Picking the runt of a litter?

[Deer Tracks]

The saying goes that runts turn out to be superior pups because they had to work so hard to survive and are considered by many to be tougher and more resilient because of the bullying they had to endure from their litter mates.

It is true that runt puppies have to work extra hard for their food the first few weeks of life. They are constantly having to fight for a teat since the big pups will push a significantly smaller puppy out of the way.

Sometimes we have to supervise puppy feeding to make sure the smaller ones are getting plenty of milk and sometimes we have to take a fat pup off a nipple and place a smaller one on. The first 3 weeks are the most critical. If they make it 3 weeks they will most likely survive. A true runt has a good chance of growing to be a normal size dog.

[lovemylegacy]

The saying goes that runts turn out to be superior pups because they had to work so hard to survive and are considered by many to be tougher and more resilient because of the bullying they had to endure from their litter mates.

It is true that runt puppies have to work extra hard for their food the first few weeks of life. They are constantly having to fight for a teat since the big pups will push a significantly smaller puppy out of the way.

Sometimes we have to supervise puppy feeding to make sure the smaller ones are getting plenty of milk and sometimes we have to take a fat pup off a nipple and place a smaller one on. The first 3 weeks are the most critical. If they make it 3 weeks they will most likely survive. A true runt has a good chance of growing to be a normal size dog.

True. My stud dog was a runt. On occasions him and Reilley will get in a fight, usually over food. She is bigger, stronger, meaner and yet he always ends up with the bone or squirrel or piece of meat, whatever type of morsel they were fighting over. He doesn't give up till he posses it.

[buckfan50]

Our Runt

Here's the litter we have right now. AKC registered Boxers. The kids and wife are in love with the runt. We will be keeping him of course. His name is Big Jake!

[deer_hoyter]

2 of the 4 labs I've had have been runts and they were the 2 best dogs.

[Bill]

We're they full size when grown?

BTW my wife thinks I've lost all sense talking about another lab.


..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[Landrover]

Just thinking about this. Maybe Froggy will chime in on this thread as a breeder, I think BAYOU was the runt of his litter...........he is crazy in the head but everything else is normal............we think!!! LOL!!

[jer_james]

If someone could flip the first, I'd appreciate it. Never had to before...

[kumathebear]

I have no idea about what makes the "runt" of a litter....but Kuma was and most of the GS knows how I felt about him and what a great dog he was.

[sasquatch]

My family hunts with Springer Spaniels and some of our best dogs have been the runts!

[bbqfan5909]

Both my pups (lab and weim) are runts, both are great dogs!

[wloftis]

My old chocolate lab was the runt of her litter. She was one of the best looking female labs I have seen muscular and good square head. She turned out great both as an amigo and an awesome hunter. Trained her for duck/dove, but she caught on to quail hunting very quickly and would work maybe 10 feet in front of us.

[TxAg]

If someone could flip the first, I'd appreciate it. Never had to before...

[Booner Sooner]

I was the runt of my litter and I'm 6' and 204 lbs. I'll hunt with the best of 'em.

[nursejenn]

Our great dane was the runt of the litter and I'm pretty sure she has brain damage...she's not the smartest...

[76aggie]

One of my JRT's is a runt. She weighed two pounds when we got her. She is 7 years old now and only weighs 13 lbs. She is the Alpha dog of the family. Runs roughshod over my Male JRT (31 lbs) and my Male Lab (80 lbs).