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How many puppies can a Shih Tzu have the first time?
Some toy breed dogs only have 1 to 3 puppies. The Shih Tzu, while a toy breed, has a relatively larger litter. The average litter of the Shih Tzu is 3 with a range of 1 to 5 being considered normal; however some cases a Shih Tzu may have an even larger litter.
Can a Shih Tzu have 6 puppies?
On average, Shih Tzus will have around 3 puppies in each litter usually. 3 to 4 would be the average range, however it’s not unusual for older Shih Tzus to have larger litters after their first time, with up to 5 or 6 puppies.
What is the litter size of Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzu
| hideTraits | |
|---|---|
| Coat | See Coats section below |
| Colour | All are permissible Often multiple color coats Gold Dark/Light Brown White Black White Grey Liver/White |
| Litter size | 2–9 |
| Life span | 10–18 years, average is 12 years old |
What is the best age for a Shih Tzu to have puppies?
The AKC states that a dam must not be younger than 8 months and the sire not less than 7 months. We recommend that a female Shih Tzu should be at least 2-years-old; she will be physically mature yet still have enough youthful flexibility.
Can a Shih Tzu have 9 puppies?
How many litters can a Shih Tzu have? Responsible breeders won’t let their Shih Tzu have any more than 4 litters of puppies her lifetime.
How many weeks is a Shih Tzu Pregnant?
The normal gestation period in dogs is approximately 63 days from conception, although this can vary by several days.
How many times can Shih Tzu get pregnant?
After that litters tend to decrease in size again. Important: You should not breed your Shih Tzu more than four times. Any more pregnancies than this can be bad for their health, plus mental state.
Can a Shih Tzu have 7 puppies?
For health reasons your dog should have no more than once per year, Shih Tzu can have up to five puppies at a time and like any pregnancy, it can be dangerous so we recommend one per year. Again we recommend you check with your vet before breeding your dog to make sure she can handle the pregnancy.
Will my dog bite me if I touch her puppies?
Safety is important during this time. Mother dogs may bite if you ignore her growling and snarling. The more you hang around the whelping area and touch the pups, the more mother dog may feel the need to be aggressive.
Why do mother dog eat their puppies?
A dog can resort to cannibalism if she does not recognize her puppies as her own young, which would be down to hormonal issues. During the delivery of a litter, dogs produce hormones, and some of them are responsible for identifying the puppies and creating an automatic maternal bond.