Derby the dog born with deformed front legs runs for the first time on 3D printed limbs

DERBY was born with deformed paws and his owners wanted to put him down — before he was fitted with custom 3D printed legs.

Supplied Editorial DERBY

DERBY is finally hitting his stride.

Born with underdeveloped front paws, the young husky could only get around by dragging his chest.

Now, through the miracle of science, Derby can run with other dogs.

He’s been fitted with custom 3D printed legs — a long looping prosthetic — and hasn’t been happier.

“The first time he was put on them and he took off running, he was so happy,” Derby’s new owner, Sherry Portanova, said. “I was absolutely amazed at how well he did.”

Derby gets around on prosthetic legs. Picture: Facebook/Derby Portanova

Derby was born with underdeveloped front limbs. Picture: Facebook/Derby Portanova

When Derby was born in August 2013, his original owners in Alabama considered euthanising him.

Instead he was rescued by Melissa Hannon from Peace and Paws Dog Rescue, a no-kill dog shelter in New Hampshire.

Hannon placed Derby with a foster owner, Tara Anderson, a product management director at 3D Systems which designs 3D products.

In action ... Derby can get around like other dogs with his new limbs. Picture: Facebook/Derby Portanova

Derby was first fitted with a wheeled cart, but it made it hard for him to move around or interact with other dogs.

He was then given a pair of prosthetic caps which cushioned his nubs or “elbows” as he moved, before being fitted with a pair of “peg legs”.

In the meantime, Anderson and her team continued to work on a perfect pair of paws.

Post by Derby Portanova.

The new model — an oval-tread prothetic designed to fit Derby’s unique body — is the best yet.

“He’s such a good dog and he lives a full life,” Sherry Portanova, who adopted Derby earlier this year, told ABC News in the US. “He’s very special. Everybody who sees him just loves him.”

You can follow Derby’s adventures on Facebook.