I have no intention of breeding however the breeders will know this answer better than anyone so here goes.
I have an unaltered male doberman x collie, and until now we've had other males and spayed bitches in with him without a problem. Last week however, the owner of an unaltered Yorkie bitch surrendered her to us as our dogs get on like siblings and keep each other busy playing near 24/7. Both are about 1.5 yrs old.
It's just occurred to me however that I first met the Yorkie about 6 months ago and then she was in season... which means she's due.
My automatic thoughts were more along the lines of my dog being protective of her, and her being walked on leash away from parks etc. (there is no way she will stay indoors for 12 hours let alone 3 weeks!). But I never considered the possibility of a mating here. Now a breeder may tell me I'm being stupid, there's no chance she'd let him/he wouldn't be able to/he wouldn't fit etc... but I realise this would be a life/death mistake if they somehow manage.
The male looks like a lurcher with his long legs and deep chest. Somewhere between a whippet and a greyhound in size. The Yorkie bitch is small for a full Yorkie, but only just.
Is there even the slightest possibility they could accidentally? mate?
Spaying and neutering (the obvious solution) is already on the cards, but not something I can do at the moment so won't get there in time for this season.
Oh wonderful web people... what say you?
I have an unaltered male doberman x collie, and until now we've had other males and spayed bitches in with him without a problem. Last week however, the owner of an unaltered Yorkie bitch surrendered her to us as our dogs get on like siblings and keep each other busy playing near 24/7. Both are about 1.5 yrs old.
It's just occurred to me however that I first met the Yorkie about 6 months ago and then she was in season... which means she's due.
My automatic thoughts were more along the lines of my dog being protective of her, and her being walked on leash away from parks etc. (there is no way she will stay indoors for 12 hours let alone 3 weeks!). But I never considered the possibility of a mating here. Now a breeder may tell me I'm being stupid, there's no chance she'd let him/he wouldn't be able to/he wouldn't fit etc... but I realise this would be a life/death mistake if they somehow manage.
The male looks like a lurcher with his long legs and deep chest. Somewhere between a whippet and a greyhound in size. The Yorkie bitch is small for a full Yorkie, but only just.
Is there even the slightest possibility they could accidentally? mate?
Spaying and neutering (the obvious solution) is already on the cards, but not something I can do at the moment so won't get there in time for this season.
Oh wonderful web people... what say you?