Minimum breeding weight?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Bjcunard

New to the forum format. As an off question because I have a similar situation as Charlotte. Is it safe to have my 3 pound- 10 month old female spayed. Any suggestions?!

As long as she is healthy, has the pre surgical bloodwork done...should be just fine. Make sure they keep her warmed in the operating room...which is usually kept quite cold. Also, I always have them give IV fluids ANY time my kiddos are under anesthesia...you want that venous access should anything go wrong; also keeps them hydrated.

Here is a thread about anesthesia that may help:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-protocol.html

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Bjcunard

New to the forum format. As an off question because I have a similar situation as Charlotte. Is it safe to have my 3 pound- 10 month old female spayed. Any suggestions?!

So glad that you are considering getting her spayed, pregnancy is really hard on these little ones, it sometimes does permanent damage to their joints. Also, many people don't realize that a female dog can get pregnant it's whole life, so we've read horror stories of a 10 year old tiny who became pregnant when a friend was visiting with their pup. Best of luck!

[mammajo1]

I would not breed a female under 5 lbs. Not worth the possibility of loosing the female.

[smartpuppiepets]

Interesting to see that every once in a while these old threads are revived inspiring new conversations.
For statistics and hopeful useful advice, we used to have a 5lb size minimum size for a female to be considered for breeding. As time passes and many family members who have yorkies and of course other friends and breeders, gather together to make decisions and share experiences, it has been at least 5 to 6 years we have come to decision that we will not consider any female smaller than 6 pounds fully grown for breeding. We do not consider any Yorkie fully grown and mature or make breeding decisions before 14 or 15 months at least.
It will be interesting if others can share experience and maybe change of mind in regards of previous practices.
As far as male size, and mating , we all know there is so much more then that to be considered, it would render a much bigger discussion.
As far as spay and surgery goes, and the reason the thread is revived , with experienced cautious professionals and proper measures we know it is not a big deal. We find that as life styles change and toy breeds become more popular vet professionals are better informed and trained to deal with the little ones.
Wishing all a great fall.
Xoxo

[Yorkiemom1]

I also consider the pedigrees and the lines behind the breeding pair but I have always gone with 5 lb minimum for my females and my male size is determined by his pedigree and the females pedigree for a pattern of sizes produced by those lines.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I also consider the pedigrees and the lines behind the breeding pair but I have always gone with 5 lb minimum for my females and my male size is determined by his pedigree and the females pedigree for a pattern of sizes produced by those lines.

Additionally, I forgot to mention, going back to the parents or just the grand parents is not near far enough to get an accurate idea of what a breeding pair will produce....I go back at least 9 generations to get a more reliable predication of what a litter should/will look like.

[yorkiemini]

All of this is so interesting! I am not a breeder but got my little gal from a breeder who shows about 6 years ago. My Cali was being shown as a puppy and doing well, however, at one point the breeder decided that she was not going to "make weight", meaning she was not going to make the 5 pounds she things is necessary to breed. Most people who show want to breed their champions to get their next champion, but In the eyes of this very experienced breeder Cali was not going to get there.

Sooo, she left her show life and came to live with me. At a recent agility event we were entered in a woman came up to me to tell me that Cali had perfect confirmation and was I considering breeding her - she was amazed when I told her how old Cali was, and that no puppies for her. The lady said she was very impressed that the breeder made the right decision. Cali only made it to barely 4 pounds!

I so admire breeders who can make those kinds of decisions!