It’s only in more recent years that experts have posited that the condition is more likely to be the result of intensive inbreeding. For the majority of their history, dogs with Short Spine Syndrome were considered a genetic phenomenon. Its earliest depiction in popular culture can be seen in the paintings of David Klocker Ehrenstrahl, whose subjects included a “monster of wolf and dog.” Looking at the paintings with hindsight, it’s easy to see from the creature’s shortened, sloping backs that the ‘monsters’ aren’t monsters at all, but rather dogs with Short Spine Syndrome. A dog born with the condition is likely to experience difficulties in:Īs the writes, Short Spine Syndrome is believed to have been around since at least the 17th century. How Does Short Spine Syndrome Affect Dogs?Īlthough dogs with Short Spine Syndrome will often live full, happy lives with normal life expectancy, the condition does make certain activities very challenging. Many dogs born with the condition have fewer ribs than normal, and most will have a stout, barrel-chested appearance. Their body will usually look very short in relation to their limbs (which aren’t affected by the condition), while their sloping back gives the appearance of a hunchback. If a dog with the condition wants to look behind them, they can’t simply turn their head like most dogs – they’ll need to turn their entire body instead. As well as resulting in a very apparent shortening of the spine, the condition can make a dog look like it’s missing a neck. Recognizing a dog with Short Spine Syndrome doesn’t take a veterinary degree. How to Recognize a Dog with Short Spine Syndrome Because the limbs are normal length, the dog will appear compressed in nose-to-tail direction but maintain a normal height,” he adds. “This compression gives the appearance of the dog not having a neck.” “Typically, the lumbar spine slopes downward and the tail is often in a corkscrew. Mehler, a staff surgeon at Hope Veterinary Specialists in PA explains to Pet MD. This leads to compression of the vertebrae and shortening of the length of the spinal column,” Dr. “The condition has many characteristic abnormalities, with the vertebrae remaining in a cartilage state instead of transitioning to bone. Some of the vertebrae can fuse together, leading to a hunchbacked appearance and a restriction in movement. The compression causes the vertebrae to remain in their cartilage form, rather than strengthening into bone. The condition is the result of severe compression of the vertebrae of the spinal column. Typically, they will also be smaller in stature than dogs of the same breed. As writes, all dogs born with Short Spine Syndrome share similar traits, including sloping backs, short, broad necks, rear legs that are longer than the front ones, elongated jaws and either no tails, docked tails, or shorter than normal tails. Dogs born with the condition have a spine that’s been, quite literally, shortened. Short Spine Syndrome is exactly what it says on the label. But what exactly is Short Spine Syndrome? Find out as we look further into the curious condition and meet some of the remarkable dogs living with it. Thankfully, its incidence is extremely rare – as of 2020, only 30 dogs in the entire world are reported to have it. While you’re at it, spare a thought for the dogs born with Short Spine Syndrome, a condition that results in a shortened spine and a hunchbacked appearance. If you’ve ever found yourself being scolded for hunching your back, spare a thought for the people who don’t have a choice in the matter.
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