put the RED in RTCxTSN

[HPIZZLE]

I always wondered if mine was mixed with something, or if he is just.. um.. special. The thing that throws me is that he's not spotted for the most part, just on his head. I think he's just special lol. What do you think?

looks like a genetic defect of mass red tail production that someone didnt kill.

 

[mamapuff]

Hmm... I will just call him special then. Somehow I always end up with genetically defective animals. I also have a 14 lb, 3 year old German Shepherd.

 

[HPIZZLE]

Hmm... I will just call him special then. Somehow I always end up with genetically defective animals. I also have a 14 lb, 3 year old German Shepherd.

u sure its a real german shepard? i was at a store near me and saw the tinniest cutest german shepard ever!! but i asked and they said it was some type of toy dog that was 5 years old and 11 pounds. looked exactly like one thats why i asked.

 

[HPIZZLE]

oh and when i say toy, i mean like miniature.

 

[mamapuff]

Yep she's 100% GS. She has Pituitary dwarfism. Both parents are mine, and came from my hubby's parents who bred for 23+ years for the local police department. She had a $4K heart surgery, has thyroid, liver and kidney issues, and has to take pills for the rest of her life. She's a great girl tho, and even though she is mostly hairless and grey, she has the biggest personality, and knows who her mama (my dog) is. (I gave her to my mom as a present before she was diagnosed, and thank god, no way I could afford that bill!!)
I pulled this from a site:


Pituitary dwarfism is a rare congenital birth defect resulting in the malfunction of the pituitary gland situated at the base of the brain, often combined with malfunction of the thyroid gland.
In dogs with pituitary problems the dog will develop into a near-ly perfectly proportioned but considerably downsized version. In cases where there is an associated problem with the thyroid gland due to lack of proper direction from the pituitary, muscular weakness and skin/hair problems will occur.
It is a genetic disorder but because it is a recessive gene it requires male and female both with the recessive gene to produce dwarf puppies. Unless a breeder is deliberately mating male and females with this gene to produce dwarf puppies, pituitary dwarfism is not common in the GSD. However, when it does occur it can be quite distressing for the owner because of the associated medical problems and the look of the dog because of hair loss. Dwarf German Shepherds usually have fertility problems.
As a puppy the dog will have a fine coat of secondary hair but no primary hair so hair loss begins usually at the age of 6 months when puppies normally use their puppy coat. In some cases the dog will retain tufts of hair around the ears and the feet which does look rather comical. The hair on the tail usually disappears leaving it looking like a rats tail.
As hair loss progresses the skin can sometimes become very itchy, very sore and become scaly and wrinkled with some areas becoming quite black. Some areas will stay smooth.
The life expectancy of a dwarf shepherd is much shorter than a GSD of normal size. Some say 2 years at best although there are others that dispute this and quote ages of up to 13.

 

[spwd]

Cool cat there buddy,wish id got the room.

steve

 

[HPIZZLE]

Cool cat there buddy,wish id got the room.

steve

thanks bro.
if you ever do, the big pims are my #1 recommended fish lol.