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Breeding a Chihuahua is not something you want to do without the right knowledge. These little dogs have many difficulties during delivery (whelping). They are physically fragile dogs and have bones that are very easily broken and as a result, things can go wrong. You need to consult with your veterinarian prior to taking on this endeavor. Your pet needs a clean bill of health before being bred. You should be able to talk to your veterinarian anytime you need them with questions or concerns about the health of your Chihuahua and whether or not the dog can physically handle whelping.

Breeding Chihuahuas:
There is a lot more involved to the process of breeding than simply picking which two purebred Chihuahuas to breed together. You need a complete history of genotype and phenotype of the animals involved to prevent any possible genetic complications such as heart problems, patella luxations, leg perthes, liver shunts or any other type of condition.

When is the Right Time to Breed?
DO NOT mate a female unless her weight is at least four pounds. You will also need to make sure she is at least one year of age. A Chihuahua should not be bred during the first, second or even third heat because of delicate health.

Possible Complications During Pregnancy and Delivery:
Since Chihuahuas are so small, it comes as no surprise that an average litter size is only two puppies. Chihuahuas can have litters in range from one to four puppies.

It is important to remember that even though litters are not big, stillbirths are quite common. Your female may need an emergency Casearian section. There is always a danger that the mother might not make it through the surgery.

The heads of Chihuahua puppies are large and as a result, many are to large to pass through the birth canal. You will need to monitor the birthing process and if there are any distress signals or a long delivery, you will need to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Another thing to consider is that Chihuahuas oftentimes have breech births. You will need to have immediate veterinarian care or the assistance of one to guide you through the birthing process to help the puppies in the event of an emergency.

Chihuahuas might suffer from other medical complications such as uterine rupture, or an infection of the uterus. The bacteria from the uterine infection may cause the death of the mother or puppies, or both if left untreated. If you notice any pus mixed in with a bloody discharge before or after delivery, it could be a sign of an acute infection and your dog needs medical attention quickly. These may be signs of uterine infection and other warning signs include excessive urination, vomiting or a mother refusing to eat or nurse the puppies.

Your Chihuahua female may be afflicted with hypoglycemia, when the blood sugar levels drop so low the dog can go into shock, have a seizure or possibly die. The puppies may also suffer from hypoglycemia.

Shortly after giving birth, a female may suffer from Eclampsia or hypocalcemia, which is canine milk fever. The common warning signs of this disease include; lack of coordination, panting, eye twitching and severe spasming of the muscles. When this occurs it is very important that your Chihuahua gets immediate veterinary care.

If you are not sure about the health history of both the male and female, it is highly recommended you leave breeding to the professionals or purchase your Chihuahua from a reputable breeder, local rescue group or humane society.

About the Author:
This article is a part of the Chihuahua collection at GreatDogSite. GreatDogSite provides hundreds of articles on dogs!