is it true, That when a dog has it's first litter that the puppies are likely to die?

Question

?????????

My neighbor told me this...I didn't buy it either but thought I'd ask.
And to everyone who keeps saying "as long as they've had vet care" etc etc, how exactly does seeing a vet make them anymore physically capable of giving birth than if they hadn't seen a vet?
Sorry but that doesn't pan out to me....I sopose if they weren't taken care of they need vet care, but in an average happy healthy dog why would vet care or a pure bred certification suddenly validate the litter?
seems like BS to me.

huh, yeah I still don't buy it...I guess I just trust my dog to eat the correct amount of food and to birth ALL of her puppies without forgetting one in there?! Granted sometimes they do need a c-section but I'll agree that has alot to do with a bad match between parents.
So barring a bad match between parents I still don't see the benefit other than to sooth human curiosity.

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

Uh, no. Sometimes if the mother is really young or isn't physically built in a way that allows easy delivery, there can be some major issues. Some mothers are also so high strung that they do kill and/or eat their puppies but that's not too common, especially with mature females. Poor nutrition can also cause issues but this has nothing to do with how many litters the dog has had. Health also plays a part, especially if the dam has brucellosis but most health issues can be found BEFORE breeding and that is the owner's problem, not the dog's. Most of the time the pups are fine though if the delivery goes well. If it doesn't, prompt vet care usually saves most, if not all, of the puppies.

Answer 3

The plus of pre vet care is the vet knows if she is gaining the right amount of weight to little or to much could be dangerous xrays show how many pups so you will know when she is done and no pups are left inside her unborn the vet can go by the size of the pups to see if she can give birth ok or will need a c-section this is only a few reasons they need vet care after all don't we visit the doctor while we are

Answer 4

Not true at all -- I have never lost a first litter -- actually usually only have first litters :) I will say that most dogs owned by people who are too ignorant as to breeding and whelping will likely loose their litter and maybe die themselves due to the neglegence of their owner. No one should be breeding a dog that doesn't know what they are doing and aren't doing it with the best interest of the future of the breed as primary, and until they have learned a great deal about their breed, breeding strategies and general animal husbandry / care.

Answer 5

It all depends. Some first time moms have an extremely difficult time in delivery, and the stress and pressure transfers to the puppies. If the owner is not an experienced breeder, the puppies may need assistance and a first time mom may not know what to do or how to help, and the human owner may not know either.

However, many first time moms are great with litters.

Answer 6

Since you "don't use vets" (other question you asked about your pregnant female) and thus presumably haven't had the mother checked out throughout pregnancy, didn't have her genetic or health tests done prior to breeding, and don't intend to involve a healthcare professional in whelping, then yes, the puppies stand a greater risk of being unhealthy and possibly dying than had you taken all necessary steps before thinking about breeding.

Answer 7

Its really hard to tell there is a lot of variables. The size of the dog can be factored in and the size of the litter. If your dog is pregnant you should always ask your vet as many questions as you like.

Answer 8

Not at all. You should be there to supervise, help if necessary. Spend the time in the whelping box to make sure the ***** doesnt' squish anyone. I have never heard of or seen a first litter dying, unless someone was negligent or had bred their ***** too young.

Answer 9

Nope. My Siant Bernard had 10 puppies and they all survived. The mom will try to push away some of the smaller ones instinctively, all u have to do is keep letting the smaal ones nurse.

Answer 10

No. They are more likely to die if the owner of the first time mom is clueless. Puppies can fade quickly and unless you know what to look for and have a good vet at the ready, THAT is why puppies likely die.

Answer 11

No that is not true, but if you breed a female on her first heat (or two), you may have a higher rate of complications that jeopardize her life and therefore her puppies. Be prudent if you breed at all, and allow the female to finish maturing her organs.