Cross Breeds

How many puppies does a maltese have on a first litter?

We have a Maltese whom we are going to be breeding (with other maltese) in the future. While being watched by a friend of ours while we were out of town, she mated with a neighbor's begeal and is now pregnant. We have found a good homes for up to 3 puppies, but I've read conflicting information over whether a first litter is larger or smaller than usual. All of the information I have is on breeding maltese with maltese, does the father's breed make a difference in the mechanics of pregnancy and birth? Does anyone have any puppy-rearing advice, I want to make sure I do everything right by the pups. Any help would be appreciated!

Public Comments

1. First off, Maltese females have a very hard time giving birth. C-sections are very common. Some vets will even suggest scheduling one to ward off potential life threatening complications. I've seen as many as 5 puppies in a maltese litter, as few as 1. A lot depends on the female's genetics. If her mother had large or small litters. Get a lot of prenatal care for the pregnant female.