Advice please: how does your 3-legger move?

[luvmytripod]

We adopted a 4 month old german shepherd with a foreleg deformity...for all intents and purposes, she's a three-legger, and will have the leg amputated when her health is better (she's a rescue). She gets around very well (although ice is not her best friend in the world), but our vet says she "hops like a bunny", and is "concerned about her musculature". She moves her two rear legs together most of the time. I have never seen a dog with a foreleg amputation before and have no idea is this is a "normal" gait for a three-legger, whether born that way or not. Any advice would be appreciated.
By the way, a great online resource for owners of three-legged dogs is Cassie's Club (www.cassiesclub.com).

[tessa]

however your dog gets around on three legs is normal. what's normal for her is normal. if that's the way she's always done it, that's the way she'll always do it, and it's not really constructive to dissect it...because i'm not sure you can actually teach a dog how to walk.

that said...my three-legger is a bunny hopper. when she walks she takes one large stride with her front leg...then two quick, but separate steps with her back legs, then another large stride with her front...and so on. the back legs land on the ground separately but in approximately the same plane. by this i mean that they land at different times...but they land in the same area and not with one further forward than the other.

when she runs...she uses both her back legs in tandem. so then it is two steps only...front, back, front, back , etc.

you will not notice any difference in your dog's gait after the amputation, i wouldn't think.

i'm attaching my dog's blog site so you see what we went through when xena had her leg removed.

cheers...(and welcome!),
tessa

[amina]

Thankyou luvmytripod for the kind information at least now i know around how long it may take no rush though may i add what a stunner your dog is i adore german shepherds my mom has an 11 year old one anyway keep in touch and will speak soon amina and bodeexx

[amina]

Oh Jaida is just such a princess all she needs is a crown lol her pictures are just adorable she reminds me so much of maya when she was a baby i suppose people can be so rude however i'd be mesmerised in the big baby brown eyes she has, Crystal you are so lucky to have her and Jaida you german shepherds are such loyal and devoted dogs theres not many as faithful as them so give her a big kiss im sure she deserves it bye for now aminaxx

[Leigh & Wee-Bit]

thank you for posting about your dog it has given me new faith on how my pup will do. he is 14 weeks old and is having his right rear leg amputated tomorrow morning. I had a hard time deciding what to do but seeing how well your dog is doing showed me i was making the right decesion.

[luvmytripod]

Wow, thanks Leigh, that makes me feel really good. Your little one will be having surgery sooner than my little gal, but I'll be thinking about you guys.

Your pup will do fine on three legs...Jaida is a three-legger for all intents and purposes, and she surprises us all the time. She has no limitations, and adapts to everything. She flys up and down stairs, runs fast in "crazy puppy circles" in the backyard with our adult dog, even DIGS in the snow...with only one front leg! I'm still not quite sure how she manages it. Even when she does the odd faceplant, she just gets back up and runs off to the next thing that grabs her attention...I'm the one feeling horrified, and she doesn't even seem to notice.

Please let us know how he is doing after his surgery (and how you're doing!). Some pictures would be lovely if you can manage it (I'm assuming from your profile that he's a baby pittie...they're so sweet-looking as babies)!

Hang in there! Don't be shy about coming here to talk, the people on this board have been AWESOME since Jaida and I got here a few weeks ago. The wealth of information and support is truly amazing.

Jaida sends Wee-bit three-legged puppy kisses and happy thoughts!