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 "Runt of the Litter"
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| Author | Topic: "Runt of the Litter" |
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GoodboysBaddogs Member  Posts: 409 |
posted 10-01-2003 11:33 PM
 
Hello all!! If a puppy is considered to be the runt of the litter, does he/she still have the same chance to live as long of a life as the others (normal pups)? Just wondering... Thanks. IP: Logged |
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goob Member Posts: 552 |
posted 10-02-2003 01:01 AM
I read somewhere that the "runt" or runts are often pups that are conceived at a later date than the others. For example, if you had a female you were going to breed, you would likely breed her two or three times to make sure the breeding took. I fwhat I read was right, then the "runt" would be a pup from one of the later breedings, if that makes sense. So it would be a couple days "younger" when it was born, hence the smaller size, etc. I'm not sure how true the article was, nor do I even remember where I read it, but just though I'd bring it up. IP: Logged |
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charmedagain Member Posts: 790 |
posted 10-02-2003 01:42 AM
i would have to say it still has a good a chance as teh others providing there is no health problems or deformities with the little one have a vet check it out just to make sure. just because it is the smallest doesnt mean its the weakest keep us posted IP: Logged |
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Tanya Member Posts: 22 |
posted 10-02-2003 08:13 AM
Both my kitten and my dog were runts of their litters and they are perfectly fine. No health problems and happy as clams! IP: Logged |
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bellasmommy Member Posts: 238 |
posted 10-02-2003 09:11 AM
i believe the answer to that question is it depends.. i'm sure it may differ breed to breed and how was the birth (c-section, natural).. my parents dog was the runt of the litter and she is now almost 13 1/2 years old.. she had one health problem, ovarian cysts; however, that would be attributed to her not being spayed she was around 8 when that happened and had to undergo an emergency hysterectomy.. IP: Logged |
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jeminn Member Posts: 166 |
posted 10-02-2003 09:58 AM
My Husky was the runt of her litter, and she is going on 17 years of age, still getting along pretty well. She weighs 42 lbs- never had any weight problems and has been very active her whole life. She also had a partially collapsed trachea at birth which the vet diagnosed after some coughing/wheezing spells not long after I got her at 8 weeks. I switched from a regular collar to a harness and never had any problems with coughing since, she became a great sled dog and was able to run with me 4 miles a day until she was about 13 years old, and then became just a "walker"- but still- she has been a great, healthy dog for being the little runt at a discounted price. Alot depends on the pup, the health of the parents, the ubringing, and quality of life the dog has in determining if a runt will live a normal life. I was not going to show, or breed, but did want a sled pulling dog- and she certainly lived up to my expectations as a worker and companion for the past 16 and a half years. IP: Logged |
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the_maine_pitbull Member Posts: 320 |
posted 10-02-2003 11:00 AM
In all of the experience I have had with runts.. they live longest of the litter, unless there is some birth defect. Anyhow. My Pit Bull, Tootsie, was the runt of her litter. She outlived her parents and all of her siblings, she was put down at age thirteen. My uncles Pit Bull, Gypsy, was sixteen when he put her down and she was also the runt. Treat your runt like any other dog.. My dog, Jekkyl, a Pit Bull X Boston Terrier mix is the runt.. he has more life than most dogs I have seen and is in perfect health. Well, okay, he is a little chubby.. But he is only five months old. Angie IP: Logged |
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GoodboysBaddogs Member Posts: 409 |
posted 10-02-2003 07:23 PM
THANKS EVERYBODY, it gives me good comfort in knowing from personal experiances...  Yeah, a lot of people have told me that the runt of the litter usually lives a longer life than the "normal" pups. Weird!?! My 1st dog was a Boxer, and i believe he was the runt too. He lived up to 14 years. Well over his (a Boxer's) expectations....
[This message has been edited by GoodboysBaddogs (edited 10-02-2003).] IP: Logged |
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