Ultrasound tomorrow, maybe confirm pregnancy!
 

Hi everyone! I'm almost afraid to post, not wanting fiercely negative answers to my questions...I have been reviewing this site for almost 4 weeks now and I have been impressed with the relationships between more experienced and least experienced members. What I've read today after registering has not given me peace about posting, but I do understand that there were a couple extreme threads/posts about bad breeding choices. However, I have researched breeding Yorkie's and feel ultimately safe that my choice to breed Sophie was a positive decision partly based on information I have found here on this site. :)

Please be gentle and truthful. I am not a breeder, but chose to breed my 4 year old Yorkie on July 2 & 3, 2012. This breeding is primarily to satisfy Sophie's natural mothering instinct before we spay her. I am hoping that she is indeed pregnant, because we would love to have another Yorkie in our home! We love Sophie and she is another one of my babies (I have 4 kids, 12-18 years old). :love:

So here's the nitty gritty of my post:
As mentioned above, she successfully tied 4 times July 2-3. The sire is a 5 1/2 pound chocolate Yorkie. Sophie is 11 pounds and is a beautiful blonde and golden haired Yorkie (even though her pedigree is listed as black/tan). She is 4 1/2 years old and is very maternal by instinct. She is very good-natured and very social with our family (and to anyone who will show her affection).

After we returned the sire (Cocoa) to his owner, Sophie just behaved oddly to me. I don't know if it was due to her losing her virginity, but she was more withdrawn behaviorally. However, she also became immediately clingy and needs to be next to someone almost constantly. She was more independent before, so this was a new behavior. Within a few days after the sire went home, her appetite changed...it was odd. She always had eaten hard food, but within that first week she rejected her food and barely ate. I chose to get her soft food just to make sure she maintained her nutritional needs. I even bought a different, better quality food, just in case that was the problem (as in taste changes). At first I mixed soft and hard food together. She ate both for about 1 1/2 days, very little though. Then she wouldn't eat the mixture anymore. I then gave her only soft food and she will eat that. As an FYI, whenever she was hungry or needed more water, she would find me and basically stalk me or poke me with her nose and then I would know she needed food or water. However, she has not been doing that. She slowly eats her food and walks away from it, sometimes not eating it all and I would only give her about 1/4 of a regular sized can of soft food. She would only eat once a day, until yesterday. She came looking for me in the evening and I knew she was hungry since she had water (BTW, her water intake seems lower than before breeding). She ate almost all of her second meal yesterday. :animal36

Other symptoms besides being more clingy and decreased appetite were her nipples seemed to be more erect and longer than before. I tried very hard to not be overly expectant of her possibly being pregnant, so I waited to post here until I have been more than 50% convinced that she is pregnant. I noticed yesterday that her belly seemed more full, a couple of inches below her sternum to about the last 2 nipples. It's not completely full looking, like a balloon, but rather more on either side of her abdomen. If she is pregnant, tomorrow she will be 24 days from the last day of breeding. I do have a well check appointment with her vet tomorrow and the doctor said we can try an ultrasound to see if we can confirm a pregnancy. Doc also said that if pregnancy can't be determined tomorrow, we will do another ultrasound next week at 30 days (no extra charge!)

I know that this post is extremely long, but I wanted to give a complete history of Sophie's behavior, etc.

Now I ask of you all who choose to answer to give me more information and resources so that I can investigate and research more about specific pregnancy and whelping details (including lists of must haves for whelping). My goals are to be a responsible and knowledgeable Yorkie parent and possible "grand-parent". Thanks so much to all of you in advance!:aimeeyork

When you breed your dog that makes you a breeder you decided how good a breeder you are. You should not have breed two non standard yorkies because breeding is to make the breed better. Also a dog does not miss not being a mom if she is not breed they are not like humans and would be fine without being moms. You need someone who has breed before you to be there with you through the dogs birth and you need to know all symptoms of problems that would make you need to rush her to the vet. Small dogs are known to have problems whelping so I hope you have money set aside for a c-section if necessary as well as for all other care she and the puppies will need. Did you get your female in the stud tested before breeding them to make sure your not going to have sick puppies with genetic disorders? Are both parents free of LP? Do you have a plan for the other puppies or just the one you are going to keep? Do you know about docking the tails and taking care of the dew claws? Do you plan on keeping this puppies until 12 weeks?

I promise to be gentle and truthful. You should not have bred and then ask for pregnancy and whelping details. You should already have experience and a mentor in place before deciding to breed your girl. While you say you have researched, your words kind of suggest otherwise. Dogs do not act oddly because they have lost their virginity. The truth is, people choose to breed their dogs because they want puppies, and not because their dog wants puppies. Your choice to breed Sophie was not based on information found on this site. This site doesn't encourage inexperienced folks breeding their off standard dogs that lack full genetic testing (much more than a wellness physical). Please try to find someone experienced who can be there to help with the whelping. Your girl's life depends on it. So many things can go wrong with such small dogs. I hope others can give you specific names of books to read and other things you can do to help you prepare. You also need to set aside about $3000. in case of emergency c-section. Perhaps you can apply for Care Credit now, just in case you need it later. I wish you good luck for a safe, problem free whelping.

I will be truthful and as kind as I possibly can be. To keep me from pulling out my soap box, I will TRY to be brief and to the point.
1) Google supplies needed for whelping, and take notes....the list is a little long.
2) Be sure you have a way to pay for any emergencies that ALWAYS occur in the middle of the night, usually on weekends or holidays....$3000.00-$5000.00 should cover the cost for the momma as well as any emergent care any of the babies need.
3)Google Videos on whelping....you can watch a whelping happen....it would be nice if you will at least have seen one before your little lady entrusts you with her life in this situation.
Just FYI: Dogs have no concept of what is in the future....they exist in the moment. A female does not know anything about puppies and does not long for a litter....no such thing as "a natural mothering instinct". With dogs, it is more like, "What you dont know and never had, you dont miss". Likewise, the concept of "virginity" does not exist in a dog's realm of existance. I really wish I could give the names of books where you could be completly prepared for what is about to happen....it took me ....oh, about 23 years to learn everything I personally felt was crucial to successfully breed for healthy, strong puppies, that at the very least, complied as closley as possible to the breed standard. But that is just me....I dont like getting in the middle of a swamp before I realize there are alligators in there too! Good luck with your litter....get busy researching and reading and watching videos, you are going to need all this information in the event of a problem. If you can find a vet tech you can pay to help you during this, it will be worth your money....may save a life.......

4 1/2 years old is late for a first litter. From what I have read here, if they don't have the first litter before the age of 3, their pelvis isn't as flexible. Be prepared for a c-section.

ETA: There are many very knowledgeable people here that can point you in the right direction, but that doesn't replace someone experienced being right there in person with your whelping pup. See if you can find a mentor that is experience with the whelping of TOY dogs, maybe your vet can suggest someone.

Disappointed...it's unfortunate.
 

To everyone who has thoughtfully posted to my question:

First off, thank you for your time. From here on out, you will see in no particular order my response to some of your post content.

I have read and watched videos. I am fully prepared to take care of my girl in any situation. I have a mentor who is an experienced breeder that is willing to come to my house anytime she is needed. Even though it's none of your business, but my mentor had not been available this week due to having just whelped a new litter in her home.

I do think that each female dog (or any female animal) has a maternal instinct of some sort, which is highly visible when seeing my Sophie with puppies. If you disagree, that is your opinion and right to do so.

The bit about the virginity thing was actually written to have a little humor in it, but it's obvious that none of you have really read and understood what I've written.

If you're going to help me, then do it. If you're not going to help me gain even more knowledge and relevant information, then do not post a reply. If the damage has already been done on my end, then scolding or trying to intimidate someone with your infinite wisdom is not necessary.

You all chose to write something on my post, but you had the choice to not write and allow someone who is willing to help me with my requests and leave your negativity out. Feel free to delete your posts.

It's very unfortunate that you who have publicly posted your less than helpful support have not followed the administrator's guidelines of posting. I think you members need to review the FAQS section regarding the guidelines of how this site was meant to be used and re-familiarize yourselves.
Here's the link: YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - FAQ: vBulletin FAQ

One last thing, re-read your less then helpful responses to my questions and then re-read the first concern that I had written on my original post. Just in case you won't do that, here is a quote:
"I'm almost afraid to post, not wanting fiercely negative answers to my questions...I have been reviewing this site for almost 4 weeks now and I have been impressed with the relationships between more experienced and least experienced members. What I've read today after registering has not given me peace about posting, but I do understand that there were a couple extreme threads/posts about bad breeding choices."

KimInMD, I did want you to know that I did not come to this forum to inquire of basic details after breeding. My intentions were to get MORE information on top of what I have already learned. I do appreciate your concern for Sophie.

All I can add to this is Good Luck, hope everything turns out the way you want it to

The deed is done. I would read all you can. And it is best if you can have someone with you that has been thru birthing yorkies. I breed a few times and was very lucky to have a mentor besides my daughter who worked for a vet. I was lucky and everything went well. But after joining this forum I decided to not do it again. My yorkie was bigger like yours and had seven pups. I bred her three times I own the dad also. All three times seven pups. I was very lucky and the pups all got amazing homes. And mom was able to raise them. But what I have learned is there are way more sad cases where people lose there momma and pups. Or have major vet bills. Hope the vet visit went well. Keep us posted and good luck.

You should have known all info before breeding her. Do you not realize she could die if something goes wrong which it very well could especially if you have done all the necessary research.

I would have also hope you learned breeding off standard dogs is a no no too.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/bre...-supplies.html

If you review this thread you will find some answers and some links to good sites, including a video on whelping.

You can search under different terms (upper right hand bar), and get the links to older threads. I mention this as I didn't realize for about one year that you could do this. I am Not so internet/forum savvy.

Wow. You can't expect to come onto a breed-specific website such as this and have everyone spouting sunshine and rainbows to your request:rolleyes: There are quite a few very experienced, educated, knowledgeable breeders here who studied and researched for YEARS before breeding. They have been in the show world, studied genetics, can trace the lineage of their breeding pairs back several generations, and breed to IMPROVE the breed. And you want to just waltz in here with a pregnant female and expect everyone to jump to your aid, and demand no negative comments:laugh:

With that said, I wish you well with this breeding and hope that your little girl comes out unscathed. The deed is already done, as someone said, and going forward maybe you would consider educating yourself a little further before embarking on any more breeding ventures.

Good luck!

This is a public post board you are going to get posts you don't like. People here feel very strongly about breeding and it's not just something that should be taken lightly. If our posts were against the rules then they would be deleted! Life is not all rainbows and sunshine especially when we are talking about a living things life! My dog mothers her toys and does amazing with puppies too but I would never risk her life to breed her because of that and she will never feel like she missed out. Plus I'm not a breeder and she is not a standard yorkie.

Lovetodream88, thank you for your concern...I do believe that for non-show dogs there is not a non-standard Yorkie breed. That is your opinion and from what I have learned from my mentor and other reputable sources of information about breeding (not here of course) is that the demeanor of the dog has become an important "standard" of breeding for non-show Yorkies.

hello...
i know people seem to have an opinion on breeding but it is the owners choice if to breed or not.

my girl is due august 24.... for a couple of days she sulked a bit....(loss of virginity ;))
and after mating her season continued. after 2 weeks her boobs started to grow...
then after a very long 4 weeks....came the ultrasound...with at least 5 seen.

around day 35 there was a clear discharge which is the mucus plug forming.
if it smells...it is pyometra...(medical emergency)

i have a book of the bitch...it seems to have most things in there... but there are some small things not in the book that experienced breeders might help with...once they get past dont breed etc...
4 years is a little old for the first litter so c section is possible....
check out my thread.....
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/bre...on-please.html

i just posted a photo of her at day 37 (today)...5 weeks 2 days
also the stud is all tan...

This IS a public post, I agree! However my post was for people who would graciously give me MORE information than what I already know! Sophie is not a small animal, she comes from a pedigree that has very healthy pups and a mother who had NO PROBLEMS whelping. You wouldn't know this because you and others are insinuate that anybody who is not a "professional breeder" is a sub-standard person who doesn't care about their dog!

The FAQS section very openly states (this is paraphrased) that if you cannot post a response that helps the person who posted questions, then do not post. Let someone else post who IS trying to be helpful post!

I may be new in the sense of being a member here, but I am NOT new to the world of animal care. I believe that most of you in the breeder's section who have posted here have superiority complexes and no one will ever be good enough, ever...Keep in mind that EVERYONE started somewhere, whether a casual breeder or professional show dog breeder.

I am NOT looking for fluffy, sparkly answers...I am looking for helpful and relevant information regarding MY ORIGINAL POST, of which most have NOT provided.

I have much information, I have a mentor, I have a list of whelping supplies, I have tests, I have researched "worse case scenarios", I have researched the breed and history of the breed, I have a trustworthy vet! WHAT MORE DOES ANYONE WANT FROM ME!! You all want me to cry and beat myself up for being a "newbie"???? Forget it, that's not gonna happen! If you do not want to give me personal experiences and such, then quit posting replies! You're "help" is unwanted...most of you have poisoned this thread. Shame on you!

Go ahead and pat yourselves on the back if your intentions were to be unhelpful and without any support whatsoever. Regardless of your opinions and "strong feelings" against breeding a healthy, larger Yorkie who is non-standard, then continue breeding your way, but do not stomp on others who are responsible, but have NO DESIRE to breed to your standards or show dog standards! There are many above standard and qualified people who want a Yorkie, but do not want a "show dog". They want a beautiful and loving pet to join their family and to love them as long as they're alive. I will not be responding to anyone else's ignorant opinions, for that matter I will not be responding to this thread any further. Go celebrate amongst yourselves and I hope one day that you will have an understanding of real people.

Anyone who is actually willing to help as I have requested, feel free to PM me. :) Otherwise, move on.

Not sure exactly what that means; but I will return to your sentence in a moment.

Temperament of any breed is of critical importance when selecting what two dogs should be bred together. In fact it is of such importance that responsible breeders will not breed a wrong temperament dog or bitch!. Be they show breeders or not! In fact it is much more likely that show breeders have had their pups and young adults temperament tested. The first temperament test is done when the pups are around 8wks old (in the case of the toy breeds). This is done to assess the litter in terms of helping to match up the pups to the best owner for the pup. The next temperament test or TT (title that is earned) is after the dog is 15mths or older. This test evaluates the dog's working abilities and "steadiness" of temperament, along with other qualities that go into any dog's overall temperament. The dog's drive will be evaluated, it's reactiveness, it's socialbility, it's relative dominence, and if there are aggressive tendencies. Many toy breeds elect not to do the TT; I've yet to do it with my Yorkie; but hope to get it done this summer.

Placing a high drive dog in a home environment that will provide not nearly enough stimulation for the dog, will likely create some unhappy owners and an unhappy dog.
Likewise placing a timid, sensitive, and or laid back dog, into a busy active and noisey household would not be a good match up either.

I'm not sure what your first sentence is trying to portray. A Yorkie either meets the AKC or CKC or FCI standard or it doesn't!. I've selected these three registries as three of the most respected and perhaps better known ones. CKC btw stands for Canadian Kennel Club.

If you are deliberately breeding off standard dogs to each other, then you do the breed I love a huge dis-service. You are not either "preserving" the breed nor are you improving the breed.

Breeding to the standard is what over time keeps all the traits of quite simply what makes a Yorkie a Yorkie. Size, structure, health, and temperament.

Hi geo78!! Thank you for your reply!! Whether you know it or not, you are a blessing to me here! Thank you for your understanding, humor and help! I will read your thread very soon! From my research, 5-5 1/2 yrs. and older were considered too old to breed...but there is a chance that out of the countless hours of reading, that the information was not current or updated. I will be prepared for a cesarean, if that is necessary. Thank you again for your help! :)

Thank you, gemy! Your reply was actually very helpful and informative, presented in a respectful way. I understand and agree your comment, "Temperament of any breed is of critical importance when selecting what two dogs should be [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]bred[/COLOR][/COLOR] together. In fact it is of such importance that responsible breeders will not breed a wrong temperament dog or bitch!. Be they show breeders or not! In fact it is much more likely that show breeders have had their [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]pups[/COLOR][/COLOR] and young adults temperament tested. The first temperament test is done when the pups are around 8wks old (in the case of the [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]toy [COLOR=green !important]breeds[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]). This is done to assess the litter in terms of helping to match up the pups to the best owner for the pup. The next temperament test or TT (title that is earned) is after the dog is 15mths or older. This test evaluates the dog's working abilities and "steadiness" of temperament, along with other qualities that go into any dog's overall temperament. The dog's drive will be evaluated, it's reactiveness, it's socialbility, it's relative dominence, and if there are aggressive tendencies. Many toy breeds elect not to do the TT; I've yet to do it with my Yorkie; but hope to get it done this summer.

Placing a high drive dog in a home environment that will provide not nearly enough stimulation for the dog, will likely create some unhappy owners and an unhappy dog.
Likewise placing a timid, sensitive, and or laid back dog, into a busy active and noisey household would not be a good match up either."

Sophie and her stud are AKC registered and from what I've understood concerning registration qualifications are that it is to register primarily that the breed is purebred and registering the animal further provides a purebred's pedigree. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I guess I will have to live with breeding 2 non standard Yorkies and if I keep all of the pups to love and care for myself, than that is what I will do. If there is some unspeakable mutation/defect to having bred my black/tan with a chocolate, these pups will not be euthanized or dumped in a pet rescue facility. I just wanted to add that last part, just in case someone feels that my choice to breed was an unforgivable "mistake". Thank you again, gemy! You were honestly very helpful!

Do lots of research and get totally prepared for anything and everything. Here is a website that is very helpful when I first decided to become a breeder. Very informative and has a list of everything yo will need for a successful whelp. http://www.debbiejensen.com/table.html

Whelping box: something that will allow mamma to get out of but not the pups. You could build your own, I found instructions for one below that is simular to the one that I built and work perfectly.

Whelping Box, Build Dog Litter Whelping Box, Whelping Box Plan Puppy

Other options:
child's swimming pool
spare closet
spare bathroom
utility closet

Whatever you use or put them you will want to be sure to get something to protect your floors. (table cloth, thick sheet of plastic that you can get from Hobby Lobby typically use as table clothes found in the fabric section.

Soft bedding: you'll want to use thing that are washable and reusable like old baby blanket, quilts, linin, towels or rugs (these can be found at garage sales and Good Will stores) Dont use anything that you wont want ruined since they wont be good for much else afterwards.

Start saving your news papers now, your going to need them to line the whelping box with and change out a couple of times a day.

I can see you can handle yourself very well....good for you! There really are people on here like myself who want to help. Tension run high and we all just have different ways of expressing what is to be considers helpful. As you can see.

I think there is a MAJOR difference between "less than helpful support" and constructive criticism.....If you want to gain as much knowledge as possible, from people that are true professionals (and most have very respected reputations in their particular areas of expertise), you are going to have to accept constructive criticism and not take offense with what is given to you, free of charge and based on YEARS of study and experience. Just because you were not coddled and treated like a small child that is learning to stay within the lines as you color a picture, does NOT mean you have been harrassed or abused or insulted. THERE WAS NOTHING SHARED WITH YOU THAT WOULD HAVE DESERVED A SLAP FROM THE ADMINISTRATORS. Please put your "Big Girl Panties" on and realize you have jumped into a forum, with very little or no experience, and asked for assistance from some people that have been "paying their dues in breeding and showing", for 30+ years. Dont be offended if you are addressed by people who have spent many thousands of dollars, and hundreds of thousands of hours, researching and studying and taping pedigrees together on the living room floor for 12-18 hours a day, weeks on end, so they can see back 35 generations, who was bred to whom, when, then correlating that time line to any genetic issues that may have cropped up....You have jumped into the ring with professionals that have devoted the majority f their adult lives to keeping this wonderful breed ON TRACK AND TRUE TO THE BREED STANDARD!!!! WE DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY!!! Additionally, I would like to suggest you add several DOG PSYCHOLOGY books to your research, so you will understand that what you consider "opinion" is in FACT proven, EVIDENCED BASED results....dogs do NOT have a desire to have babies!!! If they have NEVER seen a puppy, or they have never been bred, they DO NOT KNOW THAT EXPERIENCE AND DO NOT "LONG" FOR IT. THEY ARE DRIVEN BY INSTINCT...INSTINCTS THAT ARE INITIATED AND SUPPORTED BY HORMONAL CHANGES......HORMONAL CHANGES STIMULATED BY ESTRUS, WHICH ARE THEN PUT INTO PLAY AS THEY BECOME PREGNANT AND HAVE THE BABIES. FOR EXAMPLE, EATING THE PLACENTAS PROVIDES THEM HORMONES THAT STIMULATE A BONDING FOR THE PUPPIES......THIS IS NOT OPINION, IT IS FACT. Anyone that is going to be successful doing this, even once, has to understand the difference between "opinion" and "fact" or they are lost and will stumble blindly through this endeavor. Learn to take supportive criticism, constructive criticism, and LEARN from it...dont throw up a "talk to the hand" attitude. Take information that is given to you, even critism, analyze what is given to you so you can actually see if YOU can utilize that information, and go from there. YOU CAN EVEN BENEFIT FROM INFORMATION YOU MAY FEEL IS JUST OPINION....IT MAY BE JUST OPINION, BUT IT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH AND STUDY, NOT JUST "BS" THAT WAS DREAMED UP TO CONFUSE OR DEMEAN THE TOPIC.

:yeahthat::thumbup::thumbup:

Yorkiemom1, I actually agree with most of what you've written. I am not offended, disappointed yes, but not offended. I asked for information, not a bunch of vehement replies! I appreciate how many people can be dedicated to specialty breeding with how much time and money is invested. I do think that all of the members here should learn how to communicate with respect, regardless of what level one may be in their endeavors.

Even though the statement is disrespectful, my "big girl panties" are pulled up. I will not let you or anyone else try to make me feel less than worthy of anyone's help and if I need to speak out to show that you nor anyone is not helping me, then I will speak out! I feel sorry for other people who want to post questions, but are hesitant because of how my post was treated and how others people's posts on YorkieTalk have turned out. If you really think that most of the members who posted comments here were being supportive in any way, then I apologize for my misunderstanding.

"THERE WAS NOTHING SHARED WITH YOU THAT WOULD HAVE DESERVED A SLAP FROM THE ADMINISTRATORS." If there were communications to individuals from the Admin's, it wasn't by my doing. I didn't consider reporting any of the posts here, because I am an adult who is still trying to obtain more information from people who really care enough to help me and any other person who may have similar questions/concerns.

Being that so many people have destroyed the original content of my original post with their "constructive criticism", I feel that this thread should be left alone and if anyone truly feels compelled to help me (as some already have), please PM me!

Thank you so much, Dawn!! These are great tips and I am now on a hunt to acquire all of these items since I did get the positive confirmation that my Yorkie is expecting yesterday. I am very thankful for your help and thank you for your encouragement, I do know there are people like you who actually want to help and not circling like a bunch of vultures! ;)

I think you should go look at the Yorkshire Terrier Club Of America. If your breeder doesn't care about the yorkie standard I worry they may not be the best breeder for the breed. No one should breed yorkies just to breed you breed to better the breed. Temperament is important but being an excellent example of the breed is to. I am very sad that someone has told you there is no non standard to yorkies if there not show dogs. Did your mentor not recommend testing to make sure you don't have puppies with genetic disorders?

11 pounds is a small dog! My yorkie is 16 pounds with floppy ears very non standard but I love the breed and I want to see what is best for it and that is only breeding dogs that are standard. I don't expect EVERY yorkie breeder to be a show breeder I expect every breeder to breed to standard, do the right testing, know every thing they can, and have a excellent mentor. I will never keep my mouth shut because someone will come and will read this thread and hopefully not breed if they shouldn't. Casual breeders is why there are so many dogs in shelters getting put to sleep by the mass numbers because to many people want to breed there dogs. We have moderators here and they will take care of posts that don't belong! There are some VERY experienced and awesome breeders on here who want what is best for the breed which you don't or you would not have breed two non standard yorkies.

I am not a breeder never have been never will be and my yorkie is 16 pounds with floppy ears way from standard but I want to speak as an owner who has a dog who's generations where unknown, no health testing was done and no care about breeding healthy pups and say my opinion. I love my dog with every part of me but because care was not taken in her breeding I have to watch her suffer from poor breeding and conditions that could have been avoided by or some that could have been mostly avoided. I will always speak in my perspective and feel it is important to know the side of the person who gets the pup that didn't have the health testing and care and about how important all that is. You can not just take two dogs put them together and then have puppies it doesn't always work out so well for those pups and they end up suffering.

Although you may have felt otherwise, my post was not to "scold" nor "intimidate" you. You ask for information, and I gave you information. I suggested a mentor. Nowhere in your original post did you say that you had assisted and/or witnessed a whelp, and already had a mentor. That is why I mentioned it. I assumed, wrongly, that you did not have a mentor, because you ask about whelping supplies, and I thought surely your mentor would have given you all the information and a list of the things you'll be needing. Nor did you state in your OP that your dam and sire had already been genetically tested for CERF, Leggs Perthe, HD, LP, Thyroid etc. I think I read in a subsequent post that you had all this genetic testing done, so that's really good. Nowhere in the OP did you say that you were aware that many Yorkies require c-sections and that wisely, you had already put aside several thousand dollars for an emergency fund. You did not mention that you already knew your puppies would be receiving recessive b genes from off standard coloring. After I answer your post, you say you don't want "basic details". I assumed, (wrongly again) that you did need basics based on your original post. How was anyone to know you were attempting humor when you wondered if Sophie was acting odd due to losing her virginity? To me, nothing there suggested any kind of humor, so I guess I failed, wrongly, to see that. You appeared to not know that dogs do not long to become mothers. You bred your dog 4 times in two days (not great for sperm count). You counted your dam's pregnancy from the last breeding and not the first. All of these little things (and more) made me think, again wrongly, that maybe you didn't have all the basics. I did not personally attack your character, nor call you names, and according to the link you kindly provided for the YT guidelines, I do have a right to reply to your post, even if we were to agree to disagree, and therefore I chose not to delete it. Having said all of this, I want you to know that I really, honestly, do wish you all the best. I pray that your Sophie has an easy labor and safe delivery, and that all of the puppies are perfect and healthy in every way. I hope they bring you many years of joy and companionship. I'm sure they will be adorable, and that is something we can both agree on.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Quite valid assumptions articulated point by point, accurately taken from the initial post. Unfortunately, I suspect your sincere attempt to go back and explane why you took your time to respond to the initial post in the manner you did, will not be seen as "offering educated advice", but will instead be rejected as nothing more than "excuses" for offering up "non-supportive help." Shame on you KiminMD, for "assuming" there was NO mentor involved in this situation, given all the glaring points you noted in your post above. What is apparently obvious to some of us, is just, apparently more accurately, just a "mentor" that may have forgotten to mention a few points to her "trainee". Your concern the omission of these minor details, unfortunately was not taken in the spirit which you offered it. Since it is actually "all about the puppies", I too PRAY that mom and babies will be safe and healthy and not require any additional assistance. Hopefully, the posters that came on and gave her lists of basic supplies she needs to assist in the whelp, which yet again, her "mentor" apparently forgot to share with her, will also be taken in the spirit they were given, and not considered an "assault on her intelligence". I do hope, but seriously doubt, that her "mentor" has stressed the importance of selling her babies on a spay neuter contract. I can see the breed standard not only is not considered a road map which should be adhered to in order to keep the breed intact, in the OP's mind, which is apparently supported by her "mentor" the breed standard only counts with "show dogs". This misguided thought process will eventually lead to TWO types of Yorkies..."show Yorkies" and "all the other Yorkies that can actually look and behave like whatever". This concept is quite frightening to those of us that work so very hard to keep a "Yorkie looking and behaving like a Yorkie".