three legged dog

[numamahen]

Does anyone else have a three legged dog? We just adopted a rescue English Shepherd through the NESR organization. (http://www.nesr.info/adoption-english-shepherd-dog.html#Hiro) He is about 5 yrs old. Sweetest dog I have met. Just wondering what to expect. He is completely missing the front left leg. He does well with our split level house. Gets up on the sofa just fine. He is a little thin & we think he needs to build a little more muscle in the hind end. My daughter thinks he looks like a pogo stick when he really gets moving! He does great following me around the yard, down to the gardens and back up the hill to the house. Just takes him a bit & he seems to rest if needed. He is a GREAT couch potato at this point. Any feedback would be great - thanks!

 

[FireTigeris]

He is no different then a normal dog, expect possible arthritis early because of his gait... otherwise he can only dig half as fast as a 4 legged... that's it.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Got pics??????

 

[FireTigeris]

the link has a pict

 

[lockedhearts]

30+ years ago our neighbors had a 3 legged Boston Terrier, he lost his leg at 5 and died at 18, he ran along side us as we rode bikes, swam with us in the lake and dug holes halfway to china. He chased the neighbors ducks and was perfectly normal.

 

[bantylover]

Hayyyy! I have a three legged dog! Glad to hear of someone adopting one! Mine is about a 3 year old heeler and he is missing a back leg. It has been quite a learning experience for me to have him, I am amazed at how it really doesn't matter to him. He has a mean, quick right turn and he is very healthy! If only people adapted so quickly and forgave as easily as dogs do! I'm actually the one who ran over him and he is the best dog I've ever had.

I think exercise and building muscle is important for them as you said. We had two dogs and lost one to old age so this winter, my heeler was not getting much exercise. I really noticed when the other dogs came out to visit that he would be all stoved up at night and drag his bum on the floor. So . . . I put him on a high protein dog food to help keep his weight down as he had gained a few pounds and we also adopted a drop off dog that someone just dumped out by us. Haven't had any problems since. He plays and runs and swims all day long. He is in good health, with a little weight loss and a lot more exercise. The only thing he can't do is jump in the back of the pickup. I just thing it is too much for him or he's afraid of bumping his stump.

Enjoy your new dog!

 

[numamahen]

thanks for the responses. I was thinking arthritis would be something that would affect him. Is there a magic age where that starts happening with dogs? Also any good preventative measures to consider? He has been with us for just a few days. So we are figuring out what he can do and how much more to push him because I think he was pretty pampered in foster care.

My 17 yr old daughter will be taking him out to the farm she works at to get him out with other critters and dogs. He was initially going to be there (the owner there does rescue and animal training) but the bonding process wasn't going as planned. He also can't get out of the way too quickly so we were afraid of the comings and goings with trailers and trucks. So with all the changes he had in the last week, he was acting a little more anxious that we wanted him to be. So we are thinking after some time with us and my daughter, going back and forth betweeen the two places he can be comfortable with both sets of humans and critters. My SO is the most hesitant as we would like to be able to go away when we want to go - however, yesterday when I was gone, guess who carried the dog up & down the big flight of steps to our office area!!!!!! ;-) So I think things will be good. I say - things happen for a reason. My daughter said the other day, "I never thought I would have a dog." I am saying the same thing - but I am glad things are working out! I think Hiro is where he is supposed to be..... I will try to post some more picture later. I got a grad school paper I should be finishing. Thanks again for the well wishes and info.

 

[NewHopePoultry]

I have a legged dog named Hope. She got caught trapt in a hunters trap and had to have one of her rear legs removed.
It hasnt really slowed her down, although we've noticed lately its harder for her to get up sometimes and she is only 5.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Three legged dogs usually do fine. Since his front leg is missing that is a little more of a challenge than a hind leg due to the fact that the front legs bear most of the animals weight. I wouldh't worry about the stairs, he'll navigate them at his own pace as long as no one is rushing him or he gets shoved while going up or down there shouldn't be any problem at all.

I'd love more pics when you have the time. He sounds like a wonderful dog. And congrats on your new adoption!!

 

[sammileah]

i have a 5yr old border collie mix that lost his leg a couple yrs ago. when he came home from vet i was ready to build ramps for him, but he got out of car ran up the steps and jumped on sofa. he lost his back leg and hasn't slowed him down at all. he can still clear a 3ft fence and chase down rabbits. he learned that he couldn't lift his leg , but had to turn around to legless side. every now and then he forgets and falls. i laugh can't help it. i swear he plays up the hadicap though. when you tell him to get down he looks at you with sad eyes then struggles to get up. but has no prob when its food time. missing a leg doesn't slow them down at all.