St.Bernard Puppies

Question
My sister's St.Bernard just had her first litter of puppies yesterday.  She had 10 with only 5 surviving.  I was wondering why only half of were born live.  All 10 puppies were pretty much the same size.  Is it unusual for so many of them to be dead or is it more common than we think?

Answer
Hi Janna

Typically breeders expect puppy deaths, especially in the first 72 hours.

The biggest killer of pups is neonatal viral and bacterial infections,  most likely are Canine Herpesvirus and Minute Virus.

A female and male breeding pair should be tested PRIOR to breeding for any infections, brucellosis and other sexually transmitted diseases as the pups come in contact with the virus on the way out of the birth canal which in turn causes their demise.

Anyone handling the pups and the area where the are whelped should be sterile and clean.  That includes hand sanitizing each time a pup is touched.