Runt Size Puppy

[Rokell]

I'm so happy to have found this site. Hopefully, I will find some answers and suggestions from all you dog lovers.

My Lab of fourteen and a half years passed away about a year ago from old age. We are now looking for a new pup to join our family.

I found a breed and a breeder that I like. I met this little adorable pup yesterday at the breeders home. He said she is the best dog he has bread yet and planned to keep her but couldn't because she has turned out to be too small for breeding. She is eleven weeks old.

She was the first pup born out of the litter of eight and was the same size as the other seven at birth. However, she is now the smallest out of them all. She is about half their size. She has a wonderful temperament is sweet and playful. She seems very healthy and all.

He mentioned that after two days after birth she couldn't get close enough to her mom to get a good feeding. She seemed to get crowded out by the rest. So, he ended putting her on another bitch to suck from. She could get enough to eat from the other dog just fine.

I just question why she is so small? I wonder if I should worry and be concerned? I wonder if I should just wait for the next litter?

I don't mind that she is smaller. I just want to make sure we make the right choice for our family. I don't want to find out later that we should never have bought a pup under such condicions. If she was the runt from the get go I wouldn't be wondering so much. But, half the size of the rest after eleven weeks?

Maybe it's nothing and I am just over reacting. I just don't know!

She is a cutie pie though and seems very healthy.

What to do, what to do?

Marty

 

[cindr]

runt puppy

I'm so happy to have found this site. Hopefully, I will find some answers and suggestions from all you dog lovers.

My Lab of fourteen and a half years passed away about a year ago from old age. We are now looking for a new pup to join our family.

I found a breed and a breeder that I like. I met this little adorable pup yesterday at the breeders home. He said she is the best dog he has bread yet and planned to keep her but couldn't because she has turned out to be too small for breeding. She is eleven weeks old.

She was the first pup born out of the litter of eight and was the same size as the other seven at birth. However, she is now the smallest out of them all. She is about half their size. She has a wonderful temperament is sweet and playful. She seems very healthy and all.

He mentioned that after two days after birth she couldn't get close enough to her mom to get a good feeding. She seemed to get crowded out by the rest. So, he ended putting her on another bitch to suck from. She could get enough to eat from the other dog just fine.

I just question why she is so small? I wonder if I should worry and be concerned? I wonder if I should just wait for the next litter?

I don't mind that she is smaller. I just want to make sure we make the right choice for our family. I don't want to find out later that we should never have bought a pup under such condicions. If she was the runt from the get go I wouldn't be wondering so much. But, half the size of the rest after eleven weeks?

Maybe it's nothing and I am just over reacting. I just don't know!

She is a cutie pie though and seems very healthy.

What to do, what to do?

Marty

Well here are a few routs to take"

1) Had the dog been vet cleared? Ist shots and or any shots at all. Puppy should have 2.

2) If there are any serious concerns. Ask the breeder for permission to have the dog evaluated by your personal vet at your own expense. Sign a document if you must. Always secure your best interest in the area. You never want to have to take a pup in that is not up to snuff.

Generally when there are runts in the litter it is due to too freaquent stud services. Lets say doggie was bred on her 13th day and again on her 15 day and lets say her 17th day. Which is not a good pratise to have more than two studs per service/ We generally use the male once and once only. So to each their own.

Runts are generally a day or two younger than the larger pups. As they were conceived a few days latter than the larger dogs in the litter. ALthough that does not justify the dogs lack of nursing and growing behaviors as you have discribed with this dog you are interested in purchasing.

Runts are generally the healthiest and are the servivors. So just ask more questions and please look around before you make that long lasting decision GOOD LUCK CINDR

 

[musky hunter]

What breed are you looking at getting? If it's a Toy size i would be very weary.

 

[showpug]

I would be concerned about a liver shunt! Main sign is a puppy that fails to grow!

Have blood work done before you purchase this pup!

 

[bubbatd]

The runt isn't a worry to me as much as him having another lactating Mom and you waiting for next litter (?) ..... BYB ???

 

[LizzieCollie]

The runt isn't a worry to me as much as him having another lactating Mom and you waiting for next litter (?) ..... BYB ???

I dont see anything wrong with having two bitches bred at the same time

To the OP, have the dog examined by a vet, it may be a liver problem. What type of breed are you looking at?

 

[SummerRiot]

I know our Sheltie breeder had two litters at once - it was Jada and Crosbies litter and then another one of their sable bitches.

They said it was a lot of work - BUT what they DIDNT do when Jada and Crosbies mom woudln't nurse - they nEVER put her puppies in with the other bitches litter. They bottle fed those pups.. I actually got to help so when jada and Crosbie were just tiny itty bitties.. I got to bottle feed them

I do however wonder where you are getting your pup from.
What breed have you decided upon?
Does this person have any references that you could check out - ie. vets, other puppy owners from previous litters, show judges..?
Does this person certify all of their dogs with eyes, hips and elbows?
Does this person show their dogs?
What is the reason on why he breeds?
I also wonder why this person kept a puppy for breeding - when you honestly have NO CLUE of their quality when they reach maturity...
The pup could also have not grown up to meet standards and not be breed worthy.
Our Sheltie Crosbie was choice male from the litter - the breeders said he had prospect.. but he kept growing and growing. he went out of standard and was fixed.

 

[Rokell]

Thanks to everyone who responded. All your thoughts and suggestions are very informative and will help me to make my decision. The liver concerns I will have to pay special attention to. Although, I am not sure i can afford to fork out a bunch of money testing a puppy I might not end up being able to keep for health reasons. Mean while, most probably, falling deeper in love with her.

Well, these dogs are being bred as therapy dogs. The breeds which contributed to these dogs were the English Cocker, the Bichon Frise, the Poodle, and Miniature Schnauzer. All breeding stock is required to be inspected and cleared for hip and elbow dysplasia by an accredited rediologist and also be certified by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation. Their goal is to reach Pure Bred status within 3 or 4 years.

I know whe has had her first set of shots and is due for her second set any day now.

From what I have seen, first hand, these dogs are great looking dogs with amazing temperaments. I am pretty much in love with this possibly new breed.

Thanks again,

Marty

 

[PoodleMommy]

I would be very weary!

This dog is a mix of 4 breeds? did I read that wrong?

ELissa

 

[Rokell]

Yes, you heard right.

I'm not sure how it all works but that's the dog history that was explained to me.
Something about a F3 or F4 generations. I think that's Hybrid breeding language. I'm sorry that I can't explain it in any sort of intelligent terms.

They all look alike (except in their colouring) and they all seem to have a very even temperament.

They have been trying to develop a new breed and hope to reach full Pure Bred status in the not too far future.

I certainly hope they will.

Bye for now,

Marty

 

[MomOf7]

Well my first thought is designer breed. There are so many purebred breeds out there that fill so many different needs there really is no need for another breed. JMO.
All that aside I wish you luck in your search for a new puppy!

 

[showpug]

Thanks to everyone who responded. All your thoughts and suggestions are very informative and will help me to make my decision. The liver concerns I will have to pay special attention to. Although, I am not sure i can afford to fork out a bunch of money testing a puppy I might not end up being able to keep for health reasons. Mean while, most probably, falling deeper in love with her.

Well, these dogs are being bred as therapy dogs. The breeds which contributed to these dogs were the English Cocker, the Bichon Frise, the Poodle, and Miniature Schnauzer. All breeding stock is required to be inspected and cleared for hip and elbow dysplasia by an accredited rediologist and also be certified by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation. Their goal is to reach Pure Bred status within 3 or 4 years.

I know whe has had her first set of shots and is due for her second set any day now.

From what I have seen, first hand, these dogs are great looking dogs with amazing temperaments. I am pretty much in love with this possibly new breed.

Thanks again,

Marty

Run the other direction, don't walk, run!

Another designer breed...so sad

A breed this new is too new for the so called "breeder" to even know what to look for as health problems. Anything could crop up with a mix that diverse! I really would look for a reputable breeder with a puppy that is of normal expected size.

 

[otch1]

Hi Marty. Not to be pesimistic, but this combination of multiple breeds will not reach AKC registration status 3 or 4 years from now, not even 10 yrs from now. No more than the "Labradoodle" will. So, the breeder should not tell buyers this. This is a "heinz 57" as they say and while very cute and certainly having a great temperament as it matures, I would be very concerned about liver problems. If you're seriously considering adopting this pup, ask that the breeder be willing to pay for a blood work up, which she/he is going to have to do anyway to determine it's health, now that she's produced an unusually small pup. Nothing wrong with adopting it as long as she's willing to assure you it has a clean bill of health and hasn't misrepresented it's potential as anything other than a pet. Good luck!

 

[Fran27]

I'm curious, do the people who breed them only sell them to people needing therapy dogs? If not, it sounds like they are just really in for the money - no offense.

 

[Rokell]

Well, thanks again everyone.

They don't know yet what these type of dogs are prone to as far as health problems go or even their average life span. Until enough time passes and records are kept everything remains a mystery, I guess. But, all breeds are susceptible to their own possible specialized health problems as far as I know.

I guess the main factor in all these designer dogs is the new look and the attraction of attaining a dog that is hypoallergenic, and non shedding - which these dogs are.

I know they sell them as therapy dogs. I know of a woman who owns one who has M.S. But their great temperament and loving nature makes them great family pets as well. So, yes they will sell them as family pets too.

I did some research on liver shunts and liver problems after reading your posts and decided to contact the breeders with my concerns. I do think it would be wise to wait for the next litter. I do miss her already though and feel badly and sad about the whole situation.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. You have made me a wiser dog lover.

Marty

 

[showpug]

Well, thanks again everyone.

They don't know yet what these type of dogs are prone to as far as health problems go or even their average life span. Until enough time passes and records are kept everything remains a mystery, I guess. But, all breeds are susceptible to their own possible specialized health problems as far as I know.

I guess the main factor in all these designer dogs is the new look and the attraction of attaining a dog that is hypoallergenic, and non shedding - which these dogs are.

I know they sell them as therapy dogs. I know of a woman who owns one who has M.S. But their great temperament and loving nature makes them great family pets as well. So, yes they will sell them as family pets too.

I did some research on liver shunts and liver problems after reading your posts and decided to contact the breeders with my concerns. I do think it would be wise to wait for the next litter. I do miss her already though and feel badly and sad about the whole situation.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. You have made me a wiser dog lover.

Marty

I am glad to hear that you are waiting for the next litter if you must. I am sure the breeder will deny the liver shunt possibility.

Do keep in mind that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed of dog. Some dogs trigger fewer allergies in dog allergic people, but they all have dander! Saying it's a hypoallergenic breed is just another tempting sales pitch on the part of the breeder.

 

[Rokell]

Showpug,

You're right about the hypoallergenic subject. The breeder did tell me that they are non shedding and hypoallergenic provided you are not allergic to dander.

We spoke last night and he said he has never had a puppy with a liver shunt big or small in all his years of breeding. He said he will be speaking with his vet and reminded me of his six year health guarantee on all his dogs. He also said he understood my concerns and that if I was interested I could have first pick out of his next litter for a male pup and first pick after him and the other breeder for a female pup.

That sounded responsible and fair to me.

Anyway, I will continue to wait patiently and be hopeful for a pup to join our family in the future. Hopefully, in the not too far future.

Bye for now,

- Marty

 

[Herschel]

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/030331/31dogs.div.htm

It's hype. Please don't support a backyard breeder. I did and I regret it immensely. Send me a private message if you want more information.

 

[tinksmama]

Well, finding a new dog is fun! but...please keep in mind, a dog that's a mix of 4 dogs is...a mix! So,if it's worth it to you to pay big $$$ for a mutt(don't get me wrong,I like mutts) then it's up to you. But it's not a breed,and therefore could be gotten for free in any pound...or for real cheap.Just watch out for your wallet!if you fall in love with a dog you can't afford to have diagnostically tested, imagine saving some $$$ up front, going to a pound or shelter and picking out a nice mixed breed from all those homeless puppies!