Investigations of 102 litters with 715 alive born and 581 dog pups (Beagle
breed) individually controlled up to 20th day of age have shown a highly si
gnificant influence of teat position, birth weight, litter site and vitalit
y on live weight development up to the end of third week of age. On the oth
er hand, sex and parity of mother had no effects on body weight of dog pups
at 20th day of age. Dog pups with teat position at caudal teat pair have h
ad the best vitality, the highest birth weight and a higher body weight by
44 percent at day 20 post natum compared to litter-mates, who sucked at cra
nial teat pair. Pups with birth weight of more than 451 g reached live weig
ht at day 20 of age which was appr. twice higher compared to pups with birt
h weight of less than 200 g.