Meet Ranger, The Tiny German Shepherd With Dwarfism Who Will Look Like A Puppy Forever

Don't you secretly wish your furbaby to stay small and pudgy forever? We all do… but unfortunately, puppyhood doesn’t last very long. Most dogs end up transforming from cute, goofy pooches into fully grown gorgeous adults in just a few months.

And German Shepherds are known for this, growing into large, majestic working dogs — but one special pup called Ranger will stay tiny for the rest of his life.

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The fully grown, almost 3-year-old purebred German Shepherd has a rare condition called Pituitary Dwarfism, which means despite his age, he’ll be stuck in puppy-hood forever. He was diagnosed with Dwarfism after an infection caused by a parasite called Giardia.

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Although Ranger is adorable, his condition comes with some side effects. Pituitary dwarfism can be recessively inherited in certain breeds, such as German Shepherds, and in an interview with SWNS, Ranger’s owner reveals that he thinks that Ranger’s condition is down to his parents’ genetics:

“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,” says Ranger’s human, Shelby Mayo.

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“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.”

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Although Ranger recovered from his initial health issues, his humans noticed that he wasn’t growing at a normal rate. They took him to the vet once again, where he was diagnosed with Pituitary Dwarfism.

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The condition is typically linked with having a thyroid disorder called hypothyroidism that causes the thyroid gland to not produce enough hormones.

This caused Ranger to suffer from flaky skin and hair loss; but, luckily, he is now taking medication to manage his condition.

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Ranger has two sisters. Hazel, the Labrador, and Jessie, the German Shepherd. While his sisters are bigger than him, Ranger doesn’t let his small stature hold him back.

Today, Ranger is happier and healthier than ever. Although he’s still small, he is a huge part of the Mayo family and has captured the hearts of many online.

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10 of the Smartest Dogs in the World:

 

A friend of mine has a beautiful Dalmatian. Friendly, energetic and lovable, she was a perfect family pet… but she wasn’t the smartest pooch on the planet. See, she knew how to go through the pet door out into the garden, but she had no clue how to get back inside. It never occurred to her that the flap could swing both ways. So she would sit outside and howl until my friend would open the door.

Repeated demonstrations of the dual movement of the flap had no effect; it just did not compute. The dog breeds on this list, however, probably don’t have that problem. They’re widely considered to be among the cleverest canines in the world. Take a look and see if you agree.

1. German Shepherd

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No surprise here. German Shepherds are the world’s best police dogs, military dogs, and some have even been movie stars (remember Rin Tin Tin?). Brave, loyal, smart and strong, they’re the total package.

2. Beagle

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Also on the list of the best family-friendly dogs in the world, the Beagle has an incredible nose that lets them sniff out just about anything. Born detectives, they’re not the most trainable pets, but they are smart. And hey, nobody ever accused Snoopy of being dumb.

3. Golden Retriever

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A popular choice for assistance dogs for their easy temperament, natural intelligence and loyalty, Golden Retrievers are natural guides and also serve as great rescue dogs. Active and fun to be around, they’re wonderful family pets.

4. Border Collie

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Border Collies are considered by many to be the geniuses of the dog world. Expert herders, laser-focused (they’re known for their intense stare), and incredibly agile to boot, they’re workaholics and excellent athletes. Just don’t expect to keep one cooped up in an apartment.

5. Poodle

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Did you know poodles were originally hunting dogs? They respond very well to training and are quick to learn tricks. So don’t let the fluffy looks and styled mane fool you! These dogs are among the smart canines around. Plus, they’re among the best dogs in the world for those who suffer allergies.

6. Belgian Malinois

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A terrific military dog, the Malinois is a natural herder, tracker and worker. Smart, trainable and protective, these dogs require an owner who knows what he or she is doing. In addition to the military, Malinois are often recruited as guard dogs and police dogs as well.

7. Papillon

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Named for their butterfly-shaped ears, papillons are small, cute and pretty smart. They’re considered the smartest of the toy dog breed, with intelligence levels comparable to the über-smart border collie. They’re alert and focused pets, and loyal and lovable: an ideal friend for he family.

8. Doberman

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Sadly, Dobermans are known more for their ferocity than their smarts, but these are considered among the most intelligent dogs in the world, as well as one of the most effective guard dogs around. They’re outstanding students known to be affectionate and obedient.

9. Bloodhound

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Don’t let the wrinkles and dopey expression fool you! Bloodhounds have the keenest of noses, and are often used for trailing (so much so that their evidence can be used in court against you!). These are loving but strong-willed dogs, and are often used on search and rescue missions.

10. Australian Cattle Dog

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You need a smart, determined and energetic dog to control unruly cows. And that’s just what the Australian Cattle Dog, or ACD, does. They’re intelligent enough to herd these much larger creatures, and while they need their independence and wide open spaces, they’re eager workers who know how to get the job done.

Did we miss your brainy dog on this list? If so, write in and let us know about it!

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