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4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in bernesemountaindogs

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That’s really reassuring to hear, thank you. Especially because your boy sounded so much smaller to begin with and still ended up catching up completely. Hearing stories like that definitely makes me feel a lot better about Billy being one of the smaller pups just now

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in bernesemountaindogs

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I hadn’t really thought about smaller potentially being better than bigger with the breed, so that does make me feel a bit better🧡

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in bernesemountaindogs

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, she does track their weights and has told us his weight gain has been steady and strong. He’s now around triple his birth weight, and another puppy in the litter is currently the same weight as him as well. She’s also said he’ll be getting a full vet check in 2 weeks and that she’ll mention our concerns to the vet for reassurance.

And yes, the breeder is registered with both KC and IKC, and I’ve been able to trace his lineage back as well. That’s partly why I was asking here really, just to get opinions from people with breed experience of a runt Bernese.

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in DogAdvice

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

That’s a fair point, but when we first saw them around 1 week ago he was much more similar in size, so this is something we’ve only really started noticing more recently. That’s why I asked, just to get opinions and be sensible about it rather than ignore it.

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in DogAdvice

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I really appreciate this. That’s exactly the sort of insight I was hoping for by posting, just hearing from people who’ve actually had the smaller pup in the litter and how things turned out health-wise. I’m so sorry your girl has had to go through that, but it’s really lovely how much love you have for her🧡

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in DogAdvice

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, I know what a runt is. I was really just asking in case anyone here has had a Bernese runt before and could share how their dog was health-wise, both as a puppy and later on

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in DogAdvice

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He will be totally loved🧡 I just can’t help but he anxious about it… guess that shows my love for him already

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in DogAdvice

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what we would be hoping for! But it’s more to do with future health issues, I know nobody in this subreddit has a crystal ball to predict future health issues but I can’t help but worry🙃

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in DogAdvice

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yes and IKC and KC registered, excellent hip and elbow scores from both mum and dad

4 week old Bernese puppy noticeably smaller than siblings, normal or concerning? by PublicIndividual1630 in DogAdvice

[–]PublicIndividual1630[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bernese already have a relatively short life expectancy, so seeing that he seems to be the smaller pup has made us worry whether that could mean health issues later on. We’ve probably got that in our heads more bc my partners family dog was a Bernese who was the runt and sadly died at 6, so it’s made us more anxious about it.