Stewart,

I think you got lost here friend...this needs to be up in the Protection breed section, ABD. ^ That way.
ALF? hehehe what were you thinking? I'm just playing with ya buddy!

Vince, or Ed will probably move this to the right spot, but I think I'll respond here anyway. I'm a rebel.

Runts? What are we talking about here? Are these just the three smallest dogs in the litter?

Most major health problems will usually show up in the "runts" (I don't necessarily agree with using this term.) before they are 8wks old. Have 'em checked out by a vet and ask him/her about your health concerns. I don't personally think that the smaller dogs are all subject to greater health risks. I could be wrong, It happens every once in awhile. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

OK, OK- more than every once in awhile. :rolleyes:

It comes down to this, you have to evaluate the pups according to their individual temperament/character. If the pup is a stable little bad ass, with lots of energy, a good retrieve/play/prey drive, and overtly friendly- then you will get a good dog. If that happens to be the "runt" then who cares?

The breeder sounds like they are trying to help the little guys out, so they could have a good chance. As long as they are not letting the smaller dogs get pounded on a daily basis and subjugated by the rest of the litter, then they should be fine.

I wouldn't want to make a decision before the pups are old enough for some good evaluations. So that may be your answer (don't do it) if you have to put a deposit down on the dogs now. Unless the breeder is willing to work something out.

The pups are only one week old. I don't think that they can be evaluated at that young age. Why don't you wait to see what they look like when they get older? If the runt pups stay that way there may be a fear, submissive, and shy issue as the other pups will dominate them.On the other hand I have heard stories that the runts turn out to be the best and biggest dogs of the litter. I would wait and see. How much of a deposit does he want?

Milt

It might also be too soon to tell if they really are runts.
Even though I've been told by the vets that it's not possible, it sure seems like with multiple ties during the breeding- I occasionally end up with some pups that are a few days behind their litter mates. They just seem to be from a later breeding. A few days later to open eyes, a few days later to "open" their ears, a few days behind in size. They do catch up, but for the first 3-4 weeks, it's an obvious difference.

I'd wait and see, they are only a week old. By the time they hit 8 weeks, you might not be able to tell the difference. If the breeder is weighing the pups daily, you might have them see if they are just a few days behind, same growth rate, just a later timeline.

Usual problems with true runts are heart problems. Dwarfs- depends on the type of dwarfism.

Anna

Thanks VanCamp. This is a better place for this.

I have a runt pitbull. Full-grown, she is about 20 lbs smaller than her sisters, and she was smaller as a puppy too.

She has a lot of food insecurity - I assume from being last in line at feedings as a baby pup. She hates to see another dog eat and she will guard potential food items for hours. It is no big deal though - easy to deal with, and she isn't a bit aggressive toward humans, even around food. She has had no health problems so far, at about 28 months.