Anyone know anything about this? Finding very lttle on internet  a friend has just had a puppy (12 months) returned with this problem & as its a line I am interested in using in my breeding programme I obviously would lke to know as much as possible about it.

Isn't it rickets, caused by lack of calcium?

Yes it is Rickets.  Before worrying about the line can you find out what the owners have been feeding it for the past year from when they bought the pup? Rickets is not really something that you really see in dogs.

All I can find is that it's inflammation of the spine, similar to rickets. I found this page on Wikipedia which is originally in German (and very badly translated!).

I also found this and this, which both have some fairly useful information. It seems that it's a condition caused by incorrect management, not a genetic condition.

thanks everyone. Have now had more info from friend & her vet & it seems this poor pup had been brought back in most terrible state, undersized, under nourished and castrated at 12 weeks of age!!! which has all contributed to his problem  He is now in capapble hands &  we are all confident it was down to appalling lack of care rather than anything genetic.

OMG the poor dog.  Didn't think it was genetic and although not great news for the dog, happier news for the breeder who I'm sure would have been worried about her line.

How can any Vet with hand on his heart think that that would be a good time to neuter a puppy. Doesn't bear thinking about. Poor mite.