She's the runt...is this bad?

eieio · #1 04-03-2009, 12:58 PM

Our Della was born last Friday, the second of eight. I visited yesterday, and she is most obviously the smallest one. She appears to be half the size of the largest boy puppy. My SIL says not to worry, that she nurses fine and has been known to knock the big boys out of the way when she wants to eat. Is she simply destined to be small, will she out grow this small start, or could she have issues down the line. I'm taking her no matter what - just need to know what's ahead.

Thanks,
Worried new mom

LILYLARUE · #2 04-03-2009, 01:21 PM

My Lily was the runt and she caught up with her counterparts just fine. She has no medical issues as of this date, she's now 2.

Runts are just like any other. I wouldn't worry too much. She'll catch up in no time.

meyerclan · #3 04-03-2009, 03:21 PM

Brewski was also the runt when we got him at 8 weeks he was only 3.5lbs. The rest of the litter was over 8. He definatly had the biggest personality. Now he is 7 months and tops the scale at 53lb. He has huge paws also. I figues he is going to be really huge.
The breeder did warn us not to baby him too much cause he was small. I guess a lot of people get the runt then baby themand they have behavior problems.
Good luck.
Having a puppy is definatly an adventure

SILLY6PAK · #4 04-03-2009, 08:31 PM

If she continues to show no sins of behaving sickly then I think she is simply small

My Jasmine was the smallest of 6 and remained small. She lived until 13 yrs and had to health issues until arthritis took over the last year. She was my heart.

Kilby'sMum · #5 04-03-2009, 09:13 PM

Our Kilby was much smaller than her brothers and sisters but she is now 3yrs old and perfect boxer size. She was also the most adventurous of the litter. We took her to puppy school and another of her litter mates was there... we discovered that Kilby was much smarter than her bigger sis and not as lazy... the bigger girl would pee everywhere (Kilby was housebroken around 3-3.5mths) and just eat and sleep but Kilby played non-stop. Have had NO health issues whatsoever. The only times she's been to the vet are for her annual check-ups and vaccinations.

eieio · #6 04-06-2009, 03:41 PM

Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement. I know in my heart that she will be fine...it's just that seeing her next to all those big fat puppies had me worried.

meyerclan: that's some good advice on not treating her too much like a baby. I will make sure to tone it down...just a bit, though!

Sonnysdad · #7 04-12-2009, 07:46 PM

We adopted Sonny(male boxer) at 10mons he weighed 48lbs, looked real skinny! Had him 6mons, up to 53.5lbs and looks better. Very active, loving, and protective...today he stop our puggle from stealing food off my plate! Think he was the runt, male at only 53.5lbs!?

kathysboxer · #8 04-13-2009, 03:06 PM

Tyson was also the runt of the litter. He had 9 brothers/sisters. He is now 15 months old, weighs 60#. But he was the smartest of the bunch. When we visited, Mike was sitting on the couch by the stairs. All the other dogs wanted him to pick them up. Tyson went around, up the stairs, and crawled through the railings onto Mike. We knew then and there he was ours!