Is birth order or rank order (ie. Alpha dog) within the litter important?
We have seen no studies to suggest that birth order plays any part in development of puppies. In our own experiences, there has been no trend in that regard. In terms of pack order, it is very rare to see a true Alpha, Beta etc. pattern emerge within a litter. It’s never as simple as looking at a litter and figuring out who is the dominant or submissive puppy…this is an oversimplification. Some pups will be naturally more adventuresome, inquisitive or bold than their littermates, but this does not always equate to a dominant personality (ie. a puppy can be bold without being rank seeking). Conversely, a puppy can show inherent weakness in temperament, yet still hold a strong position within its litter in some regards. It is up to a good breeder to understand how to evaluate these behaviors and understand what type of adult each puppy will mature into.
