runt or dwarf??

[msvette2u]

OMG that's the cutest thing I've seen in a while!!

[LittleLady]

i've spoken to the breeders & they said when she was born she was the bigger of the 2 pups by about 100 grams (around 700 grams each) but she lost the weight quickly & was bottle fed to ensure she got enough food. they were concerned she may have also been brain damaged due to the long labour but neurologically she is fine. the mother gave birth to the brother first then the labour stopped. my pup was delivered via caesarian 5 hours later.
hopefully we'll get some answers soon. i'm still a bit annoyed that it wasn't brought to my attention sooner that the potential thyroid problem can be serious. they seemed to want to wait & see if her adult fur developed...? new vet tomorrow. hope this one has some answers i want to hear!
people do pick her as a german shepherd pup so she's not completely weird looking. everyone agrees she is gorgeous!

[wolfstraum]

I was saying that I would really consider that she IS a dwarf.....I had 2 in a litter....they seemed ok for a while, but did not keep pace...I was in deep deep denial....thought they just had bad start, had delayed growth (?) syndrome....etc etc

Even vet was not sure at first as mine had normal dentition and hearts....but we finally did thyroid testing and confirmed they were indeed dwarfs....

The female was black and tan and your puppy looks just like her - the face & expression; she was only 8 pounds as an adult.....the other one was a sable, grew up to be 18 pounds as an adult - and was a total drivey GSD in that little body....both were given away to pet homes who had full knowledge of their conditions - and I believe both are still alive and relatively well.

Lee

[LittleLady]

i appreciate everyones interest, opinions & experience. i was almost not going to post my question as i did not want the answer but the more i look, the more it appears a possibility & something i need to know. will keep everyone informed on Gypsy's results! her heart seems fine btw. the overbite, we'll wait & see...

[wolfstraum]

Good - many many dwarfs have defective hearts....and that is what kills them....hopefully yours lives a long and happy life!

Lee

[Shade]

She's absolutely adorable . You need to keep us updated with photos

I really hope the medical issues can be fixed and she lives a long and happy life, I'm glad she's with a loving family

[PupperLove]

She is sooooo cute! I really hope you keep updates on her for all of us. I would love to see how she grows, even if it's not much

[Jax08]

Lee - Is this a genetic condition? Isn't it rare to have 1 let along 2 in the same litter?

OP - she's a cutie. Wishing you all the best with her.

[phgsd]

I believe it is genetic - recessive, so if both parents carry the gene, 25% of the litter is likely to be dwarf. I think in Lee's litter there were only 3 (?) pups and 2 were dwarfs - so the genetic dice didn't roll in her favor.

Good luck with your pup...she is adorable!

[GSDGunner]

I have no advice or opinions other that she is such a gorgeous little creature.
I wish you all the best with her and it certainly sounds like she's in the right hands.
I hope you stick around so we can watch her grow (or not grow).
She's positively adorable!!