Quasimodo is no ordinary dog. He doesn’t look like a typical German Shepherd – and was born with a shortened spine. Today, he is one of only 14 dogs in the world known to be living with this condition…
Now let’s meet him!
“When you’re trying to get a perfect picture but a squirrel keeps trying to distract you from outside the shot!! Ugh! I…Posted by Quasi The Great on Saturday, July 2, 2022
Despite his unique appearance, Quasimodo is incredibly cute, affectionate, and playful – just like any other dog. In 2016, the animal rescue organization Secondhand Hounds took him in, and his new life has now begun.
He quickly became a social media sensation, with over 500,00 followers on his Facebook page, Quasi The Great.
Quasimodo is a happy and affectionate German Shepherd who was taken in by Secondhand Hounds in Minnesota, USA. Initially, it was believed that his unusual appearance was due to being raised in a cramped space, which prevented him from developing fully.
For anyone interested in my X-Ray, here it is! Maybe my hero Sara can tell us what we are looking at! All I can see is a handsome little guy with a twisty spine!Posted by Quasi The Great on Friday, January 29, 2016
However, it was later discovered that he was born with a shortened spine, which is an extremely rare condition, with only 14 known cases in the world. As a result, his entire body is compressed, and his organs are pressed together in his abdomen.
Secondhand Hounds believes that every dog deserves a loving home, and is currently providing care for Quasimodo. It was a temporary foster family who gave him the name of the famous hunchback from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” – Quasimodo.
“It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no! It’s SUPER QUASI! I may not ever be the fastest guy at the dog park, but that doesn’t stop me from trying!” #quasithegreat #fast #running #happy #gsd #olympicsPosted by Quasi The Great on Friday, May 14, 2021
”The Quasi of Secondhand Hounds is our hero because he is the definition of the qualities we all admire in our dogs,” his foster parent told Time in 2016.
“Born different, but never knowing any other way, he seeks to please the people who have shown him kind hands and warm hearts. He may not be as pretty as many dogs on the outside, but his heart and soul shine through and make him one of God’s most beautiful creatures.”
“It’s 70 degress (F) today, AND my backyard was cleared of leaves and twiggs! I was so excited to play outside, I almost couldn’t take it!!! Yipeee!!” #quasithegreat #spring #backyard #outdoors #partyPosted by Quasi The Great on Monday, March 29, 2021
Quasimodo has been examined by a veterinarian, who has found that his twisted tail is affecting his other bodily functions.
This is a common issue among dogs with shortened spines, according to The Dodo. However, Quasimodo is scheduled to undergo an operation to correct this condition.
Research has shown that the condition of shortened spine syndrome can be caused by inbreeding and often comes with additional health issues.
However, Quasimodo doesn’t seem to mind any of this. He is very affectionate, loves other dogs – though he’s a bit scared of cats – and doesn’t seem to be in any pain from his condition.
“Whelp, I got to go for a walk today!! It was a little wet outside, but as you can see it definitely put a smile on my face!!” #quasithegreat #happypuppy #smilinggsdPosted by Quasi The Great on Sunday, May 17, 2020
Quasimodo has quickly become a popular dog, with hundreds of thousands of followers on his Facebook page, which documents his progress.
Despite his story becoming widely known back in 2016, people continue to follow his journey and show him love and support. It’s clear that Quasimodo is happy and thriving, and we are delighted to see that he is still receiving the love and care he deserves!
What a wonderful story and lovely dod