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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:42 pm Post subject: Fatal Pregnancy? Need Advice!!

Hey everyone, I need a little advice:

There are two very adorable dogs that live with me – Lola, a one-year-old AmStaff Terrier about 50 lbs. The second is Bach, a one-year-old St. Bernard weighing about 125 lbs.

The problem: Lola is going into heat and I imagine they will try to make puppies.

Neither dog is fixed, and although it would be cool if it were my decision, I don’t have the final say for either of them.

The question: Is Lola likely to die from giant puppy fetuses?

I don’t know of this is an irrational fear and nature will take it’s course, or if this is a legitimate fear.

I’ve heard a few sides – If the male dog is too big the female will naturally deny him. The larger the puppies will be, the less of them the female will have. But are these really true?

I guess I am just scared she will get hurt. What do you guys think? Please list your sources – especially if it is something like 30+ years experience breeding dogs lol Smile

The boy

The girl

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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:57 pm Post subject:

It will certainly be fatal for the puppies that die in a shelter due to these dogs furthering the overpopulation.

Why can't the dogs be fixed? At the very least, KEEP THEM APART while she is in heat. No excuses. If you say this isn't possible, then why are you even asking about if the pregnancy would kill her? If we say yes and cite sources, what would you do then? Find a way to prevent the pregnancy, right? Then do that.

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject:

Yes, it could very well be fatal to Lola.

Size will not matter to either dog once hormones kick in. Lola could even be seriously injured during the mating since Bach outweighs her by 75 lbs.

At the absolute minimum, there needs to be 2 closed &amp; locked doors between these 2 dogs at all times.

They should never be left unsupervised, even with those 2 doors between them.

Lola should never be off-leash when outside, even in a securely fenced yard. 100% supervision for Lola when outside.

Do not rely on a crate to keep the 2 separated, dogs can mate through the wires.

Continue the constant separation &amp; supervision for a very long time, can't remember how long that period is but I think it is a minimum of 6 weeks once you are sure the female is in heat. I know it is not shorter.

If this can not be done, the best thing to do is to fix one of the dogs ASAP.
If the 2 do mate, a spay-abort would be the best thing.
If the owner refuses, then find a vet that can do Cesarean sections and start setting money aside for all the problems from the size difference.

If you choose to keep an intact dog, it is your responsibility to keep that dog from contributing more puppies to this world.
If that can't be done then you need to keep only speutered dogs or have no dogs at all.

Posted Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:08 pm:

ETA: I know you posted on Dogster as well. There's at least 1 post somewhere if you do a search on how many weeks/months after a dog goes into heat that you should continue the 100% supervision of the female/separation from intact males in household.

Posted Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:16 pm:

ETA2:
My "source" for the injury while mating comes from Chance needed physical therapy when a dog outweighing her by 50 lbs. injured her back while playing. We're lucky she didn't end up with a more serious spinal injury.

My "source" for whelping being fatal/need for C-section comes straight from a trusted vet after asking what would happen if an intact Border Collie was impregnated by an intact German Shepherd that outweighed her by 60 lbs.

We have friends who breed show prospects. Breeding is not to be taken lightly. The last pregnancy they ended up with 3 dead puppies.

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:49 pm Post subject:

goldfishmemoryspanII wrote it much better then I ever could.

I'm not sure who owns the dogs but you live there and you are really concerned about Lola, maybe you could talk to the owners of both dogs and tell them your concerns.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 7:09 pm Post subject:

I would advise them to spay her now and neuter the St. Bernard. And yes, she could die of such large pups being in her.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:52 pm Post subject:

I think she has gotten some great advice from different places.
Hopefully she listens and spays her dog.

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:30 am Post subject:

Too many mixes die in shelters and this poor Staffie could never bear all these huge puppies in her womb.

Please wake up and do a service to your community and spay and neuter your dogs. This is what responsible owners do that love their dogs.

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