I would like to share the tragic loss of our young, eleven month old Scottie dog. Jer-E (Rhyscott Elegant Gentleman of Bardriaan, Imp USA). Co-owned by Ms Ruth Woodcock (USA), with you.   
Friday, February 5th, Jer-E, myself, Napoleon and his two legged friends did show training on our property. Jer-E was in excellent health and he confirmed that he had an excellent show career ahead of him. Saturday evening, Jer-E wasn’t his perky self, but we thought the terrible heat we were experiencing in Pretoria had something to do with it. We took his temperature late that night and indeed it was higher than normal. Sunday Jer-E did not seem worse, his temperature was fluctuating between normal and a bit high. Sunday night he did not want his supper....

Can you imagine the finest of hunting days? You are working the wetlands for ducks. 
All goes well, your faithful gundog has never done it better and you are shooting straight for once. 
Then, when the day seems as good as it can be, your dog suddenly rears in the air and you realise with horror that a deadly snake is at work.  You are a long walk from the car, even then its two hours to a vets surgery – there seems no hope that you will get there in time and you are not sure what type of snake it was. What to do?

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD), a rare skeletal disorder of rapidly growing large and giant breed puppies, is more likely to affect Great Dane puppies than any other breed, according to the results from a survey conducted in 1998. “HOD occurs unexpectedly in puppies 4 to 6 months old,” says Herman Hazewinkel, D>V>M.,Ph.D., professor of veterinary medicine at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.  “The disease is painful and crippling, affecting both front or both back limbs, or all four.” The condition may begin with uncharacteristic listlessness, fever, or even partial paralysis, usually in the rear.  A puppy may be lame, refuse to stand, lose appetite and weight, and its temperature may skyrocket to 104 degrees Farenheit.

When a Great Dane is diagnosed with dilated Cardiomyopathy, the implication of subsequent abnormalities, such as congestive heart failure, also becomes a concern.  Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is prevalent among giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes,  In fact, the breed may be second only to Doberman Pinschers in its vulnerability to this condition.  While experts agree that the disease is hereditary in some breeds, until recently there’s been a question whether that’s also the case with Great Danes.  
A preliminary answer to that question comes from research led by Kathryn Meurs, D.V.M., PH.D., associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at The Ohio State University.  She and her colleagues have analyzed the pedigrees of 43 Great Danes with SCM and determined that -–as with other breeds – the condition is genetically based.

Here are twenty signs that your dog may be in trouble from bloat or torsion:

Whilst most dogs can’t wait to jump into the car and go for a ride, many simply hate traveling. They have to be forced in to the car. Then proceed to salivate and pace up and down for the entire journey.There is a greater chance of dogs showing this fear if they were only introduced to movement, noise and confinement of car travel at a late age.Past experiences will also influence behaviour, such as a previously good traveler who becomes nervous about car journeys after being involved in a car accident. Whatever the distress, the treatment is the same.

A series of helpful hints for the welfare of your animal using everyday household ingredients.

For the purpose of this scenario let's imagine two litters of wolf puppies.  
The first litter progresses as any normal litter of wolf puppies would, ie. they remain in the den for 5-6 weeks. Upon emerging they meet the big world outside. Because they stay close to the den until the age of 16 weeks, they spend a lot of time investigating and getting socialised to new objects - such as the wolves in their pack, trees, insects, rocks, thunder, birds etc. - which will become an intergral part of their everyday life. After the age of 16 weeks they start exploring further afield and encounter different "new" objects. As they are past their maximum socialising period they view these items with great suspicion and caution. These objects would be other wolves, hunters, snakes etc. and this is nature's way of ensuring that the wolves exhibit necessary caution as adults.

This is one of the fastest growing disciplines in South Africa.  
Unlike “Dog Draughting” in Europe, the dogs are not really required to carry a big load. The maximum load size is 25kg and then only for a larger dog. Dog Carting is open to all breeds of dogs and is divided into 2 categories viz. Mini for dogs under 14cm and Standard for dogs over 14cm. In both categories one starts in the novice division and then has to earn qualifications before being allowed to compete in the Senior Grade.

Due to the Great Dane's size and slow maturity it is strongly recommended that anyone wanting to do agility with their Dane adhere to these points: Danes must not start doing competition sized obstacles until they are at least 2 years old damage to an immature growth plate from a fall or a bad landing could permanently injure the dog. By their very nature Danes will need more space to safely run a course and handlers must be aware of this during training and competing and must not place "Border Collie" demands on their dogs

Hi there everyone. Just a short note to say that all is going well. I have fitted in quite well and enjoy all the love and attention that I am receiving from Jenny and her family. Jenny takes me for walks most days and sometimes I even go for walks twice a day - in the morning and then in the evening. I have met a few of the other dogs in our area and am not too fond of them ! My neighbour is a staffie whose name is Brave - he really does not like other dogs, but that is no problem as when I am out I am always on lead and he is also in an enclosed garden so all is great ! I also enjoy scaring the cats that dare to cross my path !

I am thrilled to announce that Hamba passed the Therapy Dog assessment with full colours this afternoon. It was quite a demanding test and really put the dogs (and handlers) through their paces. Hamba was a star. At one point the lady on crutches dropped her crutch and Hamba immediately went toward her. The lady held onto Hamba's back and neck and then leant on her to gain her balance. Hamba stood as steady as a rock until the lady was able to get her crutch and move off. I was quite taken aback at how Hamba sussed the situation out!