Crippling deformities and abnormally shaped limbs are characteristics of heartbreaking genetic diseases known alternatively as chondrodysplasia, achondroplasia or chondrodystrophy. This disease causes the cartilage between the joints to become deformed and the adjoined bones to grow abnormally.

There is no successful treatment for Chondrodysplasia, and the disease is essentially incurable. It is transmitted through a recessive gene and is usually passed onto the new born animal at birth. However, this can only occur if both parents are carriers of the gene. Chondrodysplasia can also occur in connection with medical conditions such as deafness and dwarfism. Several orthopaedic surgeries can be done at a young age, but there are varying degrees of success for severe cases and total correction of the problem is nearly impossible.

Chondrodysplasia is usually only visible in dogs less than six weeks old through x-rays, but becomes increasingly visible as the dog grows and the deformity of the shape and legs increases. This disease is one of several deformities connected with dwarfism and many dogs with the disorder have other health issues including cleft palates, seizures, cataracts and heart issues.

This front leg deformity is more often found in short legged breeds such as the Corgi, Bassett Hound, Bulldog and Dachschund and sometimes occurs in breeds including Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Jack Russell Terrier, Malamute, Poodle and Shar-Pei.