dwarf gs pup? - Page 3

I had one in a litter that was just like this.  I of course didn't sell her just raised her as my own.  she had no health problems, but was small.  she did very well in obedience and agility and is now a normal size 55lb female..she is smaller boned, but works well for an agility dog.  she has great hips and elbows....no health issues at all.  just grew slow.

I have had 2 dwarfs, this pup looks like one to me. They have a look to them, iike an elf. They are to funny and if not for the health problems I would love to have a bunch. They were fearless, I think they got all the couarge genes and they bossed not only the litter mates but any other adult dog they would come in contact with. I would love to see one do SCH, I would bet they would excell. But regretfully most of them do not live long enough. They learn very quickly and if you make a mistake, they are right there to tell you off.

Hard to say yet. I had two dwarves in a litter in the late 90's from a top show line breeding. (lasso, Visum, Mark) They looked pretty normal until about 12 weeks old, but fell behind and never caught up. Both turned out to be pituitary dwarves. Darned cute they were, feisty and brave,  fearless,  longcoats to begin with but they did lose patches of hair as they matured. Thyroid supplementation helped, but they remained small. I gave one to Julia Priest who loved him to death. Last time I saw him he was about ready for the schutzhund one, if he could get the sleeve in his little mouth, that is... ;) Don't know if he's still alive. 

The only way to know for sure at this point is to have him tested.

SS

We have one and she was growing at the same rate as her litter mates until 6 weeks. Our vet checked her out and found a problem with a valve in her heart which had not closed over when she was born.We had her operated on at 16weeks and she is still here 8 years later pic can be found on our web site JANEFIELD GSDS

venzosmon,

Did your friend take the tiny pup in for bloodwork?  Just curious if they learned if she is indeed a dwarf.

Please update us if you can.

I agree with 1doggie2, there is a certain elfish look to the dwarf puppies, which I think i see in the top picture.  Smaller more pointy ears too if I recall. 

Fred Lanting wrote an excelent article about dwarfism in GSDs is really good and has some very good pictures at the bottom of it:

http://www.dogstuff.info/dwarfism_lanting.html

Here is part 2 of Fred Lantings article.  Note, this discusses different forms of dwarfism with pictures.

http://www.dogstuff.info/osteochondrodysplasias_lanting.html

i dont know much about the dwarf pups. 

i can say that i kept the "runt" out of my litter this year.  she almost didnt live when she was born,,was undersized and did not keep up with the others when it came to growing.  they are almost six months now and she has caught up to the others in size,,maybe a little underweight compared to the others, but height and length are equal. 

my wifes female was one of the smallest also.  she is starting to catch up in size with the other now,  at 4 months of age.

seems to me it just takes them a little longer to get started, but over time they catch up.

john

I read the links from Fred Lantings;;;;;;;;;;boy, was that deep reading....

I think  your pup is just a runt....and will grow up to be a normal size once it catches up...

Keep us informed as to his growth and pic of him as he grows..  I've seen runts grow into very handsome dogs...