Kim van Deltadog

(Mantle Merle)

Jippo van Deltadog

Merle

Or in Dutch de Grijstijger

(the grey tiger)

Besides giving information on the fantastic Great Dane we do not want to miss the opportunity to unveil some of the truth about the merle dog, better known in Holland as the grey tiger.

Many know that this variety is not recognized in the race standard in spite of the fact that they have occurred as long the Great Dane exists.

Not being recognized means no shows and exclusion from breeding by official rules.

This often makes a puppy of this colour the black sheep (or rather the greysheep) of the Dane family.

In appearance the merle pup differs from his harle brother only in the colour of his coat.

In regards to character, health and genetic pattern they are equals with absolutely no difference to be found.

Their background colour is generally grey (but not always) with small and/or large black spots, also seen regularly is the Mantle Merle and merlquin.
Merle coloration can vary from pale silver to dark ash gray
& many shades in between.

It is important to note that despite frantic efforts to eliminate this colour through breeding and keep silent about it, it still occurs in the black/harle breed.

Every experienced breeder knows that inevitable the "grey tiger" may spring from the combination harlequin x harlequin, harlequin x black or harlequin x mantle.

The harlequin and merle are bound by a genetically indissoluble tie, if there were no merle there would not be a harlequin either any more!!

In Germany and Switserland they have been present at dogshows recently.

* France has its first approved merle studmale!  Fantomas vom Köningsland

*  France approved merle studmale Gris Bigarré de Noir Tom du domaine du Sultan

* SWITSERLAND approved merle studmale Grautiger Deckrüde Memphis von der Porta Romana

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

Look also on to see breeding results of the merle.

We hope that in the future these puppies will get more recognition by including them in the race standard.

Certanly all would be restricted and controlled but..... it would be a good step forward in the protection of the merle.

   http://www.deutscher-doggen-club.ch/ 

More merle info: