DOG lovers are raising cash to help a giant hound who is so well known he appeared in the Brighton and Hove calendar.

Augustus the harlequin great dane is a canine celebrity in Hanover, where he lives with his owner Christina Moore.

But he has just had to have a serious operation after he suddenly collapsed. He had a huge disc bulge in his neck which was dangerously compressing his spinal cord and without surgery he would have become paralysed.

Ms Moore, 48, a healer, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costly vet bills and after-care for her five-year-old pet. Her target is £5,000.

She said: “Augustus is a much-loved dog and children are always shouting his name when they see him being taken on walks.”

He even featured in this year’s Brighton and Hove Calendar.

Ms Moore said: “Almost £2,000 has been raised so far to help us take care of our beloved Augustus.

“It is quite a rare health case that he has and as such the costs can become quite high.

“There is so much love in the world which we sometimes forget and this is shown by the amount we have received in donations in less than a week. People’s warmth, compassion and generosity has really made me feel overwhelmed and I can’t thank them enough.

“Just to have him up and walking or running around again will be a great moment to witness and will make us all so happy.”

Surgeon Niklas Bergknut at the North Downs Specialist Referrals centre in Surrey will look after him during his ongoing treatment.

Ms Moore nearly lost Augustus to pneumonia when he was 18 months old but he survived that and she is confident he can pull through this time too.

Emma Streeter, 36, an attendance officer who donated a large amount to the cause, said: “Augustus is a beautiful, gentle giant and I was saddened to hear about his diagnosis and couldn’t think of a better way to help than to contribute to his crowdfunding page.

“Christina is such a wonderful person who has been there for me always. It was nice to be able to do something small in return.”

The Great Dane Adoption Society will receive any donations that exceed the target on the fundraising page.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/help-our-beloved-great-dane-gus.