i acquired a female gsd at 7 weeks of age, weighing 2 kilos. she was given to me as a "runt" with a severe overbite which was to otherwise be put down by the breeder if a home could not be found immediately. they said she would grow to the size of a kelpie & not to the typical full gsd size.(fine by me) she was also to be desexed asap & not to be bred with (also fine by me). she was 1 of 2 pups born, the first litter of that female. the other pup, a male, was of normal size, approx. 2-3 times the size of the female. i don't know if she was smaller at birth or the same size. the mother was an all black gsd. i did not see the sire.
now at 16 weeks she weighs 4.6 kilos. the vet mentioned the possibility of thyroid problems at 7 weeks but did not do blood tests or seem too concerned. another vet only today mentioned the possibility of pituitary gland issues & dwarfism but again did not offer a blood test.
the pup still has her baby fur. she eats well, has no vomiting issues, is lively, friendly & intelligent. her littermate is only just starting to get his adult fur now so i figure her fur will start to change in a few weeks.
the vet today really made me worry there was something seriously wrong with my pup yet did not seem too concerned herself. all the reading im doing says the dwarfs are "fox like" in appearence, which i believe my pup is, but i also think she looks like a normal german shepherd puppy, even though she is obviously a lot smaller.
http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psb375d033.jpg
http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps415318d5.jpg
the first photo is her at around 9 weeks. the second was taken today at 16 weeks. obviously the easiest way would be to get a blood test but im afraid to at the moment. i'd like to know what other peoples opinions are on her & if she looks "normal" to them. bear in mind her snout looks a lot pointier due to her overbite of 1/2 an inch & you can't see her chin at all! i appreciate your input.