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Hi Cindy,
My 1 1/2 year old Shih Tzu has just tied with my male 3 times over the past 2 days, which where all due to not being under my watch I may add (husband and children). Will she have a large litter? I'm concerned because it has not been a year since her last litter. She only had 3 that time, but they where between 6-8 ounces at birth.
There is no way for me to know the answer to your question. The number of ties doesn't always determine the number of puppies. I've bred females once and had litters of 14.
So she tied THREE times accidentally? ..I think I would consider either spaying her or neutering your male if you can't keep them separated during her heat cycles.
I keep all my dogs intact but I don't allow them direct contact unless I am planning a breeding. She's not even fully mature at 1 1/2 years old, especially to be having a second litter already.
Cindy Rhodes
I always keep them separated, but my kids and husband are a lot slower at re crating them when they come back in from walking. I did not want to breed her this cycle. I had a belly band on him when he was out of the crate, but I can not control what my kids do when I'm not home. Trust me, I am not excited with the round of vet bills I am about to rack up. I take my dog for pre and post natal visits as well as her pups. I'm just trying to get a feel for what I'm in for before the vet tells me she is having 8 puppies when he is able to palpate and then confirm with ultrasound and x-ray.
