Dwarf GSD - Page 2

ok... so curiosity got the best of me and I did a search as I'd never heard of Dwarf German Shepherds... and here's what I found:

"Dwarf German Shepherd Dog. This is not a miniature version of the breed, but a genetic defect that can cause multiple health problems and is referred to as pituitary dwarfism. It appears to occur in many different families, and afflicted dogs require lifelong veterinary care to maintain health and coat. Dwarves are usually identifyable at birth, and are not simply runty animals stunted by health issues. Secondary problems include pannus, thyroidism, allergies and poor coat. Many can become nearly bald with age, and none grow much larger than 20 or 30 pounds. The temperament of dwarves however appears unaffected, and they show the character typical of their family. If well cared for, they can live a long and happy life, and make a charming companion."

The Illustrated Standard of the German Shepherd Dog
Written and Illustrated by Linda Shaw MBA

There a a number of sites on the web which talk about the dwarves. An especially charming one is in Germany where a lady has a female named puppy or puppie and has been very successful in doing agility with her.  If you search the database archives on dwarf you will find previous threads and a I know her link is out there.

GSDs actually have two kinds of dwarfs. The pituitary mentioned above. Pituitary dwarves do not produce eonugh growth hormone. They are proportional and appear like a 12- 16 week old puppy but with a foxy face and head. Because of the lack of growth and thyroid hormones most have serious skin issues. Many of the very small pituitary dwarves also have heart problems and tend to die at a very young age. Up until recently with the likes of Teddy, Jill and Nemo it was thought most dwarves died early. The scientfic literature speculates that size is related to at least a partially functioning pituitary gland. Skin problems are very common and most dwarves end up buck naked or close too. When Nemo came to me at 6 he had no hair from his withers back and bad skin yuckies.  In an attempt to ease the skin yuckies I turned to supplements and by accident grew hair - sticks a bit straight out so I now call him the Don King of the GSD world.  Nemo is a pituitary dwarf  -32 pounds but huge in heart and empathy and herding drives. If his father and mother produced the character and temperament that Nemo has I'd take another of  their progeny or grand progeny in a heartbeat. See the comments about his dam, sounds like she was special too.  http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/557479.html

The 2nd kind of dwarf seen in GSD is the achondroplastic dwarf. I beleive Australia was seeing a number of them produced in the 90's but I'm not sure from what lines.  A corgi is a deliberate bred achondroplastic dwarf. These dwarfs have normal size bodies and head but abnormally short and sometimes deformed legs. http://www.gsdcouncilaustralia.org/vetinfo2.htm#CHONDRODYSPLASIA

Here is one of the previous threads on this board http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/90165.html and another article re dwarfs http://www.dogstuff.info/dwarfism_part_three_lanting.html  and one of the first websites created about the dwarfs  http://www.geocities.com/heartland/meadows/6074/  .  A very differnt take about dwarfism in the GSD in this article http://www.accdata.co.uk/dwarfism/article1.html  . Finally the German link mentioned above . A must see www.pueppy.de.ms

I've heard of one who lived until 11yrs, she was fabulous.  The first time I saw her I thought the breeder had a tame fox.  It is very sad that most dwarves are PTS.  They are so pretty & have true GSD character.

It is so great to hear of dwarfs living so long!

We a a pituary dwarf who is 2.5 yrs old. He just ahd his examination and blood taken yesterday and weighs 42 lbs we were shock at his last exam he was 30lbs. Over the winter he lost alot of hair on his back and back legs but suprisingly it came back. Right now we have him on thyroid meds but i am wanting to reseach growth hormone after reading the site in Germany about thier dwarf.

Congrats on 13 years!

Happy Birthday, little guy. I'd love to see his photo too.

There is now a photo of 'Teddy' on the database. His pedigree name is Hazelgrove Boss. His pedigree is there for all to see. He is still doing very well, is very cheeky in spite of going a bit deaf now. He likes to herd the cattle in the field next to our house!!!! He is a big GSD in a little body!!!

DWARF GSD/ MARKER FOUND

Dr. Kooistra c.s. University of Utrecht has after 15 years found a marker for Dwarfism in GSD. He is able with DNA to test if your GSD had is a carrier of the Genes. Probably about 18% of GSD has carrier genes for dwarfism. If 1%  of GSD is a cdwarf than this will be the case. Cost for checking DNA for Dwarfism Genes cost you about Euro 100,- excl. taxes.

A lot of dwarfs die in the womb or shortly after birth. With DNA testing  it is possible to exclude the genes within the breed. More information Dr. Kooistra, Verterinary university Utrecht.

Teddy is adorable! I thought most dwarfs were very short lived. I am glad to hear so many on here are doing well at older ages :) I had a friend with a dwarf- her story is on http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/6074/index.html

Teddy comes from a line of long living shepherds. We have just lost his mother at just under 15 years of age and his grandmother was also almost 15 years old too. Teddy is still enjoying life and runs about and plays with our German Import Janos vom Nordkristall. They love each other, they are a joy to watch.

I believe that the many dwarves must strive so early, because veterinary surgeons and owners know too little about the dwarf stature. With thyroids harmon it can be prevented at least that the skin has Ekzeme. In many cases then also the skin regenerates again.

Hallo Anni!
I would be pleased, if you could send pictures and data of teddy to me for my homepage.

www.zwergwuchs-beim-schaeferhund.de/

Best Greats from Silvana and Püppy (nearly 6 a year old dwarf female)