What to do if you suspect or find you have a dwarf
Its sometimes very difficult to identify dwarfism in young dogs, occasionally an owner presents a suspected case but subsequently it turns out to be a normal dog that is very small for the breed. The pages on this site will hopefully give a clear indication that there are many issues facing a dwarf dog and it is designed to help Breeders, Owners and Veterinary professionals with information on caring for these dogs. The question is what should a new owner do to ensure that a dog is given the best start despite the many problems faced. In the recent past these dogs were untreated as little was known about the condition and few Vets had even seen this, commonly the dogs were often turned away as being crossbreeds, most people would not have recognised that these dogs were in fact pure bred German Shepherds suffering from pituitary dwarfism. Its true that even untreated a small number can and do survive into old age but most suffer severely reduced life spans. Today, even now we have reports that some Vets will turn away owners because it is outside their experience and it is not uncommon for owners to have approached 8, 9 or even 10 Vets before being accepted by a practice, hence the reason for this web site to enable all those concerned to quickly reference the background and research on the condition and use it as a resource to help these dogs.
The first step is recognising something is wrong and most people should suspect something by 3 months of age if an owner or breeder is expecting a pedigree German Shepherd. Its a little more difficult if the dog is from a rescue as the dog can look like a GSD crossbreed due to its size and its not until the dog begins to lose its coat that a trip to the Vet for some answers usually follows. The most frequent question asked is 'what should my pup weight'? This is commonly the first thing people ask when they begin to notice something is wrong. The following table of weights are for normal dogs and must be used with caution as these are approximations but clearly if a dog only weighs 4.0 Kg at 16 - 20 weeks as is often the case with a dwarf then something is very wrong even if it is not down to dwarfism.
Normal German Shepherd Weight Chart
MALE FEMALE
Age in Weeks Kilograms (Kg) Pounds (Ibs) Kilograms (Kg) Pounds (Ibs)
8 4.2 9.2 3.3 7.2
12 9.0 19.9 7.5 16.6
16 14.2 31.3 12.1 26.7
20 19.0 41.8 16.4 36.2
24 26.1 57.4 22.7 50.1
28 28.4 62.6 24.7 54.4
32 30.0 66.5 26.0 57.5
40 31.5 69.5 27.1 59.5
44 32.7 72.0 28.0 61.5
48 33.7 74.3 28.6 63.1
52 34.5 76.0 29.1 64.2
MALE FEMALE
Age in Weeks Kilograms (Kg) Pounds (Ibs) Kilograms (Kg) Pounds (Ibs)
8 4.2 9.2 3.3 7.2
12 9.0 19.9 7.5 16.6
16 14.2 31.3 12.1 26.7
20 19.0 41.8 16.4 36.2
24 26.1 57.4 22.7 50.1
28 28.4 62.6 24.7 54.4
32 30.0 66.5 26.0 57.5
40 31.5 69.5 27.1 59.5
44 32.7 72.0 28.0 61.5
48 33.7 74.3 28.6 63.1
52 34.5 76.0 29.1 64.2
1. There are a number of ways a dwarf can be diagnosed with dwarfism but a DNA test for pituitary dwarfism is the most reliable way of identifying a dwarf. When pups are young it can be sometimes quite difficult to tell, but by 8 weeks when compared to litter mates obvious differences can be seen even if an owner or breeder does not recognise what the problem is. Occasionally a pup will appear to be a dwarf and have many of the outward signs but then after a delayed start, grow on to become a normal dog, healthy in all other respect but which is small for the breed. While it is true to say that only a qualified Vet can make a diagnosis, the DNA test can be done by yourself and sent to a commercial laboratory without a Vet's assistance. By taking a buccal swab from the dogs cheek, the procedure is simple, accurate and reliable.
2. The next step is to get your Vet to obtain a blood sample and to test for Free T4 and this should be done by equilibrium dialysis fT4(ED) which is the most accurate way of obtaining the results. The purpose is to determine the dosage of Thyroxine to be given as all dwarf dogs suffer from secondary hypothyroidism. Some dwarf dogs will show test results with levels at the very low end of the normal range, but this tends to be insufficient for these dogs and most owners report that the best effects using L-Thyroxine sodium the synthetic version of thyroxine are seen when the level is above the middle of the range. A number of blood tests are required to find the correct dosage and then at regular intervals to ensure the correct levels are maintained, as each dog is different this should be done in consultation with your Vet. While there are many issues facing a dwarf dog this is probably the single most important thing that you can do for your dog - thyroid medication.
3. Growth hormone can be considered if the dog is young enough to benefit from it, that is before their growth plates have closed. All dwarfs have an underdeveloped renal system and porcine growth hormone (pGH) will help in the development of the liver and kidney's it will not increase the size of the dog. This can be discussed with your Vet, but most however will not be able to obtain it without going through a research department of a University for example because of the strictly controlled regulations governing its use in most countries. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Saartje Foundation.
4. Report your dog to help identify carriers of the faulty gene this can be done by contacting the Saartje Foundation who will notify the relevant countries German Shepherd Breed Council and also the Research Centre at the University of Utrecht. Help can be given with information on how to care for them, but as each dog is different, everyone who has a dwarf can help others by providing information on their dog. If you have a pedigree and/or a DNA test result then please send them to us by email, if you don't have either then you can still help by providing your details.
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2. The next step is to get your Vet to obtain a blood sample and to test for Free T4 and this should be done by equilibrium dialysis fT4(ED) which is the most accurate way of obtaining the results. The purpose is to determine the dosage of Thyroxine to be given as all dwarf dogs suffer from secondary hypothyroidism. Some dwarf dogs will show test results with levels at the very low end of the normal range, but this tends to be insufficient for these dogs and most owners report that the best effects using L-Thyroxine sodium the synthetic version of thyroxine are seen when the level is above the middle of the range. A number of blood tests are required to find the correct dosage and then at regular intervals to ensure the correct levels are maintained, as each dog is different this should be done in consultation with your Vet. While there are many issues facing a dwarf dog this is probably the single most important thing that you can do for your dog - thyroid medication.
3. Growth hormone can be considered if the dog is young enough to benefit from it, that is before their growth plates have closed. All dwarfs have an underdeveloped renal system and porcine growth hormone (pGH) will help in the development of the liver and kidney's it will not increase the size of the dog. This can be discussed with your Vet, but most however will not be able to obtain it without going through a research department of a University for example because of the strictly controlled regulations governing its use in most countries. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Saartje Foundation.
4. Report your dog to help identify carriers of the faulty gene this can be done by contacting the Saartje Foundation who will notify the relevant countries German Shepherd Breed Council and also the Research Centre at the University of Utrecht. Help can be given with information on how to care for them, but as each dog is different, everyone who has a dwarf can help others by providing information on their dog. If you have a pedigree and/or a DNA test result then please send them to us by email, if you don't have either then you can still help by providing your details.
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