I want to breed my yorkie
 

Bottle feeding is very time consuming. Don't forget that just like your human baby you may have to shop around for a formula that agrees with your baby.

How many of you folks have a digital scale that allows you to check the wight of the babies? You better get one. I weigh the kids as soon as they are born, Thier weight is checked several times a day- and marked so that I know what is going on. This is done daily for the first 6 weeks.

I check growth by adding the weight of all the puppies together- and then dividing this number by the number of puppies in the litter. If any of the puppies weighs less then this number- get the bottle out and get to work that baby is not getting enough to eat.

Example Puppy A: 3oz Puppy B 5 oz PuppyC 3oz.

Total is 11oz for all three divide 11oz by 3 =3.66 you better start bottle feeding puppy A and Puppy C. If they are eating dry/canned food you need to increase their intake.

This was the formula ( minus the digital scale- what a godsend) that I have used for thirty years and it has been a real blessing in taking the worry out of
the growth problem



Wnalegria

You guys are great! This is a wonderful thread. I don't breed but I do like to know everything that has to do with our yorkies. I take in everything so I have a little more knowledge when someone has a question, even if I'm not answering. Breeding is a big step and I know that sometimes people just think that is easy, "they do it in nature" attitude. Just from being on different boards there are many hearbreaks and deaths that could have been avoided if they only did their homework before hand. Keep the information coming!...

There is alot of very good information on this thread, but something I feel vital hasn't been mentioned. Breeding is not about the couple of months involved with the actual process only-it's about the dogs you produce and your LIFETIME responsibility to them and the Breed itself. Shelters are overpopulated with dogs produced for all the wrong reasons. No, there is no 'perfect' dog, but if it's not as close as you can get, don't breed the poor examples. Not for the experience of it, not to get another one just like your darling, not because you think he should get to 'do it' once before he's fixed, not for any reason other than to try to perpetuate the best qualities of the breed and improve future generations. If you are responsible for putting those dogs on the planet, they are YOUR dogs. Even if they go to live with someone else, they are YOUR dogs until they are gone. AND if you sell them with full registration any dogs they produce are also YOUR dogs and your responsibility. The details of caring for a whelping dam and the litter are minor in comparison to the ramifications of a negligent act. Go and see the shelter dogs. Most are there because they are the product of irresponsible breeding and a breeder who didn't screen and train it's owners on the proper care and training of the pup they sold. Spay and neuter, spay and neuter.

breeding
 

Sylan..you have made the best point. Each pup you produce is yours for life.
If all breeders were required to take back all their unwanted pups,there would be few rescues..in some breeds we are talking about a huge problem. I had a collie rescue once and the Collie people said they were full..same for Boxers and Dals...
Can you magine of puppymillers has to take theirs back..they would be put to sleep so fast.

I want to breed my yorkie
 

Your jumping the gun - we haven't got their yet. You are so right about what you state. I thought that we should take try and take this step by step. I had hoped by talking about some of things I mentioned we could make some folks think twice before they bred thier pet. Then maake others think twice when we got to the things you mentioned.

Look at the posts? How many folks are really getting the point- not many- I see very few questions? Many feel that it is their right to breed no matter what. They put no time ,thought,effort or care into breeding their dog. They can breed so they do. I had hoped that we could follow the process of what is entailed before, during and after the breeding in a way to show folks that the job does not end when a puppy goes out the door. Some have the attitude I paid BIG BUCKS for my puppy and So and So is charging BIG BUCkS for the puppies thay have for and I want to get some also. It is like when someone states what should I sell my puppies for? What are they really asking? Notice no mention of quality of the puppies just what can I charge.

Folks need to take the rose colored glasses off and look at what is really going on.

wnalegria

I didn't mean to jump the gun.. I was just stating what I feel to be the primary point when it comes to breeding. There are no BIG BUCKS if you do this correctly with all the expenses involved and all the minutae of the how to's are not relevant if someone is breeding for the wrong reasons. You are right that the questions need to be asked BEFORE the breeding is done but the biggest question should be 'why are you doing it' and the 'why you should not' needs to be emphasized. Just my opinion.

the daunting task of breeding and breeding correctly is never ending, a good breeder will always breed for quality not quanity.

A new breeder has to consider the life of her mom. Am I breeding for selfish reasons or am I serious about learning how to acheive the perfect pup? Is my darling little companion a strong sound canidate in every way for breeding or it doesnt matter mentality, I think she is cute, she will have cute babies?

For the first time breeder, the excitement of their first breeding for example all goes well whelping (lucky her/him) then what, you wake up to find a puppy death. The "I just wanted to breed her once so I could have another puppy" or "my friends all wanted one" or "I paid so much for her it would be nice to get the money back" theory is out the door.

this is a dated article but nonetheless its a rude awakening of what can happen before and after eventhough it seems you have a healthy litter, can you identify or relate to any of this? http://www.dogstuff.info/diseases_of...d_lanting.html

I remember doing that for bunnies and birds. It is such a good feeling to see a healthy, happy animal and to know that you did your best to get them that way. My husband also bottle/hand fed baby raccoons. My Dad raised a new born squirrel back then they used an eye dropper.

I want to breed my yorkie
 

I think that most of us old timers will tell you that if you do the whole thing right you might break even once in a while but most of the time- you are in the red. The first timer may have the luck and come out making a profit on that first litter- but I doubt that they spent any time picking out the stud- or they used thier own even if it was not a good match they used him to cut costs. What kind of prenatal care did the bitch have. Did they keep the puppies until 9 weeks of age at least and place two vaccinations and wormings in the puppies. Did you have the kids vet checked- did you send them home with a health certificate- did you give a warranty that covers the puppy for at least a year.

Have you ever turned down the client that you talked to on the phone/ or who is at your door with the money in hand. I have done it 4 times in the last 30 days- because it was not the right home for the puppy. The new owner want to be was not listening to a word I had to say and you could tell that they wanted the puppy because he was priced much lower then other puppies of the age and quality being advertised- but they did not want him for himself. They wanted a bargain that they were going to make fit into thier mold. Could I have used the money you bet. The right home will come along and I can sleep at night because I did the right thing for my baby boy. If he stays here and grows old with me so be it. How many of you have gave a puppy to a organization like " Make a wish" no strings just gave the puppy to someone who was ill just to make them happy- and wrote off any profit. There have been years that I did not breed a litter of pupies- there have been years that I have breed 2 and gave all but the ones that I wanted to a sick or terminally ill person- I will get the yorkies back if the adopting folks decide not to keep them. Thought I would share that with you for the person from this forum who left me the message on my website calling me a puppymill. They feel that I do not want others to breed- I just want to breed myself and make all that money. I just want you to use your head when you breed put time, thought and effort into the process.


Wnalegria

I just want to say, just because we choose to breed our pets does not mean we are ignorant of facts. When I purchased my puppies, I thought I might want to breed them. I research everything I do, not just puppies.

I have received a lot of help on this forum, I have five puppies that will be 6 weeks old tomorrow. One pup did not gain weight for the first three days. I purchased a syringe, and a bottle to try to feed him. I had already tried an eyedropper. I decided from speaking to some here that since he was still able to suckle, it would be the best for him. I had the vet check him on day four when they had their tails docked and dew claws removed. She was going to show me how to tube feed him if he failed to thrive.

I had to go out of town for two days on weekend 3. When I returned my mom has serious diarrhea (like choc milk) I did everything I could think of before taking her to the vet -also with advice from here. They had me stop feeding her for 24 hours and gave me 4 cans of prescription diet. She did not have one more runny stool, and began to pick up weight again.

I have wormed the pups and they have an appointment to get their first shots on wednesday. They are happy healthy puppies. It has been a lot of work and a lot of fun. I am still worried about my little one, he is mostly eating on his own now, due to his huge fat siblings pushing him away.

I know sometimes it seems like I might ask stupid questions, but it is not because I don't have a clue. There are a multitude of ways to handle a situation, and I do not necessarily think the vet is the answer to everything. Sometimes common sense and a few suggestions to help consider for a particular situation can keep mistakes from happening. Even vets need help with these small dogs. Our vets handle everything from birds to horses. We are in the country and do not have a vet who specializes in small dogs.

We appreciate your help more than you know. I wish we had computers when I had my children. Every bump I would call my neighbor (she was an occupational therapist - and constantly reminded me she was not a nurse or a doctor, but she was a mom, a friend and a neighbor.

Everyone starts somewhere. If I choose to continue to breed my dogs, I can assure you that they are top quality, blue and gold, AKC, lovely temperments with proper coloring and body size. My pups are lovely and good natured - they kiss and lay on their backs for me to pet them. They got their first baths today. They have a cage in my front livingroom where mom can hop in if she wants to check on them, but they cannot escape, unless I allow them to.

I hope I meet with your approval, but sometimes I do feel like you are a little tough on us. Respectfully submitted.

I want to breed my yorkie
 

It does not matter if You meet with my approval or not. It does not matter if I meet with your approval or not. I had hoped that first time breeders would want to ask some questions before they started breeding. There are a lot of very seasoned breeders on this site who could and would share a wealth of information that they have learned over the years. I did not know anything when I got my first show/breeding gal in the 70's. I had to ask a lot of questions from older wiser breeders as to what I needed and what I was getting myself into. I wanted to be prepared the best that I could to not put my female in a life threatening situation because of my ignorance. I did not want to loose my babies because I did not know what to expect or do. I guess things have changed in the last thirty years and people just naturally
have all the answers. It just had me worrird when someone has a litter of puppies and is asking when they should get their tails docked.


I stand corrected and will step back and will make not make comments or offer any suggestions as it seems to be hurtful to memebers of this forum. I will just read the threads and be silent.


Wnalegria

That is not what I meant at all. You say you want us to ask questions, yet if we do, the response is as if we should have known this all along - and were not properly prepared. Maybe I asked about tail docking, but my vet had said day 3 or 4. My books say day 4. I would still trust your opinion over hers or my books. Experience is the best teacher, and that is what you have. Maybe ALL I have is knowledge, and a love of my babies.

I truly get a lot of great advice from you guys and appreciate it a lot. I know others do as well. I would never try to hurt anyone's feelings.

It is okay to remind us old breeders when we are being too hard on you...we can take it..LOL
It is better to ask questions then make mistakes.
When it comes to tail docking there is no set day. The average is 3 or 4 days. If you have a big fat one, it may be ready at 2..you do not want the area bigger around then the diameter of a pencil.
I have docked as late as 12 days..that was an extreme tiny and the tail was the size of a normal newborn at 10 days. he did not react any different then doing one at 3 days..he was a preemie.

Ok, I'll tell you this - when I took the pups in (I was still worried about how small my little one was and wether I should wait, he was still 3 oz) the vet checked and said he seemed fine. Then she asked me how long I wanted their tails? I was a little surprised she didn't know. Am I too hard on my vet?

Laura dont take offense its just a discussion...we all had to start somewhere and it seems your doing a very good job...you should be proud.

What frightens me, if a first time breeder makes the decision to write on YT instead of going to the vet. Money should never be a consideration, if one cant afford the proper prenatal and postnatal care then one shouldnt be breeding.

First and foremost what is the best for your gal.

If one of my gals are pregnant, or had just given birth and something doesnt feel or look right I never hesitate to take her to the vet. Those few minutes waiting on YT to get an answer could save her life or one of her puppies lives.