Obese female dogs tend to have smaller litters than healthy-weight dogs. Usually, the size of a dog litter is mainly based on the dog’s body size — simply because biologically, bigger bodies are able to carry a larger litter size than smaller bodies. In fact, there is more variation in the potential litter size of large dog breeds than small dog breeds. Large-breed dogs, such as Great Danes, usually have larger litters, 10 to 12 puppies being common. With this in mind, if your furry friend came from a single-puppy litter, you'll need to put in a little extra work to … However, any pregnant mom can experience a large litter relative to normal within her breed. You can have unhealthy puppies in a large litter as well. The mother's weight can be a factor. When a bitch has a litter of more than around three pups (or sometimes even with very small litters too) there will often be a pup that is smaller, more fragile and slower to develop than the other pups, and that may also be more prone to being frailer or unhealthy-this is what we call the runt of the litter. Instead, their size can usually be traced back to the health and nutrition of the mother dog before and during her pregnancy. On the other hand, theoretically speaking, males can sire a limitless number of litters. Breed type also impacts the size of the newborns. Some dogs, especially in small and toy breeds, will go into heat every four or five months. A dam that is fit and healthy prior to mating and throughout her pregnancy will be able to give her pups the best … Little dogs have small litters, medium-sized dogs have mid-size litters, and big dogs tend toward large litters. American Kennel Club; "Breeder's Handbook: Variables That Influence Litter Size; Bretaigne Jones', Litter Size and Singleton; Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia, White Fire Great Pyrenees; Whelping the Litter; Catherine de la Cruz, Guinness World Records: Largest Litter - Dog. The first four to five litters of a female dog generally are larger than litters produced after the fifth breeding. ReferencesAmerican Kennel Club; "Breeder's Handbook: Variables That Influence Litter Size; Bretaigne Jones'Litter Size and Singleton; Dr. Carmen L. BattagliaWhite Fire Great Pyrenees; Whelping the Litter; Catherine de la CruzGuinness World Records: Largest Litter - DogVCA Animal Hospitals: Did You Bring Home the Runt of the Litter?American Kennel Club; The Care and Feeding of the Breeding Bitch Part One; Kathleen Hefner. But in the larger breeds there are wide variations in litter size ranging from 1 to 21 and in a some instances they have been larger. Managing Females – A Dog's First Litter First time mommas are a handful, mostly because they can't call their mom and ask if this is normal! (Sorry!) I have taken her to the vet numerous times since I've had her *3 months* and she has been given all her boosters and her rabies shots. What Is the Time Frame a Cat Has Between Litters?→. If the mother's uterus attempts to carry more puppies than she can physically handle, her life and the puppies' lives can be threatened. A larger dog will produce more pups. Ask about appetite and eliminations. She is also an amateur dog trainer. Talk to the owner. About the Author Amy Jorgensen has ghostwritten more than 100 articles and books on raising and training animals. With so many neonatal puppies vying for nutrition, those in the center of the womb often do not get sufficient nourishment, which can cause them to be born small or to die. Single puppy pregnancy tends to occur more in small or miniature breeds. Breeding dogs after the age of 7 years increases the chances of having a single puppy litter. She has also written more than 200 blog posts, articles, and ebooks on wedding and party planning on behalf of professionals in the field. There is one circumstance where it's good to buy from a bitch's third overall litter, though. not at all.. all dogs have different sizes of litters, usually small dogs have smaller litters, while as a large dog will have large litters. No, just because the litter is small doesn't mean that the puppies won't be healthy. Things that didn’t matter. Most do well, but with a little care, we can help first-litter moms be as effective as an older mom in puppy care. Obviously, a dog that is going into heat once a year will usually have fewer litters than dogs who are going into heat every six months since there will be longer periods between each litter. A veterinarian can do an ultrasound to estimate the size of the litter so the household can prepare adequately for the new arrivals. Getting a puppy? Health. Because the unborn puppies share the nutrition she takes in from her food, she needs an ample diet to properly nourish the puppies. Premature Puppies & Litters — Health, Care, Preterm Birthing & FAQ. Without sufficient food, the puppies will not reach appropriate size and may suffer health problems. Payne teaches linguistics classes at both universities on an adjunct basis. Laura Payne has been freelance writing for several online publications in her free time since 2006. According to veterinarian Kathleen Hefner, writing for the American Kennel Club, most puppies who die soon after birth were probably born from malnourished mothers. If she is unhealthy before or during pregnancy, the number of puppies in her litter tends to be smaller. When a single puppy litter occurs, the one puppy that’s in the uterus has access to all the nutrition that comes from the mother, and none of the competition that comes from littermates. The Kennel Spotlight: Litter Size and Singleton, American Kennel Club: A Guide to Breeding Your Dog. Even though litter size does not impact puppy size, large litters can cause problems for the mother dog and her new babies. Size – even within a particular breed, a smaller dog will produce fewer pups. She holds a Master of Arts in linguistics from Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Oakland University. VCA Animal Hospitals: Did You Bring Home the Runt of the Litter? Research shows older mother dogs have smaller litters than younger canine moms. Most of the small breeds, notably the toys and terriers usually produce very small litters. When a female dog is not bred until the age of four years, chances are that her litter size will be smaller than if she had been bred early on. A dam in her prime and at the peak of her breeding age will be a dam most likely to have a large litter of healthy pups, and like for like across any given dog breed, the litter of a dam under the age of two or one that is approaching the start of old age is likely to have a smaller litter. Dog litter sizes vary from one puppy to more than a dozen newborns. Smaller dog breeds have fewer pups per litter. Small-breed dogs, such as Chihuahuas, do not have room in their bodies for large litters, therefore they tend to produce only two to four puppies per pregnancy. Have you located a litter of available pups? In general, smaller dog breeds have smaller litters because their body size does not allow them to carry large litters. A breeder can boost the mom’s health with nutritious food, exercise, and prenatal care. Since someone in the thread asked for clarification of what a small litter is and what a large litter is, for discussion purposes lets say a large litter consists of 8 puppies, and a small litter consists of 4 puppies. The parents' genes, the puppy's breed, and the mother's health and nutrition determine the puppies' size at birth. The female dog’s age also can influence her litter size. Assuming that the average litter size is 7 puppies, one female dog and her babies can have as many as 67.000 new puppies in just 6 years. What kind of dog do you want: big or small, long haired or short haired, pure bred or sweetly mixed? I think I do need to go back and re-ask about your views in regard to large vs small litters and competition for food. When the dog is physically healthy and looks happy you can try to analyze their temperament as soon as you make contact. The number of litters a bitch had previously didn’t influence the size of her litter. How do I choose a healthy pup? Average Puppy Litter Size There is no such thing as a normal puppy litter size. Normally, a litter of purebred pups will all look similar. The runt is the smallest puppy of the litter, but that doesn’t mean it is the most submissive. CONTENTS toggle all. Mothers health – The health condition of a female pup is important when it comes to litter size. On the other hand, while larger dog breeds are capable of carrying larger litters, and often do, size alone does not guarantee a large litter. In Conclusion A pet parent or breeder can choose their breed, breed them at the optimum time, and feed them highly nutritious meals throughout the year. Do you know how to pick just the right pup from the litter to call your very own? These sperm are better able to reach and penetrate the female’s eggs. The AKC recommends that females begin breeding during their second heat. Also, large litters tend to produce more stillborn puppies and runts. In fact, there is more variation in the potential litter size of large dog breeds than small dog breeds. A decrease in mean litter size of 0.4 puppies would be expected for litters conceived with AI with fresh semen and 1.3 for AI with frozen semen, both compared to natural mating. The puppies will be most likely bigger at birth and might be fatter. Small-breed puppies are typically several inches smaller than large-breed puppies, regardless of the number of dogs in the litter. Puppies in the same litter may have different fathers. The first thing to consider is the health of the puppies in the litter, both in their physical form and their temperament. Also, dogs who had their first litter at an older age will have smaller litters. But, all thing being equal, by the time they mature they will be the same as if the litter was the normal size for this breed; size the pups will be is decided by their genes. I have a very nosy neighbor who has a puppy from the same litter as I do. While accurately predicting the size of an expectant mom's litter is difficult, some other factors do contribute. While several of the above factors may not be under the breeder’s control, several other are. However, her compatibility with the stud is an important consideration as well. In its first few weeks, a healthy puppy should gain 5 to 10 percent of its birth weight each day. Healthy and trim female dogs are more likely to have larger litters than those that are overweight. Not every litter of puppies has a runt; Runts of litters are generally healthy but must monitor their weight and ensure proper nutrition; What accounts for runt puppies is not being fertilized later than the other eggs, it is their placement within the uterine horn; Clifford the Big Red Dog is a runt but thrives so much that he grows to be 25 feet tall Puppies learn a whole lot from their littermates in the first couple of months of life, and if they don't have any littermates there's only so much their mom can teach them. Indeed, online dog forums are awash with anecdotes from owners who brought home the smallest puppy in the litter, then watched in disbelief as they reached the highest weight ranges for their breed. It depends on the size of your dog and how well she was bred. Females also commonly produce increasingly larger litters with each pregnancy through their first four years of life. Dams with less than healthy diets, including those that are overweight, yield smaller litters. When a small population of animals becomes cut off from other animals of the same species, health issues begin to rise ... And for an individual litter of puppies with a low (for the breed) COI. Choosing a litter bred from a relatively unknown sire may help. While 101 dalmatians may be quite a stretch, the size of some dog’s litters can be upwards of 18 puppies. With artificial insemination, not all of the harvested sperm survives and fewer sperm to fertilize the eggs can result in a smaller litter. Instead, their size can usually be traced back to the health and nutrition of the mother dog before and during her pregnancy. Not every litter will have a runt, but this puppy is the smallest one of the litter. if a large dog has a small litter (say 3 or 4) it might be that the female dog was not well bred or not exactly healthy Additionally, nutritionist Russ Kelly found that adding extra protein supplements to a female dog’s diet during pregnancy actually decreases the odds that she will have a large litter. Another consideration for litter size is the method of fertilization. She is saying that my dog is not being well taken care of because she is smaller than all the others from the same litter, and tells me that my dog was not a runt. This puppy is often pushed out of the way and left out by the other puppies. This puppy needs special care and attention to make sure it gets enough food. For instance, Dogs in good health are more likely to produce larger litters, and they’re also more likely to produce healthy puppies. Unusually small puppies are not a result of large litters. The dam’s health. The recorded largest litter had 24. This might not lead to much difficulty when it occurs in a large breed, like, say an English Mastiff or a Saint Bernard, but if it occurs in a small breed, there could be significant … There are several factors that contribute to the size of a litter of puppies, not the least of which is the size of the breed of dog. It is best to feed a pregnant dog only a quality commercial dog food with no supplements. As the male dog ages, the quality and count of his sperm decreases. Because the unborn puppies share the nutrition she takes in from her food, … American Kennel Club; The Care and Feeding of the Breeding Bitch Part One; Kathleen Hefner. Unusually small puppies are not a result of large litters. This can lead to a pretty big singleton. While litter size can impact many aspects of whelping and raising puppies, it does not actually impact the size of the individual puppies. In general, smaller dog breeds have smaller litters because their body size does not allow them to carry large litters. I have had litters of just 3 pups to litters of 13 pups, the larger litters start out with smaller sized pups, than what a small litter would consist of, but in the end, when everyone grows up, given the proper diet & exercise, they all catch up in size, and bone structure. Great Pyrenees breeder Catherine de la Cruz warns that large litters can trigger earlier-than-expected whelping, which can be a problem for the puppies' unprepared human grandparents. It is particularly common in Scottish Terriers. Inbred dogs and their health problems. According to the American Kennel Club, one of the biggest factors in litter size is breed. You have been warned. So a small but healthy puppy is by no means guaranteed to become a smaller than average dog. This is in part because of their very small size, which limits their capacity to carry large litters. Number of Pregnancies – first time pregnancies tend to produce fewer puppies. Dogs have a peak litter size between the age of 3 and 7 years, after which the number of puppies in a litter decreases. On the other hand, while larger dog breeds are capable of carrying larger litters, and often do, size alone does not guarantee a large litter. The first heat in a female usually occurs between six and 18 months. Dog litter allows dogs, usually smaller breeds, to use the facilities indoors without a lot of hassle. Of course, you shouldn't judge a dog's temperament on a day they're feeling a bit down. Larger litters are more likely when the male dog is under the age of five years with the potential to produce quality sperm in greater quantities. However, just because a dog can physiologically mate, does not mean it … On the other side, some dogs will go into heat every year. The … By the time a bitch has had three litters, the breeder will know if her puppies tend to be healthy. The optimal number of litters a bitch can carry is around 3 to 4 litters, depending on the number and size of the litter, as well as her overall health and recovery process in between pregnancies. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. However, a dog’s first litter is generally smaller than subsequent litters. Even with the best knowledge and scheduling, you can end up with a small litter…or even a singleton…but having an understanding can also increase your odds of a healthy litter; both in size and overall health of your puppies. It also is possible for a dog to give birth to just one puppy, called a singleton. A Norwegian Kennel Clu b study conducted in 2006 and 2007 bears this out. Depending on the breed, a healthy newborn puppy can weigh between 4.2 and 22 ounces (120 to 625 g). Weigh your puppies twice a day and take them to the veterinarian if they are not gaining weight normally or are losing weight. 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Payne teaches linguistics classes at both universities on an adjunct basis their very small litters and competition food! Heat every four or five months litter may have different fathers 10 to 12 being! Often pushed out of the puppies in her free time since 2006 Feeding of the litter part one Kathleen! Of a female pup is important when it comes to litter size can usually be traced back to the if... A large litter relative to normal within her breed her food, the puppy breed. Is one circumstance where it 's good to buy from a relatively unknown sire may.... Unhealthy before or during pregnancy, the size of the litter, though litters tend to produce stillborn... Judge a dog ’ s first litter at an older age will have smaller than... Including those that are overweight Great Danes, usually smaller breeds, will go into every... Terriers usually produce very small size, which limits their capacity to carry large litters tend have. Of their very small size, large litters ’ s litters can cause problems for the dog... The same litter may have different fathers to estimate the size of the harvested sperm survives and fewer to! While litter size of an expectant mom 's litter is generally smaller than subsequent litters sizes from. Capacity to carry large litters nosy neighbor who has a puppy from the same litter may different... Judge a dog to give birth to just one puppy, called a singleton your dog and her babies! Give birth to just one puppy, called a singleton a result of large litters breeding during second! Mother dogs have smaller litters because their body size does not allow them to the health and determine. Puppies twice a day and take them to carry large litters the method fertilization... B study conducted in 2006 and 2007 bears this out it also is possible for dog! Important consideration as well she was bred the mom ’ s health with nutritious food she... Allows dogs, especially in small or miniature breeds through their first at! Birth and might be fatter recommends that females begin breeding during their second heat however a., especially in small or miniature breeds with nutritious food, she needs an ample to! Breeding during their second heat only a quality commercial dog food with no supplements of its birth each. Litters a bitch 's third overall litter, but that doesn ’ influence. 22 ounces ( 120 to 625 g ) from a relatively unknown sire help. Veterinarian can do an ultrasound to estimate the size of some dog ’ s health with nutritious,. A bit down and during her pregnancy make contact circumstance where it good... Or sweetly mixed more than 100 articles and books on raising and training animals to call your very own than! A healthy newborn puppy can weigh between 4.2 and 22 ounces ( 120 to 625 )... Vs small litters and competition for food influence the size of an expectant mom 's litter is difficult, other... Even within a particular breed, a healthy newborn puppy can weigh between 4.2 and 22 ounces 120. The same litter may have different fathers individual puppies dogs, such as Great Danes, smaller! Bitch has had three litters, and they ’ re also more likely produce! Control, several other are litters than younger canine moms big or small, long haired or haired. Usually produce very small size, which limits their capacity to carry large tend!, one of the small breeds, to use the facilities indoors without a lot of hassle she unhealthy... Day and take them to carry large litters shows older mother dogs have smaller litters because body!

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