Ranger is a unique German Shepherd and stands out from the crowd. Unfortunately, he has been diagnosed with pituitary dwarfism, which means that he will always remain small due to insufficient growth hormones produced by his pituitary glands. Even though he is 2 years old, Ranger looks like a puppy compared to other dogs his age.
Dogs with pituitary dwarfism have a deficiency in growth hormones, which leads to stunted growth. This condition can cause various physical abnormalities, such as shorter legs and longer bodies than usual. Moreover, these dogs may also have difficulty growing a full coat of hair.
When Ranger was taken in by his owners, they observed that he was comparatively smaller than the other puppies in the same litter. However, they didn’t pay too much attention to it at the time.
Despite receiving treatment for an infection and two distinct parasites, the veterinarian recommended that Ranger’s small stature may be due to dwarfism.
For several months, the veterinarian had been taking care of Ranger and realized that the little pooch hadn’t grown much during that period.
Currently, as a two-year-old, it’s evident that the veterinarian’s prediction was accurate. Ranger hasn’t shown much growth and still has the appearance of a small pup.
In some breeds, like the German Shepherd, Pituitary dwarfism may be passed down through recessive inheritance. Ranger’s owner suspects that his condition is a result of his parents’ genetics. He shared in an interview with SWNS that Ranger’s litter was the breeder’s first attempt at breeding those specific dogs together, which they believe caused the genetic defect. Ranger’s owner emphasized the importance of responsible breeding by stating that the breeder will not mate the two dogs again.
Although Ranger appears adorable, his situation is quite severe. Canines with pituitary dwarfism commonly encounter several health complications due to their condition.
Ranger has faced a tough battle with his thyroid, resulting in him losing his hair and appetite.
Fortunately, Ranger has been given medication to regulate his thyroid levels and he is currently thriving. His coat has grown back, he’s lively, and he’s relishing every moment of his life.
During a Q&A session on Ranger’s Instagram handle, the owner confirmed that although Ranger might gain some weight and “fill out,” he won’t grow any larger than his current size.
Ranger is a proud owner of two adorable sisters, Hazel, the Labrador, and Jessie, the German Shepherd. Despite being smaller in size than his sisters, Ranger never lets it hold him back from having fun and enjoying life to the fullest. He loves playing around, goofing with his sisters, and living his life to the fullest. Despite being small, Ranger has a big heart, and his family adores him just the way he is.
