The Blue Fawn and the Fawn are Great Dane coat colors. It is easy to confuse these two Great Danes with these coat colors because they look the same.
So, how different are they? And how can you differentiate these two Great Danes?
In this article, we will look at Blue Fawn vs Fawn Great Dane differences and similarities, from appearance, temperament, associated health problem concerns, and their price to help you identify them.
Table of Contents
Blue Fawn Vs Fawn Great Dane: What is the difference?
The main difference between a Blue Fawn and a Fawn Great Dane is the facial mask color, which is the hair on the muzzle, face, and ears. Both dogs have a fawn coat color, however, the mask of the Fawn Great Dane is black while a Blue Fawn’s mask is blue, that is, a subtle gray color.
Blue Fawn Vs Fawn Great Dane: Appearance
The Blue Fawn Great Dane and Fawn Great Dane look similar but they are different in appearance.
The Fawn Great Dane is one of the official seven coat colors of the Great Dane, recognized by the American Kennel Club.
A Fawn Great Dane has a fawn-colored coat all over the body with a black mask, with the black color being on the muzzle and also may extend to the ears.
Fawn is a shade of light brown that ranges from soft tan to yellow gold.
Any other markings on the toes or chest are undesirable, according to the American Kennel Club’s standards of this coat color.
On the other hand, the Blue Fawn Great Dane is a Fawn Great Dane with a blue mask. The blue color is simply a subtle gray, that covers the muzzle, and eye area and also may extend to the ears.
The gray is a result of recessive genes that a Blue Fawn puppy inherits from both parents, which dilute the black pigment (eumelanin) on the mask of a Fawn Great Dane.
This dilute color is commonly referred to as blue.
According to the American Kennel Club, only the Fawn Great Dane standard characteristics are qualified to participate in AKC Conformation shows.
Any Fawn color variation outside the standard Fawn Great Dane description such as the Blue Fawn Great Dane is not qualified.
Except for the facial mask color between the Blue Fawn and the Fawn Great Dane, the two dogs have similar physical features.
Both have an athletic, muscular build, with a large head, large muzzle, almond-shaped eyes, natural floppy ears, long limbs, a short, and smooth coat, and a medium-sized tail.
Related: Merle Vs Harlequin Great Dane
Read more in detail about the Blue Fawn Great Dane in our complete Guide.
Blue Fawn Vs Fawn Great Dane Size
The Blue Fawn Great Dane and Fawn Great Dane are similar in size, both being the standard Great Dane breed size.
Adult male dogs weigh between 120 to 200 pounds, standing at 32 to 34 inches in height.
Females are smaller than male dogs with a height of 28 to 32 inches and 100 to 130 pounds in weight.
Blue Fawn Vs Fawn Great Dane Behavior
The Blue Fawn and Fawn Great Dane have the same personality, the breed’s personality. They are both gentle, sweet-natured, friendly, affectionate, intelligent, loyal, confident, and protective.
Their pleasant personality makes them good family dogs. They get along with both children and other pets.
The two dogs are people-oriented dogs that love to be around their owners and family and tend to suffer from separation anxiety when separated.
They are also intelligent and easy to train.
The personality of any dog or Great Dane is also shaped by socialization, training, and good care.
Therefore having a well-mannered Blue Fawn or Fawn Great Dane is also dependent on these important factors.
Related: Mantle Vs Black Great Dane: Differences and similarities
Blue Fawn Vs Fawn Great Dane Lifespan
The Great Dane as a breed has a short lifespan. As Great Danes, both the Blue Fawn and Fawn Great Danes have a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years.
Research has shown that large breed dogs such as the Great Dane tend to have a short lifespan because their large size strains their bodies’ physiological processes making them wear faster and thus age faster.
In comparison, small breed dogs have a longer lifespan, living between 10 to 15 years.
See also: Black Great Dane with white chest: Everything you need to know
Blue Fawn Vs Fawn Great Dane Health Concerns
Research studies have indicated that the coat color of a dog can make them more susceptible to certain health conditions.
The Fawn Great Dane is not susceptible to specific health issues due to their coat color however, the Blue Fawn Great Dane is.
Dilute-colored dogs, that is, dogs with blue color which is a dilute black, are susceptible to color dilution alopecia (CDA). This means Blue Fawn Great Dane is susceptible to CDA.
Color dilution alopecia (CDA) is a hereditary condition that leads to coat hair thinning, hair loss, inflamed bald patches, and itching.
The condition does not have a cure but is managed through regular bathing of the affected dog with medicated shampoos to reduce inflammation, itching, and infection of the bald skin areas.
In addition to this, both dogs are susceptible to the common health problems of the Great Dane dog breed. This includes:
- Heart disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Wobblers syndrome
- Cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Bloat
Despite being prone to these Great Dane breed health problems, both the Blue Fawn and Fawn Great Dane are generally healthy dogs.
They do not necessarily develop illnesses and they lead healthy lives. A healthy life is promoted by a healthy diet, exercise, good nurturing, and good breeding.
See also: How to keep a Great Dane healthy
Good breeding of Great Danes produces healthy puppies. This is why it is important to buy a Great Dane puppy from reputable Great Dane breeders who produce healthy puppies.
Professional breeders for example do not include Great Dane parents that have color dilution alopecia (CDA) to prevent the disease from being passed on to the offspring.
Therefore not all Blue Fawn Great Danes have color dilution alopecia.
Breeders reduce the probability of occurrence of other conditions in puppies and with proper care, a Great Dane can live a healthy life.
Blue Fawn Vs Fawn Great Dane Cost
Both the Blue Fawn and the Fawn Great Dane prices are in the same range. The average cost is between $ 1000 – $ 2500.
The price varies greatly depending on individual breeders, and their location. The cost for puppies is higher than the cost of older dogs and dogs up for adoption.
You can find both the Blue Fawn and Fawn Great Danes from Great Dane breeders or rescue groups.
When considering getting either Great Danes, always purchase one from a reputable Great Dane breeder to ensure you receive a healthy puppy.
Professional breeders provide important information about their puppies including health certificates that show a puppy’s status.
You are also free to ask the breeder more questions that will help you have more information.
Avoid buying your puppy from backyard breeders or puppy mills that unethically breed dogs for a profit. Be cautious and always buy a puppy from a certified Great Dane Breeder.
The American Kennel Club’s marketplace is a great place to start when looking for reputable Great Dane breeders.
Which one is right for you?
The differences between a Blue Fawn and Fawn Great Dane are not many. They are more similar than different.
The major difference is their facial mask color, however, in all other aspects, they are very similar.
The two Great Danes have the breed’s personality as affectionate, loyal, intelligent, eager to please, protective, and easy to train dogs. They are also good family dogs.
The Blue Fawn and the Fawn Great Dane are both prone to the breed’s health problems, however, generally they are both healthy dogs.
The care for each dog is similar. Both require a healthy diet, regular exercise, and care.
The Blue Fawn may require extra care if they have color dilution alopecia (CDA) however, not all have this condition.
Therefore regardless of whether you select the Blue Fawn Great Dane or the Fawn Great Dane, they are both good choices for Fawn-colored Great Danes.
If you intend to participate in the AKC’s conformation dog shows, the Fawn Great Dane with a black mask is the acceptable coat color.
Summary: Blue Fawn Vs Fawn Great Dane
The main difference between the Blue Fawn and Fawn Great Dane is their facial mask color. They are both Fawn-colored Great Danes however for a Blue Fawn the facial mask is gray compared to the fawn Great Dane’s black facial mask.
Despite this difference, both dogs have the same qualities in terms of their physical features, temperament, and the breed’s health concerns.
Both Blue Fawn and Fawn Great Danes are good companion dogs as Great Danes, the choice for you only boils down to which one you prefer having.