The hardest thing about raising puppies

Hint: It's not the lack of sleep and the poop scooping. Nope, it's...

Why do police by their dogs in Europe?

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explains the trend:

Many dogs are purchased from Europe, due to what Bridgeville Officer Lancia described as lax breeding policies in the United States.

"It's taken away a lot of the characteristics of the German shepherd that we need," he said. "You look at a lot of the German shepherds here in the United States. Their backs are sloping down, which is why there is a big problem here with hip dysplasia.

"Dogs in a foreign country have perfectly straight backs."

If you're looking for a new dog, this is definitely something to look into.

Paralysis hits K-9 who worked September 11

CNN reports that Trakr, a 14-year-old German shepherd, has been a patient at the Pawspice animal hospice for about a year.

The retired police search-and-rescue dog -- one of the first on the scene of the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center -- has a condition called degenerative myelopathy and has lost the function of his hind legs.

"Pawspice provides the support I need to properly care for Trakr at home while preserving his dignity and quality of life," says retired K-9 officer James Symington of West Hollywood, California, Trakr's owner.

"His spirit remains strong and we enjoy every minute that we have together," Symington says. Trakr still enjoys walks and playing catch on the beach thanks to a doggie wheel cart, which helps compensate for his diminished mobility.

"It's been extremely difficult for me to even contemplate the last days of Trakr's life." Symington says. "But I also have faith that I will know just when it's time and (have) the courage to do what is right."

Vets see more drug resistant infections in dogs

Vets say drug resistant staph infections in pets are an under-diagnosed and growing problem but no cause to panic.

Some common sense on the whole Congo issue

From the always sensible Denise Flaim. (Previous Congo coverage here)

Hydrogen peroxide cure for raisins and chocolate

The German Shepherd and Dog News had not heard of using hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in dogs who have overdosed on chocolate, raisins, grapes or --worst case scenario -- chocolate-covered raisins so we were a little taken aback when a commenter discussed administering such a treatment over at the Scottie News yesterday.

A little research, however, showed she did exactly the right thing.

Can dog barking cause deafness?

In Ireland, a Garda or Irish policeman is suing for compensation, arguing that he is profoundly deaf and must wear hearing aids as a result of the barking from the canines under his control in a garda van.

Garda Thomas Donnelly's main function was to patrol the city in a garda van with German shepherd dogs to deal with serious disorder problems.

Congo's death sentence lifted at last minute

Congo, the New Jersey German shepherd put on death row after mauling a contractor, is safe at home with his family and his mate after a judge signed an order yesterday releasing him.

While the decision of a lower court judge is appealed, Congo must remain confined to his property and wear a muzzle outside.

Memorial Day: Vets grieve for war dogs

"They weren't dogs, they were Marines. We have nothing to recognize them," Vietnam veteran Butch Stuart said. "Without them, a good number of us wouldn't be here today."

Dog Whisperer versus the others

The wonderful dog writer Denise Flaim reviews the Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan's new book, Be the Pack Leader. She notes:

One of the criticisms of Millan's first, chart-topping book, "Cesar's Way," was that it offered little in the way of specifics. Along with plenty of case studies, Millan's second effort offers a few more tangibles, including a pie chart divvying up the components of an hour-long walk; analyses of different behavior-modification tools, from citronella collars to scat mats; and a discussion of breed differences.

In the same column, Flaim also looks at new books by more mild-mannered trainers who take exception to Cesar's methods. Et tu Denise.

Movie star dog bites actor

A Swedish German Shepherd dog - who has performed in several films and on stage - has likely made his last stage appearance after biting an actor playing a bad guy.

Officials said he needed tobe kept on a shorter leash.

Would you give up your German Shepherd?

Due to a lack of German shepherds and a surprise retirement this month, police in christchurch, New Zealand are asking anyone with a suitable German shepherd to consider "signing them up" as a police dog.

Senior Constable Peter Greenland told the Press newspaper that the ideal recruit would be between eight and 18 months old, with an "outgoing, bold personality."

"We're looking for anyone who has a german shepherd, preferably male, which has lots of character, drive, is not afraid, and, to be honest, is probably a bit of a handful for the owner," he said.

Greenland's former partner, Urban, was forced to retire early due to a "crook back" but Greenland will keep him as a pet.

Congo's death sentence stands

Despite impassioned pleas from the family and supporters of Congo, a German shepherd condemned to die for mauling a landscaper, the New Jersey judge who issued the death sentence has not changed his mind.

More details on this complicated story here.