Expert: Jannie Balliett - 6/7/2010

Question
I just bought a brindle male boxer who at 7 weeks weighs in at 8 pounds. The other puppy left is the larger and weighs in at 10 pounds. The breeder said that my pup was the "runt." First, how does this weight seem for a 7 week male? Secondly, what are the advantages to selecting a runt (if any)? I have heard that they often become the best of the litter. For background info the father was 77 pounds and his mom is 71 pounds. Thanks!

Answer
Every runt I have seen ended up being the best of the litter. There are theories that in the womb, being more deprived than the other puppies, causes the runt to be a more personable pup and smarter and more loving, as well as they just seem to turn out prettier than all the others!

7 pounds is under weight, so feed him a high protein puppy food (no corn and no glutens) and add plain, whole yogurt (no flavors, and store generic brand okay) to his puppy food each time for a month, then once a day.

Let him self-feed for awhile. Keep fresh puppy food and fresh water out for him at all times.

Also, ask your vet about a high-calorlic supplement. It comes in a tube and is squeezed out into his mouth. This wil help him gain weight and catch up to where he belongs, very fast.