | Brownish-gray. | On the rarer side of the spectrum |
| 3 | Fawnequin Great Danes | White with extremely light brown spots. | Very rare |
| 4 | Harlequin Great Danes | White with black spots. | On the rarer side of the spectrum |
| 5 | Blue Great Danes | Solid gray. | Rare |
| 6 | Merle Great Danes | Light belly with heathered gray and black splotches. | Common |
| 7 | Mantle Great Danes | Black bodies with their head, legs, neck, and chest white. | Relatively common |
| 8 | Black and White Great Danes | Black and white. | Fairly common |
| 9 | Piebald Great Danes | Mostly white with black splotches around the body. | Quite common |
| 10 | Brindle Great Danes | Brown with black streaks and spots. | Common |
| 11 | Black Great Danes | Solid black. | Common |
| 12 | Fawn Great Danes | Light golden tan, often with a dark muzzle and eye rings. | The most common and iconic color |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Arthur Villator/Shutterstock.com
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