3 legged dogs

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Ranyhyn

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Does anyone here have one? How about a big breed *cough* like a GSD. Long term prognosis for a heavy breed with an unknown hip score?

I am looking at a rescue dog - a 1yr GSD, who has had his off hind removed after an RTA.

Kitz
 
I've got a friend with a 9 yo 3-legged lab (missing a front leg) and she's fab! Leaps in and out of her land-rover no problem and seems very happy - she can properly snuggle into you on the sofa which is her favourite thing, my mate balances her coffee mugs on her head! :D

Don't know about GSDs though - where's CC when you need her?! :D

Also, ETS - don't know anyone with a hindleg off though, so what I've written above is probably not helpful :o
 
Thanks NN.

My main consideration is with an unknown hip score, doggy could have very bad hips - this coupled with the fact all its hind weight will be on one hip - makes me worried how long the dog will have a comfortable life for?

Also, somewhat stupidly, I wonder what a doggy thinks about being slower and less agile than its packmates? Luckilly my dogs are uber submissive anyway and aren't the type to challenge another dog in any way, but if I get another big dog, I wonder how the pack techtonics work with a "disabled" dogo?
 
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Can't help on the hips issue, I suppose if the hips are not ideal to begin with then the uneven muscles from only having one hind leg definitely won't help.

Mate with the wonky lab also has a non-wonky lab and 2 cairn terriers and she doesn't think there's too much of an issue with the wonky one - Terrier 1 is alpha, then it's probably wonky lab as non-wonky lab is an idiot :o and the other terrier is completely unconcerned by any of the others
 
numptynovice said:
and the other terrier is completely unconcerned by any of the others
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Sounds like my bitch. She really doesn't notice other dogs whatsoever. I wonder if that makes her pack leader - I'm sure I read something about pack leaders being the ignorant ones who don't feel the need to acknowledge anyone lol
 
Hmmm, whereas I know quite a few small, light built dogs who cope brilliantly on 3 legs I would be slightly anxious about a GSD. A dog I bred had cancer in a foreleg and the vet didn't feel he would be a good candidate for amputation, however in some ways a hind leg might be bettter as they would probably be more able to get about with the fore legs to take the wait. It is bound to put more pressure on the remaining hind leg I would imagine though, be they good or bad hips. How long ago was it amputated and how is he coping now?
 
As suggested by MM, a hind leg is always the best to loose (not that loosing a leg is good..lol), weight is a huge factor in these scenarios, the dog will have a better quality of life if kept active and weight is kept down, there is nothing worse than seeing an over weight 3 legged dog, I would see how it moves and manages, if ok it would not put me off taking it one.
 
K he looks gorgeous. What a crappy start he has had to his life. Can't offer any advice re the leg but am loving the name. I had a very special cat called Rocky....reckon that's got to be a good omen!!
 
I had a greyhound who lost her right hind leg, she did absolutely fine without it and is still going strong approx 4 years later (although sadly not with me :()

As you have already said, I wouldnt be sure whether a heavier weight dog such as a GSD would cope so well?
 
Yeah it does make good sense, now you have said it, to keep him fit and lean, equalling less stress on the muscles/joints etc.

He seems a very happy looking hound, I just, somewhat selfishly, after having a labxspringer whos legs failed, don't know how I'd cope with losing him early.

Wouldn't losing a hind leg though - make it hard to run etc? Ive seen dogs bombing with back legs to power, but surely running is hard when the engine only has one output..?

The mind boggles.

I'm considering taking a sick day to go and see him! Naughty orrrrr?
 
he is a young dog so should adapt quite well, but would have to be kept at the correct light weight for him. he deserves a good home who will love and squeeze him and cope with his disability (tho he looks very happy type) unfortunately his life should be more quality than quantity as he might well develop problems later in life esp if allowed to get weighty. as you like him i would take the risk he might be in kennels a long time ..... good luck
 
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There used to be a three-legged GSD mix at the dog park. He passed away last year at the age of eleven, and while three legs did make him a bit slow in his last year of life, he was pretty speedy beforehand.

I also see a three-legged Chow in the neighbourhood sometimes. That dog has only one front leg, but moves as quickly as my dogs.
 
I will ditto MurphysMinder, I opened Kitsune's link and thought "He looks a lot like a Malinois".

Malinois :
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Rocky
LocateAsset


GSD's :

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If he does have any Malinois in him then, again ditto what MurphysMinder said, he could be lighter built which is an advantage for a three-legged dog, but on the other hand, I would count on that a Malinois, in general, had an even higher need to work, than a GSD.
 
There is a Border Collie up the road from me, had a hind leg removed after a RTA. He is quite a heavily built collie. I have seen many dogs with three legs and the majority have coped fine, however he is the largest, and to be honest I don't think his Quality of life is great, even as a young dog (4 years old max.). He has very little balance and is very slow. Oh, and he still lies on the grass in the middle of the housing estate at night... Caring owners and all that.
 
I'm glad you agree with me Finny, I was worried I would just come across as a "snobby" GSD breeder picking up on a non standard colour. Ditto about the work drive of malinois, I think that is why some police forces are introducing them , or crosses of them and GSD.
 
I love BS's I really wanted one before happening on a GSD (via GSD mafia!) so that would make me very happy, my two favourite breeds of pastoral dog (is that right - they both fit into that catergory?)

I didn't really pick up on the black mask and tan colouring though - he doesnt seem to have markings as such in the body - is that a distinguishing factor?

So a higher work drive, but a sensible work load - will that make life very infuriating for him? Having a very active mind but not the body to carry it out? Would low impact excercise like swimming (i live near the beach and rivers etc) be good for him?

Well, I was going to take a sick day today to go see him, but figured double time sunday was important too so I'm in today and will be doing some research on keeping 3 legged dogs fit and healthy :)

Thanks for the opinions guys :)
 
The lack of markings on the body is unusual for a GSD. I would imagine swimming would be great for him, we had a JRT who had a hip operation and didn't use her hind leg for ages, vet recommended swimming and although it did do the trick and get her using the leg eventually she swam like a fish to start with using her fore legs and the one hind leg. There are lots of different things you can teach to keep their brain occupied that doesn't involve huge amounts of exercise e.g., searching . Good luck when you do visit him, I would just ask them loads of questions (write a list before you go) regarding what they know of his history. Wouldn't be at all surprised if RSPCA had got his breed wrong, don't have a lot of faith in them.:rolleyes:
 
Do you know, I have no faith in any rescue at the moment! :(

I wonder if the RSPCA are the same as DogsTrust in their format - ie meet,walk, meet your dogs, homecheck - HOME!
 
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