WHAT PROBLEMS MAY HAVE DURING GIRTH IN A CHIHUAHUA?

Due to their small size, breeding Chihuahuas can be challenging.

Most problems can be solved if you approach the issue of obtaining offspring as responsibly as possible.

But some difficulties cannot be avoided.

Therefore, people who decide to start breeding Chihuahuas need to be prepared for them.

What should a future breeder know and what will he have to face when he decides to get offspring from his miniature beauty?

Let's find out about everything in detail.

At what age can you knit?

It is recommended to untie a Chihuahua girl no earlier than one and a half years old.

Experts recommend breeding a female dog of this breed for the first time during her third heat.

A male dog can be untied no earlier than a year, but it is better, again, to postpone the first mating for a male Chihuahua until the age of 1.5 years, when the young dog’s hormonal levels have already stabilized.

You should absolutely not breed mini or, especially, micro bitches.

Optimal age and time

It is quite difficult to breed males with females of this breed due to physiological characteristics. It is even more difficult to do this for the first time, during the first heat. Many dog breeders are wondering when it is possible to mate a male dog. As a rule, a male is ready for mating when he reaches the age of 1 year. It is not recommended to breed representatives of this breed in the past.

In order for a Chihuahua girl to give birth to healthy offspring, you need to wait until she is one and a half years old. First, the female must be brought to the veterinarian so that he can examine the condition of the animal’s body. As a result, the doctor will give permission to produce offspring or recommend postponing this process, since even with the slightest physiological deviations, serious health problems may subsequently arise not only for the bitch, but also for the puppies.

It is worth considering that this is a specific breed, the representatives of which require special training for successful mating. Therefore, take this process seriously. You must clearly know what to do to give birth to healthy puppies without compromising the health and psyche of their mother.

As for time, once the female and male reach the indicated ages, it is important to choose the right period of estrus. The most favorable period is considered to be “estrus”. Another popular question from dog breeders is on what day of heat to breed a Chihuahua. This time occurs 10 or 15 days after the start of estrus. Even if the discharge continues after this period, the bitch is no longer able to conceive. Discolored discharge is a characteristic sign that you have missed the moment and will have to wait for the next “critical days” of the dog.

If you mate a male and female of this breed before at least one of the partners reaches puberty, this threatens the occurrence of pathologies in the offspring. In addition, it is also undesirable to first breed these animals after reaching 3 years of age. Mating too late threatens not only pathologies, but also the birth of dead puppies. It is not uncommon for females to abandon their cubs if the first mating occurs at this age.

Irregular matings have a negative impact on the behavior of male dogs. They become aggressive and their behavior is difficult to control. When trying to mate at the wrong time, the male may even show aggression towards the female. Therefore, if you do not plan to breed such dogs, and do not know where to put the puppies later, it is better to sterilize your pets.

But timely mating, on the contrary, has an extremely positive effect on male dogs. Chihuahuas become more confident, calm, and courageous. After mating, they continue to live a normal life.

How to understand that your pet is ready

Signs that a bitch is ready for mating are an increase in the size of the loop and its softening, as well as how the dog behaves towards males.

If she snaps at them and drives them away, then this is a sign that the dog is not yet ready for mating . If he allows them to get closer and flirts with them, then this is one of the signs that the Chihuahua can already be bred.

Also, on a day favorable for mating, the color of the discharge changes from reddish to yellowish-pink.

Start of the process

The best place for mating is the male dog’s territory, where everything is familiar to him. Here he will behave calmly and confidently. A bitch in her apartment may behave aggressively towards the male dog, which will lead to his wariness. Especially if this is the first mating. In this case, the male may refuse to crossbreed.

Immediately before mating, owners should take their pets for a walk. Chihuahuas should be fed three hours before mating or after.

When you come to visit a dog, give the bitch time to look around and get comfortable. As soon as she gets used to the new place, you can introduce a male dog. They need to get to know each other and smell each other - give them time.

During an important event, only their owners should be present indoors with the dogs - unnecessary people will distract the animals from the process. In some cases, you can invite a specialist. In a difficult situation, he will give you practical advice.

The bitch may behave inappropriately, so it is best for you to put a muzzle on her or wrap a bandage around her muzzle to prevent bites.

Chihuahuas are usually knitted on a table, having previously covered it with a rubber mat to prevent the dogs' paws from slipping. When the male dog begins to show increased interest, and the female dog is not against his activity, mating can begin.

The owner of the bitch must fix it in one position so that it is convenient for the dog to mount. If the male has not yet gained experience, then the first cages may be unsuccessful. Here you will need the help of the owners. Gently supporting the bitch under the belly, it is necessary to move her genitals closer to the male member.

As soon as the male is able to mount, the female will begin to squeal. The male will move more often and gradually rise above the female until his hind legs are straightened. At this moment, the male begins to ejaculate, so the bitch needs to be held as tightly as possible - if she starts to spin, then the whole process will go down the drain.

After the male ejaculates, the bitch's genitals swell and gluing occurs, or locking occurs - the male's genitals are clamped into the bitch's vagina. The duration of the lock can last from a couple of minutes to several hours. While mating is ongoing, the bitch must not be allowed to move, otherwise she will injure the male’s genitals.

The male dog also needs help - for convenience, he must be carefully turned over so that his backside is facing his partner. Remain calm until the blood drains from the dog's swollen genitals - no sudden movements or noises. If either partner suddenly jerks, it could result in injury.

After finishing the mating, separate the Chihuahuas into different rooms and give them water. Leave them alone for a while so they can straighten themselves out. Now you can return to your normal life.

Tell us, did your Chihauhau have her first mating?

Share the article with your friends and leave your comments.

How to choose a pair?

In order to choose a suitable partner for your bitch, you need to follow these rules::

The male must be good both in appearance and character.
Dogs should not be close relatives, as inbreeding can negatively affect the health and quality of future offspring.
The male must, at a minimum, have permission to breed.
It is not advisable to breed a Chihuahua girl with a partner who is much larger than her in size. Mating with a large-headed male is also not the best option, as this can lead to problems during childbirth.
The partner must be healthy and have all the necessary vaccinations.

In order to avoid the possibility of puppies being born with non-standard coat lengths, it is better not to breed short-haired dogs with long-haired ones.

Choosing a partner

This is also an important point, since everyone wants to have healthy offspring and ensure that the mating process itself does not leave traumatic memories for the dogs.

It is worth mentioning the mandatory rules:

Dogs must not be closely related. This makes it impossible to produce healthy puppies.
If you are breeding dogs, it is necessary for the partner's owners to provide information about his pedigree and awards at exhibitions.
Be sure to discuss all the conditions and terms with the partner’s owner, or better yet, document the deal so that there are no unwanted surprises.

If you have a girl

You need to choose a partner very carefully and carefully. First of all, he should not be larger than the bitch - this is fraught with injury. It is also recommended to refrain from mating a girl with a large-headed partner: dog experts say that such a step can have negative consequences for the puppies. In addition, you should carefully study all the documents to make sure that the dog is absolutely healthy and vaccinated - this step will help you avoid unwanted consequences.

Related article: When does shedding occur and what to do about Chihuahua shedding?

If you have a boy

A partner should also be selected using similar criteria. Be sure to make sure that the bitch is the right size for the dog: if she is too large, naturally nothing will happen. But make sure that she is large enough to bear offspring (the girl must weigh at least 2 kg). Check all documents and certificates about the dog's vaccinations and health to avoid unwanted surprises in the future.

We recommend this article:

Why do dogs stick together when mating and is it normal?

Preparing the dog

It is almost the same for representatives of different sexes. Both the dog and the bitch need to be wormed and vaccinated in a timely manner.

About two weeks before mating, it is necessary to increase the amount of foods containing calcium and vitamins in the girl’s diet .

At the same time, it is recommended for a male dog to increase the amount of protein foods in his diet within reasonable limits.

CAREFULLY!

If dogs have problems associated with excess weight, then they need to be put on a diet.

You should not breed a female Chihuahua weighing less than 2 kg, as in this case the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth significantly increases.

Bitches

I understand that there are diseases in animals when pregnancy can help in successful treatment and recovery. There are cases when it is thanks to pregnancy that a dog lives a long life. But when a veterinarian advises at least one mating for health without any reason, then such a veterinarian raises very serious doubts in my competence. If you are not a breeder and did not initially plan to breed your dog, then you should never do this!

1. Childbirth always involves a possible danger to the health of your pet. Sometimes with serious consequences or death . This is especially true for decorative dog breeds: chihuahua, toy terrier, Yorkshire terrier… . You may lose both the puppies and the mother.

Safe birth of a dog

A caesarean section is a forced surgical removal of puppies by opening the abdominal wall and the pregnant uterus.

2. Delivering a baby, raising puppies and finding owners for them is also very hard work. Not every owner is ready for such stress! 24-hour cleaning of the premises, feeding of weak puppies...,

As the tomboys grow up - tattered wallpaper, torn linoleum, chewed chair legs, walls, upholstered furniture, shoes, nightly games of tag, the fear that they will all remain with you... There is only one dream left in life - to get a good night's sleep! All this is typical for dogs of absolutely all breeds and outbred ones, and the consequences for all owners after rash actions are the same.

3. If you still decide to breed and you have a purebred dog, then you need to consult with a specialist in organizing breeding and wisely choose a partner , and not breed with your neighbor’s cute dog.

Think in advance who will deliver the baby.

4. If you have a pet of an unknown breed, then I warn you right away - it is very difficult to find owners for such puppies, even if you give it away for free. And if a new owner is found, then, as a rule, the puppies are disposed of as soon as they reach puppyhood (in 95% of cases). It's rare for a dog to live a happy life. Do not condemn puppies to suffering and do not increase the number of yard dogs! There are already enough of them...

5. So what is the reason that your pet’s health will not improve, and unexpectedly a lot of problems will arise? During the first pregnancy, large hormonal changes occur in the animal's body. The body is completely rebuilt for further lifelong reproduction of offspring. The more descendants, the better - the law of nature and the survival of the species.

Mating and conceiving a puppy

If you do not subsequently breed the pet, then hormones, viruses and microbes (introduced by the male dog during mating) can begin their destructive activity in the animal’s body. All kinds of tumors, false pregnancies, etc. will begin to develop: You and your dog will become regular clients of the same veterinarian. This is hard for me to understand - why is this necessary? An organism that has not known the joy of motherhood will be calm and healthy.

Basic rules step by step

It is better to prescribe mating in the morning, as it is carried out on an empty stomach. If this is not possible for any reason, then dogs should not be fed for 3-4 hours.
Immediately before mating, partners need to be taken for a walk.
It is recommended to carry out this procedure itself indoors, and the floor in the room should be covered with thick fabric in order to prevent dogs from sliding on parquet or laminate.
Before mating, it is better to wrap the bitch’s face with a bandage so that she cannot bite her partner.
The dogs are allowed into the room and given the opportunity to sniff each other and play a little.
If everything goes as it should, then at some point the bitch will stop and move her tail to the side, giving the male the opportunity to mount.
At this time, it is necessary to hold the girl with one hand under the collar, and with the other under her stomach, not allowing her to wriggle out.
As soon as the male manages to get into the loop, he begins to move his hind legs, as if dancing. At this time, the bitch may begin to squeal and try to escape, so you need to hold her tightly enough.
As soon as ejaculation occurs, a so-called “lock” is formed, which can last from a few minutes to an hour or even longer. All this time it is necessary to keep the bitch in place. As a rule, all this time the dogs stand either with their backs turned to each other, or standing in a “corner” position.
After the partners separate on their own, you need to give them something to drink and give them time to recover. At this time, the male may again show interest in the bitch, but one mating after another should not be allowed, as this is pointless. It is better to carry out a control mating after 1-2 days in order to have an additional opportunity to do everything as needed if the first time something went wrong and fertilization did not occur.

While the dogs are in the “lock”, you cannot pull them apart, spill water on them, or try to separate them in any other way..

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“Only healthy and mature dogs that are approved for breeding are allowed to be mated. At the same time, the weight of the bitch should not be less than two kilograms, as otherwise there may be problems during pregnancy and childbirth. During mating it should be quiet and calm: it is unacceptable to distract or, especially, frighten the dogs; it is also undesirable for many people to be present at the mating: the owner of the bitch, the owner of the dog and the instructor are enough. Regardless of whether the mating was successful or not, it is recommended to carry out a control mating after 24-48 hours.”

Knitting process

When everything has already been done, all documents have been drawn up, certificates have been studied and both parties are ready for the process, you can begin this important procedure. So what should you do?

If you have a girl

The bitch's muzzle is often wrapped in a bandage so that she does not accidentally bite the dog. After this, when the process itself begins, it is necessary to ensure that the male member falls into the loop. If this does not happen, carefully holding the dog under the belly, you can move it with a loop towards the male member. If everything goes well, the dog begins to squeal, which indicates the imminent ejaculation of its partner. Be sure to hold it so that it does not break out, otherwise all preparations will go down the drain.

Similar article: How to make a house for a Chihuahua with your own hands

After the process has been completed, coupling occurs. The female's genitals swell and prevent the male's penis from coming out of the loop. This can last for several minutes or several hours. Be sure to hold the girl in one position so that she does not jerk sharply and injure the boy.

If you have a boy

We have already talked about the problems when a male dog cannot get his dick into a noose. You can also help him by gently guiding him. At the moment of ejaculation, he almost completely straightens his front legs, and stands as if above his partner.

After the coupling occurs, you need to help the dog get into a position that is comfortable for him. Some turn their back to their partner, and some prefer to be on the side of the other dog.

We recommend this article:

How to properly organize and conduct dog breeding

How to tell if your dog is pregnant

In the first month, you can only guess whether the bitch has conceived or not. After the thirtieth day, the first signs of pregnancy appear: the dog’s mammary glands swell and the volume of the abdomen increases.

IMPORTANT!

The most reliable sign that a dog is pregnant is the movement of the puppies, which can be felt by placing your hand on the pet’s belly about a couple of weeks before giving birth.

You can also determine pregnancy using an ultrasound or a special test that is performed at a veterinary clinic..

How does pregnancy go and how long does it last?

Information can be found on the Internet, presented in the table:

1-4 days. Fertilization occurs, but no changes in the physical condition of the pet have yet been observed.
5-15 days. Embryos begin to develop. At this time, vaccinations and treatment against external or internal parasites are prohibited. The dog must be protected from stress and sudden changes in diet or living conditions, for example, you should not take the Chihuahua to the country house or start renovations in the house.
16-22 days. The dog may experience nausea, lethargy, apathy, and changes in appetite. Also at this time, transparent discharge may be observed. At this time, you need to add one feeding, but at the same time reduce the portion.
23-25 days. The size of future puppies reaches approximately one and a half centimeters.
Day 26 It is necessary to limit the dog's activity. From this time on, running, jumping and too active games are contraindicated for the bitch.
27-29 days. Embryos grow to 1.7 cm.
30-34 days. The size of the fruit increases to 2-2.7 cm. The dog feels better, becomes calmer, and its belly begins to increase in size.
Day 35 Around this time, a pregnant Chihuahua develops a “brutal” appetite. Her diet should contain a lot of protein foods, but the dog should not be overfed.
Day 36 The size of the future offspring already reaches 3.5 cm.
37-40 days. Puppies grow at an incredible speed and by the fortieth day their size is already 6.5 cm.
41-44 days. By this time, the uterus with puppies occupies 2/3 of the volume of the bitch’s abdomen. The dog needs to be fed 5 times a day, dividing the daily diet into small portions. From now on, any physical exercise is prohibited.
45-47 days. The size of the puppies is approximately 9 cm.
48-49 days. The abdomen is very enlarged, the dog begins to look for a place for a den. It's time to start accustoming her to the birthing box.
Day 50 From this time on, the puppies' movements become visible. By this day, the bitch’s diet should be increased by one and a half times and amount to 150% of the usual norm. In this case, the increase should occur due to protein products.
51-56 days. The abdomen is still enlarged, and colostrum appears. At this time, the bitch rests most of the time.
57-72 days. These days the Chihuahua experiences physiological labor. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare everything you need in advance and be ready at any moment to provide assistance to your pet or her puppies at home.

During pregnancy, it is necessary to give the dog vitamin and mineral supplements for pregnant bitches..

You can start doing this as early as two weeks before mating.

Animal behavior

Two weeks after mating, the bitch’s behavior may change: she becomes lethargic and apathetic, and tries to spend more time in the company of her owner.

Subsequently, when her health improves, the Chihuahua again becomes active and mobile.

But as the volume of her belly increases, she becomes calmer and less active, and by the end of pregnancy she spends most of her time on the bed (shown in the photo).

Just before giving birth, the bitch begins to worry, run around the rooms and look for a place for the future den. At this time, she may begin to dig through the litter in order to build a “nest.”

How does childbirth go?

Before the birth process begins, body temperature drops to 36 degrees. The visible movements of the puppies stop, they seem to freeze.

The bitch develops slight muscle tremors and increased breathing.

As the contractions become more frequent and stronger, the cervix dilates, and eventually, pushing begins, which expels the first amniotic sac with the puppy inside. The bubble either bursts on its own or the bitch breaks it.

If the dog has strong attempts and there is no weakening of labor, then there should be no problems with the birth of puppies: they will be born on their own without any help.

If 3 hours or more have passed since the start of pushing, and the puppy has not yet been born, this is a sign that you need to call the veterinarian.

As soon as the puppy is born, the dog bites the umbilical cord and licks it, thereby stimulating respiratory activity.

A few minutes after the puppy is born, an afterbirth is released, which the bitch will intuitively strive to eat, but the dog should not be allowed to eat more than one afterbirth, as this can cause protein intoxication.

How to determine whether a bitch is ready for mating

Puberty ends at about one and a half years. From this moment on, mating can be carried out without danger to the health of the female. The first estrus, in most cases, occurs at 18–20 months, the duration of the specific period is 21 days. Each segment has characteristic changes in the body: the reproductive and endocrine systems, nervous regulation, and the condition of the genitals.

Learn about the benefits of meat and bone meal for dogs and how to use the nutritional supplement.
Read about the first signs and symptoms, as well as methods of treating a pinched nerve in a dog, at this address.

Estrus in dogs has three stages:

proestrus. The bitch develops copious discharge from the loop, often bloody. During this period, the attention of males to the female intensifies, but the female Chihuahua’s body is not yet ready for mating, and the animal does not allow individuals of the opposite sex to approach. At the initial stage of estrus, the female is constantly trying to escape somewhere. The first period lasts from 9 to 10 days;
Estrus is a favorable period for mating. The Chihuahua girl herself shows attention to her partners. In the second stage, ovulation occurs, and the animal can be bred for successful fertilization. After a couple of days, a control mating is carried out. During this period, it is strictly forbidden to let a purebred pet off the leash in order to avoid accidental mating with street dogs. Over the course of 5–7 days, we can say with a high degree of confidence: mating during this period will definitely lead to pregnancy in the absence of health problems in the female;
The final period of estrus is metestrus. The reproductive system returns to standard functioning, hormonal levels stabilize, and discharge from the “loop” disappears. The behavior and state of the nervous system also becomes habitual. The lack of smell and discharge reduces the attention of males to the female.

Specific signs are characteristic of different periods of estrus; an attentive owner will definitely notice not only external symptoms, but also changes in the dog’s character.

The onset of estrus is signaled by several manifestations:

The “loop” swells and bloody mucous discharge appears. Sometimes there are behavioral signs of estrus, the “loop” increases, but the owner does not notice the bloody inclusions. In this case, you need to visit a veterinarian and examine the animal;
The dog licks itself often. Many owners buy special diaper panties at the pet store to protect furniture and floor coverings from unsightly stains. Some veterinarians advise not to disturb the natural process and allow the dog to lick itself from the beginning of the first heat. In each specific case, you need to consult a veterinarian. Chihuahuas are miniature dogs, and it is quite possible to do without protective panties;
active molting begins. If a sexually mature female leaves hairs all over the house, then you need to pay attention to the condition of the genitals and the behavior of the pet: perhaps the female is ready for mating;
behavior changes: the bitch becomes more active, playful, often nervous, and constantly demands attention. Aggression is shown towards other dogs. A characteristic sign is tiny puddles on the floor throughout the house: this is how the female leaves her scent in order to quickly attract males. Sometimes the dog rubs its butt on the floor. If the animal's loop is swollen and there is discharge, then estrus has begun;
appetite changes. Depending on its character and temperament, the dog may ask for more food or refuse to eat and sleep a lot. It is important to check for other signs of heat;
urination becomes more frequent.

On a note! Considering that the optimal age of a bitch for mating is 18–20 months, there is no need to rush to take the dog for mating already at the first heat. The second time increasing sexual activity should also be skipped. The best option is to mate a female Chihuahua during her third heat, but no later than three years.

How many puppies are there usually in a litter?

Typically, Chihuahuas have 1-5 puppies per litter .

This depends both on the dog’s heredity and on the conditions of its feeding, maintenance and state of health.

What to feed after childbirth

Immediately after giving birth, it is best to give the dog warm milk, if she tolerates it well, or warm low-fat broth.

To prevent eclampsia, it is recommended to exclude meat from natural diet for at least a week .

False pregnancy - what is it and what to do

This pathological condition develops due to hormonal imbalance and mental disorders. The main causes of false pregnancy are hormonal imbalances, inflammatory processes of the reproductive organs, and irregular matings.

A false pregnancy develops after about two months . In this case, symptoms such as anxiety, loss of appetite, apathy, enlarged nipples and the appearance of milk may be observed.

Some dogs may even experience an increase in abdominal volume and begin false labor at home, during which painful contractions of the uterine muscles occur.

If the dog’s condition is relatively normal and it tolerates a false pregnancy well, then the pet will not require any drug treatment.

It will be necessary to completely eliminate dairy products from her diet until the dog’s condition returns to normal. It is also useful to distract your pet with games and more frequent walks.

If milk stagnation begins or serious changes in behavior occur, then you need to contact a veterinarian who will prescribe hormonal and sedative medications to relieve the symptoms of false pregnancy.