Daniff

The Great Dane is among the world's tallest dog breeds, combining impressive height with a powerful, well-muscled physique that conveys elegance rather than clumsiness. Males stand at a minimum of 30 inches at the shoulder, with 32 inches or more being preferred, while females measure at least 28 inches, with 30 inches or more preferred. Despite the absence of a specified weight in the breed standard, males typically weigh between 140 and 175 pounds, with females ranging from 110 to 140 pounds. The body is square-proportioned, with the length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock being equal to the height at the withers. The Great Dane's head is long, distinguished, and expressive, with a full, square jaw and a well-defined stop. The skull is flat on top and parallel to the bridge of the muzzle when viewed in profile. The eyes are medium-sized, deep-set, and almond-shaped with an intelligent, alert expression. Eye color is typically dark, though lighter eyes are acceptable in harlequin and merle patterns. The ears are set high and medium in size, folding forward close to the cheek when natural, or cropped to stand erect in regions where this practice is permitted. The neck is long, well-arched, and muscular, flowing smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. The coat is short, thick, and smooth with a glossy appearance. Seven colors are recognized by the American Kennel Club: brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin, mantle, and merle. Brindle features a yellow-gold base with strong black cross stripes in a chevron pattern. Fawn is a yellow-gold color with a black mask. Blue is a pure steel blue shade. Black is a glossy, pure black. Harlequin displays a white base with irregularly shaped black patches. Mantle shows black and white with a black blanket extending over the body. Merle presents a pale gray to dark gray base with black torn patches. The tail is set high, thick at the base, and tapers to a point, carried in line with the back or slightly curved upward.

The Mastiff, also known as the English Mastiff or Old English Mastiff, is a massive, powerful dog that ranks among the heaviest of all canine breeds. The breed standard specifies minimum heights of 30 inches for males and 27.5 inches for females, though many individuals exceed these dimensions, with some reaching 36 inches at the shoulder. Weight varies considerably, with males typically ranging from 160 to 230 pounds and females from 120 to 170 pounds. The record-holding Mastiff, named Zorba, weighed an astounding 343 pounds. The body is massive, with great depth and breadth, particularly between the forelegs, which are set wide apart. The Mastiff's head is heavy, broad, and square in appearance, with a short, broad muzzle that is approximately one-third the length of the entire head. The forehead is flat with pronounced wrinkles when alert, and there is a distinct stop between the eyes. A characteristic black mask covers the muzzle, extending around the eye orbits and between the eyes, with the ears also being dark. The eyes are medium-sized, set wide apart, and display a kind but alert expression, with colors ranging from brown to dark hazel depending on coat color. The ears are small, V-shaped, set high on the sides of the head, and hang close to the cheeks. The coat is short, straight, and close-lying with a coarser outer coat over a denser, shorter undercoat. Accepted colors include fawn, apricot, and brindle, all featuring the essential dark mask. Fawn ranges from light cream to deep golden tan, while apricot presents a richer, more orange-toned shade. Brindle shows fawn or apricot as the background color, covered with dark stripes. A small patch of white on the chest is permissible. The tail is set on high, wide at the base, and tapers to a point, reaching to or slightly below the hocks. At rest, the tail hangs straight down; in motion, it forms a gentle curve but never rises above the level of the back.