Harlequin Great Danes are beautiful dogs that have been steadily increasing in popularity over the years. Because of their unique markings and the breeder knowledge required, they are considered rare and much more expensive than a standard Great Dane.
Are you considering getting a Harlequin Great Dane? We’ve broken down the associated costs of this magnificent breed, as well as other things you need to know before purchasing one of these gentle giants.
How Much Does a Harlequin Great Dane Cost?
Annual Costs: $3000
First Year Cost: $6000
Life Time Cost: $17500
Puppy Price: $2000
Harlequin Great Danes are rarer than Great Danes with a standard coloring. Because of this, you will find that they often cost much more than a standard Great Dane.
The initial cost of a Harlequin Great Dane ranges between $900 and $4000. There are many factors that determine the price of a Harlequin Great Dane.
Harlequin Great Dane Price at Shelter
Due to their rarity, it is highly unlikely that you will find a Harlequin Great Dane at a shelter. If you happen to get lucky, you will likely not get a purebred Great Dane, but a mix or mutt of some sort.
In case you are considering registering your pup with the American Kennel Club, you will need a pure bloodline, which is something you’ll need to consider.
If you happen to find a Harlequin Great Dane at a shelter, you will probably only pay adoption fees. An average price range for shelter adoption fees is between $300 to $500 depending on your geographical location.
Harlequin Great Dane Price from Breeder
Particularly if you are looking for purebred Great Danes or champion bloodlines, you will need to get your Harlequin Dane from a reputable breeder.
The breeder you choose is very important, both due to the price and the knowledge required to breed these dogs safely and with minimal health issues.
From a quality breeder, you can expect your Harlequin Great Dane’s price to be in the range of $900 to $4000.
About the Harlequin Great Dane
Breed
Great Danes are known for their enormous size, pleasant demeanor, and status as gentle giants. They were originally bred by German nobility for hunting wild boar and guarding stately homes in the 1800s.
They have often been referred to as the ‘Apollo of Dogs’ for their stature and grace.
Great Danes are big dogs who grow quickly. They can reach 100 lbs. in just 6 months! They are not dogs meant for apartment living.
A male Great Dane typically weighs between 140 lbs. to 175 lbs. at adulthood. A female Great Dane is slightly smaller, weighing between 110 lbs. to 140 lbs. as an adult. Besides the difference in size, there is little difference between males and females.
Unfortunately, due to their large size, Great Danes have the shortest lifespan of all dogs at just 7-10 years.
Genetics
The unique Harlequin Great Dane color is the result of genetics. The Harlequin gene is responsible for producing the beautiful, irregular black spots on a white coat. This happens when a complex interaction takes place between the Harlequin and Merle genes.
However, Harlequin Great Danes and Merle Great Danes are not the same. Merle Great Danes tend to have a marbled appearance, whereas Harlequin Danes look almost like gigantic Dalmatians with irregular spots.
Harlequin Great Danes are also not the same as a Mantle Great Dane or a Brindle Great Dane. These are all unique colorations of the Great Dane breed.
Genetic problems
Two Harlequin Great Danes cannot be bred with each other. The resulting embryos are not viable and the mating does not produce puppies.
A Harlequin and a Merle Great Dane can produce puppies together, but those puppies will be ‘double merle’, which is a condition known to result in deafness, blindness, or other hearing and sight-related medical problems.
Temperament
Harlequin is a naturally occurring color in Great Danes, and there is no difference in temperament between a Harlequin or any other color Great Dane. A Blue Great Dane and a Harlequin Great Dane can be expected to share the same temperament.
Great Danes are generally gentle, sweet, and loyal. They are great with children and make great family pets, however, due to their size, keep an eye on the little ones!
Great Danes can also be rather clumsy. They are very affectionate dogs and sometimes confuse themselves with lap dogs!
They can be a territorial dog breed, which is why this German dog was bred for protection in addition to wild boar hunting. As you can imagine with these large dogs, their bite can be lethal.
Health Problems
Harlequin Great Danes do not have any health problems that standard color Great Danes do not have. Still, they are prone to the same medical issues that Great Danes and other large breeds tend to suffer from. These include:
- Bloat (which can lead to Gastric Dilation Volvulus)
- Hip dysplasia
- Joint and bone problems
- Canine dilated cardiomyopathy
- Tricuspid valve disease
- Thyroid problems
- Addison’s Disease
- Osteosarcoma
Of these, the number one cause of death in Great Danes is the Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV). This happens when the stomach gets too bloated after a large meal. The stomach and spleen twist due to pressure, causing a block of blood flow. The condition leads to death if left untreated.
The procedure known as ‘stomach tacking’ is recommended for Great Danes to eliminate the risk of GDV.
Factors That Affect Harlequin Great Dane Price
Breeder
Considering the health issues that can arise if an uninformed or careless breeder attempts to breed Harlequin Great Danes, it’s very important to go to a reputable breeder. The price will be more expensive, but in the long run, they will likely have far fewer health issues than if you go to a cheap breeder.
Cheap breeders may source their Great Danes from puppy mills, which is never a good thing, both in terms of ethics and potential health problems. Great Dane breeders tend to have a lot of experience and love the breed, being sure to take good care and use best breeding practices.
The price of a Great Dane isn’t cheap – but if you can’t afford the associated costs, you should look into another breed instead of going to a cheap breeder.
Age
A Great Dane puppy will cost far less than an adult dog. This is mainly due to the short lifespan of Great Danes. In addition to the lifespan, Great Dane puppy price is higher because many owners prefer to train their new dog according to their preferences.
Bloodline
Harlequin Great Danes are a recognized color variation of the Great Dane, and so they are eligible to be AKC registered. Depending on what your intentions are with your Harlequin Great Dane puppies, the bloodline may be of importance to you. Champion Great Danes cost much more than their counterparts.
Lifetime Cost of a Harlequin Great Dane
Feeding Costs
As you can imagine, Great Dane’s food costs are very large in comparison to other dog breeds, as they clearly require more food than other dogs.
A Harlequin Dane eats between 6 to 12 cups of dog food per day depending on age and individual needs. This means a price range of $60 to over $100 per month depending on the brand of dog food and what pet store you frequent.
We described in detail the costs to expect to feed a Great Dane in this article.
Medical Costs
Regular vet visits will cost somewhere in the range of $500 to $700 each year. You will probably want to get your Harlequin Great Dane’s stomach tacked to avoid the risk of GDV. This procedure, called gastropexy, ranges from $400 to $800 when done electively.
When the procedure is performed while the dog is being spayed or neutered, not only does it cost less, but it minimizes the number of invasive surgeries your pup has to endure.
If your Great Dane develops GDV and requires an emergency vet visit, the price increases drastically. This emergency surgery costs between $2000 and $5000.
In order to save money and minimize the risk to your Harlequin Great Dane, veterinary advice recommends having a gastropexy done at the time of spay or neuter.
Training Costs
Harlequin giants typically do not require special training. They are not particularly dominant or aggressive, and so the only training that will be required is typical obedience training or puppy training classes.
A private trainer who comes to your home will probably cost between $40 and $60 per session. This will obviously be more money than training in a group setting.
Group training sessions, similar to doggy daycare, will cost between $25 to $80 per class.
Miscellaneous Costs
dog walking
As a Great Dane owner, you will have to ensure your large dog is getting sufficient exercise. If you don’t have the time to do this, it will mean hiring a dog walker. Prices vary depending on location but on average run about $15 to $25 for a 30-minute walk and $30 to $50 for a 60-minute walk.
pet insurance
Considering the medical issues Great Danes are prone to, you may consider investing in insurance. This can greatly reduce the cost of emergency vet visits, however, it can be a pricy investment. On average, pet insurance is between $300 and $800 annually.
Harlequin Great Dane Price Summary
Great Dane prices tend to be somewhat higher than most dogs considering their huge size. Harlequin Great Danes are the rarest, making them the most expensive Great Danes to own. Still, all the costs are well worth the love and affection that this gentle giant will bring to your family. Dog owners around the world adore this breed and are happy to provide for this wonderful dog.
