Can anybody w/ experience tell me about puppies that have been rejected by their littermates? Do they make bad family pets? This puppy I am considering was born small, was crowded out by the other pups and had to be bottle fed from the beginning. When put w/ the other pups it will play for a time/then has to be removed as the other pups start picking on him. He tires out sooner than the others also. He is filled out nice from the bottle feeding and uses the paper to eliminate (5 wks old this wk). Sometimes when he walks he stumbles/falls to one side. Vet has ruled out swimmers legs.....and can't seem at this time to find anything wrong such as heart problems. The breeder says "time will tell" for this puppy and it may just be he is delayed or slow to develop. What do you think?

Updates on this puppy...I just talked to the breeder today and like a miracle, this puppy is making enormous strides she says... She does believe this puppy is a swimmer puppy even though vet was not sure...Breeder says he now walks, runs, and plays just fine though he does tucker out sooner. His only problem at this point is just the one hind rear leg that shows a little weakness causing him to stumble but he gets right back up and takes off.....very playful, very sweet she says. By the way, this puppy is not for sale, only to be given away she said. So I am still wondering if this is the puppy for us or should I pay for one w/ more guarantees?

As a breeder I wouldn't take this puppy. Although he could be fine, too many things are unexplained for you to take him. As the breeder is giving him away it would follow that that may be the end of any help with him you will get from them. The best you could do is get a different puppy from this litter or another litter. It is hard to not feel for him but sometimes you have to follow your gut instinct that this isn't the pup you should take. He could be a lifetime of big vet bills.