Their tiny size is as mysterious as their origin. Nobody really knows the exact history of Chihuahuas. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), some experts believe the breed originated from the Fennec Fox. This was a very small animal with large eyes and ears. At one time pets to the upper class and also used in religious ceremonies, the dogs are named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Whether you’re considering becoming a breeder or just want puppies courtesy of a dog you already have, you should know that breeding Chihuahuas can be challenging, the PetChiDog site reports.

One difficulty is the size of the breed. Chihuahuas are the smallest dogs in the world, and breeding them can be harder than the process is for other toy dogs like Pomeranians. Chihuahuas are also prone to needing Caesarean sections to deliver their pups. This can be expensive and can also affect the health of the dog.

Most breeders will only allow mating of a top champion male with an AKC-registered, high-quality female. Due to the size of the breed, it’s essential to match a female with a male who weighs less than four pounds. For the best results, PetChiDog says the male’s parents should weigh between four and five pounds.

Following these weight restrictions makes it easier for a female Chihuahua to deliver her puppies naturally. Unfortunately, most females do require a Caesarean, and only 67 percent of the puppies delivered via this procedure are born alive.

Before beginning the breeding process, you should make sure both potential mates have thorough medical exams. This includes testing for anything that might be passed on to the puppies. Breeders also recommend against mating dogs that have behavioral issues like pronounced aggression.

Female Chihuahuas remain in heat for an average of 21 days. The smell from the dog can transfer to humans, so you need to make sure children in the household stay away from the female to avoid attracting large or dangerous breeds.

It’s important not to breed a female when she’s too young. If you’re not using a breeder, ask your veterinarian when it’s safe. Your Chihuahua will remain pregnant for around 63 days. A veterinarian should supervise the duration of the pregnancy. Many of these dogs need to give birth at an animal hospital or veterinary clinic unless the breeder is highly experienced.

When pregnant, the dog could appear lethargic or less energetic than normal. You will note her stomach growing larger and hard very fast. Her nipples will also quickly enlarge. She will probably start showing some nesting behavior and will clean herself a lot more than normal. As the pregnancy progresses, your vet will be able to advise whether she’ll need a Caesarean.

As soon as the dog’s internal temperature drops below normal, she’ll be going into labor within 24 hours. She might cry and vomit during the earliest part of labor. PetChiDog advises that you take the dog to the vet as soon as you even suspect she’s in labor.

Once the dog’s water breaks or she pushes out the amniotic sac, you should look for the puppies to begin emerging. They might come out one after another, or there might be an interval of up to two hours between births. The mother Chihuahua will clean each pup and dispose of the umbilical cord. The placenta will be delivered right after the last puppy.