Hi

I have a pug of 15 months who has just finished her second season.  I would like to take a litter from her on her next season and am looking for pug breed specific advice.  I currently show and occasionally breed papillons.  My question is this.

A lady at our local ringcraft said that pugs need C-sections because of the size of the pug's heads and also they have breech puppies.  Is this the norm?  I dont want to put my baby through a C-section unnecessarily and if this is the case, would rather not breed from her.  She is fit and healthy, is part of the family, well exercised and in good condition.  She is from a self whelping bitch, so this made me question this lady's advice. 

Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Dee

I don't breed so this is fairly unqualified advice BUT, looking at things logically, your breeder will be best equiped to tell you about the lines your bitch has come from and whether they are in general self whelpers and if this is the case will be able to help you find a suitable stud. 

I know absolutely nowt about pugs so I am sure someone else will chip in regarding health tests etc but I would have thought that the breeder you got your girl from would be your first point of contact for any breeding enquiries you have.  good luck whatever you eventually decide to do.

Hello pugs are not the easiest to breed but it is not the norm that they need c sections.  It can depend a lot on the line of the bitch - her mother - grandmother etc.  I have the same breed and have never had to do a c section.  It's better to breed from pugs the first time before 2 years old as at this time the pelvis area is still very flexible.  This can then help for future breedings too.  The fact that they can have breech puppies is common in all breeds of dogs I would have thought but also this is not the norm in pugs.  Before breeding my first litter I also made all the necessary checks with regard to her background - mother - grandmother etc and also had her checked out by the vet to be more certain.  Too many people are saying that pugs need c sections but I also really don't know of any of my fellow breeder friends who have needed a c section in the last 24 months.   Hope to have put you a bit more at ease.

Ah one thing I should say though is that a FAT pug is more likely to need a c section than a slim in form one.