Runty or Dwarf? - Page 3

Susie is right. Every dwarf GSD I've seen or heard of had a thin "foxy" face and are usually nearly or fully bald. I think there was a fully bald male dwarf GSD born in the UK a few years back.

Pituitary Dwarves are NOT born bald. They gradually go bald when they start shedding or moulting, as new hairs do not come up.

The effect is more visible when the guard hairs are supposed to appear.

This pup is not old enough to be sure..

What Swarmendu says is true. Pics of Tig's Nemo, and her tribute to him: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/community.read?post=837280-a-very-fine-dog-indeed

 

Nemo was exceptional for a dwarf in that he had an almost full coat, and he lived to 16 years of age. Tig says he must have been producing some pituitary hormone in order to have such a good coat for a dwarf. She also took very, very good care of him, and that certainly contributed to his longevity.

Here's a website that will tell you just about everything you need to know about the condition. It can be diagnosed using a blood sample: http://gsdpituitarydwarfism.weebly.com/gsd-pituitary-dwarfism.html

 

Not a dwarf, they have a distinctive look about their faces and this pup does not have it. Was mum mated more than once? In the even of more than one mating, the pups can be conceived at different times and if this was the case, she could have been younger in the womb than the others and will need more time to catch up.

I have a picture that I sent the OP of an adorable male dwarf at 5 weeks and he looks normal to me. I take that back, eye set may be different but doesn't have that foxy look yet and has a full coat. 

Yeah, I don't think she's a dwarf, the more pics and research I've done. Just a runty girl. I'm definitely still having a full medical workup done, just to be on the cautious side.

Thank you all!
Melissa

Yup, just off to a slow start. She probably going to grow into your favorite gorgeous girl!

She's caught up to the next smallest pup, so I think all is well :) she's going right around the corner with a close friend so I can keep tabs and watch her grow :)