Generally, dogs carry their young for 57 to 65 days, with most delivering around 63 days or 9 weeks. This duration holds across all dog breeds, from the smallest to the largest. However, this timeline can fluctuate slightly depending on the individual dog.
For pregnancies planned with a stud dog, it’s wise to mark the mating date to predict accurately when your dam might deliver.
The initial trimester of dog pregnancy spans about 21 days. During this phase, your dog might not exhibit noticeable signs of pregnancy. You can maintain your routine, ensuring your dog receives normal exercise and nutrition levels.
Some dogs might experience morning sickness, similar to humans, though this is uncommon. If your dog vomits or seems lethargic for more than a few days, consult your veterinarian to exclude any health complications.
If the pregnancy is intentional, arrange a prenatal checkup during this period, and inform your veterinarian about the mating date. Your vet might measure your dog’s hormone levels or recommend other noninvasive tests to confirm pregnancy.
In the next 21 days, signs of pregnancy become evident. Your dog’s abdomen will expand as the puppies grow. Her nipples might enlarge and darken as her body prepares for milk production.
There’s usually no need to alter your dog’s routine during this trimester, and she should manage her usual daily activities. However, be cautious about activities that involve heavy jumping or extensive running.
The final trimester begins around day 42 to 45 and lasts until your dog gives birth. During this stage, expect a significant increase in your dog’s belly size as she prepares for labour. She might also exhibit nesting behaviours like digging or scouting for a suitable birthing spot.
Prepare a whelping box during this time to avoid her nesting in inaccessible areas.
Schedule a veterinary check-up, especially if your dog is a smaller breed, to determine if a C-section might be necessary due to the puppies’ size relative to the birth canal.
During this late stage, patience with your pregnant dog is crucial as pregnancy can be exhausting. Ensure she eats nutrient-rich food and drinks plenty of water. Light exercise is beneficial to maintain muscle strength for labour but keep it gentle.
If you’re dedicated to responsible pet breeding, RPBA is here to support your breeding journey from conception to birth. We offer downloadable and printable templates to guide breeders through the 9 weeks of pregnancy and resources for each stage of your puppy litter’s life. If you are interested in becoming an RPBA breeder, click the button below to learn more.
Newborn puppies are at a critical stage of development. RPBA provides its members with downloadable and printable templates to assist breeders throughout different stages of puppy life:
They have great resources for first time breeders like myself which made me feel a lot more comfortable knowing I have their ongoing support and guidance.
The discounts and specials they offer members saved me 10 times more than their membership fee. A no brainer. And the support from fellow RPBA breeders has been reassuring and welcoming too. Very happy!
RPBA has been excellent to deal with from start to finish. My application was processed within 24 hours and their breeder offerings are great.
I’ve already used some of their templates and the learning documents they provide also has made it easier for me to educate new families on health matters and ongoing care of the pups once they leave our home. Great to be part of a proactive and supportive group.
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