I got her!!! YAY!
- Thread starter SarahFair
- Start date
any of these?
ADVANCE
BALANCE DIET
The Food ADVANTAGE
CANINE CAVIAR PET FOODS
Cripple Creek Kennels
Natural Balance
FLINT RIVER RANCH
HAPPY PAWS
HOLISTIC BLEND
SOLID GOLD
LIFE'S ABUNDANCE
TENDER LOVING CARE
NATURE'S FINEST
MATRIX
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD
Sammy Snacks
TIMBERWOLF ORGANICS
ULTRA NATURAL PET FOODS
VeRUS Pet Foods
VITA-MAX PET FOODS
AZMIRA PET FOODS
BREEDERS CHOICE
CALIFORNIA NATURAL
INNOVA CANINE
PINNACLE
ROYAL CANIN SIZE (natural blend variety)
NATURALLY CANADIAN
CANIDAE PET
KIRKLAND (KIBBLE)
Far More
NATURAL BLEND
ADVANCE
BALANCE DIET
The Food ADVANTAGE
CANINE CAVIAR PET FOODS
Cripple Creek Kennels
Natural Balance
FLINT RIVER RANCH
HAPPY PAWS
HOLISTIC BLEND
SOLID GOLD
LIFE'S ABUNDANCE
TENDER LOVING CARE
NATURE'S FINEST
MATRIX
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD
Sammy Snacks
TIMBERWOLF ORGANICS
ULTRA NATURAL PET FOODS
VeRUS Pet Foods
VITA-MAX PET FOODS
AZMIRA PET FOODS
BREEDERS CHOICE
CALIFORNIA NATURAL
INNOVA CANINE
PINNACLE
ROYAL CANIN SIZE (natural blend variety)
NATURALLY CANADIAN
CANIDAE PET
KIRKLAND (KIBBLE)
Far More
NATURAL BLEND
It depends on the source of the problem. If she received poor nutrition, coupled with being caged constantly, and got no sunshine, then there's a chance good food, light exercise, and some time in the sun will do her well.
But if it's genetic, there's nothing you can do. And as for if it will hurt her, yes in the terms that arthritis will set in quickly and begin to deteriorate all those joints.
GSD's are the most common dogs we have to euthanize due to downed pasterns like those and severe HD. And sadly, I cannot even tell you how many we've done before they even turned 1 year of age.
Also, you've been given some good advice on "backing the train up" and start integrating her into the family the right way. This means slow introduction to the other dogs and to your child. Don't rush her into anything.
And I also have to say I was petrified when I saw that picture of the two dogs and your child. Not only would I not allow my child to between 2 dogs that don't know each other, but my child is never and will never be between 2 dogs period. It's a recipe for disaster and one your child will pay the price for.
And obedience lessons are a great idea. Not just for the actual obedience and training part, but because it's one of the best ways to actually bond with your dog and build up trust and understanding.
Let us know what the vet says and say responsible.
I'd actually not put much stock into what he said... Protection work, maybe... but sounds like he was either naive and didn't notice the pasterns problem or at the least untruthful about it. Either way not good.
Anyways, what I'd do is get her to a vet to have them assess it fairly soon. They should have a better idea of the prognosis and how it should/shouldn't affect her. And in the mean time get her on a high quality kibble. You got a good list earlier of some different brands.
Anyways, what I'd do is get her to a vet to have them assess it fairly soon. They should have a better idea of the prognosis and how it should/shouldn't affect her. And in the mean time get her on a high quality kibble. You got a good list earlier of some different brands.
She is beautiful. Her coloring is sable, if I'm not mistaken. It's a pretty common color in the GSD. I was looking at my GSD's front legs, she certainly doesn't walk on her pasterns like that. I also noticed that in one of the pics her paw was splayed. Definately get her to the vet and see what can be done.
If he was going to do protection work with her she's probably pretty drivey which can cause problems if you don't know how to harness that. Slowly introduce her to the rest of your family. Keep working on obedience with her to get that bond.
If he was going to do protection work with her she's probably pretty drivey which can cause problems if you don't know how to harness that. Slowly introduce her to the rest of your family. Keep working on obedience with her to get that bond.
Rudi is beautiful!
German Shepherds are an intense, athletic, highly intelligent breed. I just hope you know what you're in for.
I totally second the suggestion to sign up for positive-reinforcement (yes, that may include treats) Obedience classes right now! I must admit, she doesn't look West German what-so-ever. I have helped with GSD rescue, and we see a lot of dogs with the same feet and hocks... all from American lines, who are dead-set on giving the dogs dangerously sloped backs and hocks that graze the ground. It is very sad, but I've seen MUCH worse than hers. Absolutely take her to a Vet, immediately, for a general check-up AND to get a professional opinion about her structure. I would take her off of the Vitamin C until you get her evaluated.
German Shepherds are an intense, athletic, highly intelligent breed. I just hope you know what you're in for.
I totally second the suggestion to sign up for positive-reinforcement (yes, that may include treats) Obedience classes right now! I must admit, she doesn't look West German what-so-ever. I have helped with GSD rescue, and we see a lot of dogs with the same feet and hocks... all from American lines, who are dead-set on giving the dogs dangerously sloped backs and hocks that graze the ground. It is very sad, but I've seen MUCH worse than hers. Absolutely take her to a Vet, immediately, for a general check-up AND to get a professional opinion about her structure. I would take her off of the Vitamin C until you get her evaluated.
Please do take the advice and take her to a vet. Rudi's a lovely looking creature and it would be a terrible shame to miss a chance to find out if there's something that can be done to help strengthen those front joints and feet right now by diet and being careful what kind of activities she's involved in for awhile.
One of the hallmarks you look for in a well bred GSD is a tight foot with no splaying.
I wouldn't take anything that guy told you at face value. Meeting you at WalMart . . . nope, that's not cool at all. Not one little bit.
Just love her and take care of her and enjoy your lives together. Keep her safe, and don't put her into situations that can get out of hand - like meeting a new dog with a child in the vicinity. It's too much stress for a dog.
One of the hallmarks you look for in a well bred GSD is a tight foot with no splaying.
I wouldn't take anything that guy told you at face value. Meeting you at WalMart . . . nope, that's not cool at all. Not one little bit.
Just love her and take care of her and enjoy your lives together. Keep her safe, and don't put her into situations that can get out of hand - like meeting a new dog with a child in the vicinity. It's too much stress for a dog.
Before you totally freak out, her being down in the pasterns can be from a lack of exercise. I can't judge the dogs muscle tone from pictures on the computer, especially since GSD's have thick coats. If he had her on 1000mg of Vitamin C he knew she was down in the pasterns. You can give dogs vit C to tighten up the muscles in the feet etc.
I would get her checked by a vet first to make sure its ok to start exercising her. Once you get the ok from him you can give her some exercise and see if those feet tighten up. Is she spayed? Did the guy say she was crate trained? Was she kept in a run? Her toenails look decently short for a pet dog, especially one who has such splayed feet. My guess is she was kept in a kennel run w/ a concrete floor which would file her nails down. Dogs need to walk on different surfaces to keep those foot muscles tight. You could also try elevating her food dish to encourage her to stand up on her toes while she's eating, this would also help tighten the feet.
Good luck, and please get a few books or some professional advice about training and using your body language. Lots of things we do seem threatening to dogs and the last thing you need is for you or your child to do something that looks threatening and have this dog hurt one of you.
I would get her checked by a vet first to make sure its ok to start exercising her. Once you get the ok from him you can give her some exercise and see if those feet tighten up. Is she spayed? Did the guy say she was crate trained? Was she kept in a run? Her toenails look decently short for a pet dog, especially one who has such splayed feet. My guess is she was kept in a kennel run w/ a concrete floor which would file her nails down. Dogs need to walk on different surfaces to keep those foot muscles tight. You could also try elevating her food dish to encourage her to stand up on her toes while she's eating, this would also help tighten the feet.
Good luck, and please get a few books or some professional advice about training and using your body language. Lots of things we do seem threatening to dogs and the last thing you need is for you or your child to do something that looks threatening and have this dog hurt one of you.
Most German/European bloodlines cull dogs of that color. They are supposed to be richly pigmented and Rudi isn't. She has a light mask and no saddle whatsoever. It is tan, and sable, but there is not enough dark pigment on her. Someone has linked weak pigment to sharper dogs... Not sure how true that is, but something to think about.
And you can also see if skid boots will help strengthen her pasterns as well...
And you can also see if skid boots will help strengthen her pasterns as well...
It would make sense that her feet are splayed, because she does not exercise them like a normal dog would simply by walking on them. They don't bear weight which stretches and works the muscles/tendons/ligaments of the feet and so they are atrophied perhaps.
Her feet resemble puppy feet before they are walking well (3-6 weeks)...straight and open...once they are up on their feet the simple act of bearing weight will tighten the feet at least somewhat.
Watch her nails as they likely aren't being worn down at all for the same reason.
Down in pasterns seems like something that might occur from being kept too long on concrete...that splays feet, and once the feet splay the pastern will begin to break down due to lack of support. The feet breaking down could have come well before the pasterns let down...then it becomes a vicious cycle.
I would get her on Knox gelatin for the feet to help tighten them and try keeping her on something that will challenge her feet and ecourage her to grip like river rock...which is excellent for developing great tight feet. The WORST thing would be to keep her on tile or laminate/wood flooring which gives minimal purchase. Carpet is also very soft and will encourage the feet to remain splayed.
Just some advice from someone with a foot fetish.
Her feet resemble puppy feet before they are walking well (3-6 weeks)...straight and open...once they are up on their feet the simple act of bearing weight will tighten the feet at least somewhat.
Watch her nails as they likely aren't being worn down at all for the same reason.
Down in pasterns seems like something that might occur from being kept too long on concrete...that splays feet, and once the feet splay the pastern will begin to break down due to lack of support. The feet breaking down could have come well before the pasterns let down...then it becomes a vicious cycle.
I would get her on Knox gelatin for the feet to help tighten them and try keeping her on something that will challenge her feet and ecourage her to grip like river rock...which is excellent for developing great tight feet. The WORST thing would be to keep her on tile or laminate/wood flooring which gives minimal purchase. Carpet is also very soft and will encourage the feet to remain splayed.
Just some advice from someone with a foot fetish.
And just to give you some encouragement here is my own Cleo...notice on her first day here..she was slightly weak in the pasterns...perhaps even more than slight...
Now with simple exercise and improvements in food...even tho she has gotten HEAVIER...her pasterns have become stronger and they have a more appropo angle on them:
Granted the Leonberger is NOT supposed to have straight up and down pasterns...in fact "slightly sloping" is in the standard. Your breed standard asks for an angle about 25 degrees off vertical...so a slope is also indicated.
Now with simple exercise and improvements in food...even tho she has gotten HEAVIER...her pasterns have become stronger and they have a more appropo angle on them:
Granted the Leonberger is NOT supposed to have straight up and down pasterns...in fact "slightly sloping" is in the standard. Your breed standard asks for an angle about 25 degrees off vertical...so a slope is also indicated.
I agree with the exercise, but also make her stand on her "tippy toes". Hold the water bucket up when she goes to drink (I latch it to the fence just high enough where my puppies can reach it, but keeping her feet in the correct position).
Sable is the most dominant color in the GSD genes. She is NOT a traditional black/tan but does have the saddle back PATTERN. Not all German dogs have great pigment, but I see alot of highlines in her.
Protection training could be fun. no pressure needs to be added whatsoever. You can do it purely in prey drive. Might want to look into it,.
Sable is the most dominant color in the GSD genes. She is NOT a traditional black/tan but does have the saddle back PATTERN. Not all German dogs have great pigment, but I see alot of highlines in her.
Protection training could be fun. no pressure needs to be added whatsoever. You can do it purely in prey drive. Might want to look into it,
.