Deformity in the legs of an Amercan German Shepards

Question
I have a 4 month old American German Shepard.  I have noticed that his angulation seems very deep.  When he walks he almost seems to be dragging his feet.  He walks on the halks of his feet and I am afraid that this will become a bigger problem as he gets older.  Also, He doesn't seem to be gaining weight.  The last time (about two weeks ago) I took him to the vet he only weighed approx. 35 lbs.  I love him to pieces and I don't want to have to put him down.  Is this a problem that he can live with without pain or is there some thing I can do for him now to make his legs better for the future? Please give any advice you can.  Thank You.

Answer
Hi Leonor, Unfortunately you have what is very common in the American lineage of the German Shepherd.  To make the deep slope that you are witnessing, they have weakened the ligaments in the hocks which is why they are dragging.  Your dog has unfortunately inherited an extreme version of it.  There isn't a lot you can do.  You can try having him swim which can help strenthen the ligaments, but there really isn't a lot you can do otherwise.   I wish I could give you more help, but unfortunately this is the bad part of the show breeding.  Weight wise, it is also more difficult to get weight on that type of lineage too.  If I had a copy of the pedigree on your dog (its family history) I could probably give you more of an idea of where (which dogs) in the family history could be causing you problems and what you might be seeing later on in life depending on his heritage.  Wish I could be of more help.

Dawn