Genetics question.

[shilala]

I was wondering...
We have a Sheltie named Ginger who is a tiny litle thing. Shelties tend to be a lot larger, although I guess smaller is more desirable.
For argument's sake, suppose she mates with a Great Dane or Saint Bernard (she'll actually be bred to another Sheltie).
Would the resultant crossed pups be so large that they'd cause a birthing problem?
The reason I ask is that my wife intends to let her have one batch of pups and I'm concerned that she's so small the delivery would cause problems if the sire is a much larger Sheltie.
Do I have anything to worry about?

 

[pyonir]

<uninformed answer> I would assume that the puppies would just be very small when they are born. </uninformed answer>

 

[CRXican]

that's a pretty funny question if you think about it.

The baby's won't be any bigger than the space inside her uterus allows, it will be fine.

That's like asking if a woman who is 5 feet tall will have trouble having a baby if she is impregnated by a man who is 7 feet tall.

 

[shilala]

Originally posted by: CRXican
that's a pretty funny question if you think about it.

The baby's won't be any bigger than the space inside her uterus allows, it will be fine.

That's like asking if a woman who is 5 feet tall will have trouble having a baby if she is impregnated by a man who is 7 feet tall.

That makes sense. Thanks, I feel a lot better about the Sheltie/Sheltie mating. The ratio is much the same as you mentioned.
What about a cross between a 10 pound dog and a two hundred pound dog? COuld a person expect a premature birth, or would the same apply?

 

[CRXican]

cross breeding between dogs varying in size that much just doesn't happen, as far as I know