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Before any bitch is mated, she should be in optimum health and physically fit. Her vaccinations, worm and flea treatment should be up to date. As a breeder, Breeders like to achieve at least two matings, 48 hours apart. They calculate the due date from the first mating. A bitch is pregnant for 63 days but can whelp a day or two earlier. The first signs of pregnancy may not become apparent until the 3rd or 4th week. These early signs are more emotional than physical. I find my bitches become more clingy and affectionate. A maiden bitch, one that is pregnant for the first time, may show physical signs earlier. She may thicken noticeably in the flanks and her nipples may significantly increase in size.
By 5-6 weeks, the physical signs of pregnancy should be obvious. This is the best time to have your bitch examined by a vet, should you be unsure, and seek professional confirmation. By this stage, if carrying a good sized litter, the bitch will be quite rotund when viewed front on, or from behind. You may even witness or feel movement from the pups as they jostle for space. In the last week or two, this is less likely .The rapidly growing pups will now have little room to maneuver.
In the final two weeks of the pregnancy, the bitch will become restless. She will seek your reassurance. She will search for a suitable place to prepare her nest. By this time you should have a whelping box set up in a quiet place, away from family activities. Commonly made from wood, the box should be large enough to allow the bitch room to lie down, fully extended. The sides need to be high enough to keep the pups contained. One side should be height adjustable allowing the bitch easy access in and out of the box. It's also important to include a pig rail. Wooden doweling is ideal for this purpose, attached along the inside, a few inches from the base. This will prevent the bitch accidentally rolling on top of a new born pup. Introduce the bitch to her new maternity quarters well in advance.
Is Your Dog Pregnant?
When it comes to mating, dogs can be very discrete - and rather indiscriminate - so you may not know puppies are on the way. There are a number of signs you can look out for, but most are not apparent until your bitch is well into her pregnancy (which on average lasts between 61 and 65 days).
Signs of pregnancy
Vaginal discharge will usually occur around 1 month after mating.
The teats will become more prominent due to an increase in the blood supply around the base of the nipples. This should appear between 25 to 30 days after mating.
Appetite is usually depressed during mid-pregnancy, but not in every case.
The abdomen will enlarge and the total body weight of your bitch may increase by 20%-55%. This may not be noticeable until 45-50 days into the pregnancy.
Behaviour may also change, such as displaying slight depression.
Closer to the delivery date, your bitch will probably start to express her nesting instincts, scratching at the floor or in her bed, and displaying signs of increasing restlessness.
On average, you should be able to tell whether or not your bitch is pregnant at around one month after mating.
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