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When we get a pet, we usually opt for getting a baby version of them just so they can grow old with us. Like puppies, kitties, etc. Plus, it is always fun to watch them do the silliest of things when they are little. They are just learning to do new things and in doing that, they literally steal our hearts. So, it’s not shocking that we want them to stay little forever.
Not that they aren’t cute and adorable when they grow up! But the little versions of them are just extra adorable and enough to make us fall in love. We could just keep them in our pockets and never let them get out of our sight. Now imagine if you get a german shepherd puppy and instead of growing into its normal size (which is usually huge), it remains little furrever. Wouldn’t that be the cutest?!
Well, if you said yes, we’ve got the most wholesome story for you about a doggo named Ranger. Scroll down to read more.
This german shepherd named Ranger is almost 3 years old now. And unlike the rest of his buddies (the german shepherd breed), Ranger has a special and rare condition called Pituitary Dwarfism. Where a german shepherd usually grows up to be large and majestic, this one just remains little furever.
Because of his condition, he will remain tiny for his entire life. No matter how old he gets! He was first diagnosed with this condition, Dwarfism, due to an infection called Giardia. Giardia is usually caused by a parasite.
If you’re thinking this is such a cute little condition, we must warn you that much like any other condition, this one also has side effects. This condition can easily be passed onto offsprings and is highly heritable. It can be found in breed like German Shepherds.
Rangers owner, Shelby Mayo, seems to think that the cause of this condition in Ranger is also because of his parents. Here is what she had to say about it;
“When we originally got Ranger from the breeder, he was smaller than all his other littermates, but we figured that was because he had a parasite called Coccidia,”
“In the weeks following, we took him home and he was parasite free but later on ended up getting a parasite called Giardia. At the same time, we also discovered that Ranger had a large infection on his neck. We were eventually able to get the infection under control, fast forward a few months later we were finally able to get rid of Giardia.”
Poor little Ranger, had to face so much! Even though he was able to recover from his various health issues, the fact that he wasn’t growing didn’t go unnoticed. Shelby soon realized that this little one isn’t growing up at a normal rate. It didn’t take her long before getting Ranger to the vet and that’s when he was diagnosed with Pituitary Dwarfism.
Here is a little more information about this condition. It is linked with hypothyroidism. Which is a thyroid disorder that causes the thyroid glands to stop producing or not produce enough hormones. Because of this condition, Ranger has had to suffer through hair loss and skin problems. The good thing is, his condition is being managed due to medication!
Ranger is not the only sibling! He has two sisters, Hazel and Jessie. Where Jessie is a German Shepherd, too, Hazel on the other hand is a Labrador. Ranger does not get intimidated by his sisters who are bigger than him. In fact he usually keeps his stature and doesn’t hold back at all. And even though he is the odd one out, he is still the star of the family and just like us, has won over many people both online and in real life.
I think it’s safe to say we are all in love with Ranger and his little self. It makes us so happy that he does not let his condition get in the way of him living his life to the fullest. More love and power to this little guy! What did you think of this cutie? Let us know in the comments section below. Don’t forget to share this with your loved ones to spread the love even more.
