Great Danes have always fascinated me, simply because they are so huge.

I found the following information from a Great Dane fancier, that I thought would be a good read for my readers, especially if you are considering a Great Dane as a pet – they make great pets, but you do need a big space to house them!

Here is Matt Warwick's article on Great Danes:

The Great Dane appears in history as far back as 36 B.C, for it is said that the image of a dog very similar in appearance to the Great Dane of today appears in Greek currency of that time. Long ago, in 407 A.D. German Gaul and parts of Italy and Spain were invaded by an Asiatic people who brought with them strong, Mastiff-like dogs. These animals were celebrated in Germany for their hunting abilities, being able to overpower bears and wild boars, and hence a selective breeding program was begun to further hone these abilities.

What resulted from a crossing with the Irish Wolfhound was the beautiful, large and agile dog we know as the Great Dane today. Because they were originally developed to hunt boar, they were given the moniker Boarhound. When these animals ceased to be used for hunting, however, the breed evolved into family companions and estate watchdogs.

The Great Dane is also known by the names Danish Gallant, Deutsche Dogge, or Danish Hound. It is commonly referred to as the Apollo of all breeds, and it is easy to see why. The Great Dane is considered one of the tallest dog breeds, alongside with the Irish Wolfhound.

In fact, the current holder for the title of tallest dog in the world is a Great Dane! This gentle giant is nothing short of majestic, for it is one of the largest working breeds, and never appears clumsy. The breed combines a noble air with robustness, and power goes hand in hand with elegance.

Its regal bearing, subtle strength and calm demeanor all paint the picture of a striking animal. The Great Dane is a formidable-looking animal, especially in the show arena. Not only that, it is just as popular as a family pet due to its placid temperament and sweet nature, rendering them outstanding family companions.

The Great Danes splendid appearance combines its great size, powerfully formed body and smooth musculature with poise, power, and grace. An ideal specimen of this breed is spirited and never faint-hearted. It is always courageous, friendly and dependable.

With its narrow head, long, muscular neck and perfectly straight front legs, the Great Dane looks up at you with a lively, intelligent expression. All Danes have short, shiny, dense coats, which come in the colors fawn, brindle, black, blue, mantle harlequin and sometimes merle. Their short coats are extremely easy to groom, so it is better to groom them daily than bathe that immense body!

The Great Dane, sweet and patient by nature, is playful and patient with children and loves everyone. It does not bark unless the circumstances call for it, and only becomes aggressive when needed, such as in a hostile environment and it is acting as a protector. This brave, loyal dog will be a steadfast companion and a worthy, wise addition to any family and home.

About the Author:

See Matt Warwick’s website and read a myriad of Great Dane information - Everthing you need to know about training, breeding and grooming a Great Dane.

Tags: giant dog breeds, great dane, great dane breed, great dane dog, great dane dog breed, great dane facts, great dane grooming, great dane health, great danes, history of great dane, working dog breed, working dogs

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Ever had a hankering for a certain breed of dog? Not an obsession, mind you – not the sort of longing that would send you rushing to a breeder, thousand-dollar-bill in your sweaty palm – but just a gentle appreciation for the virtues of the Poodle, Pug or Pyrenean Mastiff?

Let's say you have — but you thought buying a purebred pup was a less-than-ideal use of your family's resources. If that's the case, it might be time to look up your local Dog Rescue organization! Dog Rescues are organized by breed, so prospective parents can sign up to be notified when new poodles or pugs come in.

What's the advantage of adopting a rescue dog, instead of a breeder pup? A rescue dog isn't always cheaper than the breeder's (though it usually is). The main difference is this: your money equals a new life for a dog that completely lost out on his first roll of the dice.

How do I adopt a Rescue Dog?

Dog rescue organizations are volunteer-driven, and loosely organized. Your best bet is to "Google" for the one nearest you, using the breed name. So poodle lovers can search for "Poodle Rescue" or "Poodle Rescue Florida," if they live down south.

Once you find an organization, you'll want to apply as an adoptive parent. This may involve a down payment. It also usually involves a form in which you describe your history of animal ownership, and supply references. You'll provide some information on your beliefs about dog discipline, your house and yard, and where you plan to keep your newest family member.

The dog rescue foster moms and will want to talk to you in person, too, to get a feel for your compatibility with their particular pup.

What will I pay for a Rescue Dog?

On average, you'll pay between $200 and $300. If you thought "rescue" adoption was cheap, this might seem like a lot, but the fact is it simply covers basic procedures to bring the animal back to health. Most dogs arrive at the Rescue with skin problems, tartar-coated teeth, out-of-date vaccinations, possible parasites and other issues.

How will a Rescue Dog differ from a breeder or pet store dog?

In a number of ways. Your new adoptee is likely to be:

Older. Few dogs are rescued as puppies. A few are 'adolescent.' The vast majority are middle-aged.

Cautious. Your adoptee may have a lot of fear and yes, grief, to process. If he felt like a part of his former family, he may be grieving his sudden "ejection." He may need time and patience to take an interest in food, play, or his general surroundings. If he was starved or kept isolated, he'll need time and patience to learn to socialize.

"Readable." Buying a puppy means taking a wild guess at the eventual adult. When you rescue a grown dog, you get a much better idea of his personality. It's easier to make the perfect match.

Am I the right type of owner for a Rescue Dog?

An important question! You, the owner, are the last and most crucial link in a chain. The chain's only purpose is provide a "happily-ever-after" for a dog that desperately deserves one. Can you be that happily-ever-after, even for a dog that may have some rough edges?

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I really care what color the coat is, what sex it is or how many pounds it weighs? If so, you really want a puppy from a breeder, not a rescue. Rescue dogs rarely conform to an exact type.

Am I looking to save money?

You may not save money buying a rescued dog, even though the initial cost could be $700 or $800 less than from a breeder. Rescue dogs often need more medical care because of the abuse and neglect they suffered before.

Is my life relatively stable and my household relatively quiet? All abused creatures, whether dog or human, crave and need an unusually organized household. Many people can be good parents to a rescue dog. But perhaps the best potential parent of all is an older person or couple whose children are grown, and who has time and patience to devote to the dog's mental and physical healing.

Can I provide regular medical care and regular grooming? The deepest wish in the heart of the Dog Rescue folks is each of their dogs never has to go through another minute of hunger, discomfort or pain again.

When dogs are starved, they sometimes have incontinence problems that heal only slowly. They may need more regular teeth cleaning than a continually cared-for dog. Some need a house training refresher when former owners didn't bother. Most were never clipped or groomed, even in the non-shedding breeds. Do you have the time and resources to keep your dog totally safe and comfortable?

Can I consider the need and adopt a boy rescue, or an older rescue? For reasons not entirely clear, many potential adopters go
for girl dogs. There's no logic to this: all rescue dogs are spayed or neutered, and boys are as intelligent, witty, loyal, well-behaved and loving as their female counterparts. Perhaps it's just that the rescue impulse leads us to think of "damsels in distress"!

At any rate, that adorable boy that needs a home really deserves your attention. Someone less educated might pass him by for reasons they don't fully understand.

The upshot is, a rescue dog can make the best pet you've ever had. He understands exactly what you're giving him, since he didn't have it before. Your newest family member will offer you an overabundance of loyalty for the rest of his days.

How can I help with Dog Rescues?

Dog Rescues are always looking for help. Of course, they need financial contributions, and kennel and medical supplies. They also need 'foster moms' who perform the difficult task of patiently rendering a dog adoptable, then giving it up to its final owner! So if you have skills in this area and want to help, contact the small and amazing group of volunteers that make up your local Dog Rescue.
———————————————————-
Blake Kritzberg is happily Mom to a rescue dog, and
proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for the Toy Dog Breeds.
http://www.poodle-oo.com

Published by permission of IdeaMarketers.com
———————————————————-

Tags: choosing a dog, dog breeds, dog rescue, how to choose a dog, rescue dog, shelter dog

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Is your puppy having urination problems such as excessive urination, lethargy, pain while urinating, producing small amounts of urine, smelly urine, or worse, bloody urine or producing no urine at all? The urinating problem of your puppy may be caused by puppy urinary infections.

Puppy urinary infections can cause a lot of discomfort to the pet. Likewise, these conditions can cause headaches to the owners. Since puppies with infections go through so much pain, owners have all the right in the world to worry and fret. If you have a puppy and it is exhibiting the above-mentioned symptoms, you would likely panic and give the puppy treatment which you think is best to help alleviate his condition. However, before you give your puppy any treatment, remember that anything you give without prescription from a professional may only aggravate the condition of your puppy. Hence, instead of attempting to heal the puppy’s discomfort yourself, seek the help of the vet. Proper diagnosis will help determine the right treatment.

The vet will likely perform physical examination and urinalysis to determine the cause of the puppy’s urination problems. If bacteria are the culprit, the vet will likely prescribe antibiotics especially when the condition has reached its advanced stage, posing a great threat to the puppy. However, antibiotics can only suppress the growth and action of bacteria; they cannot kill bacteria outright. Hence, there is always a possibility of recurrence of infection.

To prevent the recurrence of puppy urinary infections, try changing your puppy’s diet. If he was into dry puppy food, give him wet puppy food instead. Especially avoid giving your puppy grain-based foods as these kinds of food are thought to cause imbalance in the pH level of the puppy’s urine, leading to the recurrence of puppy urinary infection. Moreover, make sure that your puppy is getting enough clean water inside its system. Increased water intake can help flush out the bacteria and toxins that may have infiltrated and accumulated in the puppy’s urinary system. However, do not just give it ANY kind of water. Tap water is a no-no for a puppy with urinary infection because it may contain harsh contaminants and bacteria that may only aggravate the puppy’s condition. Give it filtered water, instead.

Homeopathic remedies are also a good option. Aside from being affordable, homeopathic remedies have been proven to be effective in treating and preventing puppy urinary infections. This holistic mode of treatment and prevention is safe, too, so you do not have to worry about dangerous side effects and over doses. Uva ursi, cantharis, and berberis vulgaris are among the known homeopathic ingredients. Homeopathic remedies can be bought over-the-counter and in online stores at a conveniently fair price.

Homeopathic remedies are, however, quite different from home-made or do-it-yourself treatment. Do not attempt to concoct your own formula to treat puppy urinary infections. A slight mistake in the dose or mixture may create more damage than good. It is wiser to use a formula that has already been proven effective and safe.

Now that you have read the whole article, perhaps you now have an idea on how to treat puppy urinary infections. Take these pointers in mind and help your puppy achieve overall good health.

- Melissa Simmonds

Melissa Simmonds is a dog enthusiast, much like me! She tells me she has carried out an informal study on dogs and puppies and has browsed related topics on puppy urinary infections. If you are looking for more information on puppy urinary infection and general puppy health, visit the most comprehensive resource online – yes, it's HealthierDogs.com!

But meanwhile, head on over to that online store for homeopathic remedies, and check out the homeopathic puppy urinary infection prevention remedy – click here.

Tags: puppy urinary infection, puppy urinating problem, puppy urination problem, puppy UTI, UTI in puppy

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1. My pet has dirty ears that have an odor, should I be concerned?

This sounds to me like an ear infection is a possibility. Some dogs will produce excess wax and oil that might cause some odor without an infection being present. I recommend you have your veterinarian examine your pet's ear to be sure. The veterinarian will use an otoscope to look deep into the ear for signs of inflammation and infection. I tell my clients they should not clean their pet's ears before seeing their veterinarian. What actually happens is you remove much of the evidence needed for a proper diagnosis.

2. What are some signs of an ear infection?

Unlike people, pets can't tell us when they hurt; we have to rely on other signs to let us know if a problem exists. So it is up to us to be on guard and know the common warning signs of pet ear inflammation. If you see any of the following signs, your pet may have an ear infection and should be taken to your veterinarian right away:

• Shaking of the head or scratching at the ears
• Discharge from the ears, especially if it is moist
• Abundance of wax in the ears
• Odor from the ears
• Red or painful ears
• Swollen ears
• Head tilt
• Problems with balance

3. How are a pet's ears different from our own?

First is the range of hearing. Humans hear noise between 20–20,000Hz (cycles per second) while dogs hear in the range of 40-40,000Hz, nearly twice that of humans. This is the reason that dogs can easily hear the sound of a silent dog whistle, while most of us people can either barely hear it or not hear it at all. Second, pets have a much longer "L" shaped ear canal. It is this difference in anatomy that makes pets so much more prone to outer ear infections because it traps moisture and debris providing food and housing for bacteria and yeast. That's why keeping a pet's ears clean is especially important.

4. What is the best and safest way to clean my pet's ears?

Fold the earflap back far enough so that you can see the opening of the ear canal. Then fill the canal with ear cleaner. After the ear is full of cleaner, gently massage the cartilage of the ear canal, which can be easily felt running from the opening down to the eardrum. This massaging loosens debris, allowing it to be dissolved or float to the top. Next, use a cotton ball to sponge away any fluid and wax. If you have used a gentle ear cleaner like Oxyfresh Pet Ear Cleaner there is no need to worry about any fluid left in the ear. A quick shake of the head will take care of that.

5. What should I be looking for in a good pet ear cleaner?

A good ear cleaner should do two things: Efficiently clean the ear and cause no harm. Many companies will put a significant amount of alcohol in their cleaner to help dissolve these waxes and oils because it is inexpensive and it disperses oils. The downside to using alcohol is that it can damage otherwise healthy skin that lines the ear canal. Many ear cleaners will use a surfactant such as docusate sodium that helps pull water into oils and waxes or contain glycerin to soften debris. The disadvantage to these choices is that they are slow acting, need significant contact time to work and tend to leave a coating behind. Oxyfresh Ear Cleaner contains no alcohol or harsh chemicals of any sort and uses a natural base with good penetrating and mild foaming action to rapidly break up wax and cellular debris. It is effective at rapidly and comfortably removing oils, waxes and organic debris while the proprietary ingredient Oxygene® eliminates odors leaving your pet with a clean, comfortable fresh ear. It is simply the best all-around pet ear cleaner I have ever used.

Click here for more information on keeping your pet's ears clean, naturally.

- Article by Boyd Harrell, DVM

Tags: clean dogs ears, clean pets ears, cleaning dogs ears, cleaning pets ears, dog ear cleaning, dog ear health, dog ear infection, pet ear cleaning, pet ear health, pet ear infection

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It is important to find healthy homemade dog food recipes that will help control the incessant scratching that often occurs if your dog suffers from food related allergies. There are certainly some recipes that contain ingredients that help control your dog's desire to constantly scratch himself. Obviously it is always important to have your dog checked out by your vet to exclude other causes for the allergy that may require some other form of treatment.

Dog allergies can be caused by any number of factors. Sometimes your vet will be able to easily pinpoint the problem, but very often the cause can remain a mystery. Many allergies are caused by certain types of food (especially commercial dog food), but they can also be caused by certain plants, or chemicals or other contaminants in your dog's environment.

Unless the vet can identify and effectively treat the allergy (preferably without using chemicals and drugs), changing your dog's diet to a low allergen diet is always a good idea. And eliminating all commercial food is a great first step. Be on the lookout for healthy homemade dog food recipes.

As you probably know, my own preference is for raw food, but one of the safest cooked recipes for dogs with allergies has the following ingredients: ground chicken, a handful of chopped fresh vegetables, rice, eggs, and water as needed. The procedure for the preparation is as follows: Mix the ingredients together as you would a regular meat loaf, then bake in a loaf pan in a pre-heated moderate oven until it is cooked – usually 45 to 60 minutes depending upon the volume that you are cooking. Ensure that you cool the mixture well before feeding it to your dog. You can feed this recipe cooled, or refrigerated.

You can also use ground beef or lamb, but for most dogs with allergies, chicken is the least likely to cause problems.

Feed this diet for a month and compare your dog's condition at the end of the month to see if this homemade dog food has been beneficial or not to your dog's allergies. Be sure to stay away from salt as adding salt has been associated with outbreaks of skin irritation. Dogs with persistent dry skin and skin irritations might well benefit by being given purified low sodium water to drink.

Another dog owner who owns a dog with allergies was kind enough to share healthy homemade dog food recipes that worked for her. She prepared a stew with only lean chicken meat and potatoes as ingredients. She fed this food to her dog as a start and managed to observe that her dog's condition began to improve. After this, she started to include vegetables and barley into the stew. She discontinued commercial dog foods altogether, and only served the dog with this mixture of homemade dog food. Not only did it solve the allergy, but it also helped to keep her dog healthy and energetic.

It has also been found that venison is a type of meat that is allergy-free for the dog. It might help to prepare a homemade recipe that uses this type of meat. Also, duck is known to be hypoallergenic or free from allergens and chemicals that cause allergies. It might also be helpful to the dog if a homemade recipe incorporates or is based solely on duck meat.

Although more expensive than chicken, turkey is also known to be helpful to dogs with allergies. A simple homemade recipe includes ground turkey, carrots, sweet potato and green beans. Mix these together and feed them to your dog – either raw or cooked.

For more helpful tips on addressing your dog's allergies with healthy homemade dog food recipes check out the most comprehensive homemade dog food recipe book there is.

Tags: dog food allergies, healthy homemade dog food recipes, homemade dog food, homemade dog recipe

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Experiencing the loss of a pet is the most difficult aspect of pet ownership. Whether the death is a sudden one, or one you’ve had time to mentally prepare for, it’s a traumatic and life changing experience. Below are 9 steps for helping you to cope with the loss of a pet.

1. Burial Spot:

Create a special burial spot for your beloved pet or for his ashes. This will give you a place to visit, place flowers and spend quiet reflection time when you’re feeling melancholy about the loss of your pet. Plant a pretty tree near the burial spot and watch as new life grows.

2. Headstone:

Order a stone with your pet’s name and the dates of his birth and death. Place the stone near the site of his burial or his ashes.

3. Pet Journal:

Purchase a journal and record special memories of your pet while they are still fresh in your mind. Ask friends and family members to record special memories they have of your pet as well.

4. Pet Scrapbook:

Create a scrapbook with the pictures you have of your pet. Visit the scrapbooking store and purchase fun printed pages and cute stickers to decorate the pages of the book. Place your pet’s identification tag in a special place in the scrapbook. If you like, use the pages of your journal to guide you in writing special memories on every other page of the scrapbook.

5. Stages of Grief:

Accept the fact that you will experience the traditional stages of grief. Traditionally the stages of grief include denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance. You might not feel each stage and it is entirely normal not to feel them in any particular order, but allow yourself to feel each one as it comes. If it helps, journal your feelings in the journal you purchased in Step 3.

6. Find Comfort in Your Friends:

Your true friends will encourage you to share memories of your pet which will help to lighten the load of grief you are carrying. Stay away from insensitive people who may not feel the same connection to animals that you have felt. If possible, talk with other pet owners who have also experienced a similar loss. Sometimes those who have experienced similar hardships are those who are able to offer the most comfort.

7. Healthy Activity:

Replace the activity that you shared with your pet with an equally healthy one. For instance, if you and your pet often played fetch in the park, maybe you can jog around that same park a few days a week.

8. Include Other Animals in Your Life:

Spend time with other animals. If your friends or family members have pets, envelope yourself in the warmth of those animals. Or, spend time volunteering at an animal shelter. What a productive and selfless use of your grief!

9. Future Pet:

Don’t close yourself off to the possibility of future pets. Although you need to spend time mourning the loss of your loved one, you need to keep your heart open to the joys of pet ownership and remember what you loved about that special relationship.

If you allow yourself time to grieve and you follow the steps above, you will be better prepared to cope with the loss of your pet.

This article was written in conjunction with the authors at pet super store an online pet shop that carries dog beds, patio pet doors, and dog houses.

And for further comfort, you might want to read Eugene O'Neill's classic – his dog's Last Will and Testament – it's a wonderful read!

Tags: dog death, grieving for dog, grieving for pet, loss of dog, loss of pet, pet death

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Canine incontinence is one of the many problems that owners face with their dogs. In some instances, owners may think that this is a behavioral problem in dogs. This may be true in some dogs but canine urine incontinence is often caused by an underlying medical problem. If this is the case, then your dog may need veterinary attention. 

Canine incontinence can cause your dog urinate in inappropriate areas of the house and also to dribble urine without being able to control it.  Dog incontinence can be as frustrating for pet owners as it is uncomfortable for dogs.

There are no simple solutions in conventional veterinary medicine for dog urinary problems like incontinence.  First you need to find out what the underlying cause of your dog’s incontinence is by taking your dog in to the vet for an appropriate diagnosis.

Canine incontinence can be caused by a tumor, birth defect, spinal cord or brain disease, urinary infection, bladder stones, and of course, also by old age.  In some cases, such as with a birth defect or tumor, the incontinence may need to be corrected with surgery. There are cases where surgery is in fact the only option.

If bladder stones, a loosened sphincter due to old age, or a bacterial infection are the cause of your dog’s incontinence, your vet will probably prescribe medication.  You should be careful about giving your dog medication because all medication can have potential side effects, and in addition, many medications can significantly interfere with the immune system, especially if given over a prolonged period of time.

For improving, and even curing, canine incontinence without putting your dog's health at risk, natural treatments are a viable option.  Perhaps you may believe that natural treatments are ineffective or that they are some kind of hocus pocus, but studies have shown that they can actually be very helpful. This is so particularly because they are utilised in the context of a holistic approach to health.

When it comes to canine incontinence, options in conventional treatment are fairly limited and their effectiveness is questionable, as dog urinary problems frequently recur, requiring yet another round of treatment.  The best way to cure your dog’s incontinence is by addressing all of the problem areas of his health through natural means, as some other health problem could also be contributing to his incontinence.

To treat and prevent urinary problems in dogs and promote optimal health, you should give your dog plenty of fresh, filtered water to drink, a diet of raw and unprocessed foods.  A homeopathic supplement can also assist.

Homeopathic remedies can be very effective in treating canine incontinence because they contain natural tonics that are effective in strengthening and maintaining a healthy bladder and urinary tract. 

Homeopathic remedies can actually help strengthen your dog’s immune system after a reasonable period of use.  So with a healthy bladder and urinary tract, and a healthy immune system, your dog is more protected against the occurrence or recurrence of  incontinence that may be due to an infection.

Homeopathy operates on the principle of “like treats like.”  A substance that is known to cause the symptoms urinary problems in a healthy dog can actually heal urinary problems in dogs when given in small doses. And homeopathy is not like vaccination.  Vaccinations actually give a dose of the disease itself.  Homeopathy gives a dose of a known trigger for a disease or illness.  And the dose is miniscule, so it has no potential to actually bring on the disease, rather it works by triggering the healing process.

For urinary problems in your dog, look for a homeopathic remedy that contains cantharis and uva ursi. Cantharis maintains a healthy urine flow and soothes the bladder while uva ursi maintains normal pH levels of the urinary tract and is known as a urinary tonic.

If you have ever wondered what to do for urinary incontinence in dogs - your next step? 

Take this information and use it as a guide to help you find a homeopathic remedy to cure your dog’s incontinence.  Homeopathy is very effective in getting rid of the symptoms of incontinence in dogs and getting to the root of its cause so your dog can heal permanently.

For more information on treating and preventing canine incontinence with homeopathic remedies, click here.

Tags: canine incontinence, dog incontinence, dog urinary tract infection, incontinence in dog, incontinence in dogs, urinary tract infection in dogs, what to do for urinary incontinence in dogs

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