Arlecchino, one of the best known characters from the Italian Commedia dell’arte, couldn’t read or write, and he was so poor that he had to make his living performing acrobatics and being a clown. He was always hungry, and his clothes had been patched together so often that one cold only guess their original color and material.  That said, he had an enduring, magical power and could always rely on his native ingenuity and wit to get along.

Some people have opined that the Great Dane, and Harlequin Great Danes in particular, take after Arlecchino whose name translated into English is “Harlequin.” The Harlequin base color is pure white with black torn, irregular patches much like Arlecchino’s suit, and is one of six acceptable colors in the breed (Fawn, Brindle, Blue, Black and Mantle). To our knowledge, the Great Dane is the only breed of dog with this black and white color pattern, though it should be mentioned that the Beauceron also has a harlequin color option, but it is (as stated in the standard) a black and tan base color with a pattern of blue-gray patches distributed evenly over the body and balanced with the base color, sometimes with a predominance of black.

Image: Harlequin Great Dane by ARTPERITAS
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