Can the runt be a healthy dog ?
- Thread starter riaxray
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Runt or the smallest is good question?
My Max was the smallest of the litter and he grew to be just as large as the rest of his syblings. You can see he and his brothers Bodie and Zeus in my photo gallery.
Of my brindles Paige and Zeplin were the largest of the litter but they didn`t grow to be the largest once they reached adulthood. In fact the smallest of the litter now weights just as much as her sister Paige and is in comparison the same height. Zeplin was the largest male of the litter and turned out to be the shortest of the males (but he stayed more square bodied than they did).
My Max was the smallest of the litter and he grew to be just as large as the rest of his syblings. You can see he and his brothers Bodie and Zeus in my photo gallery.
Of my brindles Paige and Zeplin were the largest of the litter but they didn`t grow to be the largest once they reached adulthood. In fact the smallest of the litter now weights just as much as her sister Paige and is in comparison the same height. Zeplin was the largest male of the litter and turned out to be the shortest of the males (but he stayed more square bodied than they did).
"Runt of the litter" went from being a livestock term referring to the baby animal that had the least chance of surviving to adulthood because of genuine issues aside from mere size to being a jokey term for the smallest person in the family, etc.
A literal "runt" in dog terms would be something like a puppy who had genuine development problems. The puppy that isn't growing, that isn't reaching the basic developmental milestones (eyes opening, crawling, nursing, standing, walking, etc) with any kind of regular pattern. Maybe it can be coaxed and babied into eventually being okay, but maybe not. Something's actually WRONG with it.
Reaching the milestones a day or two behind other puppies is sometimes just a fluke, and that baby winds up being the biggest of all the pups, perfectly happy and healthy and smart. In fact, most of the time that's the case.
The original poster indicates that her puppy is just as active as the others. If she's eating and pooping and peeing and making mischief, all the while making steady gains in size and weight, you don't have much cause for concern.
If the difference in size becomes more pronounced in the weeks to come, or she doesn't enter some new developmental phase, then it's worth checking out to make sure she's physically fine.
A literal "runt" in dog terms would be something like a puppy who had genuine development problems. The puppy that isn't growing, that isn't reaching the basic developmental milestones (eyes opening, crawling, nursing, standing, walking, etc) with any kind of regular pattern. Maybe it can be coaxed and babied into eventually being okay, but maybe not. Something's actually WRONG with it.
Reaching the milestones a day or two behind other puppies is sometimes just a fluke, and that baby winds up being the biggest of all the pups, perfectly happy and healthy and smart. In fact, most of the time that's the case.
The original poster indicates that her puppy is just as active as the others. If she's eating and pooping and peeing and making mischief, all the while making steady gains in size and weight, you don't have much cause for concern.
If the difference in size becomes more pronounced in the weeks to come, or she doesn't enter some new developmental phase, then it's worth checking out to make sure she's physically fine.
wiked00civ
Boxer Pal
runt?
well i dont know if i would consider my baby a runt but the owner said she wasnt breathing when she was born and had to give her cpr after 3 mins she was fine, now she is 4 1/2 months 28 lbs. and very sweet loves to cuddle at night and be a lap buddy
. and the owner got her a health test and came out good
well i dont know if i would consider my baby a runt but the owner said she wasnt breathing when she was born and had to give her cpr after 3 mins she was fine, now she is 4 1/2 months 28 lbs. and very sweet loves to cuddle at night and be a lap buddy
. and the owner got her a health test and came out good
Draymia
BW Adviser<br><img src="/forums/images/modpaw.gif"
Kassa explained it perfectly. I have had many pups be the smallest of the litter and when everyone is grown, they can easily be the largest.
Having to give CPR to a newborn can happen. I have had to do it a few times, expecially during a c-section. I have never had one have a problem from a slow start.
Having to give CPR to a newborn can happen. I have had to do it a few times, expecially during a c-section. I have never had one have a problem from a slow start.
SkippyToo
Completely Boxer Crazy
Delilah was the "runt" of the litter. She was never unhealthy.
She weighs less than 40 pounds, at almost 2 years of age, but our girl is healthy, beautiful, and strong!
The bad thing that occured with her, though, is that she came to us with an unexpected food aggression. I am not positive, but I think she learned early on to fight for food. I know this does not always lead to aggression, but I strongly feel that it did in her.
None the less, like a prior post said, she is shiny, sleek but powerful, and muscular, despite her low weight.
She weighs less than 40 pounds, at almost 2 years of age, but our girl is healthy, beautiful, and strong!
The bad thing that occured with her, though, is that she came to us with an unexpected food aggression. I am not positive, but I think she learned early on to fight for food. I know this does not always lead to aggression, but I strongly feel that it did in her.
None the less, like a prior post said, she is shiny, sleek but powerful, and muscular, despite her low weight.
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