runt or dwarf??
 

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.

She is so cute! If I were you, I would get the blood test done. Being afraid and not knowing will only make you stressed out which isn't good for your puppy. If it is thyroid, the vet can start her on a supplement which is very inexpensive. The breeder was upfront with you, and I think there is the possibly she could be a dwarf. But that doesn't mean she can't have a normal life. I would follow through on the tests, take your vet's advice, and enjoy your puppy.

I'd say, with about 90% certainty, that she is a dwarf.

It's the look she has - sort of foxy. That is a telltale sign of a dwarf.

Do a Google search on "dwarf German Shepherd" and check out the photos - like this one:

http://siriusdog.com/images/articles/460/image005.jpg

She's adorable!

I agree! what a pretty girl.

thankyou all for your kind replies! she is a little sweetheart & we love her dearly. i have made an appointment with a different vet for tomorrow morning. we'll see what he thinks & get the blood test. i've been meaning to see him re: her dental issues anyway as he is the local pet dentist. hopefully he is knowledable in regards to my concerns.
i didn't realise there was such a thing as dwarfism in gsds. i've been reading about runts up until now. i'm surprised one of the vets hasn't mentioned dwarfism until today, nor do they seem concerned about finding out at all. i've now had a look at a lot of info. it seems it would be better to find out sooner rather than later so we can start her on any medication if needed. i don't mind her being small at all, as long as i can give her what she needs to be happy & healthy...

Oh, she definitely looks like a pituitary dwarf.

She is super cute! :wub: If you search dwarfs on this site you will find some info. There was a member a few years back who was a breeder and kept back a pup who was a dwarf.

I'd be very suspicious that she is a dwarf...get the thryroid test done ASAP and on to meds [cheap] if needed...they usually do have dental and or heart issues


Lee

Why would you be suspicious? What would you be suspicious of?

She's tiny, but absolutely adorable. I want to hold her.