If you are just starting out with breeding, or eagerly awaiting the birth of a reserved puppy, the wait can seem endless. Fortunately for us (and the dog), the gestation period in dogs is much shorter than in humans. But exactly how long is the gestation period in dogs?
Dogs are pregnant for an average of about two months, or roughly nine weeks. However, this can vary depending on the breed and the individual dog. Some dogs may have a shorter or longer pregnancy. It is important that the pregnancy is properly monitored.
How long is the gestation period in dogs?
The normal gestation period in dogs is approximately 63 days from conception, although it can vary by a few days. While this might seem like a straightforward answer, conception is often difficult to establish. Sperm can survive inside the female for several days, and eggs can remain fertile for up to 48 hours, which means the act of mating itself is not an exact measure for pregnancy timing. This makes it difficult to predict the length of gestation without veterinary assistance.
Hormone measurements provide a much more accurate timeframe for pregnancy. Many breeders use vaginal smears and blood tests to monitor reproductive hormones during the breeding process. This helps them determine the best time to mate their female, as well as the duration of the pregnancy and the possible due date.
Gestation period in dogs according to precise hormone measurements:
- 56-58 days from the first day of diestrus
- 64-66 days from the first rise in progesterone
- 58-72 days from the first time the female mated
Pregnancy in dogs is relatively short compared to humans, about 9 weeks in total, and every day counts. Knowing the length of the gestation period in dogs is important for the health of the pregnant female and the puppies and is used to monitor nutrition and veterinary care during pregnancy.
The reproductive cycle in dogs
To answer the question “how long are dogs pregnant,” you first need to understand the reproductive cycle of the dog. Intact female dogs go into heat approximately every six months, although this can vary depending on the dog and breed. The heat cycle lasts 18 to 21 days and is divided into four distinct stages. Breeders use these stages to determine the best time to breed their dogs.
The four stages of the dog’s reproductive cycle are:
- Proestrus
- Estrus
- Diestrus
- Anestrus
Proestrus lasts about 9 days and is the first phase of the reproductive cycle. This is when females begin to attract males, although they will reject their advances until phase two. The signs of proestrus are:
- Swelling of the vulva
- Bloody discharge
Estrus lasts everywhere from 3 to 4 days up to 7 to 11 days. This is when the female dog is receptive to the male. Many breeders have a veterinarian take vaginal smears and blood tests during proestrus and estrus to ensure they breed their dogs at the optimal time. The signs of proestrus are:
- A soft and enlarged vulva
- Discharge becomes lighter in color and decreases
Diestrus is the final phase of the cycle. It usually occurs around day 14. During diestrus, the female’s discharge becomes redder and narrower, the vulva returns to normal, and she will no longer mate. The heat cycle is complete when all signs of swelling and discharge have disappeared. The period between one heat cycle and the next is called anestrus and usually lasts about six months.
Understanding the heat cycle plays an important role in determining pregnancy duration. Breeders can calculate conception dates by tracking their female’s heat cycle and breeding period, making it easier for veterinarians to accurately test for pregnancy.
How do you know if a dog is pregnant?
Humans have developed immediate pregnancy tests that make it easy to determine whether we are pregnant or not. For our dogs, it is not that simple. You will most likely need to visit your veterinarian to find out if your dog is pregnant. If possible, tell your vet exactly when your dog was bred, or your best estimate of that time, as all pregnancy testing methods in dogs are time-sensitive.
There are four methods veterinarians can use to determine if a dog is pregnant:
- Hormone tests
- Palpation
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
Hormone tests
Veterinarians can test for the hormone relaxin to determine if a bitch is pregnant. Relaxin is only released during pregnancy from the placental tissue, making it a fairly accurate diagnostic test. However, the bitch must be at least 30 days pregnant for the test to be accurate. Tests performed earlier can produce false negative results.
Palpation
Palpation is the cheapest and most convenient way to confirm a pregnancy. As each fetus develops, the membranes around them grow into fluid-filled sacs. These sacs can be felt between day 21 and 35 of pregnancy (about three to four weeks) and grow to about the size of a ping pong ball in a 20-kilogram dog. After a month, the sacs lose their distinctive shape and the uterus develops a soft feel that can be mistaken for fat or pyometra.
X-ray
An X-ray is a great way for breeders to determine how many puppies to expect from their bitch. X-rays are most effective later in pregnancy, as the skull and spine of the fetus only become visible on an X-ray from day 42 to 45 onwards. By waiting until after day 55, veterinarians can provide an accurate count of the expected pups and determine the best timing for an elective cesarean section.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound is the best way to find out if a dog is pregnant early in the gestation period. Veterinarians recommend ultrasounds between 25 and 35 days of pregnancy. Ultrasounds not only detect pregnancy, but they also determine if the fetus is alive by recording fetal heartbeats. Ultrasounds can also be used to rule out other causes of an enlarged uterus, such as pyometra, and can help in estimating the gestational age of the fetus.
Stages of Dog Pregnancy
Dogs progress through the stages of pregnancy quickly. The gestation period in dogs is relatively short, meaning the puppies develop rapidly in the uterus over a period of two to three months.
First month
During the first month, the embryos travel to the uterine horns, usually around day 7, and the embryos implant in the uterine lining around day 16. The fetus begins to take shape by day 22, and by day 28 or 30 a veterinarian may be able to detect fetal heartbeats on an ultrasound.
Many dogs show no symptoms during the first three weeks of pregnancy. Some symptoms to watch for during the first month include:
- Increased appetite
- Slightly enlarged nipples
- More affectionate behavior
- Clear vaginal discharge (around week four)
- Reduced physical activity
- “Morning sickness”
Second month
Fetal development progresses rapidly during the second month. Eyelids form on day 32, and toes become visible on day 35. Claws develop on day 40, followed by fur and the skeleton a few days later (day 45). By day 50, an X-ray will reveal the number of puppies in the litter, and the female dog will start looking for a nesting spot by day 58.
Signs of pregnancy in the female dog become much clearer during the second month:
- Noticeably increased appetite
- Weight gain of 20 to 50 percent
- Increased urination
- Behavioral changes
- Clear, odorless vaginal discharge
- Enlarged, firm abdomen (days 45 to 50)
- Decreased appetite (day 45)
- Visible puppy movements in the abdomen (day 50)
Month three
The female dog is ready to give birth by the start of the third month. Puppy development is nearly complete around day 58, meaning the puppies will begin moving into birthing position in the birth canal during the final days of the female’s pregnancy.
Symptoms during the last days of pregnancy in dogs:
- The waist shortens as the puppies enter the birth canal
- Loss of appetite around day 61 or 62
- Drop in body temperature 12 to 24 hours before delivery
- Restless behavior
- Pacing, panting, shivering, or digging
How long does labor last in dogs?
Once the gestation period in dogs is over, labor begins. There are three stages of labor.
Phase 1
The first phase lasts 12 to 24 hours and is often not noticeable from the outside. Contractions in the uterine muscle wall increase during the first phase, both in strength and frequency, but there are no visible contractions. Instead, watch for the following signs of labor in dogs:
- Change in mood and behavior
- Restlessness
- Withdrawn behavior
- Interrupted nesting
- Refusal to eat
- Vomiting
- Heavy panting
- Clear vaginal discharge
Phase 2
Puppies are delivered during phase two. This phase can last from 1 to 24 hours, and females deliver one puppy at a time. Each delivery should not last longer than 1 to 2 hours and normally occurs every 30 to 60 minutes. Therefore, it is helpful to know the total number of expected puppies. This way, owners know when the female has finished phase two and can call a veterinarian if they suspect their dog is having problems.
Phase 3
The placenta is delivered in phase three. Phases two and three actually occur around the same time, and phase three is complete when all placentas have been delivered. This usually happens shortly after phase two is finished.
Contact your veterinarian if your dog’s labor lasts more than 24 hours, or if more than 2 hours pass between puppies. This could be a sign of a serious complication and may endanger the lives of both the mother and the unborn puppies.
How many puppies does a dog have?
The number of puppies a dog has can vary greatly depending on the breed and the individual dog. Some dogs have only one or two puppies, while others can have dozens. On average, dogs have between four and six puppies. Small breeds usually have only 2-3 puppies, while large breeds average 6-8 puppies.
It is important to remember that giving birth is a demanding task for a dog, so it is important to ensure the mother dog is in good health and to seek professional advice before deciding to breed your dog.
Taking the next step
How long are dogs pregnant? Just long enough to develop a litter of happy, healthy puppies. As long as you educate yourself, persist with the right nutrition and take care of your pregnant dog and the appropriate care for newborn puppies, you will give those puppies the healthiest possible start.