The runt is the smallest of the litter but I use bitty or biddy baby.

This being said leads to my second question. When planning to breed Trixie, we took her a couple of times during her 1st heat and again the heat we bred her to test and determine when she was "most fertile." We were aware of the whole 'last one conceived has less time to fully develop' scenerio. This being known, we found what we believe to be her 'most fertile' time and only bred? mated? them 2 days (once in the AM, once in the PM both days) to try to eliminate a 'wee bitty one' from being born...at least because of THIS reason. It seemed to work as we had 4 heatlhy pups w/ none really lagging behind.
This is the first time I've seen this mentioned here. I knew we practiced this, but I was wandering, how many others here do? Is this something that everyone generally does? I found this very interesting (and common sense) when I was preparing myself as a breeder. For those of you who plan accordingly, do you find it makes a difference? (I guess in them being relatively equal in how they have developed when they are born?)

Thanks so much for the Technical Terms - I learn something new everyday here !

hehe :D

tee hee, Villette! I'm with you, I love those technical terms! (I sort of like itty bitty, myself!)

Runts
 

[This being said leads to my second question. When planning to breed Trixie, we took her a couple of times during her 1st heat and again the heat we bred her to test and determine when she was "most fertile." We were aware of the whole 'last one conceived has less time to fully develop' scenerio. This being known, we found what we believe to be her 'most fertile' time and only bred? mated? them 2 days (once in the AM, once in the PM both days) to try to eliminate a 'wee bitty one' from being born...at least because of THIS reason. It seemed to work as we had 4 heatlhy pups w/ none really lagging behind.
This is the first time I've seen this mentioned here. I knew we practiced this, but I was wandering, how many others here do? Is this something that everyone generally does? I found this very interesting (and common sense) when I was preparing myself as a breeder. For those of you who plan accordingly, do you find it makes a difference? (I guess in them being relatively equal in how they have developed when they are born?)[/QUOTE

THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT YOU MAY END UP WITH 1 OR 2 PUPS DEPENDING ON HOW MANY EGGS ARE RELEASED DURING THAT 2 DAYS.

Good terms! I don't like the word runt - it sounds sad.

"Runt" reminds me of the little kid on the playground that is smaller than the rest and doesn't like it :D :D

my baby girl was the itty bitty one (as her breeder put it), and boy is she feisty..hehe

The breeder I bought my furbaby from corrected me when I called the smallest pup a "runt" she told me that all litters have some pups that are smaller than others..She also said the "runt" of the litter usually means an unhealthy pup.

Not always. The tinier one's in a litter may need extra special care at first, but i've never had one to be unhealthy. The only tiny yorkie I've ever had that was unhealthy was due to a liver shunt. He was not one of my puppies, he was a baby I purchased outside of my breed program.

"THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT YOU MAY END UP WITH 1 OR 2 PUPS DEPENDING ON HOW MANY EGGS ARE RELEASED DURING THAT 2 DAYS"

First, the eggs will be ready for fertilization within 48 hours so you have a 2 day window each time. And, I prefer only 1 or 2 puppies in a litter most of the time so it works really well for me.

Dare I say this sounds like my Wee Midget? :p :p

hmmm, now what on earth would make you say that? :)

Perhaps the way the little 4lb B rules the roost!! She's quite the pistol! :D Just ask the 40lb Sheltie!! ;)

gotta love the fiesty ones:) :) :) :) :) :) :)