Thursday, May 29, 2008

You Either Got or You Don't!

You Either Got or You Don't! Thea has it, she is starting to take on the look from her father BISS CH Longo's Miller Time AOM & Her Grandmother, BIS BISS Longo's Alana Fontana AOM HOF. She is just the ticket dressed in black.....

Tobi is nearly 1 yrs old...

It is coming up a year now since we have had Tobi with us, his birthday comes early in July; when we will probably be at the International show in Lexington KY for his celebration, his b'day is the day before our Thea's 1st Birthday Too...

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Britusa's As You Like It V Fall Hollow

"Phoebe"

Well Phoebe has now turned 7 weeks old; we are going to bring her home finally this weekend from Tennessee when she turns 8 weeks, after all these days of waiting the time is approaching to bring her in to the fold.... She is the perfect addition to our already growing family.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Michigan Blossoms

On the last day of the Apple Blossom show; Jackie put an RN on our Isabella (Harlequin) and Mackenzie took another 1st with Thea (Britusa's Athena V Parthenon CGC, 10 months old). All in all it was a wonderful show, we met old friends, made new and had success all round......

Sunday, May 25, 2008

The Apple Blossom Show

Well so far it has been a wonderful weekend. Our dear friends from Tennessee came up on Thursday with more arriving on the Friday from Indiana. It was just a delight to have 7 beautiful Danes romping around; 4 Blues, 1 Black, 1 Brindle and 1 Harlequin. Rob & Bel brought with them Merci, Moonbeam & Ditto whilst Phil & Jane arrived with Summer, then throw in Thea, Tobi & Bella, multiple chidren and a few other critters, what a recipe.

Mackenzie was Junior Handling on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, she recieved a 2nd, 3rd, and 1st place with Thea.... In time she will be binging them home in droves!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Monteral Danes - Down Under!

There Must be something happening with the Moon, here is yet another one of our friends with yet another beautiful cluster of fantastic pups..... If you want to get in touch with either Monteral Great Danes or Grateful Danes simply go the quick links...

Congratulations To Grateful Danes

Well done Maya! Grateful Danes are now the proud parents of 7 new pups, 4 girls and 3 boys, we wish you all many congratulations on your wonderful success..

Monday, May 12, 2008

Owlwatch's Baur takes Best In Match first time out!

Baur, a ten month old fawn male puppy, brother to our Glen who is now in Sweden went to a puppy match this evening, and took Best in Match his very first time in a show ring.

Baur takes Best In Match first time out!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

English Great Dane Adoption

.........for the strong paternal instincts of the Great Dane, who is as protective of her as he is his puppies.
Staff at the Secret World Animal Rescue Centre in Highbridge, Somerset, have been caring for Cindy since she was found close to death when she was days old.

This is a remarkable story and very typical of the Great Dane breed. For the complete story go to the Telegraph.co.uk



Saturday, May 10, 2008

Inherited Vanity Continued

I believe health issues are result of centuries of dog breeding. They are the result of at best ignorance or at worse "trade-offs", if you will, that people have made to obtain what they desire.

DCM for years was referred to as "sudden death". Only recently (the last few decades) have accurate diagnoses "called a duck, a duck". It is still only theory as to the genetic passing of DCM and best guessing is still utilized today to attempt to clear up lines that breeders have inadvertantly introduced DCM into. Modern medicine is currently working on identifying the genetic marker signifying that a dane is infected/carrier for DCM.

Cancer is the number one killer of danes as a whole. The problem is we have no real idea how it is passed to even begin to eliminate it. Of course there are gains being made for curing cancer, but we don't even have it figured out for humans yet.

I also applaud those that health test with the understanding it is a tool and does not guarantee results. Those that think it is the end all, be all are fooling themselves, in my opion. Two OFA excellent danes can and have produced dysplastic while two fairs have produced excellent. A dog may pass its CERF testing and its offspring have cataracts.

I hate to use use the term "fad" but especially the new crop of dane breeders are going after health like it is a fad. It is the thing to do, it is hip and trendy. In this case it is a good thing, do not get me wrong. Established breeders are health testing regularly now who may not have done so in the past. It is the nature of an american dog breeding community, especially danes, where peer pressure reigns supreme.

A century ago it was aggressive temperament that was the thing to fix. I will mention that, for the most part, the temperaments have been corrected to that of a loving, even doting, companion animal. It gives hope to this recent focus on correcting health issues.

Rob Dickens, Fall Hollow Great Danes

Our Pup is 5 Weeks Old



Friday, May 9, 2008

Inherited Vanity

Inherited Vanity

This article is in no way intended to offend or critique another person’s belief.

There is no doubt in my mind there are hundreds of people out there, worldwide to whom they would give up everything for their beloved Danes.

Yet the questions that keep coming to my mind are regarding, DCM, Cancer with intent frequencies, bloat and so much more, are they due to our present day vanities, or are they a product of past generations, decades or centuries ago?

Are we all just now becoming self aware truly about our Dane’s health toiling like crazy to rebuild the damage created by many years of incorrect wellbeing or have the problems always been there, is it due to modern science we are becoming alerted to the inherent dangers, has the internet, cell phone caused a shrinking in the world where upon knowledge is becoming more readily available finally to most?

Since the beginning of time, humans and their egos have tried to genetically create art, either for their own personal choices or for financial gain. We bred then re-bred, with a lets try this & let’s try that attitude, albeit with good intentions. Have we caused the damage to the Great Dane?

I for one applaud all those whom are vigorous on their health testing: understanding, in my opinion is a step in the right direction, because if we do not have researched lines with longevity and limited illness traces, how can we then with conviction pair up and breed. Do we breed too closely? Would it matter if we cross bred if all the testing was done and proved clear? Would we be better freezing produce at 2 years old from a stud and not use it until they were at least 5 years with proven medical records?

So many questions, with so many personal opinions, what would be considered correct?

I watch and play with my pups no matter how big they are, I think about human set standards of the breed and wonder, what does it really matter if they are a champion at this or at that or have created many champions in one arena or another if I am going to possibly lose them at a young age due DCM etc.

I truly do not think one person has all the answers, I know I do not, yet I wonder as a large collective of like minded people with an acute set of morals and principals shouldn’t we be able to a least have a pop at it?

Thursday, May 8, 2008

There's something in the water

There are many Great Danes in the world, however once in a while special breedings that are well thought out; giving strict attention to health, longevity and stature come about, Grateful Danes down in Georgia is just one of these rare cases. The pedigree is complete and accountable, the trick will be to actually get your hands on one. The pups are due to come on or around the 17th of May and with so many qualities screening will be severe, however if you are lucky you might just be a part of history in the making...

"Maya"

Int'l CH Xouxou vom Hause Wagner

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM),

Whilst we are on the path of health related issues, I want to bring to the attention of anyone reading this, that there is a group based around all issues relating to DCM.

In their own words "We are here to support those dealing with DCM. We are here to support the researchers striving to locate the genetic markers and mode of inheritance. We are here to discuss strategies for reducing the impact DCM has on our beloved breed."

So please, if you have a Great Dane or know someone who does; click on the link and be a part of a vital movement for the betterment of the breed... Thank-you

Parvo Virus Learn all you can

This is a brief exert from AVMA.Org

Q:What is canine parvovirus type 2c?
A:Canine parvovirus type 2c is a variant, or strain, of canine parvovirus. It was first detected in Italy in 2000, and has also been reported in Western Europe, Asia, and South America. Outbreaks of canine parvovirus associated with CPV-2c in the United States were confirmed in 2006 and 2007.

Click on this link for full information; http://www.avma.org/animal_health/canine_parvovirus_faq.asp

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Puppy News

Hot off the paw press from Tennessee! Our new baby is coming on just beautifully, here you can see her at 4 weeks old, what a delight........

Web designers!

Britusa Great Danes will be unveiling a new website in a week or so, In order to keep up with everyday issues we passed the torch to Fall Hollow Design . They specialize in all web creations; however their specialty is for the Dane enthusiast/breeder & stud alike.


They have created and published to many to list; so please feel free to visit their site and delight in their art Fall Hollow Design ;you will be given professional attention from design to finish, what makes the difference is they listen and do not rush you.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

A Growing Family

As Of June 1st we will be expanding our family, Phoebe will be joining us from Centerville Tennessee. She came from the perfect match between BISS Am/Can CH Cheshire's Tailor Made V. Longo X Intl Natl CH Wolke's Crowning Glory CGC






Phoebe