Even though a big dog can mate with a small dog, it doesn’t mean you should let it happen. The risk of pregnancy or birth problems increases when two dogs of significantly different sizes mate. Make sure the mother is adequately cared for during pregnancy and delivery.
It is always interesting seeing puppies who have parents that are two very different sizes, but it also makes you wonder if this is okay for the dogs involved.
You may wonder how this can happen, if it’s only doable with certain breeds, and whether or not it is safe for the dogs involved.
In the following section, we will go over what classifies dog size, discuss whether big dogs can mate with small dogs, and whether or not there are consequences of these actions.
What will be the size of the puppies born from parents of very different sizes?
Puppies will generally get most of their size from their mother because their in utero growth is constrained by the size of the mother’s uterus. No matter how large the father is, the mother’s uterus is only so big and will restrict the size that the puppies are able to grow to. The number of puppies a female is carrying will also affect their size. If she is only carrying one puppy, chances are it will be a lot bigger as it has a lot more space to grow. Whereas, if she is carrying four puppies they can each only occupy a quarter of the uterus and will be competing for space which will limit their eventual body size.
If the puppies have a small father and a large mother, they are still likely to be on the larger size as the mother has a larger uterus allowing them more room to grow. However, their father’s genes will still place limitations of their size and the puppies will be unlikely to be as large as their mother when they reach adult size.
How to Breed a Smaller Female Dog to a Larger Male
There are far more factors to consider when breeding a small female dog to a large male, than when breeding a small male to a large female. There are situations where it may seem apparent – even without any specialist knowledge – that the size discrepancy is too extreme and could even cause lethal bleeding. In this instance, the two dogs should never be encouraged to mate. However, there are various situations where with a little help a female can successfully produce a bigger litter of puppies.
Firstly, assess whether the weight of the male dog can be tolerated by the female without causing injury as many small dogs (especially Dachshunds) have very delicate spines. Generally, the female will not be burdened with the entire weight of the male dog, but if he is exceptionally large there is still a risk of damage. There is also a lot of wooing involved before mating occurs – this often includes biting and pawing each other, which could cause unintentional harm. If you may need to separate the dogs at this stage if the male is too rough.
It is also possible that some male dogs will have a penis that is far too large to enter the female. Attempts to penetrate the female could rip her vaginal opening. If you are unsure whether the two mates have compatible genitalia it is best to seek advice from a vet before subjecting your female dog to potential mutilation.
If your male dog can successfully penetrate the female and enter the lock, you must keep them very still. There have been cases, where male dogs have been known to run around while still in the tie, dragging a yelping female dog around the garden. This is extremely distressing and could even be fatal for the female. Always closely supervise the dogs and as with any dogs in the lock, never attempt to separate them – wait, and let nature take its course.[pullquote-left]The more puppies a mother is carrying, the better the outcome.[/pullquote-left]
It is unlikely that the male will be able to turn away from the female during lock if she is exceptionally small. Chances are he will have to stay poised over her until the process is complete. During this time, make sure he doesn’t lie down and squash her – keep checking for any signs of distress from either party.
If the large male dog successfully impregnates the small female, there is a strong possibility that she may need a C-section to deliver her puppies. It is exceedingly common for small dogs to have fetuses that are too large for the birth canal, complicating the natural birthing process. The mother may die pushing out puppies that are far too big for her body.
Generally, the more puppies a mother is carrying, the better the outcome because they will all have to stay within the limits of what the uterus can carry. And, of course, they all must share the space, so they can only grow so big. The problem comes when the mother is only carrying one or two puppies as they will have more room to grow until eventually, they will no longer be able to pass through the birth canal.
If your small female dog is carrying a larger dog’s puppies, she must be monitored extremely closely by a vet from conception to birth. You do not want her to go into spontaneous labor with puppies she cannot feasibly deliver by herself as neither the mother and/or the pup(s) may survive.
By now, you probably understand the essence of the problems at hand. Breeding dogs of different sizes is totally possible but will most likely call for some discomfort and human help. Precisely, artificial inseminations instead of natural matings, and cesarean sections instead of natural births.
Yet, you are somewhat unsure about this whole situation and still have some questions. We’ve compiled these most frequently asked list of questions and answered them as precisely as we possibly could.
How to Breed a Smaller Male Dog With a Larger Female
In general, if a smaller male dog is determined to mate with a larger female dog, his sexual desire will be strong enough that he will find a way. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t risks involved and your male dog may need a helping hand. It is best to let him begin proceedings alone but be sure to step in if you see things going awry. It is also best practice to take both sexual partners for a full health check before encouraging them to mate, as any existing health conditions may be exacerbated by the process or may not make them a suitable genetic partner.
The first step your male dog may struggle with is mounting the female. He needs enough height to get up on top of her to penetrate her. If he cannot get high enough, you will need to find a suitable sturdy platform to give him the boost that he needs. Ensure you place it on a non-skid surface and that it has non-skid feet so that your dog will feel sure of his footing. It is also worth introducing the mating partners before the onset of the female’s fertile period (9-14 days after she goes into heat), so they can get to know one another’s smell. This should reduce anxiety levels next time around, meaning that all the dogs’ energy can be focused only on the task ahead.
Once the male has reached a height where he can penetrate the female, he may need some help to stay there. It can take a couple of minutes for the bulbous glands in his penis to begin to swell in preparation for the lock. Whilst this is happening, you can place your hand under his tail and push him firmly up so that his chest lifts onto the female’s back and his feet come off the floor. Hold him here until the male and female are both safely locked.
The next step is possibly the most important as it is where the most damage can occur. The mating lock can take place from anywhere between 15 and 40 minutes. A male dog who is of a similar size to the female will usually lift his leg over the female and turn his back to her. The two dogs will then stand back to back for the duration of the copulatory lock process. However, for a small male dog, lifting his leg over a huge female dog and turning around will not be an easy task. You may need to lift his leg over very gently and help turn him around. This process can seriously injure both dogs if not done correctly.
Once your dog has turned around he will still need some help to stay leveled with the female’s vagina until the lock is complete and he is released. You can place your dog back on his sturdy platform but ensure it is high enough to keep him reasonably leveled with the female as an extreme pulling on his penis may cause damage.
Throughout this process, you may also need to hold the female still so that she isn’t dragging the smaller male around by his penis. Depending on the height discrepancy, sometimes it is enough to just hold the female still throughout the whole process while the male gets to work. You may also be able to encourage the female to lie down on a cushion, so the male can get to her more easily. Never try to force the two dogs apart; always let lock finish naturally. In extreme circumstances, the process can take a full hour so be patient and never leave the dogs unsupervised.
FAQ
What if a small dog gets pregnant by a big dog?
Does size matter in dog mating?