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Yorkie Breeding Size & Heat

20 11:35:00

Question
QUESTION: HI,

I had 2 questions:

I have a yorkie female i'm considering breeding. She is about 8lbs (1lb
overweight). She should be going into heat shortly and I have 2 options for
studs for her. A family yorkie, 2 years old 5lbs 5 ounces, or a stud from her
breeder who is 10 years old (!) but only 2.5lbs. The stud from her breeder just
sired a litter of 7 pups a few weeks ago. Would it be better to go with the
smaller, proven male even though he is pretty old, or larger, yonger male? I'm
not concerned with the stud fee at all, just which would be more likely to
produce pups and ones that will be very easy for her to deliver (she has never
been bred).

Second, as I said she should be coming into heat shortly. Her vulva is more
swollen than normal and she had a clear/whitish discharge about 2 days ago,
but no red. How long before I actually start counting?

ANSWER: Ashley,

I would go with the proven stud even if he is ten years old.  Since he just sired a litter of seven I would say he still has what it takes.  He knows what he is doing and you have an experienced breeder to help you.  

You didn't say how old your female was or if this is her first, second etc. heat.  After their first heat a lot of females will not have the heavy bleeding that they did on the first heat.  If that is the case with yours she may be ready to breed right now.  You should get with your breeder and see if you can bring her there to let the stud and your female tell you if she is ready.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you!

She is turning 6, she goes into heat only once per year but it is usually very obvious (she has to wear a diaper around the house!). There is a male next door (never that she is allowed alone with) but when I walked her last night, she showed absolutely NO interest, and he wasn't as crazy as he usually is when she is in season, so I'm thinking she's not quite there yet.

Answer
Ashley,

Since she passed the sniff test lol, your best bet is to start counting from the first day of the discharge.  Do the sniff test again on day 7 and 8 and if she still doesn't seem interested you may need to take her to the vet.  She could have an infection or something else that is causing the discharge and it could just be coincidental that it has occurred at the same time she was due to start her heat.

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