Do you breed every heat?

[WV~Yorkies]

I believe in seeking vet's advice but alot times I think I know my girls better than they do. I am here with them 24/7. They look at them for 20 minutes tops. So as far as breeding or skipping I think that is more my call.

I am not arguing about the 4 pounds being to small. I think it is to small and I am scared to breed them. Way to much worry. I do see breeders all the time breeding 4 pound girls and they are free wheplers. That is why I say it has more to do with it than weight.

This might sound silly but I was told once by a breeder that mice, rabbits and other things smaller than 5 pounds have babies with no problems. Look at Chi's most of them are really small. I may not agree with her but it made me say hmmmm.. lol

[jrsygal37]

Originally Posted by WV~Yorkies

I believe in seeking vet's advice but alot times I think I know my girls better than they do. I am here with them 24/7. They look at them for 20 minutes tops. So as far as breeding or skipping I think that is more my call.

I am not arguing about the 4 pounds being to small. I think it is to small and I am scared to breed them. Way to much worry. I do see breeders all the time breeding 4 pound girls and they are free wheplers. That is why I say it has more to do with it than weight.

This might sound silly but I was told once by a breeder that mice, rabbits and other things smaller than 5 pounds have babies with no problems. Look at Chi's most of them are really small. I may not agree with her but it made me say hmmmm.. lol

That is so funny you said that about mice, rabbitts etc. When I got into a discussion about breeding small moms that is what I was told. Well, exactly what was said was "Well bugs have babies." Although, some how I do believe that is a totally different thing from dogs having pups. Just found what you wrote funny, since I had been given the same reasoning. By the way if there are typos in this you have to excuse me. I just came back from ER with a possible fracture and iI'm onpain medswhich are kindof messing my typing andthinking up. LOL. Elaine

[bjh]

Originally Posted by WV~Yorkies

I believe in seeking vet's advice but alot times I think I know my girls better than they do. I am here with them 24/7. They look at them for 20 minutes tops. So as far as breeding or skipping I think that is more my call.

I am not arguing about the 4 pounds being to small. I think it is to small and I am scared to breed them. Way to much worry. I do see breeders all the time breeding 4 pound girls and they are free wheplers. That is why I say it has more to do with it than weight.

This might sound silly but I was told once by a breeder that mice, rabbits and other things smaller than 5 pounds have babies with no problems. Look at Chi's most of them are really small. I may not agree with her but it made me say hmmmm.. lol

Yes, mice and rabbits have babies but they are born hairless and so so tiny and they are a different species. Chi's, I think a lot of them require c-sections too. You do have do consider so much more in breeding than size but when it comes come to breeding the tiny one it is like Clint Eastwood said ' Do you feel lucky'. I just won't take any unnecessary risks. It is scary enough breeding the bigger 6 to 8 lb girls.

[miabellaamoure]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

There are pros and cons on breeding every cycle or breeding twice and skipping once.

A pregnant uterus is a healthy uterus. And then there is the chance of pyrometria because you don't breed. Google the causes of pyrometria. Therefore, as I said on my previous post. Each bitch is different and the decision should be based on a vets recommendation on the health of the bitch and after a thorough physical.

Wish I could have used that response when inquiring minds (idiots) used to ask if we were "Catholic or Morman" cuz we had 5 children...

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by WV~Yorkies

I believe in seeking vet's advice but alot times I think I know my girls better than they do. I am here with them 24/7. They look at them for 20 minutes tops. So as far as breeding or skipping I think that is more my call.

I am not arguing about the 4 pounds being to small. I think it is to small and I am scared to breed them. Way to much worry. I do see breeders all the time breeding 4 pound girls and they are free wheplers. That is why I say it has more to do with it than weight.

This might sound silly but I was told once by a breeder that mice, rabbits and other things smaller than 5 pounds have babies with no problems. Look at Chi's most of them are really small. I may not agree with her but it made me say hmmmm.. lol

Ah! but, that's why I said examined by a repro vet. And even if you use a regular vet, if you are familiar with the tests that should be performed you can take an active participation in your girls medical health and care. There's more than just looking at girls ears, eyes, teeth to deem her fit for breeding.

Blood tests, culture tests, ultra sound, and more should be done. I know that even when all the tests are performed it doesn't give you 100% certaintity that all is fine. Anything can happen, but when the tests are completed it can give you peace of mind that she is fit to proceed with the breeding.

[Sookie]

I have been through a lot trying to find a Vet that knows about the toy breeds. When I first considered breeding Kalina, knowing that she would be AId, I went to my Vet and he said that no way would he do an AI on any dog, ever. He also said he would not do dew claws or tails docking. He did, however, examine Kalina (he had examined her many times previously also) and deemed her healthy, as were the blood work. He did not do an ultrasound and I didn't think to ask. I have always kept her in good shape and she has always received any medical care, etc. that she might need. She is 6 1/2 to 7 pounds and looked well equipped to handle the birthing.

So, I did some research and found a Vet that specialized in reproduction and I thought I had hit the nail on the head. I took Kalina to him and he examined her and said she was great and he did the AI. Along the way, there were several things that he said/did that I was unhappy with. He seemed to think that any dog food was good and never made suggestions in that regard. When the puppies were born so tiny and I didn't think Kalina had enough milk I took them to him immediately. He never really even looked at the puppies and several days later when he removed the tails and dew claws he botched up the removal of the male's dew claw and wanted to put him "under anesthesia" when he was only two weeks old. I actually asked him if he would PLEASE examine them and listen to their hearts. It was the most basic exam I have ever seen.

So, off to Vet #3. He examined the puppies more thoroughly but again I feel that he didn't really know the pitfalls that can accompany the tiny breeds. I am running out of options as far as Vets go and I don't believe it is me, because I am a very easy person to get along with. There is no such thing as a Vet that specializes in toy breeds in my area and I am willing to travel a bit. On the other hand, I would like a Vet nearby in case of an emergency.

So, yes, I do rely a lot on my own knowledge of Yorkies and, since I am with my dogs all the time I feel like I know any changes in them fairly quickly. On the other hand, with regard to reproductive health, I would truly appreciate a Vet that knows more about Yorkies!! I am going to have Matty spayed soon, after Christmas, and I really don't feel comfortable with any of the 3 Vets I have already tried to have a working relationship with. She is very tiny at 4.4 lbs and the whole thing makes me a wreck.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by miabellaamoure

Wish I could have used that response when inquiring minds (idiots) used to ask if we were "Catholic or Morman" cuz we had 5 children...

LOL I had 6 kids in 5 pregnancies. people would ask me, "Are you Catholic" My reply, "No, were careless"

Now I have 18 beautiful grand children. the oldest one is 10. I am very blessed.

I would not take any of it back

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by miabellaamoure

Wish I could have used that response when inquiring minds (idiots) used to ask if we were "Catholic or Morman" cuz we had 5 children...

LOL

I had 6 children from 5 pregnancies. people would ask me "are you Catholic" My relpy, "No, we're careless".

[JeanieK]

sorry about the double post. YT was running so slow I didn't think the first one went.

[blondschilli]

I also have found it is very hard to find the right vet whom knows a lot about the little ones. Most do not. I have been to vet after vet before I found one I was comfortable with. And yes I do have to drive further from my home just to get satisfaction. So that does not help me in a emergency.

[mkbartz]

Wow! I knew my vet was awesome--but I didn't realize how amazing he was in comparison to other breeders. Every visit seems to take a min of 45 min! I found him through my breeder, so although he doesn't specailize in repro he is pretty well versed in yorkies and reproduction!

LOL. I am the 2nd oldest of 10 children. And we aren't Catholic or Mormon either!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by mkbartz

Wow! I knew my vet was awesome--but I didn't realize how amazing he was in comparison to other breeders. Every visit seems to take a min of 45 min! I found him through my breeder, so although he doesn't specailize in repro he is pretty well versed in yorkies and reproduction!

LOL. I am the 2nd oldest of 10 children. And we aren't Catholic or Mormon either!

I've been lucky to find two great vets. The one that I trust 100%, who also owns one of my mentors yorkies and is the vet for most of the yorkie exhibitors in Dallas. He's also on the Board of Vetenarians, works with Dr Susan Centers......amazing man. Doesn't charge an arm and a leg.....and absolutely loves his calling.

My other vet who is a repro/canine nutrion specialists.....another great vet. However, his one draw back is that he doesn't own his own practice. Which makes it difficult to be able to contact him after hours.....But, he's right up there with my Dallas vet.