About Penny DiLoreto Expertise As a certified veterinary assistant and a dog breeder, with over 16 years of hands on experience, I am qualified to answer questions in the following categories; General pet health issues, dog grooming, puppy socialization, dog breeding, and basic dog training
Experience In accordance with the Veterinary Assistant program requirmements, I completed 200 hours of intern work under the supervision of a licensed Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, and volunteered the Escondido Humane Society.
Organizations AKC, ACA, and ABA
Publications I have several articles related to; dog grooming, dog behavior issues, and medical topics, printed on various computer websites and free article content sites. If you would like to preview my articles, links to those sites, and articles, are posted on my website located at www.puppies-dot-com.com
Education/Credentials I have a Certificate of Competency from the San Diego Country Regional Occupational Veterinary Assistant Program, and attained Occupational Competencies in the following categories: Animal Handling and Restraint, Vaccines and Injections, Health and safety, Veterinary Laws/Ethics/Industry Data, Biohazard Waste Disposal Laws, Medicating and Grooming Procedures, Medical Math, Breed Identification, and Parasitological studies. I also received an Outstanding Student Award for my accomplishments in these studies from the ROP program.
Awards and Honors I received an, "Outstanding Student Award", from the San Diego ROP Veterinary Assistant program.
Past/Present Clients A partial listing of my past and current clients can be viewed on my website www.puppies-dot-com.com by clicking on the Testimonial Page.
Expert: Penny DiLoreto Date: 5/16/2008 Subject: Do Bostons have close to the same as there mothers litters?
Question QUESTION: I was planning on breeding my boston next month. But want to know some things before going into it. She is 15 pounds and this is her 2nd heat and the male is 15-16 pounds and 3years. does this mean that she is at more risk of c-section since being a smaller boston? Also she came from a 7 litter herself and the mother free whelped. do does that mean she most likely will free whelp. How many pups are expected in second heat for a 16 pound mom. and do you know how much a c-section cost in the bay area of california? i am giving one pup to the male studs parents and then keeping one... i am worried that she will only have one. then I would'nt get to keep one.
ANSWER: Hi Ester. Your female is right on the border line in weight scale for breeding. I like to see them weigh at least 17 lbs. but I'm glad to read that the male is also small.
There are no guarantees as to the size of the litter she will conceive, however it is said that the more time she "ties" with the male, the larger the litter will be. Just because her mother had 7 puppies doesn't mean she will have 7 (she could have more or less.)
It is also believed that the size of the litter can determine the size of the puppies (and the need for a C-section.) In theory, if she only conceives 1 or 2 puppies, they will grow larger and be harder to deliver. On the flip side, if she conceives 6 puppies, they will have less room to grow - thus they will stay small and be easier to deliver.
Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions. Sincerely, Penny D.
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QUESTION: Thank you. I just got my boston weighed and she now is 17.9 pounds! She grow in the last month... So I feel better to breed her? Is there any way to reduce the chances of c-section?
Answer Hi Ester. You can have your vet examine her and give his/her opinion. It is always a good idea to have your breeding dogs examined before mating to help insure they are genetically and physically sound enough for breeding.
Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions. Sincerely, Penny D.
