breeding my chihuahua for the first time

Question
I'm new at this...Any advise for a first time breeder would be much appreciated. I would love to breed my female one time and then get her fixed. She is going to be 3 in march. What can I expect for delivery, caring for the newborns, etc.... Thanks in advance..

Answer
Hi Stacey
If you are not prepared or able to stay home with this litter of pups, then please don't breed your girl. Chi's are very delicate and your girl could go into labor with you at work (if that's the situation) have complications and die before you get home. You could lose a pup SO quickly to getting chilled or mom laying on them. It's a serious exhausting undertaking when done correctly. It's fulfilling, joyful, amazing, incredible, heartbreaking and terrifying all at the same time. If you are in a situation that you can be with your girl 24/7 then wonderful. Either way I am very proud of you for seeking advice and not just allowing nature to take it's course. Please find below a website that should help you. Do have a vet standing by in case of emergency, have your girl ultrasounded to find out how many pups you have and their presentation etc prior to whelping. Have a vet check done PRIOR to make sure your girl has no issues such as a vaginal fissure that might make whelping even more complicated than it already is, and do make sure that you research nutrtion and health during pregnancy and lactation, that you are aware of the expense of vetting puppies. (deworming every two weeks, vaccinations beginning at three weeks,. then four weeks, then six weeks, then eight weeks). Make sure mom is up to date on vaccinations heartworm prevention and is parasite free prior to breeding. Pick a male whose background you can check into to make SURE that although HE weighs three pounds, his grandsire didn't weight eight....it happens.
And please feel free to ask any questions at ALL, a question unasked is the ONLY stupid question. I will help in anyway that I can.
Blessings and good luck
Cindi
http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/whelping.html