Culling pups from the litter - Page 6

 I think this thread went off topic and assumptions are being made as to the "WHY" of the posting of this thread. There was another thread on another forum in which PL stated that it was irresponsible for a breeder to allow more than 8, preferably 4-6 pups to live and the only reason they would allow them to live is lack of education or greed. I'm paraphrasing, but I'm quite accurate.

So, many posters on this thread knew the inference behind this post on this forum, and are answering as such. Many posters only had this thread as a reference, and therefore are mistaking the reason behind the question. Culling for certain flaws or perceived flaws was not the issue- that was brought up later. The question was how do you decide WHICH ones to cull in a large litter, as if the assumption is that you just can't let them all live. This is where the confusion is coming in, and if you read carefully, there is much assuming and much confusion as to what is really being asked here. 

As I said, I don't think I've met many people who can read a dog well enough to play God like that and decide who lives and who dies. Let nature take its course in all but the most extreme situations. JMO.

I have never culled a pup,  Mom knows when they have fading pup syndrome,  Early on I tried to save several,  to no avail,  but have learned "Mom knows best"  agree with what Molly says...Lida

Thanks for the clarification,I agree that no one can read a newborn or pup less than a couple days old. I wonder if greed and laziness isn't the real reason people actually cull to start with,that makes more sense to me.

Me too,  Plus the breeders in Germany,  Belgium and Sweden I know,  do not cull pups...Lida

I myself have practiced culling.
I've put down a few puppies at birth or within weeks due to deformalities. I've never culled due to numbers or colors.

I do, however, know of quite a few breeders (around the world) that do practice culling due to such things as numbers, colors and deformalities.

I've been told that they choose whom to cull at birth or within days based on the weakest nursers. Next are those that don't have a good sense on staying close to mom (this is when their eyes and ears are still closed). Then things like color are taken into consideration.
Strangely, size has never been a factor in the culling process.

I think for breeders with the best of intentions for their breed into the future, it's an evil neccessity. We have a higher bar to set for ourselves and those we produce. But then again, I believe in taking in ALL dogs/pups we produce, even if they're 9 years old and have to be rehomed or put down by us. We brought them into this world and just because they've left us for a new family, we are still obligated to help in times of need. You can't provide that? Don't breed.

Yes very well said,  still I could never cull,  just is not in me to do so...I have really good dogs, and just rely on Mom's.  they know.. absolutely could never just kill a pup...sorry for those who can...LIda

I cannot physically do it myself. I'm weak in that way and I'm okay with that.
I can however have someone else do it. Call me a coward...that's cool. But don't forget to call me responsible as well. Not just for the culling, but the big picture too.

 What if all ten puppies nurse within seconds of birth? Mine did.

I don't touch them during whelping. I hang out to count and watch to make sure all is well, but I don't intervene. I don't help w/cords, I don't dry pups, I don't clear mucous, nada. She does it all herself, and does it quite well. 

What if they don't have any deformities? 

And how do you decide who is just being adventuresome and who "doesn't have the sense to stay close to mom"? I frequently have 2 week old pups wandering around. In fact, every litter, I have at least one female (always a female, always black, lol) who gets out of the whelping box, blind as a bat. She figures out how to get back in. I don't put them back. Ever. They find their own way back, or mom can get them. I've never seen her do that, but if she chose to, fine. If they get too lost and cold and don't eat, they die. That's nature. 

Again, I don't trust people making decisions best left to nature. I have no problem with culling for good reasons, if I were to stumble upon someone smart enough to know better than Mother Nature. If we let nature take its course, we wouldn't have to select to "better the breed" to nearly the degree we have to now. 

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