Yorkshire Terriers - Breeding A Yorkie Can Be A Real Challenge

Yorkshire terriers are a small breed of dog with their own temperaments and personalities. When you are breeding your Yorkie you will want to take some special things into consideration.

First of all, be sure that you have the time, money, and other resources that are required. Breeding Yorkshire terriers is very different than breeding a medium or large sized dog. They require extra care and work that can be very demanding.

Make sure that your dog is in excellent health before you begin the breeding process. Take her to your veterinarian and make sure she has a clean bill of health before you do anything else. You do not want to endanger the life of your pet by breeding her before the time is right.

The majority of Yorkies will have a difficult time getting pregnant to begin with. No one is sure why this is, but do not be disappointed if your Yorkie is two years old or more before she can become pregnant. Even though she will go into heat before she is one year old, this does not mean that she is ready.

Also, Yorkshire terriers, as well as many other small breed dogs, have great difficulty delivering their pups. Many times you will have to take your Yorkie to the veterinarian and have a Caesarian section in order to deliver the puppies safely and to make sure the mother's health is being considered. This is an expensive procedure, and even then there is no guarantee that the puppies will survive.

As soon as you are aware that your dog is expecting, visit your veterinarian to get an x-ray or ultrasound done. This is extremely important so that you will know how many puppies there are, and if any of them are positioned in such a way as to make a regular delivery impossible. If there are only one or two pups, they may be too large to go through the birth canal.

Once the puppies are born, the real work begins. The first three days are crucial, and many pups are lost because not enough time and attention was given to them during this early stage. Be sure that someone is there around the clock to make sure the pups are nursing, the mother is producing milk, and their breathing is regular.

You may want to purchase a packaged formula mix from your pet food store or veterinarian, and make sure it is designed specifically for dogs. Read the directions on the can before you use it.

Think long and hard before breeding your Yorkie. You will need to be by her side throughout the pregnancy and first couple of weeks after the birth. Be sure you are ready for this type of commitment to your Yorkshire terrier.