Introduction
Welcome to the German Shepherd Pituitary Dwarfism site where the intention is to inform as many people as possible of the hereditary condition of Hypopituitary Dwarfism in the German Shepherd. The aim of the Foundation is to provide information, advice and support on pituitary dwarfism to Owners, Veterinary professionals, Breeders, Breed Clubs, Breed Councils and Kennel clubs around the world. By bringing together all of the information including the research papers into one place and owners experiences from around the world we hope that it will help others in dealing with this heartbreaking condition including veterinary professionals.
While this recessive gene originated in the German Shepherd in the 1940's the breed was used in Europe to found others such as the Saarloos Wolfhound, Czechoslovakian Wolfhound and the Karelian Beardog, as a consequence the German Shepherd has passed on this recessive gene to these breeds also. There have been no reports to date of any other breeds affected outside the German Shepherd and its derivatives.
This site is new and still under construction but we wish to hear from all owners of dogs with pituitary dwarfism no matter where you are. A data base is gradually being compiled to enable more research to take place in identifying carriers to stop this terrible condition from increasing, also to encourage all Breeders to DNA test their dogs for the Pituitary Dwarfism gene. All dwarf owners can help by supplying their dogs pedigree if they have one to me on: [email protected]
Welcome to the German Shepherd Pituitary Dwarfism site where the intention is to inform as many people as possible of the hereditary condition of Hypopituitary Dwarfism in the German Shepherd. The aim of the Foundation is to provide information, advice and support on pituitary dwarfism to Owners, Veterinary professionals, Breeders, Breed Clubs, Breed Councils and Kennel clubs around the world. By bringing together all of the information including the research papers into one place and owners experiences from around the world we hope that it will help others in dealing with this heartbreaking condition including veterinary professionals.
While this recessive gene originated in the German Shepherd in the 1940's the breed was used in Europe to found others such as the Saarloos Wolfhound, Czechoslovakian Wolfhound and the Karelian Beardog, as a consequence the German Shepherd has passed on this recessive gene to these breeds also. There have been no reports to date of any other breeds affected outside the German Shepherd and its derivatives.
This site is new and still under construction but we wish to hear from all owners of dogs with pituitary dwarfism no matter where you are. A data base is gradually being compiled to enable more research to take place in identifying carriers to stop this terrible condition from increasing, also to encourage all Breeders to DNA test their dogs for the Pituitary Dwarfism gene. All dwarf owners can help by supplying their dogs pedigree if they have one to me on: [email protected]
Thank you to Tanja Stoetman, Hans Kooistra, Annemarie Voorbij, Heather Saunders, Helen Squires, Mijke van Heyningen, Sue Hourd, Hannah Plant, Vanora Sucatre, Shari and Greg Sasser, Julie Pett, Ewa Zorychta-Malczewska, Lorraine Daly, Frankie Goode, Ruth Jenkins, Pam Phillips, Margaret Wilkinson, Kathy Hylton, Shelly Watkins, Debbie Masters, Ann Slaughter, Melissa Cotter and many others for the help and assistance with images and information on their dogs. Also a big thank you to Chris Hazell and Sheila Rankin of the UK GSD Breed Council, Shirley Hutchinson and Carol Lister of the GSD League of Great Britain for their support and assistance, not forgetting John Walker for allowing me to use his past research.
Stephen Webb .BSc(hons), BA, BSc, MSc.
UK Ambassador, Saartje Foundation for Pituitary Dwarfism in Dogs
UK Ambassador, Saartje Foundation for Pituitary Dwarfism in Dogs
