How many Puppies can a Yorkshire Terrier Have?
Animal file: Yorkshire terrier
The Yorkshire terrier is very popular small dog; maybe for this reason that many people who already have one want it to have offspring. Remember that a dog's pregnancy should be considered carefully and in detail, since it entails a lot of responsibility.
The number of puppies will depend on the ages and sizes of the parents. If the mother of the future puppies is inexperienced - on her second or third heat - and small, you can expect 2 to 3 puppies. More experienced or older mothers may have up to 5 or 6 puppies.
In this AnimalWised article, we'll give you the keys to knowing how many puppies can a Yorkshire Terriers have, and how you should address this issue so that the pregnancy is carried out properly:
How many puppies can a Yorkshire terrier have?
On average, Yorkshire Terrier have around 3 puppies, although this can vary depending on the age of the dog. Yorkshire Terriers can sometimes have up to 8 small puppies, but this depends on the particular dog.
Inexperienced mothers who give birth in their second or third heat usually have a lower number of puppies that those who have already given birth, or those who have gone through several heats.
The number of offspring is also determined by the male's sperm. The sperm of older male dogs will inseminate a greater number of eggs than the sperm of younger dogs.
What to consider before breeding Yorkshire Terriers
To begin with, it's essential to understand some basic details about the parents in order to avoid childbirth complications or future diseases:
- Avoid inbreeding: It's very important for you to understand that the breeding of genetically related animals increases the likelihood of their offspring being affected by recessive genes, causing a genetic deterioration in the offspring. That includes the appearance of mutations, diseases and other health problems.
- Healthy individuals: Obviously, you should never breed a Yorkshire Terrier that suffers from any degenerative issues or serious health problems. Genetic problems that can be passed on to puppies should be avoided at all costs. The best known ones are osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia.
- Physical defects: Before thinking of breeding your dog, you should make sure it doesn't suffer from any sort of physical defect. It's not a question of aesthetics - quite the opposite. For example, a poorly developed jaw can be inherited and be detrimental to the puppy's future development. Some physical defects can be passed on and others can't, but it would be a serious problem if it occurs more intensely in the offspring than in the parent.
- Size of the male: Being aware of the size of the male is essential to preventing problems in the pregnancy. You should choose a male that is smaller than the female, so that the puppies are not excessively big and don't cause stress on the uterus.
- Delivery problems: If we don't respect the size of the male (and even if we do), problems may arise that can cause the puppies or mother to die. Find out about all all the pregnancy problems that can arise, and get ready to act or call the vet.
- Responsibility for the puppies: If you've decided to breed your Yorkshire Terrier, you should be very aware that you (along with the other owner) are responsible for the life of these small animals. You can't abandon them or not look after them well enough. Neither should they be given to someone who will not look after them well. Remember that there are millions of abandoned Yorkshire Terriers around the world. If you can't look after them all, it's better for you not to breed your dog.
- Looking after the puppies: Puppies can be rejected by the mother, be born ill or develop problems if they are not properly fed. You should make sure you're capable of addressing all of their dietary needs, if this is the case. At OneHowTo there is an article on how to care for a newborn dog.
- Yorkshire Terrier puppies: Unlike other breeds, Yorkshire Terrier puppies are particularly delicate. Inappropriate care can cause some puppies to die.
- Economic solvency: You must prepare yourself for the possible emergence of a large litter, or for medical complications to arise. Remember that veterinarians, food and baby formula milk are expensive. It is very important for you to consider this before the arrival of the litter of small Yorkshire Terriers.
The pregnancy of a Yorkshire Terrier
Personally, owing to the number of potential pregnancy-related problems and the high number of abandoned dogs of this same breed around the world, we would never recommend that you breed your Yorkshire Terrier.
However, if you've already found the perfect match for your Yorkshire terrier and you've decided to go ahead with the pregnancy, we recommend that you do as much research as possible. Pregnancy and birth are very special moments, but should be treated responsibly.
If you want to read similar articles to How many Puppies can a Yorkshire Terrier Have?, we recommend you visit our Gestation category.
