My Cocker Spaniel mated with a Labrador. What are the risks?

Hello, thank you for your question about Sadie. I am very sorry to hear that this happened. It is very difficult to say for sure if she would be able to deliver the puppies; it is dependent on many different factors. It depends on how big Sadie is and the size of her pelvic bones. It also depends on the size of the puppies, as just because she mated with a large breed dog does not mean that her puppies will be large. I would recommend consulting with your veterinarian to discuss monitoring her pregnancy. Additionally once the puppies have bones an x-ray can be taken to determine the number and the rough size of the puppies. Hope this helps!

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This is a little bit of a predicament! I do share your concerns. While Millie may end up being just fine with this possible pregnancy, there would be concerns if she bred with such a big dog, and especially if she ends up with a small litter. Puppies tend to grow much bigger if there's only 1 or 2, and that coupled with the size difference could cause problems in Millie's labor. The safest option would be to have Millie spayed immediately, and that would remove all the variables of whether she'll end up with a dystocia (problems in labor) later on. This would be the safest option for Millie. If you do choose to let Millie proceed with this possible pregnancy, I definitely recommend touching base with your vet right away for guidance. I would absolutely recommend having Millie x-rayed later in her pregnancy so you know how many puppies you're anticipating (this helps us know when it's ok for her to be done delivering puppies, so we don't worry that there's still a puppy stuck in there!), and learn how to monitor her temperature to watch for the temperature drop that can signal impending labor. This will help you be on the lookout for the warning signs that her labor may not be progressing as it should, which could lead to a necessary C-section. I hope this helps, and feel free to request a consultation if you'd like to discuss this in more detail!

I would be concerned about the size difference and the possibility of her needing a c-section. I would recommend calling and explaining your situation and maybe they will move up her spay procedure in the next week or so. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Yes a black lab can breed with a Shih Tzu but the problem is that the lab is so much bigger than your dog, meaning the puppies will be large. This leads to an increased risk of dystocia (difficulty giving birth) and likely an emergency c-section. There is nothing you can do about the owner of the lab unfortunately. I would have your dog spayed after she has her puppies so you don't have to worry about any unplanned matings in the future. Best of luck.

No this isn’t entirely correct. She does however have a greater chance of needing a C-section if the puppies end up being bigger than her birth canal. Which is why it’s best to have her examined by your vet and radiographs taken to look at the size of the fetuses. If they are too big to pass, then a simple C-section can be scheduled for the Mama dog. I hope this helps. Best wishes and take care.

Yes, they can mate and this could cause damage to the Chihuahua. Additionally, if she did get pregnant, the puppies would likely be too large for her to birth naturally. I recommend to get the Chihuahuas spayed when she is six months old. It is best to avoid any potential complications. Best of luck.

Please consult your vet regarding your options immediately. If her eggs do become fertilized, this could be a very dangerous pregnancy for Coco, as she is so small and the male dog is so big. The puppies would likely be so big that she may need a c-section to give birth, and the pregnancy could be life-threatening.