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Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an important cause of cardiac morbidity and mortality in dogs and is the most commonly acquired cardiac disorder in medium-sized, large and giant-breed dogs. In most cases, DCM is a genetic disease, even if the disease has a slow onset and is usually detected later in life, in middle-aged or older dogs. DCM is the most common cause of congestive heart failure (CHF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in medium-sized and large-breed dogs. ¹ Both European and North American studies have shown that Doberman Pinschers are one of the most commonly affected breeds with DCM, and in this breed DCM is an inherited, slowly progressive primary myocardial disease. Furthermore, DCM has been described in other dog breeds as well, namely in Boxers, Newfoundland Dogs, Airedale Terriers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Great Danes, Saint Bernard Dogs, Cocker Spaniels and Irish Wolfhounds. 3