Roach back - Page 6

That don't look like no healthy dog....

"That don't look like no healthy dog...."


Double negative, therefore, you are saying it is a healthy dog, and to me he looks very healthy, (shiny coat, bright eyes, )  just poorly bred IMO.

 I'm sure you care for your dog very very much, and I'm sure Gunther is a very sweet boy and your family must love him very very much.  Yes he looks well fed, his coat looks good, it looks like you take good care of him.

I don't think anyone here is judging you.  The fact that you posted shows that you care enough to ask questions.

I don't mean to insult your photography skills, but it would be nice to see a photo with the back legs further back and/or the head up.

You say that these photos were random.  Does that mean that this is how Gunther looks almost all the time?  If so, is there an experienced GSD breeder or trainer that you could have look at Gunther, or could you get a second opinion from another vet?  All German shepherds I've ever seen (but I'm no expert) almost never look like that... maybe just when they're going potty.  

I think I've heard of dogs having things like fused vertebrae, and other people have mentioned other potential health concerns.  It's worth getting checked out.  And it doesn't mean you've been doing anything wrong at all.

Please keep us posted, I'm sure there are a lot of folks concerned and hope that all is ok.

It's not easy to put yourself out there for opinions. I find the majority of comments here to be well-intentioned, and you can actually learn more from the challenging ones because you need to sit back and decide what you might need to learn or change about your set of skills or knowledge. If we were only to expect praise or agreement all the time, it would not give us the opportunity to grow in our specialty.

And when very nasty comments do pop up, the best way to deal with the offender is to employ "social ostracism" rather than to retaliate. The person is specifically looking to get a rise out of those he or she is attacking. So not giving them the pleasure of a return attack and maintaining a sense of one's own dignity, propriety, and self-control is far more satisfying than what you'd get from issuing a long string of curses and mother oaths.
 
As for your pup, it's difficult to say anything diffinitive from a few still photos. A video clip of him gaiting or otherwise in motion would be interesting to see. I think the best thing is to have an experienced vet keep an eye out with you as the pup develops as he might notice some physical or behavioral cues you might miss because you are so close to the situation. It's always good to have an objective opinion from someone who does not see your dog every day. That person would notice any changes because of that distance. 

What I immediately wondered was if the arch of his back was more exaggerated because of the placement of his legs or did the arch of his back actually affect his natural stance? This would be more evident in images taken at different times under different conditions, standing and in motion. (Here is where watching videos of your dog being active and playing would be very helpful to you and your vet, especially a longitudinal series that would show a progression as he grows and develops. It would help you notice any changes in his gait and how he moves in general, if the arch of his back changes, how it might otherwise affect his general vitality, and if it changes over time. This record could be reassuring as you might catch a problem before it gets severe, and do some preventative treatment if it should come to that.)

Hope this helps!  

He is beyond roachback, he is deformed. I don't think he is in pain, but I seriously doubt he'll even be able to run with you around the block without hurting himself. That would qualify you for a refund.

I know that you love him, but that doesn't mean you can't get a partial refund on him and still keep him-- if you're sure you can afford his future vet bills. . You do need a vet to look at his spine. It is NOT right, at all. I foresee a lot of future pain, money, ect. for him, and it's not right. When he is 6 months old, have a hip scan done. VCCHances are he will have trouble already due to the bizarre way he has to stand.

Do contact the breeder, and let his see what is going on with this pup. If you have a warranty, you have valid legal rights.

Good luck with your baby.

D.