To Breed Or Not To Breed
by Sunny
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Ihave a 7 1/2 month old maltese, Hollybelles Maggie. It is time to make the decision to spay her or let her have a litter of puppies. I have always intended to spay her. I take her to work with me everyday and everyone in our office has become attached to her. They want me to let her have one litter. She is 5 pounds and I don't want to do anything to jeopardiae her health and disposition. I know absolutely nothing about whelping or finding an appropriate stud. Any information you can give me will be appreciated.Thanks, Sunny
DISCUSSION:
Sunny: If you know nothing about whelping or breeding or placing puppies, why would you ever consider it!!! Its a shame the breeder would carelessly give you full registeration and the option to breed your little girl. Did you buy her as a pet without a spay agreement? You really need to check the dogs behind her to see if there are any genetic health problems. You may be surprised what you find out.
Mary
I agree with Mary, breeding is not a "shade-tree" hobby, it's a career, a science, even. If you don't know anything about it, stay away. Would you want your hairdresser working on your plumbing?
Judy
Hi! Not only to I agree with Mary, but I feel you should ask yourself this question. Are you prepared to lose her. When you go into the breeding aspect, you must realize that although most of the time things go ok, sometimes they do not, and you must realize you have a chance of loosing the bitch and/or pups. It has happened to me, and it heartbreaking. Good Luck in whatever you decide to do.
Theresa
Ditto...ditto...ditto DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT BREEDING HER !
This is highly specialized kind of stuff, really, really, really
Besides, you do NOT breed a puppy ! A maltese should be 2 years old and no older than 6. A 5 pounder is to be put on a pillow and enjoyed, she is NOT A BROOD BITCH ! oly
oly
Call your vet today and schedule to have your dog spayed. Allowing your dog to have 'just one litter' is extremely irresponsible and would put you in the cursed category of "backyard breeders". Breeding is a science of genetics, a study in behavior, it's a dangerous and expensive undertaking. A breeders first responsibility is to the breed - the improvement of the breed, not the quantity of pups available. If your friend wants a puppy I suggest they search for a reputable breeder. You admit that you have intended to have her spayed all along.
Leslie R
Ditto on all of the above. Just because everyone wants you to breed is certainly no reason to do it. Let the experts do the breeding..
Libby & Buster
Well I have bred quite a few 5 pounders with no disasters but I wonder who is the 'they' that want you to breed? If it is just your friends or family why are they wanting you to breed? Is it because they want a free puppy? Guess what - breeding Maltese is VERY expensive! Tell them to go out and buy their own! If it is you breeder who wants a good bitch bred then she could handle it for you. If she has a good vet who knows whelping problems in toy dogs then the risk to your bitch is not that great. Maltese do make wonderful mothers. Generally if you are not interested in breeding - then don't!
Mary Lou
Did you buy your female as a pet or show? I also bought maltese from that kennel and have some information I would really like to share with you. Sunny, Please e-mail me at chocalom@aol.com
Thanks, Laura
Laura Ana Knecht
Sunny, please go back and read the posts by Mary, Judy, Theresa, Oly, Leslie R, Libby and Mary Lou. NOW, go back and read them all again.
Marie
When you watch thing on TV you see a comment please don't try this at home, only professional should do it. That is the thing about getting involved in things you are not professionally trained in someone could wind up getting really hurt, and in this case it might be your little fur baby. Another problem you might run into is playing the game at the office who gets the puppy, the ones that are left out will not be pleased, and the one or ones that get the puppies, will be nothing but in a pain, if the dog is not perfect. This idea why done with the best of intentions, is not a good one, but remember the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
malteze
Ditto to all of the above!!!!!
JP
Sunny, I too own a Hollybelles pup and love her. Would like to chat with you on Java chatline tomorrow, Thursday, evening around 8:00 CST if you could meet me.
Cindy
Sunny - just wanted to tell you a little story of a friend of mine who is tube feeding two 6-day old pups right now because their mother died while the owner was at work. She must do this every 4 hours around the clock. The owner couldn't handle it and now my friend is. I would hate for you to have to go through this kind of tragedy. Have your baby spayed and enjoy her.
Tracy B.
Sunny: Please get her spayed. I agree with the others here on this one. Your friends that want you to "let her" have one liter will not be there during the whole thing. They probably want a free pup. Like someone else here said--tell your friends who you bought her from and let them go and buy a pup there. Please don't risk your babies life to please your friends.
Angel
One more comment. After reading the recent posts I am wondering why everyone wants you to spay your bitch. If you have no male dogs in your home she really doesn't need to be neutered. I've had bitches go their whole life without being bred OR spayed. Vets say it prevents breast rumors (which Maltese are susceptale to) but also sometimes you need to give hormone replacement because the spayed bitch will become incontenant. Be sure to discuss all of this with your vet. The spaying IS major surgery after all, and post op IS painful. You might want to delay it until she needs her first teeth cleaning and must be anesthetised for that.
mary lou
I hate to differ from Mary Lou, but my Vet said all bitchs should be spayed by age of seven and no earlier than one year. I had my last little girl done at six and she lived to be sixteen. (and could have lived longer). Ask your Vet what he/she suggest after all that is the one person you should trust.
Sandy
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise. |
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