A Starter Whelping Box Guide for Breeders
By: Responsible Group Australia Last updated January 27, 2023
You’ve put in the hard work of finding the right stud dog for your female, had pre-breeding physical examinations and health checks done, and are now waiting for your dam’s first litter. Congratulations are in order, because you’re already well ahead of most other breeders in caring for your animals responsibly and ethically! Now comes the fun part of caring for and raising a litter of happy, healthy puppies before they go off to their new owners.
A major concern for new breeders is how to properly prepare for their first litter, specifically concerning the whelping box and how to whelp the litter. There are a number of different options and approaches that you can take, and finding what works in terms of finances, time, and effort is critical to making this experience the best it can be for both you and your animals. Let’s take a look at some whelping box best practices.
This article contains general information. Always consult with your veterinarian for medical advice specific to your animal/s.
What Is a Whelping Box and How Do You Prepare It?
A whelping box is a specific type of enclosure used for the birthing and raising of puppies. It is often made from wood, plastic, or metal and can come in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on the number of puppies expected. The whelping box should be large enough to allow the mother dog to move around comfortably during labour and after delivery, while also providing adequate space for the newborn pups.
The purpose of a dog whelping box is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for both the mother dog and her puppies during the birthing process as well as throughout their early lives. The walls should be tall enough to prevent the puppies from escaping, while providing enough ventilation to keep fresh air circulating inside.
Some breeders swear by commercially-available whelping boxes, while others take a more do-it-yourself approach and make the box themselves. Regardless of whichever option you choose, the box should fulfil the following requirements:
1. Large enough that the mother dog is able to stretch out and move around freely without stepping on puppies
2. Easy to clean
3. Solid, secure sides to prevent puppies from escaping
4. Allow the mother dog to leave and enter the box without outside help
5. Have bedding that does not bunch up and can be washed at high heat or bleached
6. Rails to prevent the mother dog from crushing the puppies
Ideally, the whelping box should be at least the length of the mother dog plus around 30 centimetres in one direction. It should be placed in a quiet, dark area of the house that can be closed off from the rest of the household, away from any foot traffic or loud noises. This room should have good ventilation and a temperature between approximately 24 to 27°C.
The whelping box itself will need to be warmer, since the puppies cannot regulate their own body temperature for a couple of weeks. For the first week or so, a heat lamp can be used to keep the whelping box temperature around approximately 29.5 to 32°C.
Why Use a Whelping Box
Aside from providing a safe environment, whelping boxes can also help contain messes during labour and delivery. Towels or washcloths placed on top of newspapers can make clean up much easier after each puppy is born. Whelping boxes also help reduce stress in both the mother dog and puppies during this crucial time by providing a secure, quiet place away from other animals or people. This allows the mother dog and puppies uninterrupted time to bond in peace and recover from the labour.
Having your whelping box already set up also allows you more time to give the puppies the early socialisation and neurological stimulation that will help them grow into happy, well-adjusted adult dogs. You’ll have more opportunities to handle the dogs and experience the wonder of their development.
To make the experience of whelping a new litter of puppies even easier, RPBA has created a number of resources for breeders of all skill and experience levels.
Our Ultimate Whelping Supply Checklist gives you an easy-to-follow list of the essentials during whelping so you can be prepared for most situations you’ll encounter during labour and the first couple of weeks of your puppies’ lives.
Our Puppy Birthing Whelping Record helps you keep track of your puppies during labour and delivery.
RPBA covers everything from puppy checklists, whelping supplies needed, to tracking weight, puppy introductions, health recording, and much more. To access these resources, click here to sign up and become a registered breeder with RPBA. All our registered breeders must follow the RPBA Code of Ethics as well as all state and local legislation to ensure the best standard of care for their pets.
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When getting your pet from an RPBA breeder, you will get access to the following RPBA buyer discounts:
