Dutch Shepherd Forum

Recently as everyone knows, I lost my poor Soba. Well the other day the man that sold him to me calls me up and says that someone who bought Sobas brother can no longer keep him. Then he asks me if I would like to take him. Of course, over taken with grief from Soba, I say yes. He goes and gets the puppy from the owner and I go last night to see him. Great!!! So excited, now here is the problem. The people who were so called "owners" definately did nothing with him but crate him. He smelled of feces and was limping. I of course, couldn't turn him down. The guy who owns the parents tells me he wasn't limping a little bit ago and that his kids were running with him in the field and that he must have hurt his leg. I rub his leg and the joint, shoulder, and paw no whinning. I take the pup, knowing it could be a problem, but who knows what someone would do with an injured DS that maybe in this just for money (strickly my opinion). So I call a vet this morning and they say that his leg was probably born that way. That if he had broken it and no one took him to the vet, he would have probably died of infection. I am going to take him in to have it looked at, but I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with a dog that could have a deformed leg? He walks with a limp on his front left paw, without any whinning, he hops around and pounces, but will not run for more then a few feet. Ive also noticed he has flat front feet, maybe from over crating in a crate to small? I will love this pup no matter what and train him to be a good DS. He will learn obedience and be such a good pet for my family The pup is very beautiful and has a great personality. He doesn't have much confidence, but after he is with us for a little bit he will be more comfortable. After all, I loved Soba so much, wont hurt to help out his brother In the pic of Merlin sitting you can see there in a bend in his left front paw. We are also getting him a different color collar today, my son said that he couldn't wear blue, because thats what Soba wore. lol So off with the collar he came with and on with the new, I think we will go with red.

I have not had personal experience with lame dogs, but I've read enough stories with happy endings on the internet. Dogs do very well with 3 legs, so having one lame out of 4 would mean he'd probably just compensate using his other front leg more. And you don't know yet if there's a possibility of it healing up completely.

I just read an update about a lame puppy on the GSD forum yesterday. She had some unknown problem with both back legs. Two years later, she's not 100%, but she's doing great!

Poor guy, being left in a stinking crate all the time. I'm sure he has a wonderful home now.

It sounds like he has been in a crate since he went to his new home. In that case, the flat feet and even lameness will probably heal once he is out and moving. My father-in-law once bought a pup because it had been left in a pet store cage for 3 weeks. (I know, not a good reason). Poor little guy could barely walk and had totally flat feet (there is a term for that type of atrophy, but i can't remember it). He made a quick and complete recovery once out of the cage and lived quite happily for 20 plus years.

Luckily your little Merlin is still in the socialization stage of puppyhood where he can be introduced to new things and do well with them. How old is he now? 8-10 weeks is a fear period, so go easy!

I am glad that he has gotten a fresh start with your family and even though he can't replace your sweet Soba, he will be a nice baby to hold and hug. I wish you all the best!

What an amazing turn of events! Little Soba is smiling down from heaven happy that you are helping out his brother!

I heard about a disease called "rickets" or so which can deform bones due to mal nutrition. I am not sure where I read about it. But there was a happy ending and the bones were back to normal. I would consult a good vet to find out what the problem is.

Thanks for the advice He is about 9 weeks now and he is a sweet little pup. I can't believe that people get pets and then just lock them up all the time. Crazy stuff. Hopefully the vet will be able to help with his leg, if it is permanent I will love him no matter what! He doesn't seem to be in pain from it, just gets a little upset when he doesn't get to run and chase as far as our other dog does. I am so happy to have been able to get him though. My son has been in such a better mood, he told me last night he still misses Soba, but he sure is happy to help his brother!

Lauren wrote:It sounds like he has been in a crate since he went to his new home. In that case, the flat feet and even lameness will probably heal once he is out and moving.

I guess one will have to assume that the pup even had a new owner who already had to give him up.
I am sceptical by nature though, and I guess it probably does not matter much either way, wether he was a factory reject from the breeder or a reject from a buyer.
I agree that there is a fair chance that it will work out all right with exersize. I had a malinois pup born with bow legged hind legs once, from a wrong position in utero, and 'cowboy' fully straightened out and lead a normal productive life. If it is something similar with Merlin, you have a good chance of getting him fully straightened out.

You're right Judith, I never really thought about the fact that he might not have even had another owner, that the guy may not have been able to sell him to begin with. Either way, he will be happy with us and he is really beautiful. We will crate train him, but he will only be there at night or times when we leave the house(for short times). I really wish that this guy was not able to breed anymore, I just have the feeling that he isnt at all honest. Anyway, point of the whole story I guess is, I had a beautiful DS, who I lost unfortunately and now I'm bless with giving his brother a good home! So happy I was able to get him and not someone who would just mistreat him. We already are in love with our Merlin

Wow, what a story!

Congrats on your new addition and hopefully there is nothing to serious wrong with his leg. But even if it is something that will stick with him, sounds like he found the right family to take care of him.

Keep us posted on how he is doing.

Congratulations on the new addition. He really is adorable. I know you were questioning diets previously with Soba, and I think it is VERY important to revisit that topic with this kid. If he has any structural issues, you want to make sure he gets on the best and most reliable sources of nutrition.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks, thats another thing that I know was incorrect that the breeder told me. He states that the family was feeding him a really good diet (guess it depends on what your idea of good diet is) this pup was not eating well at all. I could tell that easily from when he went to the bathroom. Just a few meals with us and he is going a lot more comfortably. I am giving him the homemade stuff that we had talked about with a mix of purina kibble. So I guess, either the breeder told me a bunch of stuff that I wanted to hear, or the previous owner told him a bunch of stuff he wanted to hear. Merlin is warming up to us quickly though, he is already following my son around everywhere and not jumping everytime someone walks by. Im so happy to have him

I am glad that Merlin found you. He looks just as cute as Soba did and I am impressed that you are willing to take on a pup that is not sound (at the moment) I bet it will all work out beautifully.

Thank you Having him has helped us all get in better spirits He is already starting to walk better and this morning, I noticed his feet aren't so flat!

That is good news! You will need to post many photos as he grows, because we all know that puppies grow up fast.

Ah, great news! Just a few days with you and he is already getting better!!

Katrina, you are really special to take Merlin into your home and hearts! He really won the doggy lotto!

I hope over time his structural problems dissolve...sounds to me like he's going to have a great life, regardless.

I am happy for you and Merlin! Great to have joy again. Merlin is lucky to have you and he will be so happy. Glad he is getting better. My father found a dog many years ago that was living under a van in a big lot at his warehouse. He finally got her confidence and she went with him. She had been limping on three legs. The vet said it was broken and healed improperly, because she was living on the streets. My brother took her and she lived a long healthy life on three and the front let she just sort of used. She never showed any pain or discomfort. She was fine and died of old age.

It probably cant hurt to xray? I know its not cheap but just to see whats going on in there?

Thank you all for being so nice Everyday his foot and leg gets better and better. I have noticed already that he is hardly limping at all (I will give him a little more time and if its not completely better I will get it x rayed). I never thought I would have to teach a pup to walk on grass, poor thing. Tonight we were outside running around in the yard and a dog down the road was barking, Merlin tucked tail and ran! He is getting more comfortable though, its just taking time. He ran onto the deck and just looked at us like, "Aren't you coming? Its going to eat us!" I called him and coaxed him into coming back and he sat real close, but was starting to observe the noises, instead of being so fearful. I just pet him and talked to him to let him know he was ok and that he was such a good boy. He is so beautiful! So happy to have him in our lives. I truely cried for days after Soba died, everyday I look at his grave, but now I feel peace knowing I can help out his brother

Merlin crawled up on the couch last night and fell asleep with my son, it was so sweet, I couldnt help but share. My son will be 5 in Jan and is very tall and slender. Merlin weights more than he does at 10 weeks, I believe he is going to be a very large dutchie.

Oh how sweet !!!!!!!!!

Glad his leg is getting better too!

Thanks

How cute!