Even though Chihuahuas are the smallest breed in the world, they have huge personalities in those little bodies, and their charisma is something that makes everyone like them. When it comes to female Chihuahuas, they are shorter than males, which makes them even more sensitive. That being said, many will wonder, can a female Chihuahua breed with a large dog?
The answer is NO. This breeding process between a female Chihuahua and a large male dog can have disastrous consequences. So let’s get into it.
Can A Female Chihuahua Breed With A Large Dog
A Female Chihuahua can not breed with a large dog, although that is physically possible. If a large male impregnates the female Chihuahua, she will be prone to physical injury (female genitals and spine).
Besides, she will be in utter pain during the breeding process. Sometimes, because of an extreme size difference between the parents, even death can occur (potentially lethal bleeding can happen).
Moreover, the genetic makeup of the large male dog will carry on to the puppies. This means that the offspring will be too large for Chihuahua’s birth canal, so the C-section is necessary.
Thus, it is recommended to breed Chihuahuas only with dogs of similar size. However, if you do not want to breed your Chihuahua, she should be neutered to prevent accidental mating and potential health problems.
Here are some dog breeds with whom you can mate your female Chihuahua:
- Papillon
- Beagle
- French Bulldog
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pomeranian
- Cocker Spaniel
- Dachshund
On the other hand, you can breed a male Chihuahua with a large female dog. The large female can safely carry the puppies and have a natural birth without complications.
How Much Bigger Can A Male Dog Be Than The Female
There is no exact answer on how much bigger can a male dog be than a female because it is always recommended to mate dogs that are similar in size. However, in the canine world, breeding can happen with anyone.
You should spay or neuter your pet as a responsible pet owner to avoid unexpected mating. For example, if you have a small female dog, ensure that she breeds only with small males or similar size males because a large male can hurt her through the mating process or even kill her.
Also, she will not be able to carry large puppies and deliver them safely. In addition, male dogs are naturally larger, so when breeding, consider the weight of the dogs too.
Small Dog Giving Birth To Large Puppies
It is known that toy breeds are more prone to difficulties during labor which usually lasts 3-12 hours and has 3 stages.
Stage I begins when you notice the signs like pacing, panting, digging, whining, and nesting and is actually preparation for birth for your dog (opening of the cervix). Those signs should normally begin 24 hours after rectal temperature drops to 98.5 degrees or lower.
Stage II is active labor, which includes contractions and pushing. In response to contractions, your dog starts pushing, initiating the beginning of Stage II.
The first contractions and pushing can last up to 1 hour before the first puppy. If the pushing of the next puppies is longer than 30 minutes, something s not right. Finally, Stage III is the passage of the placenta, which usually occurs when each puppy is born.
Speaking about a small dog giving birth to large puppies, it is a dangerous process. So, the veterinary specialist has to do a cesarean section.
Usually, the small dog can not carry large puppies and can die during pregnancy. That being said, breeding a small female and a large male should not be your choice.
In addition, smaller dogs may have 2 to 5 puppies. Also, if a dog carries one or two puppies, they tend to be larger, and the labor is more complicated.
On the other hand, if there are five puppies in the litter, they will be smaller, and the labor will go smoothly.
Chihuahua Birthing Problems
Since Chihuahuas are the smallest breed in the world, they could have many complications during pregnancy and labor, so many of them have to get a cesarean section.
Natural labor often is not an option because Chihuahuas are known to have narrow hips and large heads, so the puppy’s head may be stuck in the birthing canal during labor.
Chihuahuas are also considered a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have short noses and flat faces. So they are in a great risk of having breathing problems.
Moreover, one of the general health problems Chihuahuas have is Hypoglycemia, and this can be even more serious when the dog is pregnant.
This means that they have low blood sugar, so you must ensure your dog gets appropriate nutrition during pregnancy.
If the blood sugar drops off to dangerous levels, it can cause seizures and even death. Also, a mother who has hypoglycemia can give birth to hypoglycemic puppies.
Further, Chihuahuas can develop a condition called Eclampsia. This is also known as milk fever, which is caused by low blood calcium. Eclampsia occurs in Chihuahuas due to inadequate nutrition during pregnancy.
The signs of this condition are fever, anting, muscle spasms, and irritability. Besides, if a dog has a large litter, the puppies will need more nutrition from their mother, which can cause this kind of problem.
When speaking about Chihuahuas’ litters, they can have 1 to 3 puppies in a litter if they have not given birth so far. However, older Chihuahuas can have a larger litter (5 to 6 puppies), which can cause some problems.
For example, if a litter is large, puppies will need more space than the mother has to give, and that can cause premature delivery or even a uterus burst.
You should visit a specialized veterinarian and ask for advice when your Chi gets pregnant.
On top of all this, in very rare cases, a mother can harm her puppies by accident because sometimes female dogs tend to eat the placenta, and she can damage the puppy’s umbilical area.
Pregnant Dog Sudden Death
The sudden death of dogs is terrifying for any pet owner, whether the dog is pregnant or not, and, unfortunately, it can happen without prior indications.
For example, parasites can cause serious infections as well as deadly diseases, especially in pregnant dogs because their immune system can be weakened when in this condition.
That being said, dormant larvae of parasites such as hookworms, threadworms, and ascarids can be activated in the pregnant dog’s tissue.
So, it would be best if you always took your dog to the vet to test her for parasites to keep her safe and healthy.
Further, there is always a chance of miscarriage, which can also lead to the mother’s death. Those miscarriages can be caused by bacteria, parasites, or hormonal imbalance (which is the most common cause).
In most cases, the female dog recovers after a miscarriage. However, if she can not expel the fetus or placenta on her own, there is a risk of getting deadly infections or internal hemorrhaging.
In addition, one more condition can happen at the end of the pregnancy, called Uterine inertia.
The problem happens when the muscles in the uterus can not contract and push the puppies out, which can lead to the death of both mother and puppies if there is no immediate medical assistance or surgical treatment.
Moreover, Eclampsia can cause the sudden death of the pregnant dog. This can occur because, at the end of pregnancy, puppies’ skeletons grow the most and need the most calcium from the mother’s bloodstream.
Also, calcium is crucial for regular heart rhythm and temperature. For example, if the dog got a high fever, the muscles could convulse, and the heart could stop beating.
On top of all this, if a female dog gets internal hemorrhaging during delivery, she can die, so it is crucial to have a vet beside you or schedule a birth in a veterinary clinic.
Read Also: White Spot On Dog Nose – Is it Dangerous?
Bottom Line
Whether you have a small or large dog, you should always remember that breeding a small female and a large male is not a good idea and can have deadly consequences.
Breeding dogs that are similar in size and weight is recommended to keep them safe and healthy.
Since the Chihuahuas are the smallest breed in the world and the females are known to be naturally smaller than male Chihuahuas, your female Chis must not be bred with large dogs.
They can get physical injuries or even lethal bleeding during labor. This can happen because the puppies will be much larger than the mother herself, and a cesarean section is needed in almost every case.
Also, the structure of Chihuahuas is such that they have narrow hips and large heads, so the puppy’s head can be stuck in the birth canal.
Regularly visit your veterinarian while your dog is pregnant because some conditions like Eclampsia or Hypoglycemia can occur.
Be aware of sudden deaths that can occur without warning, especially if your dog is pregnant. Some parasites, miscarriages, or uterine inertia can be just some of the problems your dog may have.
Always consult with your veterinarian or visit specialized veterinary clinics to keep your dog healthy and safe.