The term pregnancy in dogs depends upon their breed. In small breeds, the heat cycle or estrus usually begins when they are 4 to 6 months old, and in larger breeds it starts between 12 to 24 months of age. An interesting fact about female dogs is that they have menstrual cycles throughout their lives. Hence, they are capable of reproducing for their entire lives.

Early in the Pregnancy

To follow the canine pregnancy calendar, one has to make a note of the day the dogs mated. The fertilization takes place in the oviducts after 48 to 72 hour of the mating. After about 10 to 12 days, the fertilized eggs become blastocytes and implant in the walls of the uterus. Gradually the blastocytes will develop into embryos. After 14 to 15 days, the dam's nipples begin to grow large and develop a darker shade of pink. Slowly, the fur on the belly and around the nipples becomes thinner.

After One Month

After a month, the dog's embryos will be walnut-sized and the veterinarian will be able to figure out how many puppies the dam is expecting. By this time, you should begin to increase the food rations for your dog, but make sure it shouldn't cause excessive weight gain as it might lead to some complications. The dam's abdomen will be large and quite visible. She may become a little restless and wander from one place to another looking for a place where she can give birth to her puppies. After six weeks, she may lose her appetite. But you should continue feeding her small meals distributed throughout the entire day.

Preparing for the Birth

After two months, you can clean the dam's nipples and vulva by softly wiping it with a clean cloth and warm water. The first sign that indicates she is about to deliver is when her rectal temperature drops from 101 to 98 degrees. Another indication is when there is a clear liquid secretion from her vulva. Nearly 14 to 24 hours after this, she might be delivering her puppies. She may also begin whelping on the 59th to 64th day. Puppies born before this period may not survive as they'll be pre-mature puppies.

After the Birth

Keep a watch whether she is taking good care of her puppies, and if necessary grab the puppies and slowly direct them to her nipples. Make sure she remains in one position while feeding the puppies.

Signs and Stages of Dog Pregnancy

The pregnancy signs during different stages of dog pregnancy are as follows:

Early Signs
  • Decreased appetite is mainly one of the earliest signs that you may observe in the dam. She might eat less or experience morning sickness during the first few weeks of gestation.
  • She might experience feelings of exhaustion and will show sudden decrease in her daily activities due to some hormonal changes. You may also observe behavioral changes like increase in affectionate behavior or an expressed desire to be left alone.
  • Nipple growth is the most prominent dam's pregnancy sign. As the pregnancy progresses, breast material will start developing beneath the nipples, which will eventually increase the preparation for milk production.
Progressing Signs
  • An increase in appetite is usually observed after three to four weeks into the pregnancy.
  • Increase in body weight is another noticeable sign after one month of the pregnancy. The abdomen will thicken and you may experience a firm, fat feeling while examining the belly.
Late Term Signs
  • A definite increase in the abdomen size is one of the most prominent late term sign. This mainly depends on the size, breed and number of litter she is carrying.
  • During the last few weeks of pregnancy you can observe and feel the puppy movement as the pups get into the position for birth.
Instead of relying on your observations about whether the dam is pregnant or not, it is always recommended to consult a veterinarian and conduct some canine pregnancy tests, like a canine blood pregnancy test or an ultrasound. Be gentle but firm with your dog because all she needs is extra care and love from you during those days.