Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This may sound stupid, as I am not a previous dog breeder. But my female chihuahua is in heat and my male doesn't seem to know what to do. I really want them to breed before it is too late. The female almost backs into him with her tail to the side but he wont do anything except to the air....

>>This may sound stupid, as I am not a previous dog breeder. But my female chihuahua is in heat and my male doesn't seem to know what to do. I really want them to breed before it is too late. The female almost backs into him with her tail to the side but he wont do anything except to the air....

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Before you let this happen, be sure to think about how much you are willing to risk. Female tiny dogs often die giving birth, and very, very often have to do it by C-section. Males who have bred will develop more problems with urination in the house. If you take good care of the mom and pup or two, it's very expensive. Buying another pup is cheaper and safer. Plus, it doesn't change your female's temperament as breeding her can do.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Like Kathy, I'd encourage you to consider whether breeding is something you really want to do. Being a responsible breeder (even of one litter) takes a great deal of research and work. Have you talked with the breeder(s) of your dog(s) about all that is involved?

Thank you for your responses. Actually I have had the male for 7 years. He has never been around a female. Recently I had a friend whos mother passed away that had this female. She is 5 years old and has never been around a male. I only got the female becuase I wanted an offspring of my male. I am finacially able to take care of vet bills and everything else that I need. Then after she has the puppies. My Sister is taking the Mother. And I am keeping the pick of the litter. The Male is somewhat smaller than the female. But not by much. Male is 4 1/2 lbs and the female is 6 lbs. and maybe one inch taller than the male. They seem to want to do something but just don't know what to do. Lol sorry I know this must sound lame.

It doesn't necessarily sound lame, it's just maybe not the best idea to breed these two. Have they had all their health clearances? Are their pedigrees compatible? Do you have a mentor to help welp and raise the litter- especially if your female can't? These are just a small amount of things to consider before putting a male and a female together for breeding.

I understand wanting another dog like one you have, but really, aside from cloning that's impossible anyway, so why go through all the trouble? Sorry- I just don't understand.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Well I guess I came to the wrong place for answers to my question. I really do not need anyone to understand why I want to breed them. I just do. But thanks anyway to you all.

Please don't leave the site. You just have to understand, this type of question gets asked a LOT and it's almost impossible to answer it online in a public forum. There are many factors as to why your two dogs are not doig nwhat you want- too mang to list actually. This is the type of things books are written about.

I recommend going to www.dogwise.com and getting a basic book on the subject. If that doesn't answer your question, then, I'll stick by my original answer of find a mentor to help you. There's no subsititute for in person help here. You are going to need it. Breeding and welping tiny chihuahua puppies is not easy work and complications arise very frequently. Those complications can not be answered online. They are case-by-case specific and typically emergencies.

I'm sorry if oyu are offended that individuals do not aggree or understand why you are planning on doing what you are doing, but it tends to put people guard when told you got a dog just to breed it, you are taking a pupppy, and then the female is going to leave. It sets a tone for things and does make it tough to answer your original question.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Both of your dogs are too old to breed. If you seriously want to breed chihuahuas, please do it the right way. Before you breed you should be taking your dogs to conformation shows to meet with judges to ensure they are breeding quality. Second it's extremely important to know the genetic history of both the dogs that are being bred, otherwise you risk some serious genetic defects. Breeders spend considerable amounts of time finding two perfectly paired dogs whose genes complement each other. They don't randomly choose a male and a female and then throw them together. This is the job of a breeder, to better the breed. You may be breeding two dogs that will produce a number of mental and physical defects. You don't know. Also, before you even think of breeding, you should apprentice under an experienced breeder for at LEAST three litters before you try one on your own.

Again, if you want to breed, PLEASE, please ... do it the right way. If nothing else, for the sake of your poor pets that are relying on you to do what's right for them. There are already enough poor animals dying in shelters thanks to back yard breeders, please don't become one of them.

>>This may sound stupid, as I am not a previous dog breeder. But my female chihuahua is in heat and my male doesn't seem to know what to do. I really want them to breed before it is too late. The female almost backs into him with her tail to the side but he wont do anything except to the air....

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Sometimes two dogs who live together will not mate. Sometimes they seem to have an instinct that it would not be healthy for their situation and their relationship.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I want to thank you all for your replies to my questions. After reading responses from everyone I have decided not to let these two breed (even if they would). Instead I am going to keep the female that was given to me, and they can just be buddies. I have already made an appointment to have her spayed. Hopefully they will live long and give us much enjoyment just watching them play together and so on. Someday when they have gone on to doggie heaven (which I hope is many years from now) I will just go puppy shopping. Again thank you for your responses and I will write again if I have any other questions.
Thanx, Tami

Tami I think you have made the wisest decision possible for the well being of your dogs and I applaud your decision. You will have to happy and healthy little doggies as a result that will give you hours of enjoyment. Please continue to post updates on your two and a picture or two couldn't hurt! lol
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Tami, thank you for the update and for understanding what everyone was trying to say to you! I know it's tough. Have a lot of fun with your two furry budies! Please post pictures when you are able.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Ok everyone. Now I don't know whether to be happy or upset. I guess my two dogs figured something out without any help from me....lol I took "Baby" to the vet to get her spayed. But to my surprise it was too late. She is expecting around March 2nd. My vet said she should be fine. She is very healthy and "Scooby" my male, is smaller than her by about 3 lbs. His bone structure is much smaller than hers. I really was set on not having babies, but now I guess I am excited. Also I was gonna get rid of Baby after the babies came, but I have grown to love her so much that I just cannot do that. She lost her first owner and she has become close to me and I just feel I want to keep her with us. I do not know how many babies they usually have, but I have good homes for two already. I will send pictures if I can figure out how..lol
I hope that I can get on here and ask for help if and when I need it. You all seem to know so much about our breed. Thank you and I will keep in touch!

>>Ok everyone. Now I don't know whether to be happy or upset. I guess my two dogs figured something out without any help from me....lol I took "Baby" to the vet to get her spayed. But to my surprise it was too late. She is expecting around March 2nd. My vet said she should be fine. She is very healthy and "Scooby" my male, is smaller than her by about 3 lbs. His bone structure is much smaller than hers. I really was set on not having babies, but now I guess I am excited. Also I was gonna get rid of Baby after the babies came, but I have grown to love her so much that I just cannot do that. She lost her first owner and she has become close to me and I just feel I want to keep her with us. I do not know how many babies they usually have, but I have good homes for two already. I will send pictures if I can figure out how..lol
>>I hope that I can get on here and ask for help if and when I need it. You all seem to know so much about our breed. Thank you and I will keep in touch!

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You need a breeding mentor who can come to your house if needed and talk to you on the phone in the middle of the night. Otherwise you could well be looking at emergency-clinic prices for them to whelp the litter, or have your female lose her life. That may happen anyway, but an expert breeder on the spot makes a world of difference. How to find one? At this point in things, it may be very difficult, but it's also very important. Having your female dog whelp a litter is usually such a rough experience that people never do it again.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Well not quite the news we were expecting but since it's happened we can't change the past... what we need to do is move forward and keep your "Baby" healthy to go through the birthing process. I agree 100% with KDD... you need to act immediately to find someone to mentor and help you through this event. Whelping can be traumatic not only for the dog but for us as well. Anything can happen and usually does. You need someone with experience that come to your home at a moments notice any day and any time to help. The expense of an emergency clinic can be overwhelming but you also might want to prepare to find the nearest one that is open all night if you can't find a helper. Keep asking questions and we'll try the best we can to point you in the right direction and when it comes time for some pictures just ask it's really easy to do. Good Luck to you and to Baby.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.