German Shepherd Dwarf - Page 1

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by Frankie Goode on 26 August 2010 - 19:08

How I wish I had found this website before I went and bought a "pedigree" German Shepherd. We'd always had rescue dogs of various varieties - most living to good ages but as I was retiring from full time work and running a business from home, we decided to go for our favourite dog - a German Shepherd. I thought we had done everything correctly - found an accredited Kennel Club breeder; visited the kennels and met the parents. When the puppies arrived we chose to take the "runt" - we'd had them before and weren't worried about him being small. Sadly, he didn't take off; we struggled - and still struggle - to get him to eat and he failed to grow. Luckily, we have an excellent vet and he spotted there was a problem - the blood tests showed his hormone levels were seriously compromised. The vet has researched the current treatment for the condition and he is being treated - as yet, he has not lost all his hair, although it is going in patches.

From reading the emails on this site, I gather there are a lot more problems than just hips - this is just one more but it is avoidable if Breeders identify the recessive gene in their dogs and withdraw them from breeding.

For those interested in this condition or who had similar experiences, there is a website logging those breed lines which are tainted - it's www.accdata.co.uk/dwarfism/

I'd love to hear from anyone else with a dwarf - we think we can give Eddie a life - (he doesn't know he's a dwarf, he thinks he's a big German Shepherd) but it would be helpful to talk to someone else with this experience - apparently, there's a fair number of you out there!


by 1doggie2 on 26 August 2010 - 22:08

you posted an email address and not a web site. 

 Sorry for your delima, has your breeder been advised?
Can you post a picture of you pup? Some of them live long great lives. They are funny so little and such big attitudes with big hearts.

Ace952

by Ace952 on 26 August 2010 - 23:08

Yeah I woud like to see a picture of your dog.

Onyxgirl

by Onyxgirl on 27 August 2010 - 00:08

Here is a past thread with a FB  page link to Dwarfs
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/forum/44394.html?pagen=1#44414

by Alamance on 27 August 2010 - 00:08

Be sure to contact TIG who has a dwarf who was last she posted 11.5 years old.  Ask her about what she feeds for the lack of fur.


Blkdog

by Blkdog on 27 August 2010 - 01:08

A friend of mine has a pup out of my male & her female & thought that she had dwarfism, her growth platlets closed and she has many health problems, she was a fading puppy at birth and  was not fully developed, two vets said she was a dwarf & she got a third opinion on the pup and the other vet confirmed that she was not a dwarf, due to not being fully developed as a newborn (only 1 kidney & no hip sockets) that she developed an infection which invaded her bloodstream which was basically causing her body to shut down (kidney failure), which also caused her growth platlets to close.  She is very small for her age, but that is due to her growth platlets closing due to the infection.  Also, they say that dwarf pups are born normal size and as they get a little older they stop growing.  I would get a second opinion on the pup, I would not wait to long either, my friend waited around and she almost lost her girl, sadly if her original vet would of tested her more thoroughly then he would of found the bad infection that she had in her kidney.  I would definately look for a vet who has experience with dwarfism.  Best of luck, and I truly hope that the pup is ok soon... 

And not that I am defending the breeder, but, no one really knows if their dogs produce a dwarf for sure until it is proven, it is very common and can happen to any well known reputable breeder.  Most dwarfs die at birth so you never really know if you have a dwarf or not in that litter.  Puppies die at birth, sadly it happens.  I know I don't handle it very well.  I've only had 2 runts, and I would not let them leave until the were a bit older and I knew they were doing well and checked by my vet a couple of times.  I hope your breeder is backing their pup, is that the case?  Liz


Ruger1

by Ruger1 on 27 August 2010 - 01:08

    A special pup.. For a special person
                                                                       Ruger1

by Alamance on 27 August 2010 - 08:08

bump



by Frankie Goode on 31 August 2010 - 08:08

Many thanks to all of you who replied to me - I would have included a picture, but when I import it, I am just getting a small, red cross - any techical advice?

I am having Eddie DNA tested to confirm the diagnosis - his thyroid and growth hormone levels are similar to those of a dwarf, as are his symptoms but I would like it confirmed. 

He does look very cute and we cannot go out without people stopping us to ask what breed he is and to fuss him.  However, all that cuteness covers up the fact that he is a sick little puppy with an uncertain future. 

What do breeders out there feel about this?  As dwarfism is caused by a recessive gene and can be tested for and breeding of lines carrying the gene withdrawn, do you feel it is right for you to do this?  Would you, if it was your breed line?  Do let me know your thoughts.

To the person who posted the email about getting in touch with TIG - can you give me any more information on how to contact her/him

Frankie




 

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