A Question About Gracie

[Jim Belshaw]

Hi, Everyone,

I'm new to the forum, not exactly new to the GSD, but new to GSD pups and new to a rescue dog that a veterinarian and others swear is a GSD. I'm not so sure about that but only because I've not spent a lot of time around GSD puppies.

A long time ago (a very long time ago), I was a military K-9 handler. I spent many days and nights working with these marvelous animals. But they were all adults. Three years ago, I stumbled upon a gorgeous 6-year-old female in the local dog pound. I took her home and we had her until about six months ago when she became ill and we lost her. Again, an adult GSD.

Now Gracie has come into my life. She is nine months old. My brother-in-law, who is a veterinarian, said her owners presented her to him with an awful case of mange and a request that he euthanize her. He said he would treat her and find her a home, but he wouldn't put her down. My wife saw her and soon Gracie came to live with us.

Gracie looks for all the world to be a GSD -- the markings, the colors, the muzzle, the ears. But she has a body that some people have compared to a coyote. She is rail thin. (I actually had a stranger suggest she was the product of a mating with a coyote, which I seriously doubt.)

I watch her move and my memory says GSD. I watch her lope through our front yard (an acre) and I see a GSD. Then I catch her at a different angle and that skinny little body makes me wonder. I've never seen a GSD -- male or female -- with a body like Gracie's. I have looked at many photos of 9-month-old GSD pups and not one approaches Gracie's level of sleekness.

So, the question: Is this rail thin body indicative of other problems? Or another breed in her genes somewhere? Or do some GSD pups fill out later than I think?

Thanks for any help. Regardless of the answers, Gracie is part of our family now and will remain that way for what we hope will be a long time. We've had her all of two weeks and she has proven herself to be a sweet and very smart dog.

[Elaine]

There are a lot of workline dogs that are built thin and wiry. Why don't you post some pics of her so we can see what you are talking about?

[llombardo]

I have a tall and lean GSD. She is 27.5 inches tall and no more then 65 pounds, if that. She excels in agility because of her body type. I think it takes a couple years for them to fill out, but I don't foresee mine getting much heavier. She is way to active and I don't know if I think that her filling out will suit her body type I love her just the way she is.

[JakodaCD OA]

can you post a picture of her?? My girlie is long legged and coyote-ish looking, but it's her coloring more than body build..congrats on your new girl, and I'm sorry you lost your other girl