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Originally Posted by CC's Are you defining a "tiny" as anything under 5 lbs? The fact is that most general vets do not have a lot of experience with breeding and whelping. The best professionals to ask would be the reproductive specialists, but since most people don' t have those then it will be interesting to see what th vets say.
From the responses I am hearing so far, it sounds like they are advising against breeding period regardless of size. It is important ask for the rationale for their opinion as well like, increased risk of c-section, smallness means they have less "reserves", smallness means there won't be room for the puppies, whatever.
The breed standard for chihuahuas is 2-6 lbs but they can be mush larger so is it okay to breed a 3 lb chihuahua? If the basic argument for not breeding a smaller yorkie is that smaller equals more rsk then is the ame true for chihuahuas which are slightly smaller than yorkies on average?
I know all this type of information has been posted before but one more time for people thinking about breeding "tiny" females.
I consider any female under 5 pounds to "tiny" for breeding. I use the 5 pounds as a general reference for non-breeders.
I actually measure the space in the pelvic bones. A 5 pound Yorkie with narrow hips I wouldn't breed. BUT I have never seen a 4 pound or under female with the pelvic width needed to free whelp safely IMO. Vets also go by pelvic bone width.
A breeder knows what this size should be.
Some breeders consider C-Sections almost routine and not a problem. I don't think so. I don't care what size a female is, if she can't free whelp she will be spayed.
I can honestly say up to this point I have never had to have any C-Sections and I don't breed over standard Yorkies. Not that something couldn't happen to cause a C-Section but I haven't had to have any. My females are 5.5-6.5 pounds. I routinely get small pups, so much so that I haven't had any females to keep for my own program.
There is an increased risk of C-Section, of Uterine Inertia, Rupture, extreme fatigue.
If every single Yorkie in the bloodlines for at least 5 generations, (all littermates as well in 5 generations) were free whelpers, under 4 pounds as adults, then maybe it would be safe. But I don't know one single line like that.
I think if you talk to responsible Chi breeders you will find they want their Dam's 4-6 pounds, and Chi's are the smallest breed.
When I find a specialist with Yorkie breeding experience and knowledge of the breed I'll ask them what they think. |
Great info. How do you measure pelvic width and do regular vets do this or do you have to go to a specialist? Is it done with an x-ray? This is what I was told too. Thanks for the info on the chi as well. This all is making more sense now. I hope you find a specialist to ask. We have been searching for one.
I am not criticizing you Kimberley but there is no possible way to answer this poll unless you happen to fall into the first category because the "NO" category states that there is "NO" risk and there is always risk even when breeding a 6 lb female so no legitimate vet would say that. The last option was not a serious one.