Runt puppy

[tinkerbell23]

What is the runt pup?
How is it defined and why?
Does it mean anything really!!?

Just curious xxx

[B00]

The last puppy to be born, usually smaller and weaker than it's siblings, and will sometimes be ignored by mum in favour of the others.

[tinkerbell23]

Thanks boo!!

Awww. My wee dog was the runt - he was smaller but the cutest! And he has 10x the personality!!!!! Love him xx

[LoftyLottie]

My Meggie was the runt pup too. What she lacks in size she makes up for in brains, bless her.

[lankeela]

Not necessarily the last born, can be first born but usually much small than its siblings and maybe with a physical or health problem, but sometimes just the smallest and can often make up to normal with the right care. The size of the puppies are governed by their genes, so even a small puppy can end up growing to a decent size, and I have known many a breeder sell a 'runt' only to see it turn out as 'pick of the litter'!

[paddywak]

The first dog I can remember us having was a Labrador/ Springer cross called Randy that was the runt, but he grew into a great dog who passed away in his sleep at the grand old age of sixteen

[icemaiden]

My boy terrier was the runt, now he towers over his sister!

[tinkerbell23]

The breeder told me what he lacked in size he made up for in personality and she wasnt wrong!!!!!!!

Ive just had an ordeal with the wee bugger!!!!!!! Theres a DIY dogwash to save the mess at home- what day- he is wild!!!

Love him xxxx

[firewatch]

same here sprite was the runty-but hes now a huge black lab at 6 months he towers over most other lab that age and is pure muscle with a little brain!

[tenrec]

Am I right in thinking originally runt referred to a litter of piglets. The runt being the smallest and weakest.

[wildwood]

Human babies are often born well before or after due date. Same as with all animals. Multiple births are brought about by hormones so when the mother sends out the signal that birth is imminent, out they come ready or not. As lankeela said, size is determined by genes so providing the pup is getting the right nutrition, it will grow to its genetically determined size.

Unlike the "Nature weeds out the weakest" opinion, my personal thought is that bigger individuals in a litter take longer to develop so often grow bigger than their siblings, as proven in the answers above.