4-year-old German Shepherd has dwarfism and will look like a puppy forever
German Shepherds are a great breed of dogs. They are intelligent, gentle, confident, and of course, courageous.
These large dogs belong to the most popular dog breeds here in America.
Can you imagine a tiny German shepherd? We’re not talking about a puppy but a four-year-old dog.
Meet the cute Ranger, a German shepherd who will never grow big. This adorable dog will remain the size of a puppy until he grows old.
The reason for this unique condition is his dwarfism.
Shelby and Darcy Mayo decided to take Ranger home, thinking he was just the runt of the litter. They were excited to see him grow and catch up with his sibling’s size.
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What they didn’t expect was that their adorable pup would stay pint-sized forever.
According to the sisters, Ranger’s siblings and parents didn’t show or have the said condition.
Because of recessive gene inheritance, German shepherds, basset hounds, and even corgis are susceptible to this type of dwarfism.
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They discovered what was wrong after they got him neutered.
Ranger started to lose appetite, and his fur became dry and flaky. He was also losing weight rapidly.
Alarmed, the sisters brought the pup to the vet and found out that he had a neck infection.
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His infection got treated, and a special soap was used for his skin problem.
Soon, Ranger became better.
Looking at this adorable dog, you’d think being a dwarf German shepherd is all cuteness, but his condition does have its own set of issues that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
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“The thing with (dogs with dwarfism is) there’s not a ton of information out there because it’s so rare,” Darcy explained in her interview with CNN. “Even the vets didn’t know much. They were doing their own research.”
Ranger’s condition makes him vulnerable to a short lifespan, thyroid issues, and even parasitic infections.
Though the vets were hands-on in monitoring and caring for Ranger, they still have insufficient information.
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That’s why the sisters decided to create an Instagram account for their cute dog. They wanted to gather information and also raise awareness.
Ranger, with his cuteness and personality, became an internet superstar.
Who wouldn’t fall in love with this cutie?
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With over 140K followers, Ranger’s Instagram account attracted people who share similar stories. Owners of pets with dwarfism started sharing their own stories of how they handled their pet’s condition.
Now, the sisters had found themselves also sharing their stories and knowledge to all those pet owners, who, like them before, were seeking advice and guidance.
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Ranger looks healthy and happy, but the sisters are well-aware that they need to constantly monitor the dog’s health for him to have the best life.
“He is healthy and happy as can be as of now and loves jumping around and playing with his ball and squeaky toys with his two sisters Hazel and Jessie.”
Like any other dog, Ranger loves to play and cuddle.
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Ranger has a big personality for his size. He continues to bring joy, not just to his owners but to everyone who follows him on Instagram.
Check out Ranger’s Instagram account here, and don’t forget to share this with your friends and family.
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Source: ranger_thegshepherd, CNN