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My Jack Russell Isn't Growing!

by Sophie
(London)

I've had my beautiful jack russell - Minnie - since october and she's about 8 months old, but is still absolutely tiny. She's about half the size of one of the Jack Russells on the yard, who is considered relatively small. I can pick her up with one hand and she's the same size as a ten week old border terrier pup! Not sure of her measurements, but she is tiny, could there be any reason for this? Her mother is small, but nowhere near her size, and all the pups in her litter were the same size at ten weeks. She is also completely reddish/brown with no white on her, despite both her parents having brown, white and black colouring. Help?!

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May 01, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Not Growing
by: Deborah

Maybe your Jack is the runt of the litter and your Jack may just stay small I would ask your vet to find out for sure!
May 01, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank you!
by: Sophie

Thank you so much, these comments have been really helpful. She doesn't eat a lot, usually because she's too busy making sure she knows what everyone's doing! She eats her food, but rarely eats all of it, so this might be a factor. Her mother is also very small, not quite as small as her, so genes are probably in there too. I'll take her to the vets next week, just to make sure there is nothing else going on underneath. We also have a rhodesian ridgeback, which makes her look even smaller!! I'll try and upload a picture of her soon and let you know how we get on at the vet!
May 01, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Minnie
by: JAC

Is there any chance there might have been another dog involved in mating with Minnie's mother. It does happen. A female dog in heat can be bred and have pups from more than just one male.
One of the breeders I know had a litter of Jack Russell pups and one of them is exactly like the neighbors Norwich Terrier. The litter had all Jack Russell pups except for one small reddish, half Jack Russell and half Norwich Terrier. They were all born at the same time and have pictures to prove it. The pup was adorable but obviously not built like a Jack Russell. She was a cutie pie.

If that's not the case, kidney, liver, endocrine disorders, and inability to digest food properly, even parasites can cause and undersized pup. If it's not just a question of being very small in stature, possibly a throw back in its ancestry then have the vet check it out. Give yourself some peace of mind and do what's best for Minnie and yourself. Please do this especially if your Minnie is not behaving normally for example, vomiting on occasion, loose stool, not losing puppy teeth, bad breath etc.

I wish you luck with your little cuddle bug., Minnie and we look forward to hearing from you.
May 01, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tiny Jack Russell
by: Rachel

I guess you gave her the perfect name....Minnie! Could it be that she's the runt of the litter. She still have some time to grow. However, since she is so tiny now, I would talk to you vet about your concerns. Some dogs that were runts may have an underlying heart defect. Do you know the breeder that you got her from. Maybe she would have some additional info for you as well.

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