Does the idea of a miniature German Shepherd sound attractive to you ? Maybe you are a fan of this great breed for its courage and intelligence, but you want a smaller dog.
You are not alone. Many people are interested in smaller versions of popular breeds. Is there a downside to this downsizing trend?
In this article we will look at the pros and cons of miniaturization. This will help you determine if the Miniature German Shepherd is the right dog for you.
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Are there miniature German Shepherds?
First of all, it is important to understand that there is no miniature German Shepherd breed. Miniaturization in dog farming is accomplished in one of three ways.
A standard German Shepherd can be crossed with a smaller breed of dog. They may possess the gene for dwarfism.
The last way to miniaturize is to breed two exceptionally small purebred German Shepherds together. Each of these methods has its drawbacks, which we will investigate.
But first, let’s look at the breed standard.
The amazing German Shepherd
At the end of the 19th century, several strains of German dogs were combined to create the best herding dog. Today the breed is best known for its military, police, protection and guide dog work.
A well socialized German Shepherd dog makes a wonderful and loyal family pet. He is a well-muscled dog with a deep chest and strong hindquarters, and is longer than he is tall.
Its medium length double coat comes in a variety of colors. They have a long snout, a confident head, and pointed ears. The male is between 60-65 cm and weighs between 32-42 kg. The female is somewhat smaller, measuring between 55-60 cm and weighing between 24-34 kg.
Miniature German Shepherd
Despite being the second most popular breed in the US, many people feel that the German Shepherd is too big for them.
They are a powerful and active breed that needs plenty of exercise and room to move. If you live in an apartment or a small house, the space could definitely be a reason to want a miniature German Shepherd.
Maybe you have young children and feel more secure with a smaller, more manageable dog. Then there’s the cuteness factor. There is no question that smaller dogs tend to be more adorable.
Therefore, that makes them more attractive to many people. The round head and large eyes associated with small dogs generate caring behavior in people. This phenomenon is known as the baby scheme.
So let’s find out how to get Miniature German Shepherd Dogs.
Miniature German Shepherd Mix
Breeding a female German Shepherd with the male of a smaller breed produces a mixed breed dog. This is the most humane way to miniaturize.
However, when mixing with another breed, there is no way of knowing which parent the puppies will be taken to. They could be smaller but they do not look or behave like a German Shepherd.
There is also the possibility that German Shepherd puppies are only slightly smaller. The advantage of crosses is that they can reduce the incidence of genetic health problems.
Of course it is, if both parents are not prone to the same condition. These are some of the breeds that breeders often mix with the German Shepherd.
The miniature German Shepherd and dwarfism
Pituitary dwarfism is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects German Shepherds.
The physical characteristics of this condition include:
- Legs shorter than normal
- Longer than normal body
- Bowed front legs
- Stagnant development of the hair layer or baldness
This would really be a miniature German Shepherd in terms of temperament and demeanor.
However, pituitary dwarfism can have some pretty serious health effects.
Impaired kidney function, hypothyroidism, and a weakened skeleton are just some of the health problems associated with pituitary dwarfism.
The miniature German shepherd raised from dwarfs
The term dwarf can refer to the smallest puppy in the litter. For a breeder, it means puppies whose birth weight is abnormally low.
To clarify, defined this way, you could have an entire litter of dwarves. Sadly, puppies that are born extremely underweight are likely to face many health problems throughout their lives.
And the lower their weight, the more at risk they are. Breeding two undersized purebred German Shepherds is another way to get a miniature German Shepherd.
Some breeders choose this method because the breed’s physical and behavioral characteristics are passed on to Miniature German Shepherd puppies .
However, when two dogs that are well below the standard size are raised together, the possibility of transmitting health problems increases as well.
How big are Miniature German Shepherds?
The size of the miniature German Shepherds will depend on several factors. If they are crossed with another breed, they could be closer to the size of the other parent.
So crossing with a Collie would make a dog larger than one mixed with a Yorkie. A fully grown miniature German shepherd with the dwarfism gene would have very short legs and weigh approximately 14 kg.
Raising two very underweight purebred German Shepherds could make an even smaller dog, but at what cost?
The health of the Miniature German Shepherd
The German Shepherd breed has an average lifespan of 9 to 13 years. They are at risk for a number of health conditions that you should be aware of.
Like many breeds, the German Shepherd is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. This is a skeletal disease in which the ball and elbow joint are malformed.
Therefore, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America recommends hip and elbow evaluations of the puppy’s parents. This helps reduce the risk of transmitting joint problems. Degenerative myelopathy is an incurable disease of the spinal cord.
It begins with a loss of coordination in the hind legs. Then it progressively worsens until the dog is unable to walk. Bloating is a sudden, acute swelling of the abdomen that can be life-threatening if prompt treatment is not received.
Another joint disease that affects German Shepherds is osteochondritis dissecting (OCD). This is caused by abnormal cartilage growth.
Finding Miniature German Shepherd Puppies
It can be difficult to find breeders who specialize in specific crosses. Choosing to adopt a dog from a shelter has the advantage of allowing you to see exactly what type of dog you are getting.
It can also be less expensive than buying from a breeder, and many of these dogs will already be trained. Choosing to get a puppy from a breeder may also require some patience.
Don’t be fooled by claims that Miniature German Shepherds are rare. This is a ploy used by unscrupulous breeders trying to collect more money.
Above all, ask questions and make sure the parents were screened.
Is a Miniature German Shepherd Right For Me?
Is there a miniature German shepherd in your future? In short, only you can know for sure.
We recommend choosing a Miniature German Shepherd that is the result of a cross with another healthier breed. Research the other breed type so that you have a full understanding of the potential problems your pup could have before making up your mind.
Make sure you can spend time with a dog that will require a lot of exercise, socialization, and training. If you’re ready to compromise, these smart dogs make dedicated and loyal companions.
Photos of the Miniature German Shepherd
I love the animals. Reading and writing about them, their customs, their peculiarities or the attention they require is exciting, and I also believe that it makes us better people. I share articles that solve the questions that dog caregivers face on a daily basis.