Is this just bad breeding?

2301 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by RemRem's Mom, Oct 14, 2011

RemRem's Mom

Discussion Starter · Oct 11, 2011

2

Hey for those of you that don't know the story I just rescued a sweet 12 week old female dobie from a bad situation and am fostering her for the next 5 months until her new owners can pick her up. I have noticed a huge difference between her and my boy. I know a lot of you have had a lot of Dobies over your lifetime and may be able to help me with this one, since I am still fairly new to the breed. I posted a picture of my boy who came from a reputable breeder and one of my foster dobie. I have noticed when she walks she really sways from side to side (bending almost in the middle when she does this). I also realize she seems "jacked up" in the back end which is what is causing her sway back. Any info you can give me on this would be greatly appreciated, I just want her to have the best life she can being a great family pet that she is. (And I'm still seriously thinking about tracking down the breeder and slapping the crap out of them)

My Doberman at 12 weeks old

My foster girl at 12 weeks old

Thanks for all the help you have given me, you guys are great. :kiss:

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Herb2relax

· #2 · Oct 11, 2011

I am not sure I have only had 2 dobes. Both from BYB. But Lexi didnt walk like Kyrah. When she was pup and came home her butt would swing side to side like she was trying to shake her butt! I would be curious as to why also.

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Fitzmar Dobermans

· #3 · Oct 11, 2011

No one can tell you why she walks the way she does, but I would suspect that it could be bad hips. I fostered a poorly bred puppy for rescue once and she walked like that - was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia by the time she was a year old.

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PatchworkRobot

· #4 · Oct 11, 2011

She looks to be built funny. It could be a growth thing but I'm guessing it's bad breeding. Poor girl, I hope the best for her.

RemRem's Mom

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 11, 2011

My hopes were on a growth problem since she is a tad under weight and was on Purnia puppy chow, but mostly I'm leaning towards the bad breeding problem.

Soleil

· #6 · Oct 11, 2011 (Edited)

My sister's pit bull has serious "swagger" when he walks. I thought it was just a puppy thing but he's nearly 3 and still really wiggles his bum when he walks. He is built similarly to your foster girl, with a rear end that seems higher up.

Oh, I meant to say that he is not of any well planned/thought out breeding.

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Q734

· #7 · Oct 11, 2011

If you could post video of her walking a lot could learn from it if it's not right, altho of course the definitive would be a diagnosis of HD.

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RemRem's Mom

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 11, 2011

Q734 said:
If you could post video of her walking a lot could learn from it if it's not right, altho of course the definitive would be a diagnosis of HD.

I will do my best to get a video of her walking, most likely not till tomorrow since I have obedience class tonight with Remington. Thanks for the help.

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Adara

· #9 · Oct 11, 2011

Is the puppy pacing? Both feet on the same side moving together? Rather than left front right rear - gaiting? Flirt paces occasionally. It has a swaying movement. It makes her look like she has robotic hips (and her hips are fine). It's difficult to see but when Flirt comes out of the tunnel at 17-19 seconds she is pacing

fullhouseflirt.mp4 video by vizsladobe - Photobucket

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HerMewMew

· #10 · Oct 11, 2011

PatchworkRobot said:
She looks to be built funny. It could be a growth thing but I'm guessing it's bad breeding. Poor girl, I hope the best for her.

What makes you say this from the photo?

I would think a vet could x ray her hips?
I know they said they would do my Dobergirl at 2 years old but, I would give the vet a call just to be safe.

My Kira "HAS JUNK IN HER TRUNK" when she walks...
It's so cute and noticeable we try and immitate her for fun.
Both of her parents were cleared of Hip Displasya so I'm not worried but, I will still want her to be ckecked eventually.

Cute puppies... I'm a fan of the reds :0) but love them all :0)

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RedFawnRising

· #11 · Oct 11, 2011

Adara said:
Is the puppy pacing? Both feet on the same side moving together? Rather than left front right rear - gaiting? Flirt paces occasionally. It has a swaying movement. It makes her look like she has robotic hips (and her hips are fine). It's difficult to see but when Flirt comes out of the tunnel at 17-19 seconds she is pacing

fullhouseflirt.mp4 video by vizsladobe - Photobucket

I also thought of pacing, and wondered if you were familiar with the gait?

There are so many things it could be, from puppy silly behavior, to a health or nutritional issue--vet check is best, of course, but if you could post the video, we could at least see if she's pacing.

HerMewMew said:
What makes you say this from the photo?...

Based on the obvious conformation flaws you can see the puppy has, in the photo. Good conformation isn't just about the show ring--it affects the dog's movement, soundness, and quality of life.

OP, thanks for taking her in, and taking care of her.

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Darkevs

· #12 · Oct 11, 2011

she is going through the "uglies" right now.

but yes, lack of quality shows.

Hugz to Rem and your cute foster girl!

Thank you for helping her.

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Herb2relax

· #13 · Oct 12, 2011

Adara said:
Is the puppy pacing? Both feet on the same side moving together? Rather than left front right rear - gaiting? Flirt paces occasionally. It has a swaying movement. It makes her look like she has robotic hips (and her hips are fine). It's difficult to see but when Flirt comes out of the tunnel at 17-19 seconds she is pacing

fullhouseflirt.mp4 video by vizsladobe - Photobucket

I can see it. Of course I am very used to it. Kyrah is a major pacer. Her hips seem fine.

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MeadowCat

· #14 · Oct 12, 2011

What causes a dog to pace rather than gait? Simon seems to do that occasionally and I don't know anything about it.

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Herb2relax

· #15 · Oct 13, 2011

MeadowCat said:
What causes a dog to pace rather than gait? Simon seems to do that occasionally and I don't know anything about it.

I dont know much about it. But was told it is a lazy gait or when the dog is tired. Here is a link to some info on an agility site.

Introduction to Dog Agility - Margaret H. Bonham - Google Books

Kyrah does it so much I have stopped doing the dog walk and teeter. Her back feet have a hard time hitting the board. She is also just not very coordinated IMO. She has fallen off too many times for my comfort.

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Julie W

· #16 · Oct 13, 2011

IMO it's just because she is so high in the rear. A lot of breeds that are *supposed* to be high(er) in the rear walk like that. As she matures she may level out some and have more of a typical gait for a doberman, only time will tell.

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RemRem's Mom

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 14, 2011

Adara said:
Is the puppy pacing? Both feet on the same side moving together? Rather than left front right rear - gaiting? Flirt paces occasionally. It has a swaying movement. It makes her look like she has robotic hips (and her hips are fine). It's difficult to see but when Flirt comes out of the tunnel at 17-19 seconds she is pacing

fullhouseflirt.mp4 video by vizsladobe - Photobucket

No I had never heard of pacing before, but she is walking correctly I watched her to make sure. The pacing would make sense, kinda like a horse in the wrong lead. I am still trying to get a good video but I have been home by myself and cant get a good one of her walking. Hoping to get help to night so someone can walk her on a leash and I can follow behind. Thanks so much for the video link it was helpful in more ways then one. Oh yeah your girl is awesome.

I talked to the vet about it and she said it could part of it could be poor nutrition and she might grow out of some of it. Thanks again for all of your guys help!!

RemRem's Mom

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 14, 2011

2

I caught these two playing tug-a-war and thought I would share the pics, sorry they are kinda blurry but my camera on my phone does not like action shots.

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