Mine and Daisy May's first litter...
 

I have been investigating for over a year about breeding before I decided to do so myself. I also grew up with my dad and step mom breeding yorkies for all my jr. high and high school years.

What I am asking is this....

My parents kept each and every litter untill 12 -17 weeks. to make sure they were healthy and received the proper care needed as a small breed. I can only remember one dog they gave away. He had a hernia so they gave him away to a family that had a little girl (I will never forget that, I wanted him SOOOOO bad!) anyway, I love my vet he is very knowlageable about yorkies.

HOWEVER!

he said I should let the puppies go to their new families at 8 weeks.... I am not use to that! Also, he suggest I do not cut the dew claws off, he says it is not necessary just cosmetic.... I am so conflicted!

I really think I should hold on to them until 12 weeks! (Christmas Pups) Also can I get y'alls take on the dew claws... I see you guys do it on your own (Most of you) Not sure I am confidant to do that myself! How long do y'all normally keep your pups?!

I would love to meet a breeder in my resonable driving distance that could show me, and I could learn from regarding dew clas and tails. My dad is in Tx. I am in Southern California.

Any suggestions please! I greatly appreciate it.

You should always keep the puppies until they are atleast 10 weeks old and 12 weeks is the best. I can't believe that your vet would suggest giving them to their new homes at 8 weeks. They need as much time with their mom and littermates as possible.

As for the dewclaws, I personally would definately get them removed. I don't do this myself though, someday I plan to but for now I will leave that up to my vet. I have seen the trouble and pain dew claws can be and it is so much easier if you get their dewclaws removed. Dewclaws can get caught on things easily, I have seen many where their dewclaws got ripped off because they got caught on something and they need to be trimmed all the time which is not always easy because of the curve but if they are not trimmed regularly they will curve back into the skin. Dewclaws are not fun to deal with and alot of people want and expect for them to have their dewclaws removed. It is a simple procedure and causes little pain compared to what could happen if they keep their dewclaws.

Yes, I would definately keep the pups until they are a little older. Do you actually HAVE puppies yet? Because if so, we're gonna need to see some pictures here!:D

No pups yet!
 

Her welping date is the 17th, of this month! We will have to see!

If you click on her dogster link you can see her x-rays!!!!!! 4 pups for sure the vet thinks he might see 5! (Daisy May)

I would love to keep them all through the all the puppy shots, I know that would lead to keeping them all forever! We are still deciding to keep one or not out of her first litter. I say no, hubby says yes.... (he just wants another kid though, I keep telling him he is about to have puppies:) )

Thank you for the feed back I do appreciate it! I will let you know when she has her babes!

Oh wow! That is just 2 days away! Are you about to explode? (Better question, is Daisy May?) I'll check out the x-ray pics and here's to a easy and successful whelp... for both of you.;) :thumbup:

(We're expecting a litter of 5 on the 23rd, so we're not far behind you...someone else has a litter due this week too...)

Oh, that's an awesome x-ray shot. I can make there be 5 in my head.;)

About to pop!
 

She is about to pop for sure! When she is on her back you can see heads rool across her stomach. I let my kids feel her yesterday, and now my daughter wont stop.... and my 4year old thinks he has a head in his tummy now too!

I'd say keep them for 10-12 weeks. As far as dew claws, I'd have a vet do it for sure. At that time, they can also get a puppy exam, tails docked and dew claws removed. My vet charges like $10 per pup for all of that. DEFINETLY worth the money! Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new litter....mine is due around the same :) .

Yeah...see? I knew someone else had a litter coming:dizzy: , just couldn't remember who off the top of my head.:doh:

Welcome to YT!! I cant wait to see pics of your "new" family...bet you will wanna keep one 14 weeks from now hehehe...I LOVE watching our YT familes grow..so post lots of pics!!

My Darla is 6 months old and still has her dew claws..I trim them weekly...my question is, is she too old to have them removed now? What is the latest they can be removed??

Dawn

She can still have them removed, but it would have to be done surgically. If you really want it done, I would wait and see if you are going to spay her or maybe if she needs retained teeth removed and have it done then.:)