Can she have puppies?

Question

I have a 3 year old chihuahua that is about 5 lbs. I was wondering if she could have puppies with a 4-5 lb male chihuahua without having major complications?? I am not a breeder, nor do I have any intrest in breeding. I simply want her to have one litter so she can be a mommy. I also will keep a couple puppies so she has another dog or 2 to play with and give the others to family who really want dogs. So they will all have good homes. Please do not critisize me with your answers I want helpful answers please.

Answer 1

She is of appropriate size and age for breeding. However, with Chihuahuas there is always a REAL risk of complications. I would have the vet evaluate this dog, to help you make the decision.
I was a Chihuahua breeder for many years, and I can tell you for sure, that not all are suitable for breeding.. Only your vet could make the call.
My friend is an experienced Chihuahua breeder. Just this past Christmas week, she lost her favorite little girl..who died during trying to deliver her puppies..Puppies were lost, too.

Answer 2

I hope you don't take this as critisizm, But this is the run through and i'm gonna be blunt. I breed dachshunds so wholey willing to help others, however i'm going to be blunt for the pure safety of your dog.......

Dogs under 6lbs usually have complications during birth. Many chi's actually need to have C-sections, and thats is pretty much tripled when they are under 7lbs.

3-5 years old is usually when many breeding dogs are retiring, and I personally would say it's to old to start having puppies.

It sounds like you think she's going to have a LOT of puppies. The reality is many chi's only have 1 or 2 puppies(especially that small of a dam), so if you are expecting to spread the wealth around to the family AND keep a couple yourself, that will probably not be an option.

Also something many people don't realize... dogs don't always like their offspring *lol*. I can't tell you how many times i've heard "well she didn't get along with this other dog I bought so I'll just breed her and keep a puppy. It will be hers so she'll get along fine with it".... complete false-ness!!!
9 times out of 10, if a female doesn't like other dogs, she won't want her son or daughter around after they are done nursing at 7-10 weeks either.
Stud fee's are NOT cheap, they cost anywhere from the full price of a puppy, to half price. Or sometimes opposite pick of the litter.. which when you are talking you might have only 1 puppy.. that leaves you with no puppies for yourself.

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself::
Do you have the $300- 1,000 for a stud fee?
Do you have the money for 1-2 vet vists during the pregnancy?
Have you ever helped a dog give birth?
Do you know the signs of a complicated labor?
Would you be able to either help the dog give birth or rush her to the vet?
Do you have the funds to pay for a C-section (usually in the $1,000 range)?

and lastly.. but most important -
Often in complicated births puppies do not make it.. and extreme cases neither does the dam.. are you prepared to deal with that?

Answer 3

Every dog is at risk when they have puppies. Talk to your vet before you breed her..They can monitor her through this. This is what I did my first time of breeding..Have emergency number close at hand. My vet gave me her home number in case I need her through the night. I also had an experience breeder staying by... I did call the experience breeder over..She didn't know me but she came as soon as I called and taught me a lot that night. I can understand you being concern about her, being so little. Just talk to your vet, talk to a breeder of Chihuahua, know the pro's and con's about breeding a dog at that size..And read on what to do if something should go wrong.

This reminds me of a story of a friend of mine. Her Chihuahua was about ready to have her baby. She stay up hours and hours with that dog.. She wouldn't leave her dog for fear she may need her during whelping. My friend decided to go make her a cup of tea..when she got back her dog was nursing her puppy. She missed the whole thing.

Answer 4

A five pound dog is a risky candidate for having puppies. Small breeds are prone to complications. If you decide to go through with it, a male smaller than the female is ideal. Your dog should also eat a high quality puppy food while she is pregnant and nursing. You should also be prepared, financially, for a possible c section. And saddest of all, be prepared to possibly lose the puppies or even the mother. Hopefully, you won't, but it could happen.

If you want your dog to have a mothering experience, consider raising some foster kitties. I've raised a few litters and my three BIG female dogs love to mother them. It's pretty cute!

Answer 5

3 is the right age, and as others have said, the male should be no bigger, preferrably smaller. Females being readied to breed need to be on a special diet and supplements for a minimum of 6 months prior to breeding. Pregnancy also requires special diet and supplements with frequent vet visits. The tinier the female, the higher the risk of complications during the pregnancy and birthing with a high risk of emergency c-section and the potential of death for pups and mother alike. Pups should be kept with the mother for a bare MINIMUM of 8 weeks, preferably 12 as the mother not only feeds the pups but helps to teach them proper puppy etiquette.
Be prepared for the cost, talk to your vet about how much a pregnancy with complications can cost. This can run into the thousands, so I hope you have a credit card with a zero balance on it. Hopefully, there will be no problems, but you need to be fully informed as to the realities of breeding teenies, even once.
AKC has great info on this, as do other sites. I have several listed. Good luck, I wish you a healthy, happy outcome.

Answer 6

Unlike the first two people answering your question, i will not interject my personal feelings or opinions or moral standings about breeding. It sounds like the pair would be good mating companions. Something to consider before breeding is to have both male and female checked out by a vet to make sure neither of them have any diseases or genetic conditions that could be passed on. If they are both perfectly healthy, I see no reason why they won't make good healthy pups. Also, please educate yourself. Read articles online or buy books to understand the pregnancy process and birthing process of dogs. Be well prepared when the time comes. Good luck!

Answer 7

Have your chihuahua spayed. It doesn't bring any kind of pleasure or satisfaction to her life to have a litter. All it does is risk her life unneccessarily. I would reccommend finding her some companions at the local pound or animals shelter. I understand you wanting to help your best friend be happy, but having pups will not do that. If you have her spayed, she will be happier, healthier, and also, in the long run, it'll save you a lot of money and time....and could save your dog.

Answer 8

Please get her spayed so she doesn't have problems down the road. Dogs aren't like humans, they don't "need to have babies". Do the world and those of us who care a favor. I've seen to many "just one litter" puppies end up dead or abused and without homes. I'm tired of it.

Answer 9

There is absolutely nothing wrong with her mating with another chihuahua. It is called N-A-T-U-R-E!!!

I would, however, keep her away form the St. Bernards! (sorry--couldn't resist.)

After that, get her fixed unless you plan to breed them..