I have a VERY small Yorkie. She's very healthy and full of spunk and energy. And she's the cutest Yorkie I've ever seen. I'd love to breed her, as people stop us all the time at PetsMart and just give us their contact information JUST IN CASE we ever decide to breed her.
The thing is, she's only 3.3 lbs. She's 1 1/2 years old, and I wouldn't even think to breed her until she was at least 3. I know if I do breed her, I'd have to find a male over 3-years-old that's smaller than her for her to safely "carry". I've been told that I could easily charge $1200 each for her pups. But, she's my dog and I love her. Is her size a major risk, or should it be all right if I take the proper precautions?
2006-06-26 16:33:20 · 13 answers · asked by Schmendrick 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Her size is a definite problem. You would be lucky if she had one puppy per pregnancy survive. So what would be the point of putting her through all of that? I am a vet tech and every pregnant, small breed dog that we have seen has had to have their puppies delivered by C-section. That surgery alone will eat up the $1,200 you would get for a puppy. And without papers, you are not going to get that much money! You also need to have a vet give her a full physical, with a health certificate if you wish to sell these puppies for that price. If she has even the slightest defect, her puppies will not sell for that price either. You would also be putting her life at risk, if you truly love her then don't breed her! Spayed dogs are so much healthier than intact ones.
Also, please log on to www.petfinder.com and look up Yorkshire Terriers. There are hundreds of them on this site that need homes! The fact that a dog is pure bred, with papers or without, does NOT guarantee them a good life! Please educate yourself as to what happens to all these cute little puppies that people buy and then dispose of once they become a problem.
Also please visit www.petplace.com or www.animalhealthchannel.com to learn the true health facts involved of spaying vs not spaying.
I have been doing animal rescue and volunteer work for the past 10 years. I am currently fostering a long haired chihuahua, a teacup chihuahua, a Daschund, and a Sheltie. All of them are pure bred, two of them have papers. They all presented some sort of problem for their owners, which by the way was really an owner problem not a dog problem. One was a chewer, one was urinating in the house, one was a fear biter, the Sheltie was just to hyper. Since I have had these dogs, I have corrected every one of these problems. This just goes to show you that to many people would rather dispose of the pet than to take the time needed to correct the problem.
Please give this matter serious consideration, I beg of you!
2006-06-26 17:11:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be very careful and talk to a vet about breeding, before I decide to do so. You could start breeding at 1, but she might not be totally mature by then, but going by the age a dog can live, there's also a time limit on when you should breed them (I, personally, if ever wouldn't do it after 5 or 6 depeding on the breed). Just make sure you have all the info you need before you do anything. Good luck.
2006-06-27 11:25:08 · answer #2 · answered by nena102800 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is safely old enough to be a mother - at a year and a half she has competely formed her body and her reproductive organs. You're right about finding a male that isn't too much larger than she is, but other than that, her size is not an issue. She won't have pups any bigger than her breed and genes allow, and it should be perfectly safe.
Try to limit how many times the mating act takes place, as that can be a factor in how many pups she'll have, and that is the only real potential danger.
2006-06-26 23:41:04 · answer #3 · answered by Crooks Gap 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No vet will give you a definate answer, we can't predict whether or not your dog will whelp without problems.
The dog is very small but people do breed very small dogs (although seldom do they deliver without problems). You seem knowledgable enough to realize not to breed your dog with a large male but you should also check both dogs history, just because yours is small doesn't mean that big bones don't run in the family tree, and the same is true for the male.
If you are worried about her the simple answer is don't breed her (and get her speyed to reduce her chance of mammary tumours and pyometra). You may end up having to pay for a C-section (~$1200) and worst case scenario, pups and ***** die; best case scenario pups and ***** live.
As for waiting to breed, she is sexually mature now and isn't going to grow anymore so you could breed her now.
2006-06-27 01:20:21 · answer #4 · answered by doolittle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should contact a Yorkie breeder. She or he could tell you if your Yorkie is the right type to breed. Pregnancy is always a risk, and the $1200 per pup may not be worth losing your best friend over.
2006-06-26 23:38:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I breed German Shepherds and only breed at the age of 2 as they are at maturity, but a smaller dog can be bred at 1 1/2 years. The only risk she may have(after vet check) is a C-section. Do a through search of her pedigree and speak to who bred her parents. And her soon to be partner. This will help as to what problems happened in the past. Also if she and her partner is registered with AKC you may just get that price.
2006-06-26 23:47:47 · answer #6 · answered by mustanglady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a very good start, you are not rushing into things.
When you choose a male, you will want to check the size of the dogs in his background.
If he is 3lb but his parents and grandparents are 8lb dogs he will carry the genes to produce a larger puppy.
You will want to check the background of your girl as well.
I agree with the answer to have your vet examine her to confirm she is built to pass the puppies. Just remember it is not a positive science and there may still be complications.
I do not agree with breeding at 1 year of age (my own preference not a condemnation) I like your idea of waiting until she is a little older.
If you can find a small male with Champions in his near pedigree you can ask/get $1200.00 per puppy.
2006-06-27 00:02:09 · answer #7 · answered by Chihuahua Magic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Her size could be a major problem. Take her to a vet to get a complete physical before you breed her. The vet could give you a definite answer. Take this precautionary measure to save you and your dog a lot of avoidable trouble.
2006-06-26 23:37:36 · answer #8 · answered by older woman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't have a dog under 3.5lbs bred. Her size is a serious risk. C-sections are pretty common proceedures, but not without risk. I lost my Maltese this year, post c-section death. Necropsy revealed nothing. Sometimes bad things happen.
ETA:
The price of a c-section varies considerably depending on your location. Here, worst case, $350. More likely... $250 or less.
2006-06-26 23:54:04 · answer #9 · answered by Mustang Gal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
her size is a risk and i can guarantee you a c-section!
a c-section is over 1000 dollars . if you want to breed get a
more standard size female like 5-7pds.
and also stud fees for yorkies are unbelievable.
2006-06-27 00:15:36 · answer #10 · answered by maggie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋