Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being. Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance on a range of topics that matter most to you and your dog, so you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here! Can You Breed a Big Dog with a Small Dog? “Can you have a Belgian Shepherd with a Chihuahua?” – Riley Hi Riley, That is a very fair question. A Belgian Shepherd and a Chihuahua can absolutely live together, but it works best when everyone understands their differences, much like a bicycle sharing the road with a truck. They can go in the same direction and do just fine, as long as speed, space, and boundaries are respected. Calm introductions, supervision during play, and teaching the larger dog to move gently are essential because even friendly enthusiasm from a big body can overwhelm a tiny one. Think of it as teaching two dogs to speak the same language despite very different accents. Positive reinforcement, protected rest areas for the smaller dog, and controlled interactions help build trust and safety. Breeding a Belgian Shepherd with a Chihuahua, however, raises serious welfare concerns and is not considered responsible or ethical. The extreme size difference creates significant risks for the female dog, particularly if the Chihuahua is the dam, as pregnancy and whelping could be life-threatening. Even if the larger dog is the dam, orthopedic, neurologic, and developmental issues can arise in offspring due to mismatched skeletal and growth patterns. Responsible breeding prioritizes health, predictability, and preservation of functional structure, not novelty. I hope this explains. – Dr. Paola If you want real time answers to your questions, you can talk to one of our veterinarians online. Click on the image or button below: Click to Speak With a Vet @media (max-width: 767px) { .desktop-only-button { display: none; } } Help! My Dog Won’t Stp Whining! “Dear Dr. Paola, How do I get Minnie to stop whining? She mostly does it because she’s afraid of our ceiling fan and sometimes doesn’t want to enter the room when it’s on – but sometimes she does, so we just leave it on. But, if she’s in a mood where she doesn’t want to enter, she just stands at the door and whines, and could go on for hours, until we turn the fan off. It’s fun.” – Lyle Hello Lyle. Whining in this situation is best understood as Minnie communicating discomfort rat