Is my boy the only bald German Shepherd on the planet?

by Mel
(England)

This is Dobby, my rescue GSD who is almost 2 years old. I have hunted high and low to find another bald shep but so far have found none!

As far as I know he was born with a full coat apart from a small bald patch on his head. I have had him since he was 5 1/2 months old. He did have some hair along his back but it has almost all gone now.

The official diagnosis of his condition is CDA (colour dillution alopecia) as well as inflammatory bowel disease. He is allergic to most animal proteins but as you can see he is fit and healthy.

He is the most loveable, funny, energetic, crazy lunatic I have ever come across and I adore everything about him. He looks very much like a peruvian hairless only much bigger (he weigh 42kg).

I have seen CDA in other breeds such as dobermans but their coats just look sparse rather than completely bald. I would be very interested to know if anyone out there has ever come across this condition in this breed.

Total German Shepherd:

Hey Mel,

Thanks so much for sharing the story of your wonderful, special and unique little fella. I have to admit, I thought I had seen just about everything German Shepherd wise, until you introduced us to Dobby.

He is certainly my first bald German Shepherd! I am very familiar with loads of skin issues that German Shepherds have but have never seen anything to this degree.

Concerning the alopecia and inflammatory bowel disease, does your vet have him on a certain diet and supplements? And do you use sun screen on his skin since he has no coat to speak of? I have a few friends with Chinese Cresteds (the almost completely bald ones) and they are constantly using sunscreen on their dogs.

And just a suggestion, I am a firm believer on the use of herbal supplements and non medical (pills & the like), traditional medicine in the use of day to day treatments. If you happen to have a holistic vet in your area, or maybe even a pet friendly herb store, you may very well find a solution to your boy Dobbys condition and a treatment that may even help restore his coat - without all the usual side effects from regular meds.

Thanks again for sharing your unique story.