UPDATE: Has anyone had the runt of the litter?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Could you please give me some insight? Later today we will know if we get OUR first pick or not. If we don't get our first pick that would mean we would be left with the runt of the litter. The runt is about half the size of her litter mates and full of spunk! lol... she isn't sickly or anything like that. Thanks for the help!!

UPDATE: "OUR" pick was picked today by another family. Such a bummer :( the "runt" that was left is curly hair more like a poodle coat :) one of the people after me has bad allergies and would love to have her, so we passed her up. This litter had one boy left but we decided to wait and go with the breeders other litter, that litter will be standard Goldendoodles. Sad moment ( because our pick was picked) but also a very exciting time :) Now time to learn and prepare for our male standard GOLDENDOODLE!!! We will have two Goldendoodles, one is a mini/medium size female and the other will be a standard size male. Tips and insight are welcomed!! Thanks everyone :)

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

I did some reading on that not long ago & don't think you need to be concerned.  The 'runt' can catch up in size & may be indistinguishable from the rest of the litter in time.  Runts are not different in intelligence or health as far as I know.  Do a web search & put your mind at ease :)

[Jennifer and Lily]

My Lily was the runt of the litter. She is very smart and is similar in size to her litter mates. I recently went to visit my breeder and Lily's sister is the exact same temperment and size. She is an awesome multigen labradoodle!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

My childhood dog was the runt of the litter.  She lived 18.5 years and didn't have any serious health problems until after her 16th birthday!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

My Sophie who we just recently lost to lymphoma in march was the runt of the liter.   We got liter mates so we have her Sister Lucy as well.  Our Sophie was a wonderful registered therapy dog who brought smiles and happiness every where she went.  Absolutely no side effects from being the runt of the liter.  She did end up being smaller than Lucy but that is what I was hoping for.  They were F1 Standard Golden Doodles and Sophie was 60 lbs and Lucy is 80.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Oscar was the smallest male of his litter (and as small as the smaller females) of standard multi gen Labradoodles. We were told by the breeder he would get no bigger than 40lbs (we were originally looking for a medium doodle). We thought, "Perfect!", so we decided on Oscar. He grew and grew and now he's bigger than Lucy, our other doodle (I need to get him weighed this week, but my guess is he's at least 50lbs.). He's almost an inch higher in height than Lucy, and he's not finished growing! So I would say the 'runt' of the litter makes absolutely no difference, and it doesn't determine adult size either.

[April Cliber]

Typically a runt is completely normal and will do just fine.  I would worry if I were you.  Congrats on the new baby! :)

[Ginny Nightingale]

Technically, a runt is a pup that is small due to illness--the term is not used for a perfectly healthy pup who happens to be growing at a different rate than the littermates--and will doodles, you can get a big size range in one litter, so a smaller pup is most likely perfectly fine--one of my doodle's litters had pups that as adults ranged in size from 40 pounds to 65 pounds.

On the other hand, another litter had a big difference in the size of the puppies and they all ended up at 40-42 pounds as adults--so I would not let the size of the pup bother you since she is healthy--just stop calling her the runt, OK???? She is PETITE!! :)

[Ginny Nightingale]

Shame on that breeder--I get a dirty look from mine if I use that term ;)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I've never heard the term used in a negative manner.  Always just to reference the smallest puppy!

[Adina P]

Is there a true definition for 'runt' out there?  I think most people just think of 'the tiny dog' in a litter as runt rather than one that has a problem.  Also is it possible that the teeny tiny dog that grows to be as big as the others was simply a dog that was of a younger gestational age?  Just curious.

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

What are the two remaining pups' personalities?  Maybe that will help you decide.

What kind of doodles are these?

[Doris]

Clifford the big red dog was the runt of the litter and turned out to be larger than a house!!  School is out, but just last week one of my students reading a Clifford book asked what a runt was!  :)