Breeding Size

[brodysmom]

Just because a dog CAN be bred doesn't mean it should. I also agree with responsible and ethical breeding. To me this means knowing the lines behind your dog and having your dog compared to the standard of your country, which usually means you will be showing your dog. Angie, do you show? Did you buy from a show breeder? Most breeders don't use an 'in-house' stud just because he's there. Breedings are done to improve the breed and to improve upon the sire and dam. It's very unlikely that the stud dog you have would be a great match for her.

[Sarah]

Also whilst I'm on my soap box lol with regards to your boys size his size doesn't matter it what's behind him and also her.. My bitch was 4lb 12oz prior to mating her (crufts qualified) bred her to a 5.5lb dog (2cc, 2rcc) knowing full well that her lines have some bigger pups behind them and that the sire has larger sized pups that finish off early.. She shelled them like peas and they were average sized pups. They are 16 weeks old now and should be between 4-5.5lb adults

[Kristi]

I did breed my 3 lb 14 oz bitch. I had her evaluated by three long time breeders who all felt she had appropriate bone structure and overall healthy to be bred from despite being very small. I knew she had a history of smaller free whelping bitches behind her also. People would always ask me what she weighed and the easiest answer is 4 lbs. LOL. But before breeding and after she came back from the stud she was right around that 3 3/4 lb mark.

She finished her championship and her grand championship, and I had her health tests re-done (OFA Patella, Cardiac, CERF), before shipping her off to one of the nicest studs in the country that also complimented her who also has proven himself in the show ring and in the puppies he has produced. It was EXPENSIVE as heck.

Three weeks ago my little bitch free whelped three beautiful girl puppies. The first one was a tight fit but she is thriving despite having to be pulled. I did a lot of research and I had a very helpful and experienced friend on the line that helped me remember everything I had learned to get that puppy out. The other two puppies came out very quickly and smoothly!

My biggest reasoning for choosing a stud for her close to her size is I did not want my bitch injured during mating and I wanted her to be mated naturally if at all possible. I didn't choose a small stud to try to get small puppies or anything like that. If I were to use a stud larger than 4.75 lbs for her, I absolutely would AI. The health of my bitch is of utmost importance to me.

The one thing I can't stress enough is you simply can't know too much before you breed. You can't have too many resources. You can't have too much time. You can't buy too many books or talk to too many people. You can expect for the puppies to consume your life for their first week or two of life even if they are born healthy. You can and should expect problems, have money for a c-section, and have your vet fully informed throughout the whole process. Buy everything anyone suggests you buy - you just might need it. Be aware that not all puppies are going to make it. Understand the normal whelping process and then find every problem that has occurred that you can and study what was done to resolve the situation. Start years ahead of time.

And when the puppies are finally ready to be born? You will realize just how little you know...

There is nothing wrong with wanting to breed but definitely research and do it responsibly. Health test. Learn your lines. Study dogs and the standard for the breed. All dogs will have faults but you have to ask yourself if they are faults you want to see again and again or not.

There is no shortage of puppies born so don't breed just for puppies. There are a lot of people here that are more than happy to answer questions and help you along just like others did us, I am sure

Definitely realize you are, without a doubt, risking the life of your bitch to breed her. So you had better have a darn good reason for doing so!

[Sarah]

Lol obvious we've had recent litters that we're hard work!!

I will never get over those first 3 weeks and how hard I fought to save my bitch puppy. I can tell you now my litter cost me an awful lot of money not because I had a c section coz I didn't but I had a very very sick little girl who sadly died. People pass comments but unless they have been through it they can't even begin to understand the grief.

It's not all plain sailing unless you're a byb it seems!!!

[Kristi]

I also lost a pup but it was dead at birth so it was much less heart wrenching than what Sarah went through but it still was sad and you want answers but there are none.