Lab pregnant by St. Bernard: Will puppy size harm her during birth?

If Sophie is very close to her due date I would expect that she would have gained some weight, even if the pups are small. It is possible that she could be carrying a singleton (one puppy) high up in the ribs. Also if pregnancy was confirmed before 5 weeks it is possible that the pups may be been resolved. Either way, I would recommend taking Sophie to the vet for a scan to see how many puppies there are and to see if they are alive and well.

Pregnancy complications really depend on how large the puppies are and how many she is carrying. It is best to work with your vet for regular checkups to confirm the pregnancy, and an X-ray as it gets closer to Riley's due-date to check on the size and number of puppies. Your vet can then recommend if a C-section is needed. Signs to watch out for during labor that may indicate dystocia (difficulty giving birth) include straining for long periods without success, a visible puppy stuck in the birth canal, or no puppies produced after several hours of labor. These are all signs something may be wrong and that Riley should be brought to the vet for care.

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.

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.

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. A female dog that has mated with a much larger dog is at risk of pregnancy complications. I would recommend a veterinary exam with her vet to come up with a pregnancy plan for Mabel if you choose to continue the pregnancy. If the pups are too large she may refugee a c-section. Monitoring of fetal size is recommended to decide if a scheduled c-section may be needed. It is also possible to spay Mabel if you do not want any pups. This should be done asap as a spay later in pregnancy can be harder on the bitch. In either instance I would recommend consulting with a vet to understand her options and possible complications.

Hello, I’m not sure if there was supposed to be a photograph of the male dog attached to this post or not. If you have a large male who breeds with a small female, there is always a concern that she will not be able to have the puppies and will need a C-section. Any small female dog who is having puppies should have radiographs done after day 45 to see how many babies are expected. If you do not want her to have a litter, I recommend calling the veterinarian and discussing getting her spayed ASAP. Some dogs can have a shot to stop the pregnancy but there can be some serious side effects to that. Getting her spayed will eliminate an accidental pregnancy in the future. Getting her spayed also has other health benefits and is recommended for any dog not intended for breeding. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions!