White German Shepherd cartilage?

[jdtp0203]

I have a German Shepherd and a white German Shepherd. He is only a year and a half (the white one). His left ear has never stood up regularly; the cartilage is just not very strong (like the regular shepherds'), and I can already see his teeth are showing bad signs of wear. His teeth are very worn down which is my primary worry, his ears do not bother me but since they are both weakened I thought maybe there was a connection. Is there anything in the form of vitamins that I can give to strenthen or gain what he has lost back with his teeth? Is he too old and too much damage done to regain at this point? Does anyone know if this is normal for a White Shepherd? I have talked to the vet but he did not recommend anything so I was hoping to find out more online, which I also have had no luck with yet. My vet said this was the first white Shepherd he had seen, and marked him down as a lab for the first couple visits so he is not very familar with these in particular so I was hoping a German Shepherd forum could at least point me in the right direction to finding out more information. These are the first dogs I have owned and unexpectedly got them "inherited" so I am still learning and would appreciate a point in any direction but south, thank you!

[Bonniesmummy]

Hi welcome to the forum

I don't have any experience of this but if you hang around someone will be along with some answers/help for you

Pictures are mandatory by the way, you can't stay if you don't post pics he he he

Congratulations on your inheritance
xxx

[jdtp0203]

I actually set up a photobucket account (i think) just for this site, I have so many cute pics of the shepherds I would LOVE to share! But since I am new to this type of thread I am not sure how to do so....I will learn tho!

[zetstaff]

Hope this helps

http://www.mygermanshepherd.co.uk/fo...step-step.html

Welcome + look forward to seeing loads of piccies

[jdtp0203]

test to see if I got it....




One of the kids and the 2 dogs usually take up the entire bed So I'm on the couch.

[zetstaff]

Well done cracking pics

Lets have loads more

[Bonniesmummy]

Awwwwwwww so cute LOVE IT

[LOVEGSD]

Hello and welcome, love the pics...xx

[Tedsmum]

Hello and welcome, love the photos. I think we have all had that problem from time to time.
I am not aware that there is any inherited problem that leads to tooth wear at such a young age but my first question would be weather you let him chew or fetch stones. Alternaitvely look for another habit, chewing at his crate, chewing at metal fencing etc.
I have known premature tooth wear happen when dogs have the habit of playing with or chewing stones etc and as far as I am aware there is no treatment that can restore the wear.
Their adult teeth are just like ours, you only get one set and you must look after them. What does your vet say about the tooth issue?

[jdtp0203]

my vet did not say anything about it, it is not something that you would look at or worry about unless you had something to compare it too (the reg shepherd). I would not have thought anything about it if I didn't have the other to compare to. No rocks, he lickes to dig but chewing abnormal objects is not his thing, more of her thing actually. I really don't want to see him have problems because of it in 5-10 years, personally it doesn't matter right ow except for health. In 5 years, if I don't help it now, obvioiusly it will be worse. I will start him on calcium supplements just to see if it helps but I'd really like to hear someone that has had this issue. I don't know if it is white shepherd dominant, but I know my normal shepherd has had NO problems while the white one has had several including digestive, teeth, and ears. I want to prevent another HUGE vet bill if possible, I know crap happens but if I can prevent it, I would like to.