What should we do?

[judyb]

Hi everybody. I would like some advice regarding our 4 1/2 pound female. Initially we thought we might breed her after she got older. Maybe just once for the family experience. We have children, and I thought we might all enjoy caring for puppies. Our children are older, 9 and 15. At first I was told by Lexi's breeder that we should not breed her unless she makes it to 5 pounds. I was in the vets office the other day to get her bordetello for Lexi since she was going to the groomers and I mentioned that she was not going to get big enough to breed. She is 8 months old. They dissagreed with me and said they have small litters all the time and the important thing is to make sure that the daddy is small also. I really do not want to endanger my dogs life so I suggested to my husband that maybe we should just forget about breeding her and get her spayed. But he said he could not stand to have her put under anestesia for the spaying. He is afraid she might have a reaction to that. (She also has a couple of extra teeth that need to be removed). I know she might need a c section which is also surgery if she got pregnant which would also cause her to be put under. What are some of ya'lls opinions? I am totally open to suggestions. We have not made any decisions regarding this. We also thought we might make a little money on her puppies but maybe not? We would have to pay for the stud and what else???? Is it not worth it? She is the coolest, sweetest , dog in the world.

[Jaspermom]

If you feel she is the coolest sweetest dog in the world, why would you consider endangering her life with a litter? She is too little, and it seems to me that you have not bred dogs before. If I am wrong about that, I apologize.

There are many threads on here that can tell you all about the dangers of letting your dog whelp. There are also some very recent grief stricken ones from people who lost their females as recently as last night.

I wouldn't put my pup through it. I will let the breeders give you all the reasons why not.

[chachi]

I would not breed her and would have her spayed if she were mine. I think an experienced breeder can push it and maybe breed a 4 1/2 lb yorkei but I dont think someone that is inexperienced at breeding sholuld be breeding even a 5 lber that is still pushing it as far as I am concerned.

[judyb]

So breeding her is much more dangerous than spaying? Just asking. It seems like I have read post from people that have lost their precious dogs both ways. That is why I was asking if maybe we should do neither? I am a sponge, not an expert, so enlighten me.

[chachi]

There is some risk when you have them spayed but I think the health benefits outweigh the small risk there is. There are many dogs spayed and neutered safely everyday. I definitely think there would be more of a risk if she got pregnant.

[Jaspermom]

Originally Posted by chachi

There is some risk when you have them spayed but I think the health benefits outweigh the small risk there is. There are many dogs spayed and neutered safely everyday. I definitely think there would be more of a risk if she got pregnant.

Here Here!

[Olivier]

If she is small , spaying is the better thing to do .


Personally , I would not allow too many peoples around a Yorkie when whelping because she is already nervous when starting . Also , if she have complications , it will not be a very good experience for the kids to watch .

[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

I would agree that not breeding her is the best idea. She is just a little too small to make sure that all goes safe, not that there is ever a guarantee. But I would say spaying her is much safer, our Magic was only 3lbs when she was spayed and came out just fine, yes there are times where things don't go right, but spaying her would be for the best. I am sure the breeders on here can give you more information about why not to breed her!!

[Lexi Rae]

spay, spay spay spay,spay spay is way for you to go

[gymbo68]

There are all kinds of horror stories in the breeder section about breeding "smaller" girls...I do not have experience and would recommed you do a lot of research prior.......

[ttreatsyorkies]

She will need to have those baby teeth out and no better time for that than when she is being spayed. Make sure you are comfortable with your vet though. I think some vets are not as experienced with the little guy's as they are with the big ones.
There are many more risks breeding her at her size than there are spaying her. Besides the stud fee you have x-ray, check-ups, tail docking, shots worming, food, and many other things when there is a litter. I only had two with this past litter and they have already cost me $600. Raising a good healthy litter is not cheap.
You also need to make sure that your little one is breed quality, no luxating patellas, bile test, a good pedigree. Good luck in your choice.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by gymbo68

There are all kinds of horror stories in the breeder section about breeding "smaller" girls...I do not have experience and would recommed you do a lot of research prior.......

We have one in the RIP section today where the mother and all the pups but one have died. This wasnt a small yorkie that was bred either. We also have a breeder on here that almost lost her small yorkie during a c section.

[YorkieRose]

Unless you are a breeder you probably have not heard about the "Yorkie wheel" in the sky.
When you decide to breed a litter, you spin the wheel..sometimes it stops on a space in your favor and all goes wonderfully..no problems, beautiful pups, mom is fine..lucky you!
Sometimes it stops on a space not so lucky...the worst is a dead mother, dead pups, sections, sick pups, sick mother, tears, heartbreak and lots of money.
The really miserable thing about this crazy wheel spinning is, do it enough and you can be guaranteed it will land on the worst place possible at some point for you. Always has in the past, always will in the future.
Good Luck in whatever you decide.

[teri88]

I'm no expert, but I would like to add one other thing. If I was you, I'd find a new vet. For them to encourage you to breed a small girl is just bad practice, in my opinion. You need someone who is experienced in small dogs and that should also make the spaying safer. JMO. I can see you are a very caring and loving yorkie owner because you are asking questions and doing your homework BEFORE making a decision. good luck

[yorkieusa]

They can do a complete battery of tests before putting a yorkie under anesthesia. Have that done. I would never risk my yorkie's life for breeding. Not in a million years.