LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

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Hi Missi,

A lot of how large the female's abdomen appears is due to how the pups are positioned in the uterus. If they are a bit more "balled up", the belly could look larger. If they are stretched out, the belly may appear to be a little smaller than before. Either way, it shouldn't be a drastic difference, and as long as you don't see any signs of distress or foul discharge, things are probably going along as they should.

Hope this info sets your mind at ease, and let us know how things turn out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

sometimes my female brittany spaniels stomch is showing larger then other days. makes me wonder what is going on. she was showing larger at 6weeks along than now at 7weeks along. is it odd that this is happening??? could you give me advice???

-- Contributed by: missi

Hi Maria, and welcome to the site.

Yes, this is normal as long as the mucus is clear and doesn't have a foul odor. You are in the home stretch. If you haven't already read it, check out Delivering Puppies. That article has a lot of good info about the actual delivery process.

Let us know how the litter turns out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi,I've just discovered this site and boy am i pleased...i think i need help! My beagle Hound "Daisy" is on day 58 of her 1st pregnancy and she is well... she's just been outside for pee and come in with a clear sticky discharge hanging from her vulva..I've cleaned her up and taken her temperature which is 98.5F.... wondered if this discharge is normal.... thanks...Maria & Daisy

-- Contributed by: Maria

Hi Yvette, and welcome to the site.

I'm glad you're finding the info you need. You should also check out our article on Delivering Puppies. It contains a lot of useful information for when the big day arrives. I also want to invite you to join our Dogs forum. We have a Breeders Corner there where you can get more information and support. I hope you'll join us. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

thanks for this website i learned alot my dog a mini lab she is due in one week and a half she is well but lazy and she might be having three or four puppies we are all excited thanks again bye

-- Contributed by: yvette

Hi David,

The number of puppies in a litter depends on several variables. First, there can't be any more pups than the number of eggs the female releases for fertilization. Second, the timing of the breeding determines how many of those eggs have the possibility to be fertilized. The sperm remain viable for approximately a week after a breeding, so if the breeding occurs as soon as the female is willing to accept the male, there is a greater chance of a larger litter. The health, motility and count of the stud's sperm also affects how many eggs are successfully fertilized. It also worth noting that a dog's sperm count becomes depleted with repeated breedings during a short time span. Ideally a stud should be allowed to breed once and then be given a day to rest between the next breeding.

All of that said, one good breeding has the possibility to produce as many puppies as two or three breedings that were not as well timed. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Does the number of 'ties' between mating dogs have a direct effect of how many pups the female may have? Or is it one shot and the rest don't count?

-- Contributed by: David

Hi Sharon,

I'm so glad you found this info useful. On average, a Chihuahua will have about two to three pups. However, that number can vary. I've had single pup litters and one litter of five. If you know how many pups were in the litter that your female came from, it would give you a slight idea of how many pups your female might have.

That said, your vet may be able to palpate your dog's uterus at 28 days gestation to try to feel the pea-sized embryos and count them.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

This article was very helpful. thank you for the good information. How many puppies does a chichawa (mispelled) have? the father is much smaller than her.

-- Contributed by: sharon smith

Hi Crystal, and welcome to the site.

We have a couple of articles on the site that may help you determine whether or not your dog is pregnant. Check out:

If you're unable to determine your dog's status on your own, your vet also has several ways to determine if your dog is pregnant including palpation, a blood test and sonorgram or x-ray.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that all turns out well. :)


-- Contributed by: Kelly

We just noticed today that our dogs belly was swollen, we are questioning whether or not she is pregnant.. Any tips?

-- Contributed by: Crystal

Hi Tracy, and welcome to the site.

We have a couple of really good articles on this topic, and I think you'll find them helpful. Visit:

After you read these articles, don't hesitate to ask more questions. Feel free to visit our Breeder's Corner at the Dogs forum. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Mark,

Yes, it is possible to perform the blood test too soon and get a false negative. We have a thread on this topic in our Dogs forum. Visit the following link to read about another visitor's experience:

So, don't lose hope yet. Since your dog is showing so many signs, there's still a good chance she is really pregnant and that her hormone levels were currently too low for the test to detect.

Keep us posted on how things turn out. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

how can I tell when my dog is pregnant

-- Contributed by: tracey cochran

hello. my lab bi*ch was mated only twice during her cycle. attempts were made on three days, but only two were successful. we first put them together on the day after her discharge change from bloody to a lighter, pinkish color. it took them a while but they eventually did tie. she stood for him, but was not as cooperative as she could've been. we put them together again two days later and they tied within the first minute. all went smoothly and precisely. we put them together again the following day, but she kept sitting when he would come near her. approximately three days later, the bloody discharge returned. it has now been 30 days since the first breeding, 28 days since the second. she is acting pregnant- just like she did with her first pregnancy last summer. about 10 days ago she started becoming picky with her food and slacked off eating, just now to pick back up again. her energy level has decreased and we have noticed her laying around more than usual. her vulva still looks puffy, as well. however, we took her in today for a blood test and it came up negative. i was reading on the net and came across a few points i am pondering and wanted to get your opinion on. i read that sometimes if the bi*ch is having a small litter, the test will produce a false negative. i have also read that you should wait 32 post breeding to do the test because it can take a day or two for the fertilization to actually occur. so now i'm thinking, what if the first tie was too soon, seeing as how it took so long and she wasn't 100% cooperative and she actually didn't get pregnant until the second tie. so perhaps there is still hope that she is indeed pregnant? and maybe if only the second breeding was successful, she may be carrying a small litter? i am going to continue treating her as if she is pregnant, but i was just wondering your thoughts on this. have you ever had any experience with a false negative? does it sound like i may need to wait a week or so and have her tested again? my vet doesn't do ultrasounds so at this point, all he can do is another blood test. what do you think? thanks so much!

-- Contributed by: mark

Hi Robyn,

It would be difficult for a layperson to hear puppy heart beats, even with a stethoscope. That's because there are so many other sounds going on inside mom. It takes the vet's trained ear to even try to hear them, and it's still difficult.

As for whether or not this is a false pregnancy, I wouldn't count out the possibility of a litter just yet. After 28 days, the embryos can no longer be felt because the uterus enlarges. The embryos develop all their parts, but they don't actually begin gaining size until they are about six weeks old when they are still the size of peas. They grow rapidly from this point.

I think it would be more helpful to you to take your female back in for an x-ray at the beginning of her eigth week. At that point, the pups should have enough bone density to show up on a radiograph. This will not only tell you whether or not your dog is carrying a litter, it will help you know how many to expect if a litter is indeed on the way. This can be very helpful when determining whether your dog is finished whelping.

For now, it won't hurt to continue treating your dog as if she is pregnant, just to be on the safe side. You can prepare a box for her to have the pups in and allow her to begin using it so she's familiar with it if labor should begin. If this is a false pregnancy, there isn't much that you need to do about it. Just be sure to take her out for walks and fresh air so she puts her mind on something else.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know how things turn out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a small toy chawawa and it is possible that she is in her 7th wk. of preg. . I took her to the vet on the 35day and the vet. said that he thought it was a false preg. but she continues to shouw signs if pregnnacy.sometimes i think i can hear heart beats but can not with certainty ,I have been unable to find any information or viedo of the heart beat do you know of any help in finding info.

-- Contributed by: robin

Hi Shannon,

Using 1/31 as the breeding date, your dog would be due around 4/4. This would make her approximately 39 days gestion today on 3/11. At this point, you'd likely notice a little thickening around the middle as your dog packs on a little maternal fat, but you wouldn't be able to feel individual puppies. Although they are developing, they would still be the size of peas and won't begin to really grow larger until about six weeks gestation. They really take off then.

For now, it's safe to go on the assumption that your dog is pregnant until your vet can examine her. At this stage, a blood test is the best way to check for pregnancy hormones. Later on near the last week or so, you vet could perform an ultrasound to check for pups.

Although nine months is not the ideal age for a pregnancy, chances are your dog will come through it alright as long as you feed her well and continue to take good care of her. Don't be afraid to discuss the situation with you vet so he or she knows about the recent developments. Your vet can be a great partner when the lines of communication are kept open.

Thanks for your question, and don't hesitate to come back for more help. We have some great articles on the topic, including Signs Of Dog Pregnancy and Delivering Puppies.

Best wishes that all turns out well. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I bought my first Yorkie last summer after doing alot of research. I have made sure she's been to every vet appointment and made sure her growth was perfect. I however fell off the band wagon when she went into her first heat cycle and allowed her to play in our fully fenced back yard for an hour not thinking that our neighbor's full bred yorkie would dig through (which he did). I am now facing what I believe to be a very pregnant young 9 month old 5lb yorkie. I am scared to death. I found the other yorkie with Sienna on Jan. 31st. and am a lot nervous that I don't feel any babies, yet she is listless and getting quite full around the middle. I have called my vet but they can't get her in for another week. I am scared to death...should I be able to feel something yet?

-- Contributed by: Shannon

Hi Denise,

Based on your calculations, your dog would about 72 days gestation. Although slightly unusual, it's not unheard of for a dog to go this long. Sometimes actual fertilization doesn't take place for up to a week after the breeding occurred because the eggs weren't ready yet. It's also possible that your dog could have been pregnant and later absorbed the embryos.

All things considered, I think it's time to give your vet a call and take your dog in for an examination. At this point, and x-ray should reveal any possible puppies. Once this is determined, you vet will decide if any further intervention is required.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know how things turn out. Good luck. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, My dog is pregnate and she was impregnated on December 26th or 27th. She has not had her puppies yet. What should I do/

-- Contributed by: denise

Hi Jamie,

Although it would have been better for your dog to be older before going through a pregnancy, there's a good chance she will come through the situation alright. You don't mention her breed or size, so let me just say that small breeds mature quicker than larger breeds that take longer to reach full development. Being mature means the female's energy can go to the development of the pups rather than being taken from her own growing needs.

As for the size of the potential pups and whether or not your dog may need help during delivery, it's difficult to say. The number of the litter depends more on how many eggs your female was likely to have sent down. If you know how many puppies were in the litter your female came from that might give you an idea of how many to expect. As for size, that also depends on the size and breed of the male. However, there's always a possibility that any female will need a C-section, even when the breeding was ideal. What you really need to do is make sure someone will be with her during the delivery and able to take her to the vet if she can't push the pups out on her own. Hopefully all will go smoothly, and more often than not it does. It's just good to be prepared in case your dog does need help.

We have a great article I think you'll find helpful. Check out Delivering Puppies. It walks you through a delivery, and offers tips on when to call the vet.

Thanks for your question, and don't hesitate to come back if you find you have more. We'll help as much as we can. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Around the 26th of january my dog was ending her heat cycle . she was with a male dog constently who pregnated her and shes only a year old. Is it possible she will have a littler to large for her, or wont be able to get her pups out because of her younge age?

-- Contributed by: Jamie

Hi Cristie,

I'm glad your vet was able to narrow down your dog's due date a bit.

In answer to your question, yes, your dog will have some drainage after the delivery. The amount varies from one dog to the next, but a lot depends on how quickly the uterus shrinks back to normal size. The quicker it shrinks, the less bleeding.

Typically, the amount of bloody discharge after the delivery is complete is similar to a heat cycle. In my experience, most females discharge for about a week. In the beginning, the drops are bright red, but they should begin to turn darker within a day or so. They eventually look brown and trail off to nothing. The main thing to watch for is a recurrence of bright red blood after things were already winding down. This would be an indication of renewed bleeding, and is something to consult your vet about if it happens.

So, it sounds like you have things well in hand. Be sure to check out our article about Delivering Puppies so you'll be prepared for the big event. Keep us posted. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I took my Shepherd to the vet 4 days ago and found out that she is definitely farther along than we had first thought. The vet said she has dropped and is starting to get ready for the delivery. He said she is in her the later part of the 7th week to the beginning of her 9th week. So we are ready for pups. He took an xray, and there are at least 6 for sure, but he said probably more. I was wondering, after she has the pups, will she bleed like women do after giving birth? If so, how long does it last? Thanks and I will let you know when the pups come.

-- Contributed by: Cristie

Hi Angie,

I'm so glad to hear that all went well. :)

Yes, it's fairly normal for a female to look kind of hollowed out after delivery. The puppies took up a lot of space, and it will take a little while for your female to assume normal proportions. The puppies also took a lot of mom's nutrition, so feed her well so she regains some weight plus has enough to produce sufficient milk for the litter. You'll probably find your dog looks close to normal about three to five weeks from now.

Thanks for the update, and don't hesitate to ask if you find you have questions about raising the litter. :)


-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi its angie well my dog just gave birth to five beautiful pups 4 girls 1 boy thay look like little rotties but thay are min pin/peekapoos it was the most wonderful and stressfull thing ive ever done i was so scared but reading this artical really helped thank you now that she had her puppies she looks imaciated is that normal?

-- Contributed by: Angie

thanks i will

-- Contributed by: Angie

Hi Angie,

Yes, it all sounds normal at this point. I do understand your concern, I've been through it myself with my early litters. Believe me, this is going to be one of longest weeks you'll ever experience. The wait in those final days seems excruciating, but it sounds like you're doing well. Keep me posted. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

thank you im just worried about her she had one dip of 96.4 she has stayed below 99.6 and a little snotty stuff out of her valva last night but she is a week befor her due date so thats normal right could that be her plug

-- Contributed by: Angie

Hi Angie,

You'll see some small dips and rises like that in your dog's temperature, but it's that drop down to 97 F that stays for two readings spaced about twelve hours apart that signals the onset of labor within 24 hours. Most dogs won't deliver before day 58 because anything before that would definitely be considered a premature birth.

I've raised small dogs myself, and they've always delivered between 62 and 63 days, even with the larger litters of five pups. So, based on my experience, it's probably likely that your female will also deliver closer to 63 days, barring any sudden complications.

Just keep taking her temperature and watch for that drop. I hope all goes well. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dogs temp is at 98.4 at 8:30 am last night at 10:30 she was 99.6 so going down she is only 54 days into her pregnancy she is a peekapoo a small one do you think because she is small she could have her puppies early

-- Contributed by: angie

Hi Mary,

I've always found that boiled ground beef and rice or boiled chicken and rice were good enticements to a dog that wasn't eating. That said, it won't hurt her too much if she only eats a little bit until the vet sees her. The thing she really needs the most right now is water so she doesn't become dehydrated. Try to coax her to drink fresh water, broth or Pedialyte, and call your vet again if she stops taking liquid altogether.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope your dog will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I recently bought a dog and was told at the time I picked her up that she was probably pregnant, as she had mated (at least twice) about a week and a half before the day I purchased her. Well, if she is pregnant, she'd be due in about two weeks. Her stomach does not look much bigger, if any, but her teats have definitely increased in size since we've had her. The first week or so we had her she was a very finicky eater and got sick occasionally. But then her appetite increased and she was eating great...until yesterday. She didn't much yesterday or today. We'd been feeding her dry puppy food but since she wouldn't eat that, we tried canned food, hamburger, two more brands of dry puppy food, etc. Wouldn't even lick it. A friend suggested giving her some beef broth to drink so that she'd get a little something in her system but she only took a few drinks of it and didn't touch it again. I have made her an appt at the vet but they can't get her in until tomorrow evening- do you have any ideas of what I might try between now and then to get her to eat a little something? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

-- Contributed by: mary

Thanks Chuck!

I hope you enjoy the rest of the articles in the series.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

well worth reading!!!!!!!

-- Contributed by: chuck

Hi Marty,

It's difficult to say what has caused your dog's behavioral changes, but coupled with her bodily changes, I'd say there's still a chance that she might have been bred without you knowing about it. Could she have been left outside to exercise by herself? Do you have an intact male dog in residence? If you can answer either of these questions with a yes, she could possibly be pregnant.

The easiest way to diagnose a pregnancy is by asking your vet to do a blood test. This will reveal the presence or absence of pregnancy hormones in the bloodstream.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Dolores,

This is a great question. Yes, it is good to let the female eat some of the afterbirths. They contain oxytocin, and this stimulates milk production. There is a lot of liquid in those afterbirths, so some breeders limit the amount they let their dog eat in order to avoid loose stools. I have always let my Shih Tzus eat the first two afterbirths in the litter and removed the rest. Milk production was never a problem, and the girls did not get runny stools.

Thanks for your question, and be sure to check out these other articles that I'm sure you'll find helpful.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

A month or so ago my female dog was in heat. To my knowledge she did not become pregnant. During this week I have noticed weight gain and growth in her breast. I am not sure if she is preganant. She has always been an outgoing dog, lately she very scared of any noise and now clings onto me. Why is this?

-- Contributed by: Marty

Hello ..i have a question about a female dog having pups ..I have a ...zu.female and i think she is in heat now ...when she has the pups is it ok to let her eat the afterbirth that comes from her pups .I have often wondered about this ..and would love a answer ...thanks Delores

-- Contributed by: Delores Huntley

Hi DeeDee,

Good question. It's possible that your female is carrying more pups this time. If her size truly concerns you, your vet should be able to perform an sonogram to try to count how many puppies there are. This would give you a better idea of what to expect during delivery. Along the same lines, some vets prefer to take a radiograph a couple days before delivery because it is easier to count the pups.

All of that said, I wouldn't cut back on her food. Just make sure you take her for leisurely walks so she continues to get gentle exercise. Those puppies will help her burn any excess weight soon enough.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I have a question. I have a female who is currently pregnant. She has had one previous litter which was born on Christmas day of 2007. She is due in about three weeks. Took her to the vet at four and a half weeks and he said all was well. But here's the thing: She's already bigger right now, with her only being six weeks, than she was at nine weeks with her previous litter. I am not sure whether she is just carrying more puppies this time or if maybe it is just extra weight she is putting on. I've been feeding her puppy food with one can of chicken broth per day, as recommended by my vet. I know it is not healthy for one to be overweight, but how do I know if it is due to a larger litter or just excess weight? She gets a lot of exercise, by the way. I take her for walks twice a day and other than that she is free to come and go from our house to our fenced in yard as she so desires. So she isn't being lazy...just getting pretty big pretty quick in comparison to her previous litter. Should I take her back to my vet and have him take a look at her or just ride it out? Thanks.

-- Contributed by: deedee

Hi Jessica, and welcome.

Litter size is determined by several factors. First the timing of the breed, whether it's just before the eggs are released or sometime after that release begins, affects how many eggs have the chance to be fertilized. Exactly how many eggs a female's ovary releases during a cycle is difficult for we laypeople to determine, but it is somewhat hereditary. With all of that said, yes there's a possibility for a larger litter this time, but it still depends on the factors listed above.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info helps. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog is pregnant this is her 4th litter.....she is pregnant by a shih-tzu and she had 2 pups by him....could she have more pups this litter

-- Contributed by: Jessica

Hi Mariah, and welcome to the site.

No, it wouldn't be normal for your female to bleed at this stage of a possible pregnancy. The best thing you can do is schedule an exam with your vet right away. The vet will check to see if she if pregnant or if there is something else going on here like a growth or some other disorder. I think it's important to make the appointment immediately since your dog's abdomen seems to be growing so quickly. Please don't delay.

Best wishes for your dog's health, and please let us know what you find out.


-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, 

I have a female g.s.d that went into heat unexpectindly some time last month. Which I'm really worried about because she had pups not to long ago. She is now gaining alot of wieght. She is just huge in lower part of her belly. Is she really pregnant? Also, she is bleeding out of the vaginal area. Is that something that she needs to be takin care of? or is that normal? She has never done that before in her other pregnancies.
-- Contributed by: Mariah Skaggs

Hi Jackie,

I can't say whether or not your dog is pregnant, but if you bred her around October 15 and she hasn't produced puppies by now, chances are she is not pregnant. The average canine pregnancy only lasts about 63, give or take a few days. The changes you've noticed could be attributed to a false pregnancy, and if this is the case, they should go away very soon. If you're still concerned, the best thing you can do is let your vet examine your dog to find out whether she is truly carrying a litter.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a ... who is almost 2 yrs old we mated her in mid october and we are dec 25 she has some signs of pregnacy and no movement in belly should we take her in or should we just wait .....? but also she is nesting and has a little belly her breast seem to have dropped a little were a little concern and cant get any answers online if you would like some pictures i can take some and send it through email ..... please tell us some answers to the question and that is she pregnant or not?

-- Contributed by: Jackie

Hi Janice,

I can't show you a picture, but the locations of the penis and the vulva are far enough apart that you should be able to tell the difference when you examine your dog. The vulva is located just a few inches down from the anus, and is kind of donut shaped. A male dog's testicles would be in the same location, with the sheath of the penis in front of it on the underbelly.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info helps you solve your mystery. If you're still not sure, just ask you vet to take a look. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We got a toy poodle and we thought she was a female, but we noticed something between her legs that look like a little male pensis. Can you tell me or show me pictures of the difference between the female and the male.

-- Contributed by: janice

Hi Concerned, and welcome to the site. I'm glad we could be of help. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thanks so much for the info I recived here I have looked everywhere for info about if my dogs were pregnant or not, One of them had puppies about 5 yrs ago so it has been a long time and I had forgot a lot of what went on then, your site was very very helpful.

-- Contributed by: concerned

Hi Stacie,

Yes, false pregnancies do happen from time to time, although not every ... experiences them. The signs usually last between one to two months, and then the dog loses interest in her surrogate pups. You can help the process along by getting her out for fresh air and exercise. This takes her focus off her current preoccupation and gives her some fresh perspective. There's no need to take her toy away from her because that will only cause her extra stress. She'll gradually lose interest in it, and it will become just a toy to her again.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this information sets your mind at ease. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 3 and a half year old boxer she has never been bread but all of a sudden she is whining and carring around a toy. She is not eating well is it normal for a female to experience a fake pregency. It has been a little over a month since she was in heat. How long does this last should i take her to the vet? 

Thank you Stacie
-- Contributed by: sslone@kconline.com

Hi Kelly,

Unfortunately, it isn't possible to reliably judge how far along a pregnancy might be based on milk production because when that begins varies quite a bit from one female to the next. If the vet is able to perform an ultrasound, the puppies' developmental size can be used to gauge gestational age, and an approximate due date can be arrived at with that information.

You might also find the following articles of interest;

Thanks for visiting the site, and I hope you find this information helpful. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My brother in law has a lab/springer mix I just saw her today and her nipples have grow her abdomen is starting to grow larger and when her nipples are squeezed a little milk does come out. I am taking her to the vet tomorrow but approx how far along do you think she is?

-- Contributed by: Kelly H

Hi Judy, welcome to the site!

The gestation period is the same for all breeds, about 63-65 days. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

how long is the typical gestation period for chiuas ?

-- Contributed by: judy

Hi Joan,

I would still mix some of your dog's regular kibble into the ground beef and cottage cheese mix, just to keep her used to it. When the time comes to revert her back to her normal diet, you can gradually reduce the beef and cottage cheese until you are back to just kibble.

Thanks for your question, and let us know how the litter turns out. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, my yorkie will be 7 weeks pregnant this Sunday. She doesn't seem to be very big, and her appitite isnt really that good. She does eat some at night. My question is my vet told me cottage cheese a little a night, and maybe a little hamburger cooked well for protein and calcium. I tried it and she does seem to be more hungry after that. I have never given her human food before and I am just wondering if this is going to be hard to break after she has them.

-- Contributed by: Joan

Hi WBurra,

I really wish there were some invitro images of puppies in development, but so far I haven't been able to find any. It's my general understanding that the embryos don't increase much in size during the first six weeks, so there might not be much to see anyway. It's during the final weeks of gestation, once the major structures and organs are in place that the pups begin to increase in size.

Thanks for your question, and I'll be sure to add images if they ever become available. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

are there any pictures of puppies at 6 weeks gestation that u know off thanks for the info it is graet wendy

-- Contributed by: wburra@bigpond.com.au

Hi Cheri,

Actually, it's better to request an ultrasound rather than an X-ray because there's no radiation involved. An ultrasound can be done anytime from three weeks gestation onward, but vets often can gather more info from ultrasounds done during the last few weeks of pregnancy.

If your own vet doesn't do sonograms, you might want to find another vet who is equipped to handle the exam.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have been given conflicting information about when it is best to get an x-ray of my ...'s uterus to have the vet count the number of puppies; first the vet told me 49 days and when we arrived they changed it to 54 days, and later to 50. When is the best time?

-- Contributed by: Cherie

Hi Donna,

Those are the best days on average, although the female can remain fertile for longer than that. The latest I have ever had a female conceive was between 15 and 17 days.

Check out our article on Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding for more information. Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

On what days is a female ... most likely to conceive. I heard it is usually 9, 11, & 13. Can they conceive after the 14th day?

-- Contributed by: Donna

Hi Debbie,

Most females come into their first heat cycle around six months old, so I would advise you to keep your male well away from your female. She could definitely become pregnant at this young age, and it could turn out to be detrimental to her health.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this will help you separate them in time to prevent and unwanted pregnancy.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi I have a 2 dachsands and they are 6 months old now, at what age do they start to breed, because I have the male trying to mate with her now. HELP

-- Contributed by: Debbie

Hi Luz,

The aggression toward your male right now is fairly normal for a pregnant female. She simply doesn't want to be bothered with him. Since the vet feels she is in good shape, she probably just isn't feeling quite like herself due to the pregnancy hormones. Let's see if she will tolerate adding a spoonful of plained canned pumpkin to her daily diet. The pumpkin is high in fiber, and will help move her bowels if she really is experiencing a bit of constipation. This may help her feel well enough to resume eating regularly. The biggest concern is her reluctance to drink water. If this continues, it will be necessary to return to the vet for another exam. In the meantime, you might try to tempt her to drink by offering low sodium chicken broth. This would provide hydration, as well as some nutrition.

Continue to keep an eye on your bitch, and don't hesitate to call your vet if she begins to decline. Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My chihuahua is atleast 3 weeks pregnant, I am having a very dificult time making her eat and dring water, she seems a bit constipated and a bit of mucus is in her stool, is this normal? i already to her to her vet and she said she is in great shape. She is also very aggressive towards my male dog who she mated with.

-- Contributed by: Luz

I bred my German Sheperd in February with a proven male. I think she might be pregnant but not for sure. She went from being completely housebroke to now pottying in the house and last night she ripped down my curtains and shredded them. I've been told she won't really show until right before she has the puppies due to them staying in her ribs. I'm not sure what to think. What does all this mean?

  • Hi Deanna,

Some bitches do experience a personality change during pregnancy, just as many women become more emotional due to the pregnancy hormones. My hunch is that your bitch may well be pregnant, but your vet can confirm this with a blood test. In the meantime, you're probably going to have to monitor her more closely, and it may be necessary to confine her to a roomy crate when you have to be away.


Rest assured that although this is a difficult period, most bitches mellow a bit in the second half of the pregnancy, and return to their old selves once they are finished with the litter.

Thanks for your question, and hang in there. :)

-- Contributed by: deanna
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