Death Happens: Stillbirth and Mortality Rates
It is very sad to talk about, but puppies do die. If you get into breeding, it is one of the realities that you have to live with because those rates are quite high.
The rate varies by breed, but in general, death of puppies within the first 7-8 weeks (pre-weaning) is considered to be around 20%. For most litters, that means that you will usually loose one puppy per litter. This rate includes stillbirths, which account for the majority of the puppies lost. However, whether it is death from defect, undetermined causes, or “fading puppy syndrome,” there is still a very high instance of puppy death after birth. In litters where there has been a stillbirth, the rate for a second puppy loss is even greater. Age of dam, whether it is her first or fifth litter, and genetics all play a contributing factor. As does providence.
The good news is that mortality rate for puppies birthed without any human intervention is around 60-65%. That means, with breeder help, dogs do much better and more puppies survive than ever would if left to proceed naturally.
When you see your puppy, know that there have likely been other puppies that didn’t make it (whether in that litter or other litters). A good breeder will have done everything they can to minimize those possibilities, but your puppy is still a miracle. Be thankful they are here for you!
References
(1) Canine perinatal mortality: a cohort study of 224 breeds - PubMed (nih.gov)
(3) Monitoring of the newborn dog and prediction of neonatal mortality - ScienceDirect
(4) puppy-fading-puppy-syndrome-in-dogs | VCA Animal Hospital (vcahospitals.com)
