The harlequin coat pattern is rare in the world of dogs. This unusual pattern is also eye incredibly eye-catching. The following are the only harlequin dog breeds out there.
Great Dane
The Great Dane is a German breed that was created to hunt wild boar and also served as a guard dog. This is a massive canine that in the past had a much fiercer disposition. In contrast, today the Great Dane is considered to be a friendly gentle giant. That being said it is still protective of its home and family. Because of its huge size and power, the Great Dane needs proper training and socialization from an early age.
One of the unfortunate facts about Great Danes is they do typically have a shorter lifespan than most other breeds, usually only from six to eight years. The Great Dane’s coat is short, thick, and shiny. It comes in several colors and patterns including fawn, black, blue, merle, brindle, and harlequin.
The coat of a Harlequin Great Dane is considered by many fans of the breed to be the most striking in appearance. It is unique to the breed and has a base of pure white with irregular black markings over its entire body. These markings should not be excessively large so that they form a blanket, and the neck of the dog should be all-white or at least partially white in color.
Beauceron
The Beauceron is a breed of dog that comes from France. In its native country, this large working breed is also known as Bas Rouge or, “red stockings,” because of the red markings on its lower legs that look similar to socks. It was created to herd livestock such as sheep and cattle.
Unlike other herding breeds that work close to the livestock, the Beauceron is known for working on the outer perimeter of the animals. It’s also known for being able to work very large herds and flocks of animals. This breed is used to guard livestock and open spaces as well.
And it is a superb family companion and protector. However, the Beauceron is a breed that needs a firm master along with thorough training and socialization. Its coat is rough and dense and may either be black and tan or harlequin.
Unlike a Harlequin Great Dane which is white and black, a Harlequin Beauceron is gray, black, and tan. The base color of the coat is black and tan with bluish-gray patches distributed over the entire body.
Are There Other Harlequin Dog Breeds?
The only two dog breeds with a harlequin coat recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) are the Great Dane and Beauceron. Several other breeds are sometimes called, “harlequin,” but are in fact a related and similar coat pattern known as merle. For example, the Harlequin Pinscher is a type of Miniature Pinscher with a merle-patterned coat.
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