The post The Rare Condition That Gives Some Dogs Almost No Neck and a Shortened Spine appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

• Short spine syndrome is a rare congenital condition in dogs, which means that they are born with it. Inbreeding could be a factor.

• In dogs with the condition, the vertebrae are not formed correctly and end up fusing together.

• They may also have loss of movement, a short, spiraled, or completely missing tail, and an enlarged chest.

• Some are adopted by loving families and go on to lead long and happy lives.

It’s easy to feel sorry for the dogs in this Instagram clip who clearly have a major physical deformity. But, before jumping to conclusions, check out the positive caption. Then, read our analysis of the medical condition they are suffering from. It is called short spine syndrome, and while it is clearly very limiting, many dogs with the condition lead happy lives, and a few are social media sensations! One of these dogs has even had a book written about her.

Introducing Short Spine Syndrome

As its name suggests, short spine syndrome causes a significant shortening of the spine (backbone). There is usually a clearly visible deformity, with some loss of movement. You can see that the normal gait patterns of the dogs in the above clip are altered. Other signs are a short, spiraled, or completely missing tail and an enlarged chest.

On X-ray, it may be apparent that the dog has fewer ribs than normal. Dogs with this condition cannot twist their heads from left to right, which is also evident in the video. Some dogs with short spine syndrome may also appear to have an elongated jaw. A few dogs with short spine syndrome suffer from toileting issues.

The signs are quite noticeable in puppies and become even more pronounced as the dog grows older. Sadly, many of these dogs end up in shelters because some people feel that they do not have the aesthetic appeal of other pups.

What Causes the Syndrome?

This condition is extremely rare, and only tens of cases have ever been reported worldwide. It has been documented in the scientific literature as a skeletal anomaly (a bone condition) and recognized since the 1960s. In normal spines, cartilaginous pads (called discs) keep the vertebrae apart. In dogs with this condition, the vertebrae are not formed correctly and end up fusing together. This makes the spine significantly shorter and less flexible.

Because the condition is so rare, there have been no definitive studies to determine what causes it. However, it is likely a genetic condition caused by a mutation in a gene. This means that inbreeding may be a contributing factor, but this has not been confirmed.

There is no cure, but the condition can be managed with home adaptations (such as raised feeding bowls), physiotherapy, and pain relief. Because the condition can worsen as dogs age, it may limit their life expectancy. Some dogs with the condition have lived up to 14 years, which is typical for many dog breeds. There is no evidence that particular breeds are more likely to develop it.

Can Other Animals Get Short Spine Syndrome?

There are social media reports and photos of coyotes with short spines, but there are no confirmed scientific case reports of short spine syndrome in wild canids as of 2026. Sadly, most of the animals in the posts had died, and one had even been stuffed! Interestingly, many of them were adults, which would suggest that a wild animal with the condition could, in theory, survive into adulthood.

It’s Not All Bad News for Short Spine Dogs

A quick search on social media will reveal that there are other dogs with this condition featured online. ‘Quasi The Great’ is a German Shepherd who was rescued by Secondhand Hounds in 2016 and has been living a great life in the US ever since. Quasi has his own social media accounts where he shares his adventures. He can walk and run, but he has some stomach issues for which he needs a special diet. Quasi is clearly living a happy and fulfilled life with his loving owners.

Danko is a 7-year-old Golden Retriever who is described as a ‘special dog’. His profile says, ‘I have a short spine but my heart is very big and full of love.’ Danko is living a full and active life with his loving owners. He was the last of his litter to be left at the kennels, which is often the case with pups with deformities. Squishy is another Instagram sensation with over 22,000 followers. His feed is full of posts showing him relaxing at home and playing with his ball.

Finally, Pig is a mixed-breed dog living in Helena, Alabama. You can meet her in this YouTube clip. Pig only has three vertebrae in her spine that are not fused. She is the subject of Katie Youngren’s book, published in 2014, “Pig, the Unusual Dog.” Pig’s owner, Kim Dillenbeck, adopted her as a puppy when she was found abandoned with her littermates. Now, Pig has an important job as a therapy animal and an advocate for finding foster families for animals with disabilities.

The post The Rare Condition That Gives Some Dogs Almost No Neck and a Shortened Spine appeared first on A-Z Animals.