Great Dane Breed Standard

Danes are one of the largest dog breeds. Spade head, broad muzzle, wide feet, deep chest, tapered and cropped ears, and lively eyes are all part of the conformation of the Dane. Great Danes are spirited, courageous, always friendly and dependable, and never timid or aggressive. Great Danes are easily recognized by their resonate, deep bark.

General Appearance:

The Great Dane combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with great size and a powerful, well-formed, smoothly muscled body. It is one of the giant working breeds, but is unique in that its general conformation must be so well balanced that it never appears clumsy. Great Danes should never show aggression, fear, or shyness. Bold, friendly pride is the mark of a Dane and this shows in the eyes and carriage of the dog. Those showing little to no personality will be marked 1-2 points and any showing uncharacteristic attitudes will be DQed.

Size, Proportion, Substance:

The male should appear more massive throughout than the female with a larger frame and heavier bone. In the ratio between height (at withers) and length, the Great Dane should appear square. Danes shouldn't be too lean so as to show ribs, or so heave that the dog seems bloated.

Head ( eyes, ears, Nose ):

Head: Spade-shaped. The plane of the skull and the plane of the muzzle must be straight and parallel to one another. The top of the deep muzzle must be a straight and smooth. The jaw should be square.
Eyes: Medium in size, deep set, and generally dark (see below), with a lively intelligent expression. The eyelids must always be black.
Ears: Medium in size, and set high. They can be either cropped or folded.
Nose: Must be black in color, otherwise it is disqualified.

eyes:
Dark colors (such as brown, gray and dark red) and Teal: 3 points
     
Blue and Green: 2 points

Pale colors (ice blue, light gray, ...): DQed.
  
Faults: Bi-colored eyes.

Coat Variations:

*** Please note, that there isn't a red coat variation in real standards, however, since they are included in Petz, they still qualify for PKC Standard.

Fawn: Solid soft tan with a colored muzzle, which must be either black or brown.  Cream Danes are also included in this variation, and are accepted. Blazes are accepted but faulted, as are masks.
Faults: any markings other than the black/brown muzzle, blaze, mask

Blue: Solid bluish gray or charcoal gray with a black muzzle only.
Faults: any markings other than the black muzzle.

Red: solid reddish brown with either a brown mask, or a black/brown muzzle. Blaze is optional on muzzles or masks, but must be black only.
Faults: any markings other than the muzzle/mask (& blaze), black mask.

Black: solid black color with preferably no markings.
Faults: any small markings are faulted, large are DQed.

Harlequin Danes: white base with black spots/patches. (any other colored base is DQed.) White Danes are accepted, but are faulted for lack of spots. Masks, muzzles and blazes all in black are acceptable, with no preference to either. It is preferred that only one, or no ears are black. Spots shouldn't appear on the neck either.
Faults: too few or too many spots (the approx. ratio of spots is 1:4); 2 black ears; spots on the neck.

Temperament:

Great Danes should never show aggression, fear, or shyness. Bold, friendly pride is the mark of a Dane and this shows in the eyes and carriage of the dog. Those showing little to no personality will be marked 1-2 points and any showing uncharacteristic attitudes will be DQed.

Tail:

The tail of the Dane is long, thin, unkinked (no weird bends), and held up (it doesn't drop).

Disqualifications:

Any other coat variation than those mentioned under "Coat Variations".
A blaze of any color other than black.
Large colored markings on a black dane.
A harlequin Dane with a base any color other than white.
Eyelids any color other than black.
Docked tail.
Uncharacteristic attitude.

American Kennel Club - Great Dane Breed Standard.