What should I know about singletons?

Cdnjennga · Mar 9, 2010

So I mentioned on another thread that I was on litter watch but it only produced 1 puppy. I heard the story this week-end, and turns out there were 2 pups but due to (IMO) vet malpractice they ended up with 1. Very sad, I felt so sorry for the breeder who is such a lovely person and really did nothing wrong to have this outcome!

Anyway, long story short, the remaining puppy is a boy and is available. I'm first on the list to have him. So my question is, do any of the breeders on this forum have experience with raising singleton puppies? What should I be looking out for?

I have done lots of reading over the week-end and have a good idea of what can go wrong with them. I have also read lots of examples of what can go right with them. In fact the dog who won superdog at our last PWD specialty was a singleton, so they're not all bad! I guess I just want a good grasp of what I might be taking on and what I should be considering...

plumcrazy · Mar 9, 2010

I googled "single puppy litters" and there were links to several other forums with info on singletons... the opinions and advice aren't from people who you "know" like here on the forum, but it may give you a wider base to search for answers! Good luck!!

Purple Poodle · Mar 9, 2010

I have rescued a couple of singleton puppies, one was a Cattle Dog/Rat terrier mix who came to me with his mother at 3 days old and he did wonderfully, he was adopted out about 4 years ago and I still keep in touch with his family and they say he is the best dog ever. The second was a puppy who I hand raised because the mother killed all the puppies save for him at 5 days old. He was the sweetest dog and one of the only ones I regret adopting out.

So I do know they can be great companions but they do need a bit more dog interaction then those in a litter. If it were me I would want him to stay with the breeder until he was close to 12 weeks old. That way he can have the bite inhibition and dog language down.

I think it also helps if the puppy is lives/grows with another dog.

All in all if you think this is the right puppy for you I would go for it.

Cdnjennga · Mar 9, 2010

Purple Poodle said:
I think it also helps if the puppy is lives/grows with another dog.

All in all if you think this is the right puppy for you I would go for it.

It's really helpful to hear your experiences, thank you! The breeder does have 2 other adult dogs at home who are dying to meet the little one (he's only 10 days old) so he will have some dog interaction. From what I have read the biggest problem with singletons is that they don't learn bite inhibition and some have dog aggression. There can be other behavioural issues too, but those are the two of most concern. I guess the bite inhibition could be helped by the adults, if they are good at correcting him when he oversteps the mark. The latter might be helped by puppy kindergarten as soon as possible.

We're going to go up and see him when he's 3 weeks old. Then I'll just take it a week at a time and see how he develops. I certainly understand his position - after all, I was a singleton too!

wishpoo · Mar 9, 2010

I just want to wish you the best of luck Cdnjennga :clover::clover::clover:

I know for how long you were waiting for your special boy ! May he be "this one" : ))) !!!!

Mandycasey'smom · Mar 9, 2010

Well lets face it really how many dogs from multiple litters have dog aggression. I would be curious to know if all the nasty dogs I have seen come from a singleton litter.
I would think that with being with more then just the mother it would learn pretty quick no bite.

You have another dog at home right? Your dog will teach it but yes puppy kindergarten is great for all puppies.

Glad you get to go visit and decide before you get bumped.
have fun and good luck

Locket · Mar 9, 2010

Ooooh! Exciting!! I wouldn't be overly concerned that he's a singleton. With a good breeder, it hardly matters. Sometimes a breeder will put the pup in with a friend's litter, but I think adult dogs would be fine too.

All the best! What colour?

cbrand · Mar 9, 2010

Ch. Randenn Tristar Affirmation (Yes), who won BOB at Westminster and BOV at PCA, is a singleton. Clearly it didn't hold her back too much.

Cdnjennga · Mar 9, 2010

Locket said:
Ooooh! Exciting!! I wouldn't be overly concerned that he's a singleton. With a good breeder, it hardly matters. Sometimes a breeder will put the pup in with a friend's litter, but I think adult dogs would be fine too.

All the best! What colour?

He's black. This is the litter I've been waiting on since the fall! The other pup that didn't make it was a girl, which is what the breeder wanted. A boy just doesn't fit into her home, although she spent the week considering it before calling me on Sunday...

Cdnjennga · Mar 9, 2010

cbrand said:
Ch. Randenn Tristar Affirmation (Yes), who won BOB at Westminster and BOV at PCA, is a singleton. Clearly it didn't hold her back too much.

Hah, this doesn't surprise me! One thing I read is that singleton pups often have high self esteem and a showy attitude. I guess because they didn't spend their formative time being trampled on by other pups!

If I take him, we may actually try showing him in CKC (Canadian, not Continental) depending on how he turns out. The breeder is willing to help us out with grooming and handling, so we'll see how it goes. Apparently he has a lovely head.

plumcrazy · Mar 9, 2010

Cdnjennga said:
If I take him, we may actually try showing him in CKC (Canadian, not Continental) depending on how he turns out.

Does the Continental Kennel Club even HAVE shows & such?? I thought they were pretty much just a junk registry...

I am sitting on pins and needles, excited to hear what you decide about the pup! (Yeah, I'm sure you're even MORE so!!!)

I already have my puppy so I have to live vicariously through the other forum members who get to welcome new bundles into their lives!!! Best wishes either way (but I secretly hope you get him!!) :lol:

Cdnjennga · Mar 9, 2010

I'm happy to share the puppy love/ excitement! I'm trying to only be cautiously excited. I want to make my decision with my head, not my heart.

Having said that, here's the first photo of the potential addition! He's a bit of a blob here as I think this photo was from very early on. I'm looking forward to seeing how he develops.

plumcrazy · Mar 9, 2010

Aaaaaawwwwwww! PUPPY BREATH!!!!

He's an adorable blob!

Pinklizzy · Mar 9, 2010

My little one was a singleton pup. She was intergrated with the breeder's adult dogs from 4 weeks and her bite inhibition is pretty good (she still nips occasionally but no more than any other puppy we've had-I've had hand-reared singletons which were far worse!)
As far as socialising goes she has been really good with all the other dogs she's met, she's just turned 12 weeks today.
She is a very outgoing and fairly strong-minded pup but I'm not sure if that's a breed trait? as she's my first poodle.
Obviously she's completely gorgeous too

Cdnjennga · Mar 9, 2010

Pinklizzy said:
My little one was a singleton pup. She was intergrated with the breeder's adult dogs from 4 weeks and her bite inhibition is pretty good (she still nips occasionally but no more than any other puppy we've had-I've had hand-reared singletons which were far worse!)
As far as socialising goes she has been really good with all the other dogs she's met, she's just turned 12 weeks today.
She is a very outgoing and fairly strong-minded pup but I'm not sure if that's a breed trait? as she's my first poodle.
Obviously she's completely gorgeous too

Nice to hear a good experience, thanks! I've read so much over the last few days and it's a lot to take in. I guess the outcome depends on the individual puppy, breeder and me when/ if I get the pup!

I just looked through your posts and don't think we ever had a photo update from when you actually got the pup. Care to share?

Cdnjennga · Mar 10, 2010

Thought I'd share a cute blog I found last night where this breeder was raising a singleton puppy (her third I think she said!) She did a fabulous job it seems to me, the puppy has lots to entertain and stimulate him. I do find the sight of a lone puppy in an x pen a little sad though, he looks so lonely! The last 2 links in particular have some adorable videos of him entertaining himself.

Locket · Mar 10, 2010

Oh my gosh! He's SOO cute!!!

Cameo · Mar 10, 2010

He's got white hair between his pads! That is a sign of a blue

He's so cute!

Cdnjennga · Mar 14, 2010

We went to see the little single man tody. He`s just over 2 weeks and his eyes are open. He`s a good size, not as fat as I have read some singletons get! We`ll be going back up when he`s 4 weeks to see how he`s coming along, but so far, so good. The breeder is pushing him off the nipple every once in a while to simulate litter mates and basically trying to create some frustration for him. Don`t want him thinking everything will be handed to him on a silver platter!

Couldn`t get great pics, but here`s what I got.

BFF · Mar 14, 2010

What adorable photos! Puppy envy!!!!

Have you come up with a name yet? Ya know, just in case.

What should I know about singletons?

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