hi
i have just bred 2 littters so as to hopefully keep two bitches however one of the litters has had only a single boy puppy, would there be problems in letting the two litters play together when at a suitable age so the single pup can gain some experience with the other pups?
thanks

I would say it was essential for the singleton to mix with the others. Please make sure you can disinguish him from the boys in the other litter though. I have a male that was a singleton pup, and hand reared at that, I think it's fair to say that he has 'issues'.

Dawn R.

hello
thanks, at what age would you say ?
(theres 1 week week between them)

I would say as soon as they are up on their feet.  I've only ever once had two litters at the same time, 5 days apart, but as soon as they were up on their feet, eyes open, I put them together for playtime, while mums were outside having a break!

Hiya, I think I would be happy doing it for periods from about 5 or 6 weeks. I expect the Mums will not be bothered too much by that sort of age. They will be almost weaned by then, and  probably keen to play with eachother.

Dawn R.

I am not a breeder but I would definitely make sure that your singleton was integrated with the others as soon as possible, otherwise he will never learn the lessons so necessary to become a competent dog before leaving home.

I had two litters born 4 years ago that i did not plan. The first litter was born 9 weeks to the day of my mum dying , the next litter a week later ,it was very hard work ,i had 16 in all , and it will never happen again . But all my pups played with each other from 5 weeks old .I hope all works out allright for you regards debbie.