When shopping for a new family pet, consumers may have conflicting information regarding purchasing the "runt of the litter". There are several reasons why dogs receive the runt title. Most commonly the smallest and/or weakest dog born to a litter is termed the runt. This smaller stature could be due to several reasons.
1. The dog did not receive as much nutrition from their mother's milk post birth.
2. Female dogs can conceive for several days. The runt may be a few days younger than the other dogs, causing a smaller size.
3. As with humans, some puppies are simply smaller than their siblings due to genetics. This is especially common in mixed breed puppies. One pup may take after their larger breed father while another lends itself more to their mothers smaller stature for example.
More serious medical factors may be at play, which is why a veterinarians exam is always recommended for all pups in a litter. However, runts have a great chance of really thriving as healthy, happy dogs if given the right nutrition, exercise, and of course love. As Blue Paw Nation member Cathie of Palo Alto, CA points out her Curly Coated Retriever "Lightning" lives life to the fullest despite her so called runt status. "Lightning was the first to leave the whelping box, the first to nip at the breeders toes, and jumps into trees to get the neighborhood squirrells", proud mom Cathie boasts. At 50 lbs Lightning is 10-12 pounds lighter than her three Curly housemates, however her personality does not reflect this size inferiority. The runt you decide to purchase may surprise you as well.
Brought to you with love from Blue Paw Nation
Friday, November 18, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Why Do Dogs Sniff Each Others Butts? A Navajo "Tail"
On a recent trip to a Navajo reservation in Sedona, Arizona Navajo Nation member Jimmy "Smoke" shared this story with me...Enjoy!
Long ago, Dog and Coyote held a counsel each year. All important canine topics were discussed at this annual meeting. Each animal would make the trip to the land where counsel was held, and one by one they waited on the long line to enter through one singular door. At one important counsel it was decided to give each member their own door to prevent such long lines. Both Dog and Coyote were happy.
At the next counsel Dog and Coyote entered each door, but before entering Dog removed its tail and hung it outside their door for two good reasons:
1. To remember which door belongs to which Dog
2. To sit confortably during the long counsel
As a joke, Dog nailed Coyotes door shut, preventing him from entering the meeting. Coyote sat and thought of a way to get back at Dog for his trick. So, Coyote went door to door switching the tails on all of Dog's doors. When counsel was finished Dog exited, and immediatly put on the tail that hung on their door. Dog sensed something was wrong right away. Dog sniffed and sniffed and quickly realized the tail hung on their door was not his own! And so, Coyote sat and laughed, watching Dog go from rear end to rear end sniffing furiously to find their lost tail!
Brought to you with love by http://www.bluepawnation.com/
Long ago, Dog and Coyote held a counsel each year. All important canine topics were discussed at this annual meeting. Each animal would make the trip to the land where counsel was held, and one by one they waited on the long line to enter through one singular door. At one important counsel it was decided to give each member their own door to prevent such long lines. Both Dog and Coyote were happy.
At the next counsel Dog and Coyote entered each door, but before entering Dog removed its tail and hung it outside their door for two good reasons:
1. To remember which door belongs to which Dog
2. To sit confortably during the long counsel
As a joke, Dog nailed Coyotes door shut, preventing him from entering the meeting. Coyote sat and thought of a way to get back at Dog for his trick. So, Coyote went door to door switching the tails on all of Dog's doors. When counsel was finished Dog exited, and immediatly put on the tail that hung on their door. Dog sensed something was wrong right away. Dog sniffed and sniffed and quickly realized the tail hung on their door was not his own! And so, Coyote sat and laughed, watching Dog go from rear end to rear end sniffing furiously to find their lost tail!
Brought to you with love by http://www.bluepawnation.com/
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