German Shepherds with Dwarfism is literally a pup that never grows. They will stay forever puppy-sized. But as cute as a German Shepherd with Dwarfism sounds, is it a good or bad thing? Sadly, these pint-sized pups do come with some health issues and while breeding them may be accidental, it does raise some questions.
Dwarfism in German Shepherds is bad because these dogs suffer issues like spinal and heart problems. Dwarf German Shepherds have stunted growth due to growth hormone insufficiency and barely live past five due to a slew of physical abnormalities. Pituitary dwarfism is the most common type in GSDs, resulting from an underdeveloped pituitary gland.
Most German Shepherds with dwarfism stem from unethical breeding, so it’s best to avoid buying, but you can still adopt. However, keep in mind that dwarf Shepherds are medically expensive due to their health issues which we discuss in this article.
You may also like: Miniature German Shepherds: Don’t Let Their Size Fool You
What is dwarfism in German Shepherds?
Dwarfism is a genetic condition in which a dog displays stunted growth throughout their lives due to inadequacy of the growth hormone. Pituitary dwarfism in GSDs is also known as an autosomal recessive inherited abnormality resulting from underdevelopment or a cyst in the pituitary gland.
As a pastoral breed, dwarfism in German Shepherds is more common than in other breeds, especially if proper screening isn’t done on the parent dogs before breeding. Dwarf shepherds shouldn’t be confused with miniature GSDs, who are crossed with smaller breeds like miniature Poodles and Corgis to attain their small size.
What causes dwarfism in German Shepherds?
Dwarfism in German Shepherds happens when they inherit two recessive genes (LHX3) that affect their pituitary gland. This means they don’t get enough growth hormones to grow. Pituitary dwarfism is the most common in German Shepherds.
Achondroplasia is the other common form of dwarfism in canines, but German Shepherds don’t carry this gene. Achondroplasia is characterized by intentional breeding for shortened bones and cartilage, such as the shortened legs (micromelia achondroplasia) in Basset Hounds and Dachshunds.
Other kinds of dwarfism in dog includes, dogs like Boxers and Bulldogs have brachycephalic (short-nosed) achondroplasia, while small dogs like Chihuahuas and Maltese are ateliotic dwarf. This form of dwarfism is caused by a deficiency in somatropin which results in stunted growth of all somatic cells in the body.
But in German Shepherds, the problem is that inherited a gene that stopped their pituitary gland from developing. In turn, this means they can’t get enough growth hormone to develop as they should.
How do I know if my German Shepherd has dwarfism?
You should notice fairly early if your German Shepherd has dwarfism just by size. Dwarfism can be detected as early as two months when the rest of the litter shows growth, but the dwarf puppy maintains its size.
The signs of dwarfism in GSDs are:
- Stunted growth and small stature
- Slow, abnormal teeth growth
- Shorter jaws and bigger, unproportioned heads
- Infertility and unusual genitals like testicles not dropping to the scrotum and swollen vulva
- Alopecia and hyperpigmentation
Although dwarfism in dogs is evident, the final diagnosis is pituitary tests where the vet conducts blood tests.
Watch this video where the owners of Ranger, arguably the most famous Dwarf GSDs on Instagram, share their experience:
How common are German shepherds with Dwarfism?
Dwarfism is a rare condition and few German Shepherds are affected. However, compared to other breeds, German Shepherds and Karelian Bear Dogs are more likely to experience pituitary dwarfism. Eight percent of 193 GSDs in one study were carriers of the dwarfism gene (Source: National Library of Medicine). Other experts believe that 20% of GSDs carry the recessive dwarfism gene.
Size and appearance: What does a German Shepherd with Dwarfism look like?
Contrary to popular belief, German Shepherds with dwarfism are small everywhere instead of having small feet. Below is a measurements table.
| SIZE AND APPEARANCE | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | COAT | EYES, EARS, AND HEAD |
| NORMAL GERMAN SHEPHERD | 22-24 inches female 24-26 inches male | 50 – 70 pounds female 65 to 90 pounds male | Medium black and tan, black, sable, liver, white | Dark almond eyes and pointy ears on a broad head |
| DWARF GERMAN SHEPHERD | 10-20 inches | 30-40 pounds | Retaining puppy coat with hair loss except on neck and legs. Treatable by GH | Similar eyes and ears on an unproportioned big head |
General care guide of a dwarf GSD
| Coat | Brush the coat at least twice a week. May sometimes lose their coat or have bald patches. |
| Baths | Monthly washes for normal coats. Weekly baths with medicated shampoo in case of alopecia (hair loss). |
| Brushing and trimming | Brush the teeth at least twice weekly. Trim nails monthly or bi-weekly |
| Temperament | Can be aggressive |
| Energy requirements | 20 to 30-minute walks |
| Housing | Can adapt to small spaces |
What is the temperament of a dwarf GSD?
Dwarf German Shepherds can be more aggressive than their full-sized counterparts due to often being more fearful or nervous. They are more susceptible to separation anxiety leading to unwanted barking and chewing. However, proper handling and socialization from puppyhood usually lead to a devoted, loyal, and lovable dog.
Training & socialization requirements of dwarf German Shepherds
Dwarf German Shepherds require lots of training and socialization with different people, animals, and sights for a well-natured dog.
Their disorder should not affet their temperament, but as they are smaller dogs that struggle with health issues, you may see more shyness or nervousness. They are usually sweet dogs, but they don’t often have the more typical bold and courageous presence of a healthy GSD.
As German Shepherds, these dwarf beauties are impressively intelligent, so they’re quite easy to train. It’s best to train dogs in puppyhood when they’re malleable.
Potential health issues of German Shepherds with dwarfism
According to a study on German Shepherd Dogs with dwarfism, the genetic disorder causing dwarfism in GSDs brings with it many health conditions:
- Chronic renal failure due to underdeveloped kidneys and liver
- Alopecia
- Bacterial skin infections due to the loss of the puppy coat
- Cardiovascular issues like heart murmurs
- Endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism due to insufficient pituitary hormones
- Spinal issues like spinal Bifida
- Dental issues due to teeth overcrowding
- Arthritis
- Joint pain due to an abnormal alignment of bones
Treating a dwarf dog with growth hormones reduces its health issues, leading to a more comfortable life. GH can also help regrow lost hair in dwarf dogs with alopecia. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Megace) injections are also effective medications.
The average lifespan of a dwarf German Shepherd
The life expectancy of dwarf German Shepherds is five years.
Their reduced lifespan is due to various physical abnormalities and health issues like heart conditions, hypothyroidism, and renal failure. Thyroid hormone treatments and growth hormones give a dog with dwarfism the best chance at a longer, healthier life.
Nutritional needs: What to feed a dwarf German Shepherd
Each dog with dwarfism needs different nutritional care, so a vet-advised diet is best. Dwarf GSDs with chronic renal issues need a special diet with reduced protein, sodium, and phosphorous levels to reduce metallic acidosis (Source: Veterinary Quarterly).
Your vet may also prescribe mineral supplements to help with thyroid function in case of hypothyroidism.
Young dogs will need carefully balanced calcium and phosphorus amounts and ratios in their food to help their bones and joints form correctly.(Source: Veterinary Clinical Nutrition)
Muscle loss and swallowing issues can lead to underweight dogs needing a specialized, high-calorie diet. On the other hand, due to their reduced energy, some dwarf Shepherds can be prone to obesity.
Overall, a dwarf German Shepherd needs a very carefully balanced diet with low-impact exercise will promote good health.
How much exercise does a German Shepherd with Dwarfism need?
Dwarf German Shepherds need about 20 minutes of exercise daily as walks to stay at a healthy weight and maintain overall happiness. These dogs may exhibit reduced interest in exercise, especially if they suffer from hypothyroidism.
Dwarf GSDs also need mentally stimulating games like puzzles to satisfy their intellectual needs.
Where can I find a German Shepherd with dwarfism?
You may adopt a German Shepherd with dwarfism at a local shelter or if you find one that needs a home. We strongly advise against buying a purebred German Shepherd with dwarfism, if the breeder has bred them purposefully.
Even if you adopt and save a dwarf GSD, you’ll need to remember the financial commitments involved.
Final thoughts
Dwarf GSDs are a huge commitment, even if you decide to make the right move of adopting and rescuing one. They may have serious health issues like heart problems, chronic renal failure, and arthritis. If you are interested in a smaller German Shepherd, read our article on the Miniature German Shepherd.
