WEEK ONE
Day 1 Ovulation - The length of gestation, and therefore the date of whelping, is determined by the date of ovulation which we have named DAY 0. In fact, there is normally some degree of uncertainly regarding the date of ovulation, which is difficult to identify without precise monitoring of heat by a vet. Mature ovum
Day 2 My bitch accepts the male - If your bitch becomes receptive to the male, it means that her body is secreting sufficient hormones to stimulate ovulation and that she finds the male acceptable. He will thus be able to cover her. Mating is preceded by a courting phase during which they play, but penetration can occur rapidly, in under a minute. There can however be a number of attempts particularly if the partners are lacking in experience. The male mounts the bitch and penetrates her, generating a vaginal reflex in the bitch which traps the male until the act of mating is complete. This lock phenomenon, that keeps the two dogs locked together for 15 to 30 minutes on average, can seem even stranger if the male does a 180° turn, which is more often than not the case. The two partners thus find themselves with their respective hind quarters stuck together, each dog facing the opposite direction. It is vital not to try separating them as this could cause a hemorrhage or a tear. Above all, do not spray them with water in an attempt to interrupt mating. Mating can be repeated two days later. The mating process does not necessarily mean that fertilization has occurred. Mating might have taken place at a time when the bitch’s fertility had not yet reached its peak. Of course, the sperm can survive in the uterus for up to 7 days and fertilization can therefore take place several days after mating. To increase chances, however, mating can be repeated once after a two day interval.
Day 4 The sperm reach the ovum - Gestation begins when the female’s ova are fertilized by the male spermatozoa. This fertilization gives rise to a fertilized egg of which half of the genetic heritage stems from the father’s chromosomes and half from the mother’s chromosomes. This egg is the first component of a new living being, first of all an embryo until the 35th day of gestation and then a fetus and future puppy in the final third of gestation.
Did you know? Whatever the breed, gestation lasts on average 63 days in the bitch, when you count the duration between the day of ovulation and the day of whelping. This can vary between 56 to 70 days, if we are not precisely aware of the day of ovulation, as the egg can be fertilized immediately or several days after the introduction of the spermatozoa at mating.
Day 7 The embryos are afloat in the uterus - Towards the end of the first week following fertilization, the embryos, which are formed very high up in the uterus, will migrate towards the uterine horns. They then float and move around within the uterine liquid.
Day 1 Ovulation - The length of gestation, and therefore the date of whelping, is determined by the date of ovulation which we have named DAY 0. In fact, there is normally some degree of uncertainly regarding the date of ovulation, which is difficult to identify without precise monitoring of heat by a vet. Mature ovum
Day 2 My bitch accepts the male - If your bitch becomes receptive to the male, it means that her body is secreting sufficient hormones to stimulate ovulation and that she finds the male acceptable. He will thus be able to cover her. Mating is preceded by a courting phase during which they play, but penetration can occur rapidly, in under a minute. There can however be a number of attempts particularly if the partners are lacking in experience. The male mounts the bitch and penetrates her, generating a vaginal reflex in the bitch which traps the male until the act of mating is complete. This lock phenomenon, that keeps the two dogs locked together for 15 to 30 minutes on average, can seem even stranger if the male does a 180° turn, which is more often than not the case. The two partners thus find themselves with their respective hind quarters stuck together, each dog facing the opposite direction. It is vital not to try separating them as this could cause a hemorrhage or a tear. Above all, do not spray them with water in an attempt to interrupt mating. Mating can be repeated two days later. The mating process does not necessarily mean that fertilization has occurred. Mating might have taken place at a time when the bitch’s fertility had not yet reached its peak. Of course, the sperm can survive in the uterus for up to 7 days and fertilization can therefore take place several days after mating. To increase chances, however, mating can be repeated once after a two day interval.
Day 4 The sperm reach the ovum - Gestation begins when the female’s ova are fertilized by the male spermatozoa. This fertilization gives rise to a fertilized egg of which half of the genetic heritage stems from the father’s chromosomes and half from the mother’s chromosomes. This egg is the first component of a new living being, first of all an embryo until the 35th day of gestation and then a fetus and future puppy in the final third of gestation.
Did you know? Whatever the breed, gestation lasts on average 63 days in the bitch, when you count the duration between the day of ovulation and the day of whelping. This can vary between 56 to 70 days, if we are not precisely aware of the day of ovulation, as the egg can be fertilized immediately or several days after the introduction of the spermatozoa at mating.
Day 7 The embryos are afloat in the uterus - Towards the end of the first week following fertilization, the embryos, which are formed very high up in the uterus, will migrate towards the uterine horns. They then float and move around within the uterine liquid.
WEEK TWO
Day 8 The bitch's heat has finished, it's time for grooming. - When her heat has come to an end, you may groom your bitch as usual. The embryos are well-protected in the uterus membrane and will not come to any harm.
Day 8 The bitch's heat has finished, it's time for grooming. - When her heat has come to an end, you may groom your bitch as usual. The embryos are well-protected in the uterus membrane and will not come to any harm.
WEEK THREE
Day 16 The embryos become embedded in the uterus, this is called nidation - The embryos become embedded in the uterus lining where they will subsequently develop. They will progressively be enveloped in a protective membrane that provides them with the necessary supply of nutrients. This transient organ, the placenta, will be expelled at birth and very often eaten by the bitch.
Day 16 The embryos become embedded in the uterus, this is called nidation - The embryos become embedded in the uterus lining where they will subsequently develop. They will progressively be enveloped in a protective membrane that provides them with the necessary supply of nutrients. This transient organ, the placenta, will be expelled at birth and very often eaten by the bitch.
WEEK FOUR
Day 22 Embryos - The ears begin to form.
Day 25 Your vet can confirm gestation. By performing an ultrasound from the 25th day of presumed gestation, the vet can establish a reliable diagnosis, giving you an idea as to the size of the litter and detecting any abnormalities. - To diagnose gestation, your vet can also do a blood test to determine the level of relaxin. This hormone is only secreted by the placenta. Its presence in the blood stream is therefore proof of gestation. Whichever method your vet chooses, it is very useful to confirm your bitch’s gestation as early as possible in order to properly monitor her condition. As from the 25th day, little more than one month remains to prepare for the happy event.
Day 22 Embryos - The ears begin to form.
Day 25 Your vet can confirm gestation. By performing an ultrasound from the 25th day of presumed gestation, the vet can establish a reliable diagnosis, giving you an idea as to the size of the litter and detecting any abnormalities. - To diagnose gestation, your vet can also do a blood test to determine the level of relaxin. This hormone is only secreted by the placenta. Its presence in the blood stream is therefore proof of gestation. Whichever method your vet chooses, it is very useful to confirm your bitch’s gestation as early as possible in order to properly monitor her condition. As from the 25th day, little more than one month remains to prepare for the happy event.
WEEK FIVE
Day 32 The development of the embryo remains modest, but as from the 30th day, it becomes quite clear. Embryos - The eyelids appear.
Day 35 Fetuses - The toes separate, now we’re in the fetal stage. The 35th day marks the end of embryogenesis, the first phase of gestation. The organs are all now beginning to form and we may now talk about fetuses even though their development is not complete. It is during this fetal phase (and in particular as from the 40th day) that almost three quarters of the of the puppies' birth weights acquired by the fetuses. Your bitch's requirements are changing. As from the 5th week the fetuses' development speeds up. They gain weight and their skeleton mineralizes. Your bitch's nutritional requirements will change, as she now requires a diet with higher energy, protein and mineral content. This might seem contradictory, but you may very well observe a drop in her appetite. The change in your bitch's diet should be managed progressively, over a period of one week.
Day 32 The development of the embryo remains modest, but as from the 30th day, it becomes quite clear. Embryos - The eyelids appear.
Day 35 Fetuses - The toes separate, now we’re in the fetal stage. The 35th day marks the end of embryogenesis, the first phase of gestation. The organs are all now beginning to form and we may now talk about fetuses even though their development is not complete. It is during this fetal phase (and in particular as from the 40th day) that almost three quarters of the of the puppies' birth weights acquired by the fetuses. Your bitch's requirements are changing. As from the 5th week the fetuses' development speeds up. They gain weight and their skeleton mineralizes. Your bitch's nutritional requirements will change, as she now requires a diet with higher energy, protein and mineral content. This might seem contradictory, but you may very well observe a drop in her appetite. The change in your bitch's diet should be managed progressively, over a period of one week.
WEEK SIX
Day 40 Fetuses' - The claws appear.
Day 40 Fetuses' - The claws appear.
WEEK SEVEN
Day 45 Fetuses - The first hairs appear, the skeleton ossifies.
The coat is one of the last organs to develop, as is the skeleton which only begins to ossify in the final third of gestation.Your bitch needs to be wormed, make an appointment with your vet - Parasites are a serious threat as they can infect the puppies at birth. This is why your vet will tell you how and with which product to worm your bitch.
Prepare a place for your bitch to whelp - To avoid being caught by surprise, start preparing the place for your bitch to whelp. The chosen place must be quiet and removed from the bustle of the household. Don't forget that the room must be kept warm as newborns need heat. The floor must be easy to clean. The mother and pups will need to use this place for a few weeks, well away from any excitement so as not to disturb suckling.
Day 45 Fetuses - The first hairs appear, the skeleton ossifies.
The coat is one of the last organs to develop, as is the skeleton which only begins to ossify in the final third of gestation.Your bitch needs to be wormed, make an appointment with your vet - Parasites are a serious threat as they can infect the puppies at birth. This is why your vet will tell you how and with which product to worm your bitch.
Prepare a place for your bitch to whelp - To avoid being caught by surprise, start preparing the place for your bitch to whelp. The chosen place must be quiet and removed from the bustle of the household. Don't forget that the room must be kept warm as newborns need heat. The floor must be easy to clean. The mother and pups will need to use this place for a few weeks, well away from any excitement so as not to disturb suckling.
WEEK EIGHT
Day 50 The fetuses can now be seen on an x-ray - Towards the 50th day of gestation, the fetuses skeletons are ossified. You can therefore ask your vet to do an x-ray. This examination, in most cases, will enable the number of fetuses to be counted. At whelping, this will reassure you that no puppies have remained stuck. The x-ray is not damaging to the health of your bitch or her puppies.
Day 53 All set to go - Check that you have enough linen to change the bedding regularly. They must be completely dry when you use them. Make sure you have an extra heater to ensure an ideal temperature when the puppies are born.
Day 54 Milk production - Milk begins to flow from the teats about one week prior to whelping.
This is not, however, reliable in determining the date of whelping. Even though it is comforting to see that your bitch will be able to feed her puppies, make sure you have puppy milk replacer, puppy milk specially developed to help cope with any feeding problems or failure in milk production by the mother. Read the instructions and advice on hygiene. This will make things a lot easier for you if you have to feed the puppies.
Day 50 The fetuses can now be seen on an x-ray - Towards the 50th day of gestation, the fetuses skeletons are ossified. You can therefore ask your vet to do an x-ray. This examination, in most cases, will enable the number of fetuses to be counted. At whelping, this will reassure you that no puppies have remained stuck. The x-ray is not damaging to the health of your bitch or her puppies.
Day 53 All set to go - Check that you have enough linen to change the bedding regularly. They must be completely dry when you use them. Make sure you have an extra heater to ensure an ideal temperature when the puppies are born.
Day 54 Milk production - Milk begins to flow from the teats about one week prior to whelping.
This is not, however, reliable in determining the date of whelping. Even though it is comforting to see that your bitch will be able to feed her puppies, make sure you have puppy milk replacer, puppy milk specially developed to help cope with any feeding problems or failure in milk production by the mother. Read the instructions and advice on hygiene. This will make things a lot easier for you if you have to feed the puppies.
WEEK NINE - Final week.
Day 58 The bitch is looking for a quiet place to make her nest - In the final days before whelping, you'll see your bitchs' body shape changing. Her vulva, in particular will dilate and the pelvic ligaments will relax so that the puppies have enough room to pass through. By instinct, the future mother will seek out a quiet place to make her nest and will seem on edge. This shouldn't worry you.
If you haven't yet done so, set up the whelping nest in the selected place, well away from any excitement and make it easy for her to reach. It's a good idea to line the box with layers of puppy pads so that she's properly insulated from the floor. You can cover them with towels or sheets or any other material that will have to be frequently changed once the pups are born. It's time to prepare your bitch for whelping.
Unless you think this will cause too much stress, it is advisable to wash your bitch so that she can give birth to her puppies in the most hygienic conditions possible. If she has long hair, you can clear the area around the vulva using round tipped scissors. Finally, to avoid being taken by surprise at the onset of whelping you can, as most breeders do, take her rectal temperature three times a day. A drop of around one degree as compared to the average of the previous days occurs within a few hours, 24 or 48 hours, prior to whelping.
Day 58 The bitch is looking for a quiet place to make her nest - In the final days before whelping, you'll see your bitchs' body shape changing. Her vulva, in particular will dilate and the pelvic ligaments will relax so that the puppies have enough room to pass through. By instinct, the future mother will seek out a quiet place to make her nest and will seem on edge. This shouldn't worry you.
If you haven't yet done so, set up the whelping nest in the selected place, well away from any excitement and make it easy for her to reach. It's a good idea to line the box with layers of puppy pads so that she's properly insulated from the floor. You can cover them with towels or sheets or any other material that will have to be frequently changed once the pups are born. It's time to prepare your bitch for whelping.
Unless you think this will cause too much stress, it is advisable to wash your bitch so that she can give birth to her puppies in the most hygienic conditions possible. If she has long hair, you can clear the area around the vulva using round tipped scissors. Finally, to avoid being taken by surprise at the onset of whelping you can, as most breeders do, take her rectal temperature three times a day. A drop of around one degree as compared to the average of the previous days occurs within a few hours, 24 or 48 hours, prior to whelping.