This article is about purebred German Shepherds that were born with the dwarfism gene. This genetic disorder makes them look like puppies even as adults. Dwarf German Shepherds look extremely cute and touching, but require a lot of attention and care from the owner.
Any pet needs care and attention, but a puppy with genetic features requires it twice as much. So, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about midget German Shepherd puppies if you’re considering adopting one.
What Is a Midget German Shepherd
The miniature German Shepherd not much different from the standard ones. They are friendly, obedient, loyal to the owner, thanks to their high intelligence, they are perfectly amenable to training. They do not enter into conflicts with children and people around them. For many owners, dwarfs are even preferable to big German Shepherd.
They are easier to keep in an apartment, although they can live outside in an aviary, because the coat is thick, and the undercoat is voluminous and dense. Even the smallest purebred miniature German shepherd are excellent service-affected dogs that can be used to guard and perform other duties as escort, and search for people, and prohibited substances.
Is Dwarfism in German Shepherds the Norm
This type of dwarf GSD is not a standard, it is not singled out separately. Moreover, such small affected dogs are sterilized to prevent them from having offspring. Caution! Dwarfism in German Shepherds is an absolute deviation from the norm.
A miniature German shepherd with this defect of dwarfism requires more attention than a health problems one. Such a dog can be born to healthy parents, it is impossible to predict the birth of a dog breeds with a deviation. Up to a certain age, the dwarf gsd will not even differ from other babies in the litter.
Genetic defect in midget German Shepherds
Dwarfism in German Shepherds is a genetic condition defect. It is called “pituitary nanism” or dwarfism syndrome. The disease is inherited. It lies in the fact that the pituitary gland stops producing stunted growth hormone, which is transmitted to the recessive gene.
The appearance of dwarf animals in the offspring suggests that both parents accidentally became carriers of such a gene. Dwarf GDS dogs are not allowed to mixed breed.
Dwarfism is an autosomal recessive gene inherited disorder and is encountered most often in the pastoral mixed breeds particularly the German shepherd dog where 20% are now estimated to carry the faulty gene.
Dwarfism in Dogs by Dr. Hans S. Kooistra
What is known about the dwarfism gene
The pituitary gene was first discovered in the 20th century. It took scientists about 15 years to study the dwarfism gene and it was identified as LHX3. A significant contribution to the study was made by the Utrecht Institute in the Netherlands.
Today, a diagnostic test is available to determine whether the dwarfism gene is carried. It is suggested that dog owners can screen German Shepherds to keep carriers of the gene out of the breed. However not all breeders are willing to incur the additional expense of such a screening test.
Why more dwarf German Shepherds appear
The cute looks and touching helplessness touch people’s hearts. However many don’t fully understand the difficulty of caring for dwarf GSDs. Using that, some unscrupulous breeders purposely provoke dwarf dogs, which is called a puppy mill or backyard breeding.
To be fair, no breeder is immune to the appearance of a gene mutation in miniature German shepherd offspring. The difference is that it will be an isolated incident, not a business.
I now have reports of dwarfism in 26 countries ranging from Australia to Zimbabwe. It is very difficult to put a figure on the occurrence but the figure I have come up with is that the breed is now losing 1 in 200 puppies to hypopituitarism.
A Brief History of Dwarfism by John Walker
Dwarf German Shepherds Health
When buying a midget German Shepherd puppy, you should understand that the changes affect not only its height but also its health problems in general. The gene of dwarfism affects the pituitary gland, which leads to behavioral problems with many important functions of the body.
A midget German Shepherd puppy has disorders of the immune system, digestion, reproduction, and other hormones. The dwarf puppy is often weaker than other dogs his age, needing constant care and attention.
Midget German Shepherd’s predisposition to disease
Here is a list of some of the diseases that dwarf German Shepherds are prone to. These include Ivermectin hypersensitivity / MDR1 gene defect and Hereditary kidney and skin problems tumors (RCND). These two serious diseases can be determined genetically, thanks to tests by the University of the Netherlands, already mentioned.
For the other diseases, we do not give their exact names, limiting ourselves to general terms. For more information, it is better to consult a veterinarian. Here the list is:
- colds;
- allergic reactions;
- leg bones are more fragile
- behavioral problems with reproductive organs;
- kidney disorders;
- hair loss and partial baldness;
- improper functioning of the thyroid gland;
- bacterial and viral infections;
- hyperpigmentation;
- skin problems with bones and joints.
Alopecia is caused by the endocrine or hormonal abnormalities and is managed by treating the underlying disorders. For example, alopecia is associated with hypothyroidism and all dogs with dwarfism have secondary hypothyroidism can be treated with lifelong hormone replacement medication.
Skin Problems, German Shepherd Dwarfism
Life expectancy
The dwarf German Shepherd needs constant supervision and attention from the owner and the veterinarian. To protect the little miniature German shepherd from serious diseases, he is given complex vaccinations against parainfluenza, distemper, enteritis, hepatitis, and rabies.
Hormone injections are given as prescribed. The life expectancy of dwarf shepherds is small – only 4-5 years, and then provided proper and high-quality care for them.
Hormone therapy
By the way, if you notice in time that something is wrong with the miniature German shepherd dog, then dwarfism can be prevented. You can start giving the dog miniature German shepherd growth hormones or synthetic thyroid hormones, but strictly on the recommendation of a veterinarian.
The pituitary is caused by a lack of pituitary hormone, therefore, to raise the pituitary gland, special therapy is administered, but it helps only at a young age of the puppy.
Maintenance of Midget German Shepherd Dogs
To maximize the life of a dwarf German Shepherd puppy, its care should be even more thorough than for a normal one. She needs regular walks (at least twice a day), and dosed physical activity. The thick wool is combed out so that tangles do not form.
They regularly clean their ears and teeth, cut their claws if necessary, and bathe once a month. The dwarf German Shepherd diet is made so that the amount of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates is balanced.
Dry food is selected according to age, giving preference to brands with a high content of calcium and vitamin D. It is not necessary to overfeed a dwarf GSD so that he does not develop obesity.
Care of midget German Shepherds
The pet must be regularly brought for examination by the veterinarian and strictly follow all his recommendations in order to preserve the dwarf GSD health for many years.
German shepherd with pituitary dwarfism need special care, but this does not mean that animals with pituitary dwarfism are much harder to care for than the rest. Dwarf GSD puppies, just as alive as ordinary puppies, as well as adults with pituitary dwarfism, do not differ in character from ordinary ones.
Start of training
They begin to train at 2-2.5 months, devoting at least 20-30 minutes to the lesson every day. Even though the little German Shepherd is freedom-loving, he learns with pleasure, enthusiastically mastering new commands.
The dwarf German Shepherd puppy is easy to train due to its devotion to the owner. She is interested in following commands and feeling loved and appreciated.
Of course, for the pet to learn good behavior and commands faster, you can give it to a professional trainer for upbringing.
It is important to remember that with pituitary dwarfism, you need to calculate the loads for dwarf dogs as accurately as possible. Pituitary dwarfism primarily affects the musculoskeletal system of the German shepherd dog.
Features of Care at the Midget German Shepherds
Caring for a dwarf “German” is practically no different from caring for an ordinary dog. He needs long walks, physical activity as without them the dog becomes hyperactive.
German Shepherds need to be bathed once a month and trimmed if necessary because the coat can form tangles. The dog’s claws need to be trimmed, and ears cleaned. The German Shepherds should have its own place or in the yard in an aviary.
If a German Shepherds lives in an aviary, it still needs to communicate with the owner and walk outside its enclosure. Do not forget about training and honing skills. It is necessary to monitor the German Shepherds teeth so that tartar does not form.
More features of care at the dwarf German Shepherds
To do this, you need to give her large bones or specially designed funds for this. The health of a dwarf German Shepherd needs to be monitored more than the health of an ordinary “German”. It is necessary not to overfeed her, and to make a special diet that will not lead to obesity of the dog.
Make sure that the dog does not suddenly start limping or does not give up games and movement at all. This is already a wake-up call that not everything is in order. Although physical activity is important to the dog, they should still be less, they should wear a moderate pace.
This will allow the dog not to overload the limbs and joints, and also eliminate the risk of hernia formation.
How to Feed Dwarf German Shepherds
In the care of the German Shepherd, feeding plays one of the primary roles. The main such thing to remember when making up the diet of German Shepherds is its nutritional value and balance.
The harmonious development of the German Shepherds, its health, and life expectancy depend on this. Both industrial feed and natural products are suitable for feeding.
Mixed meals are also acceptable, but only if additional rules are followed, such as, for example, a ban on mixing both diets in one feeding. However, in this case, the attention to the pet’s health should be even more careful.
Natural menu for a midget German Shepherd puppy
The natural menu is characterized by diversity and the absence of chemical additives, such as artificial colors, flavors, and flavor enhancers.
At the same time, the owner will have to prepare fresh food daily, especially for the pet. Ready-made feeds have a balanced composition, enriched with the necessary micro- and macroelements, they are easy to use and can be stored for a long time, but such a diet is much more expensive than natural. In animals with pituitary dwarfism, nutrition with ordinary dogs does not differ much.
General nutrition recommendations of German Shepherds puppy
Healthy feeding of a dwarf German shepherd dog implies compliance with the following rules:
- food should be warm;
- it is necessary to adhere to the feeding regime;
- if necessary, change the diet, it should be done gradually;
- a bowl of food should be placed at the level of the pet’s chest – this will help avoid behavioral problems with posture;
- clean drinking water should always be freely available;
- the diet should be based on animal proteins;
- over-feeding should not be allowed; a single portion of food should be eaten by a shepherd in 20 minutes.
More about food
If there is food left in the bowl, it must be removed and subsequently reduced the portion. Due to the peculiarities of the digestion of smaller dogs, food should be thick, and contain a minimum of liquid. The optimal consistency is thick sour cream or mashed potatoes.
Pros and Cons of Dwarf German Shepherd Dog Breed
Despite the fact that dwarf German Shepherds are a breed defect, they have their advantages and disadvantages. All these health issues is due to the small content of the pituitary gland.
The advantage list
- excellent learning ability, the propensity to learn new commands, and perform tricks;
- loyalty to all family members and pets;
- loyalty to the owner;
- unpretentiousness to the genetic condition of detention and diet;
- sociability, balanced temperament;
- high-security qualities;
- affordable prices for puppies;
- compact size;
- endurance.
The list of difficulties
- frequent diseases;
- tendency to allergies and baldness;
- mandatory completion of the basic training course;
- sensitive digestion;
- the impossibility of reproduction.
But it is important to remember, that no matter how many pros and cons there are, dogs with pituitary dwarfism still remain living beings who need care, even if they have health issues. Throughout the dog’s life, keep an eye on the amount of pituitary gland.
How to Choose a Dwarf German Shepherd Dog?
If you decide to have a dwarf GSD, you should know that the birth of such a dog can never be guessed. You will have to call several kennels and breeders to find out if there are dwarf German Shepherd in the litter;
Be vigilant if you see an ad that someone is selling dwarf German Shepherd babies – there is a huge chance that these are scammers;
A dwarf German Shepherd puppy differs from a regular puppy only in size and weight. Otherwise, he has the same characteristics – color, shape of the chest, head, paws, tail.
What do you need to ask about a puppy?
Ask about the current health of the dwarf German Shepherds, find out if he has any diseases now;
Ask if the dwarf German Shepherds has been injected with growth hormone – this will help to find out how conscientiously the breeder treats the health of his pets;
If the dwarf German Shepherds the behavior does not differ from others, and the other parameters coincide with the parameters of ordinary kids, so you have a dwarf German Shepherd in front of you.
Pituitary dwarfism in German over time, it becomes more and more popular among dogs, so if you decide to have a dog with pituitary dwarfism, then listen to the recommendations.
Responsibility of a German Shepherd dog owner
Before starting a dwarf German shepherd dog with a dwarfism defect, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons. She needs to be given maximum time and attention, take care of her health, and regularly show it to a veterinarian.
If the future owner is not afraid of such difficulties, and he can provide genetic condition for his growth and development, a German dwarf can be started. To get a closer view, watch the video as the owners of this baby tell their story:
What Reputable Breeders Say about Dwarf GSDs
“When we are faced with the birth of such German Shepherd, we have, of course, to nurse and treat them in order to brighten up the physical imperfection.
Of course, giving dwarfs at the same price as healthy “Germans” is out of the question. I know that in some other kennels puppies are euthanized, we do not do this, but we believe that this is a marriage.
The German Shepherds dog most often, if it gets to a bad owner, suffers and dies quite quickly. In order to attach such puppies, you need more time, to look at people more closely, because you still want the German Shepherds to be happy in the family. GSD dwarfism is not a reason to kill a dog”.
Dwarf dogs at the exhibition
Breeders also note that pituitary dwarfism is currently becoming the most popular in many countries. Even on the inserts now you can meet dogs with pituitary dwarfism. At exhibitions, you can also meet puppies, breeders note that they have very soft puppy coats, unlike another dog breed.
Is it worth breeding a dwarf German Shepherds dog?
Many dwarf German shepherd breeders and dog handlers are wondering whether it is worth breeding a dog that was born with a defect in stunted growth and development.
Only specialists can answer this question unambiguously and accurately. And they say that it is better to sterilize such animals so as not to allow them to reproduce.
But if the breeder wants to get a pure separate breed without defects, he needs to remove the parents of a dog who was born with this disease from the tribe. In addition, it is necessary to exclude from breeding all puppies born to these parents and their relatives.
However, this does not give a 100 percent guarantee that in the future dwarfism will not affect other animals of this separate breed or will disappear altogether.
FAQ About Dwarf German Shepherd Puppie
Is there a dwarf German Shepherd?
Yes, dwarf German Shepherds actually exist. They are also called midget German Shepherds.
How much are dwarf German Shepherds?
If a dwarf German shepherd is a dwarf, at the age of 8-12 months it weighs no more than 33 pounds, and its height at the withers barely reaches 16 16 inches.
What are mini German Shepherds called?
Mini German Shepherds are called dwarf German Shepherds or Midget German Shepherd. These are purebred dwarf German shepherd dogs that have shown the gene of dwarfism.
Summary: Is it Worth Getting a Midget German Shepherd Puppy
Dwarfism in German Shepherds does not spoil them at all. If you do not pay attention to the peculiarities in care, then these dwarf puppies will become a great friend for you.
Also, the dwarfism in German Shepherds can attract attention from people who do not have the opportunity to keep large dogs in an apartment. Pituitary is not a sentence, but only a feature of the other dogs.
Despite its genetic disorder, a other dog can also lead a full-fledged lifestyle.
