We adopted our puppy and was told she was the runt of the litter. Her mother is a pure bred American bulldog, and the father is unknown. Baby Rylee, however, is very small, 15 pounds at 3.5 months of age, so we are assuming she was mixed with a much smaller breed than the American Bulldog. But I was also wondering is it just because she is the runt? She eats very well, has been dewormed several times and still isn't gaining much weight. The Vet says she is fine, but does anyone else have any advice? Is it normal for her to be so small and is there anything special I need to know? I've serached the internet for info, but haven't found anything good. Her adoptive brother is only a month older than her (terrier mix, unknown parents) and he is 27 pounds. Thank you!!
2006-07-10 08:42:57 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Because she is the runt of the litter she might always be small, but since she is also very young( they grow until 1 1\2 years) she is probably just doing some catch up. Being the runt means she was unable to get all the food she needed after birth because of her size. The other pups might have just pushed her out of the way. Also when you have an unknown variable in the parentage her size will never be a sure thing. My third litter here has out of nine pups a weight range now at three years of 65-147 lbs. You can never be sure. Take heart if the vet says that she is healthy and she is eating don't worry the worst you will get out of her small body is a BIG personality. Good luck and I hope this helps. PS I love the name!
2006-07-10 08:56:30 · answer #1 · answered by dogsrwork 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you & Baby Rylee are doing fine. She is probably small because she was the runt of the litter & had you not adopted her, she may not have made it.
The only other advise is this... listen very carefully... give her LOTS of LOVE!!!
I picked up an abandoned runt, close to death, in December. Next to my sneaker (Women's size 10), she was TINY!!! Less than HALF the size of my sneaker ( love that photo of her!)!
After she got settled in, she put on weight slowly, too. I gave her a LOT of attention & love, because she truly demanded it.
I went away for two weeks in Feb, and when I returned she was BIG!!! My baby is all grown up now, and is a very mischievious, but very lovable pup!
Please don't worry so. If anything seems amiss, you'll know to take her to the vets, so just enjoy her while she's little! ;) Best of luck to you & Baby Rylee!
2006-07-10 15:58:33 · answer #2 · answered by rdsukh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an Aussie that is a runt - slow to grow and she's smaller than her normal breed standards, couldn't ask for a better dog - she's smart, quick to learn and always willing to help out - Some people don't give the runts enough credit. They make excellent dogs! If the vet says she's healthy - I'd trust the vet :)
Have fun and good luck!
2006-07-10 15:51:12 · answer #3 · answered by Sal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, bless you for adopting this mixed breed runt! From your description, she sounds like she is probably doing fine weight wise, but your veterinarian would be a better judge of her overall physical condition. If you want to help her gain weight, you might try adding a little canned goat's millk (usually found in the baking dept of the grocery store) to her diet. This will provide some extra nutrition and calcium for bone growth during this critical early period of her life. Good Luck with Rylee, and I hope she gives you many years of joy!
2006-07-10 15:58:19 · answer #4 · answered by spellmaker75496 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I have owned 2 runts in my life and both dogs are and were wonderful companions.
Pepper was a Black Lab mix. We got him as a puppy from the SPCA and he was a great dog. Fully grown he was around 60lbs and he lived to the ripe old age of 13,
Duncan, my Golden Retriever is currently 1.5 years old and weighs about 60lbs. We got him from a local pet store that works with breeders directly. He was 3 months old and weighed only 6lbs. He is turning out to be a great companion.
Just remember to feed him/her with the dog food recommended by the Vet. Also make sure he/she does not over eat once they reach full size. Oh and one more thing remember to play with him/her. This will help with their development.
2006-07-10 16:04:51 · answer #5 · answered by Cable guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are doing everything you should be doing. My dog Samson is also the runt of the litter and is now 82 pounds and doing well. They just grow a bit slower than other dogs and need a bire more attention.
2006-07-10 15:49:39 · answer #6 · answered by helpersrule 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Follow your vet's advice. If it's active, healthy and eating well, don't worry about weight gain. Since you don't know what the the top side is, growth patterns between siblings can be vastly different. Especially if they're not from the same parents.
2006-07-10 15:47:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
runts tend to get into more trouble than their siblings. they think that they are alot bigger than they really are. sometimes even if they arent much smaller than their siblings, they get picked on. keeping them out of places where they can get hurt or stuck is a good way of making sure they are staying out of trouble. because they are puppies, they will be curious, but the runt will be more curious than your terrier mix and will probably be very clingy after she grows into adulthood. be patient with her
2006-07-10 15:55:12 · answer #8 · answered by Ally L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She should be ok as long as she doesn't start to lose any weight or get sick. If so, take her to the vet (for tests-if necessary).
2006-07-10 15:49:14 · answer #9 · answered by CruelChick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't help
2006-07-10 15:46:34 · answer #10 · answered by boy_jam_arch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋