Tilted head !!

    • Silver

    Tilted head !!

    I got my german shepherd pup last wk,he was attacked by his mum at birth and has a slightly tilted head (i think its slowly improoving).My vet thinks it connected with the attack,as ears seem clear.He is a perfectly normal pup in every way,he is not unbalanced etc.Any one dealt with this kind of thing?[:D]
    • Gold Top Dog
    Do you mean he holds his head in a tilted position?
     
    The only shepherd pup I have EVER seen do that was our sweet Mr. Ears who died at 5 months.  He'd sit with this adorable little head tilt and I'm not certain if this was related to his undiagnosed heart condition or not.
     
    I'd be VERY concerned about this pups temperment.  Obviously momma doesn't have the best of temperments to have attacked the little guy and temperment CAN be passed on.
    • Silver
    Yes tilted very slightley to the right.He was from a breeder who i think has a good name,nyrvana!
    My vet has said he thinks its connected to the attack but dont know for sure,temperment is important to me as i have young children.So i hope he,s good[:D]
    • Gold Top Dog
    I don't breed and am not familar with a ton of gsd breeders, so I can't/won't comment on the breeder.   If the vet is saying that the head tilt is related to the attack, it must have been a pretty serious attack to cause physical damage to the pup.
     
    For your own peace of mind, I'd call the local shelter and ask if they can suggest anyone to do a temperment test on the pup just to be sure.  I AM concerned about the mommas temperment if she injured this baby so badly.  How old is the pup?
    • Silver
    They reckoned they didnt know she was pregnant and the litter was a surprise,but they knew who the dad was(i thought was odd).
    Milo is 9 weeks old and has been hand reared,very bold temperment and is already very cocky with my other shepherd,i been taking his feed from him etc whilst eating which he has shown aggression too on occasions,but when i growl at him he backs off
    • Gold Top Dog
    OK, this is sounding very much like a backyard breeder to me.
     
    I strongly suggest that you send Anne (spiritdogs) a pm and ask her advice.  Anne is an excellent trainer and she can tell you if this pups temperment is a problem and how you can deal with him if he "is" a little iffy.
    • Puppy
    Like glenmar, I don't breed and don't know very many German Shepherd breeders (I own a Covy Tucker Hill GSD), BUT this breeder sounds fishy. No good breeder breeds "accidental" litters.
     
    And as far as your dogs temperment, it could just be a bomb waiting to explode... maybe on a neighboors kid? Your other German Shepherds? If he attacks, you are liable. Just something to think about...
     
    Donnie
    • Silver
    Ok  thankyou i will do.
    Breeder breeds shepherds that the army x police use,and temperments are suppose to be great.But its just what ive heard,the vet i use treats there dogs and he recommends her .[8|]
    • Gold Top Dog
    You want a different temperment, still stable tho, for a military or police dog than you do for a family pet.  PM Mic Foster and Anne and see what guidance they can give you.  You can do a people search here on the forum.  FWIW, I have never seen a momma attack a pup....and THEY know they are pregnant even if the owner doesn't.  Also, I don't suggest growling at a pup.  In my experience with german shepherds it's not effective.
    • Gold Top Dog
    aww poor thing. hmm it sounds like a backyard breeder. a responsible breeder wouldnt have accidents like that..well maybe..
    • Silver
    i cant pm you or id post you there web page,family dogs also,bitch has had many litters but not done this before.
    But they are caged for long hours with very little play time,Not that thats an excuse.
    My family have had shepherds many many yrs,so im hoping he ,ll be fine.i pm spiritdogs,
    • Gold Top Dog
    Sure you can pm anyone you want to.  Just click on whose ever name it is you want to pm, and that'll take you to their profile and a spot to pm or email.
     
    And yes, even the most responsible breeder *can* have an accidental litter.