Is it normal for a dobe to curl his paws and walk when he is a pup?

marykay48 · 10-22-2007, 07:53 PM

I went to buy a Doberman and the first one I saw was walking on his paws and the breeder said that ok he will out grow it. We ended up buying the other pup that did not. I just wanted to see if anyone had that proublem with theirs and if so did they out gromw it?

reddobes · 10-22-2007, 07:58 PM

No it is not normal.... do you mean that the pup is walking on the tops of his feet?
Some weaknesses in very young pups can improve with age/physical therapy, but I wouldn't count on it.

marykay48 · 10-22-2007, 08:01 PM

He had his paw curled over and walking on it. breeder said not to worry about it but w didnt buy that pup just wondered

reddobes · 10-22-2007, 08:09 PM

Without a physical exam it would be hard to say exactly what was wrong, but typically in animals with normal ligaments/tendons, this type of walking is caused by neurologic deficits. In a growing pup could be some sort of severe weekness of the ligaments making up the joint, but again some of these can improve and some NOT. We recently saw a GSD pup w/ severe weakness in both hocks and both carpus joints. After several weeks of NO improvement and possibly worsening, the pup was returned to the breeder.
I think you were wise not to choose this pup.
IMO the breeder should NOT have been even selling the pup w/ the problem (either the dobe pup or the GSD pup I saw). The breeder should've kept that puppy to see how it turned out himself and not put a problem like that on a new puppy owner.

DLS · 10-22-2007, 09:04 PM

No it is not normal, it is abnormal.

marykay48 · 10-23-2007, 08:21 AM

Well then I am glad I did not take that pup but I feel sorry for him. The breeder said not to worry about it the first time she saw a pup do that she got scared and her breeder or vet said not to worry it ok it will get better. I think now she just lied to sell the pup . This is the same pup that I bought from this breeder that pup had a bad bactieria infection in his ear and she said dont worry either it is a yeast infection and this is normal. She said it will go away on it own to but the smell got so bad i took him in. The other pup had it worse

Linda H · 10-23-2007, 04:00 PM

Sounds like she doesn't worry about much with her puppies at all. Typical back yard breeder. Some do care but don't know much and some just don't give a damn, get the money and get rid of the puppy.
You should try to make her pay for your puppys' vet bill just to give her a hard time. How far is she from you, could you go check on the other puppy?

marykay48 · 10-25-2007, 02:53 PM

I am 2 and 1/2 hrs away so I cant . I love my guy and I am happy I have him. He is already using the doggie door to potty. I guess I am a proud mom