Puppies bring joy and anticipation. Whether you’re new, to breeding or anxiously awaiting the arrival of a puppy from a breeders litter the wait can feel like forever. Fortunately dogs have a shorter pregnancy period compared to humans. But how long does a dogs pregnancy really last?
Understanding the Reproductive Cycle in Dogs
To determine the duration of a dogs pregnancy it’s essential to grasp their cycle. Female dogs, in their state go into heat every six months though this timeline can vary based on individual dogs and breeds. The heat cycle typically spans 18 to 21 days. Consists of four stages that breeders use to plan mating.
The four stages of a dogs cycle include;
1. Proestrus
2. Estrus
3. Diestrus
4. Anestrus
Proestrus, which lasts 9 days marks the beginning of the cycle. During this stage females start attracting males. Will not mate with them until stage two begins. Signs of proestrus include swelling of the vulva.
Discharge
The period of receptivity, in dogs, known as estrus can last anywhere from 3 to 4 days up to 7 to 11 days. Breeders often have a vet conduct smears and blood tests during the proestrus. Estrus stages to ensure optimal breeding time. Signs of proestrus include;
- Softening and swelling of the vulva
- Lightening and reduction of discharge
Diestrus marks the phase of the cycle usually occurring around day 14. During diestrus the discharge becomes redder before diminishing the vulva returns to its size and mating is no longer accepted. The heat cycle concludes when all signs of swelling and discharge disappear. The period between one heat cycle and the next is called anestrus lasting six months.
Understanding a dogs heat cycle is crucial in determining pregnancy duration. Breeders can pinpoint conception dates by monitoring their dogs heat cycle and breeding times aiding vets in pregnancy testing.
How to Determine Canine Pregnancy
While humans have pregnancy tests detecting pregnancy, in dogs is not as straightforward.
To determine if your dog is expecting it’s best to consult your vet. Make sure to provide your vet with the breeding date or a rough estimate as timing is crucial, for pregnancy tests in dogs.
Veterinarians have methods to confirm dog pregnancy;
1. Hormone tests
2. Palpation
3. X ray
4. Ultrasound
Hormone Tests;
Vets can check for relaxin hormone levels to detect pregnancy in dogs. Relaxin is only produced by tissue during pregnancy making it a reliable diagnostic tool. However this test is most accurate when the dog is at 30 days, into gestation; earlier tests may give results.
Palpation;
Palpating the abdomen is a cost simple way to diagnose pregnancy in dogs. As puppies develop their surrounding membranes form fluid filled sacs that can be felt between days 21 and 35 of gestation (around three to four weeks). These sacs grow to the size of a ping pong ball in a 45 pound dog.
After a month the sacs lose their shape and the uterus begins to feel soft which could be mistaken, for excess weight or a pyometra infection.
X ray
Using an x ray is a method for breeders to estimate the number of puppies their dog is expecting. X rays are most reliable in the stages of pregnancy since the fetal skull and spine don’t show up clearly until days 42 to 45. Waiting until after day 55 enables veterinarians to give a count of expected puppies and determine the timing for a planned cesarean section.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound is considered the way to confirm an early pregnancy in dogs. Veterinarians typically recommend ultrasounds between days 25 and 35 of gestation. Apart from confirming pregnancy ultrasounds also help detect heartbeats to ensure that the fetus is alive. Additionally ultrasounds can rule out conditions like an infection causing uterine enlargement and assist in calculating the fetuss age during gestation.
Gestation Period; How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?
Dogs usually have a gestation period of around 63 days, from conception although this timeframe can vary by a days.
Determining the time of conception can be tricky as sperm can survive for days, inside the female and eggs remain fertile for up to 48 hours. This means that mating isn’t an indicator of gestation duration. It becomes challenging to predict pregnancy length without assistance.
To get a timeline for gestation breeders often rely on hormone measurements. They use methods like smears and blood tests to track hormones during breeding helping them pinpoint the optimal breeding time estimate gestation duration and predict the due date.
Based on accurate hormone measurements;
Gestation typically lasts 56 58 days from the start of diestrus.
It ranges from 64 66 days from the progesterone surge.
Spans 58 72 days from when the bitch first accepts mating.
Dog pregnancies are relatively short compared to humans lasting nine weeks in total with each day being crucial. Understanding gestation length is vital for ensuring the well being of both the dog and her puppies. It guides decisions on nutrition and veterinary care throughout the pregnancy period.
Dog Pregnancy Stages
Dogs progress, through pregnancy stages
Dogs have gestation periods meaning that the puppies develop quickly inside the womb over a span of two to three months.
First Month
In the month the embryos make their way, to the horns typically around day 7 and get embedded in the uterine lining around day 16. The fetus starts taking shape by day 22 and by day 28 or 30 a vet should be able to detect heartbeats through an ultrasound.
Most dogs do not exhibit any symptoms during the three weeks of pregnancy. Some signs to look out for in the month include;
- Increased appetite
- swollen nipples
- More loving behavior
- Clear vaginal discharge (around week four)
- Reduced physical activity
- Occasional “morning sickness”
Second Month
Fetal development progresses rapidly during the second month. Eyelids form by day 32 toes become visible by day 35. Claws develop by day 40 followed after by coat and skeleton formation (day 45). By day 50 an x ray can reveal how many puppies are, in the litter and at day 58 the mother dog will begin seeking a spot to nest.
Signs of pregnancy, in dogs become more evident during the month;
- Noticeable increase in appetite
- Weight gain of 20 to 50 percent
- Increased frequency of urination
- Changes in behavior
- Clear odorless discharge from the vagina
- Swollen and firm abdomen (days 45 to 50)
- Decreased appetite (day 45)
- Movement of puppies visible in the abdomen (day 50)
Third Month
The female dog is ready to give birth at the beginning of the month. By around day 58 puppy development is nearly complete leading to them positioning themselves in the birth canal during the days of pregnancy.
Symptoms during the days of pregnancy in dogs;
- Waist appearing trim as puppies move into the birth canal
- Loss of appetite around day 61 or 62
- Drop in body temperature 12 to 24 hours before labor begins
- Restless behavior
- Pacing, panting, shivering or digging
How Long Do Dogs Stay in Labor?
After the gestation period ends, labor commences, with three stages.
Stage One
The initial stage lasts for a duration of 12 to 24 hours. May not be visibly apparent outwardly.
During the stage of labor the muscles of the uterus gradually contract, in both intensity and frequency although these contractions may not be visibly apparent. Instead keep an eye out for these signs indicating that a dog is in labor;
- Changes in behavior and mood
- Restlessness
- Withdrawn behavior
Periodic nesting behavior - Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- panting
- Clear discharge from the vagina
Stage Two
The birth of puppies occurs during stage two. This phase can last from 1 to 24 hours with each puppy being born. Each delivery should not extend beyond 1 to 2 hours. Typically happens every 30 to 60 minutes. It is beneficial to know the expected number of puppies so that owners can determine when stage two is complete and seek assistance if needed.
Stage Three
The expulsion of the placenta happens during stage three. Stages two and three usually overlap, with stage three concluding once all placentas have been delivered. This typically occurs after completion of stage two.
If your dogs labor exceeds 24 hours or if there is a gap of than 2 hours, between deliveries it is advisable to contact your veterinarian promptly.
This situation might indicate a complication putting both the mother dog and the unborn puppies, in danger.
Moving Forward
How long is a dog pregnant for? It’s the duration needed for a litter of puppies to grow. By educating yourself and ensuring you provide nutrition and care for your dog as well as proper care, for the newborn puppies you’ll be setting them up for a healthy beginning.