breeding question

[joe5]

sorry I asked!

[Dax]

You should be very worried.

1. the rule of thumb is to breed a smaller male to a larger female. Otherwise the pups could be too large for her to deliver. You could lose all the pups and even your female.

2. if a breeder gave you this information, I would doubt that this is a very good breeder. As such, how can you trust that his dog does not have a std which could be passed to your female.

3. your vet should have completed all the necessary medical checks on both your female and prospective male. That includes; eyes, elbows, hips, etc.

Is your female over 2 years of age? What about her previous heats?

[whimzikal]

The male should be smaller. Your 18lb female might be in serious danger if she whelped pups fathered by a dog 30lbs larger. I agree both dogs should haveclear health checks by a reputable vet
WELCOME aboard!

[joe5]

thanks for the info both dogs have clean bill of health but i didnt think to ask the vet this question at the last check up. We won't be using this stud on your advise thanks again.

[BratBoxers]

Dont mean to hurt your feelings, but why would you breed mutts? There are so many than no one wants.

[joe5]

with all due respect we do not consider our dog a "mutt". We have homes for three of the pups and are prepared to keep the rest if we have to.

[whimzikal]

Please, not mutts 'combination dogs'! Let's be politically correct lol
I have 4 combo dogs myself & love 'em to bits!!!

[sheplovr]

Honey I would consult with my vet as this is how we breed the smaller dogs. It is not always so to use a small stud or large one, the lines is what comes out in breeding that many do not know a dam thing about it. It all depends on the lines your using I am so familar with mine that I know exactly whom I can mate with ahead of time.

If you have an excellent breeder to talk to will also help, but make sure it is not a money thing with them. if so visit the vet and get professional advise. I know what works for me but I would NEVER tell you to use a smaller stud and then get huge pups as I did and had to spay a valuable female I lost in emergeny job to save her life and bottle feed the puppies of six.
Breeding is so stressful and u must know your lines first of all, what is going to work, know exactly what they stand for and how they reporoduce also. If u do not know then u must consult with a professional before breeding any pair. Regardless of size I have seen small males stands on knees, rocks, whatever it took to breed a bit larger female. But, this is beyond my expertise right now to advise and feel good about it sweetie. Please consult with your vet u fully trust before trying this as I am so leary now of breeding anything to jon doe. U need to research what lines u want to use and spread for quality puppies only. U just do not breed because the reproductive organs say so., this is so wrong pick a male much better than the female to cover bad qualities etc. But BOTH must possess top temperment for me or I do NOT breed any pair. that is first and foremost in any program if u need to hide the felmale when people come to see the pups this is so wrong, good temperment is to excel in my program, then outstanding lines from W Germany do I need these, do I want these etc . I am importing a top notch female in spring from good agents to widen my variety of what I have and I never have enough as time upgrades just like computers. lol

[whimzikal]

Pat, terrific informative post as usual!!!
Kudos!!!

[micki]

Great post, breeding is not to be entered in lightly. You can lose your female all pregnancies are a risk, and please ask your vet to explain what signs to look for throughout the gestation and whelping that are reasons to call him. I would never breed a male more than a pound or so larger. and with shelties so diferent in size what are you trying to reproduce? If you are set on breeding why not find a better stud? Besides if his family history is smaller pups where did he come from? Has he produced smaller pups that stayed under 20 lbs? Every one in every litter? One large pup stuck in the mom can mean expensive c-section delivery and you can lose your female on the table, or she might not recognise the pups as hers, she has never been bred before she doesn't know.Then like sheplovr you will be feeding newborns hourly round the clock for weeks. Are you prepared?