Dwarf GSD - Page 1

I would be interested in discussing the traits of a dwarf GSD.     I have one now - he is 9 months old and on thyroid replacement therapy.  He gets his second blood test next week.   He seems fine in every way but he is "fuzzy" and has that fox look about him.  He seems to be bright and is playful.    I read a lot of bickering on here about breeding, but I need some companionship with another dwarf owner to discuss traits, medical needs and any other dwarf German Shepherd characteristics.    Anyone there?

Welcome, Freecallkid! Did you adopt the blue dwarf pup from Montana GSD Rescue?  If so, I am SO glad to hear Steph placed him!

Here's an excellent article on dwarf GSDs by Fred Lanting: http://www.dogstuff.info/dwarfism_lanting.html   There used to be a website out there devoted to dwarfs, but it is now defunct, I'm afraid.

Here's Tigg's Nemo: http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://shawlein.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dwarf1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.shawlein.com/the-gsd/the-gsd-family/&h=230&w=322&sz=34&tbnid=6ANBpIuttQWWDM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=126&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddwarf%2Bgerman%2Bshepherd%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=dwarf+german+shepherd&docid=Pl2-kqHJn1y_WM&sa=X&ei=UaPsTpv8N4fX0QGL6sntCQ&ved=0CD8Q9QEwAw&dur=2153  

Yikes! I wish I could make that link shorter, but I"m glad to get it at all, as Linda Shaw (Pictoral Breed Standard of the GSD) has been revising her website, and it's been inaccessible for the last few months!

Nemo is now FOURTEEN years old, and he's a real character! He thinks he's a big dog, and loves to herd. He had faced down full-sized rams without flinching, and, according to Tig, does a mean 'bark and hold' on an oven mitt.

Tigg has not been around the site lately, but maybe someone who knows her can smoke her out!

Many pituitary dwarfs suffer from serious heart defects, but Steph had this dwarf checked out and apparently his is normal despite the slight heart murmur!

So, here's hoping he will have a long, fun-filled life with you!

Due to the wooly puppy coat, which will never become a true double adult coat, you may need to buy a coat for him for when he goes outside in the winter. Other than that, keep up the thyroid meds, and treat him like any other dog!

Here's some links for Mr. Nemo, plus a few threads on this site that talk about dwarfs:

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins_read/139918.html?mnr=139918&pagen=4 

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=557479  (Nemo's pedigree)

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins_read/90165.html?mnr=90165&pagen=2 

 http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins_read/139918.html 


Important medical info here: 

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=355178 


And here's a dwarf from Germany that does agility! http://www.pueppy.de.ms/




 

Had to post this! I laugh my a** off every time I read it! It's from one of the above links:

Tigg writes: Nemo is the pituitary dwarf Shelly R has mentioned before - will have to do an update thread for her. Nemo is a Lasso son and is a pretty darn special dog. He is very empathic and his primary job is to take care of people but his secret persona that he aspires to is herding dog par excellence. He is 30 lbs soaking wet and has no problem taking a ram on. Julia and I went to a herding test awhile back just to watch. The Swissie people were putting it on and as you know their dogs are sort of good old boys. Well the sheep easily perceived that and their attitude was yeah right so there's dog in the arena and we should care why? The club needed one more entry to make a go of it so we stuck Nemo in. By the time Juila and he got to the gate and before he was even off lead the sheep were in the far corner faced outward stamping their feet - they understood the wolf was at the door. He may be small but let me tell you he has power and presence. It was actually quite humorous to watch. The tester had gone in w/o a rattle paddle 'cause after all he's just a little dog. As he was doing his warp 9 around the sheep AND being a bit of a prick it dawns on her that it would be useful to have. She gets it but is reluctant to use it thinking she'd discourage his interest. Yeah right -meanwhile Julia's saying whack his ass (he was not listening well that day) knowing full well such a little thing as a rattle paddle was not about to deter him. As part of the test you need a call off but by this time he was having way too much fun (it had been along time since he had gotten to work) and he was basically giving Julia the finger. BUT he was still dragging a 6 foot leash so on the next pass she simply steps on the leash and he hits the end of and does a perfect platz. Meanwhile I'm sitting w/ the Swissie people and all they see is the perfect down NOT the step on the leash and they are absolutely amazed at how well behaved he was. I still laugh every time I see it again in my mind. Thanks for your excellent posts and the wonderful memories it brought.

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Have a look at the FB group plenty of owners on there to share info on treatment etc
http://www.facebook.com/groups/112730725426249/ 

change this to the "ALL-BREEDS" , unfortuneately the GSD's Rule.....Steph

I whelped a litter for a friend about 9 or 10 years ago that had 2 dwarfs in it. Up until 6-7 weeks the male was the largest pup in the litter. By 8 weeks I knew something was different about him. A gal at my club has Nemo.  Nemo is a little guy with hair the length of a big dog, which on his little body it makes him look like a coat shepherd. He has a foxy face and a big dog attitude. Another funny thing is that his balls (before they were cut off) were not dwarf size! I will mention to Beth this thread and have her get in touch with you. If your guy is anything like Nemo you will have a lot of fun with him.