Pregnancy in dogs is multiple. It is very difficult to calculate the exact date of birth, because the onset of pregnancy occurs in animals without symptoms or is mild. There are cases of false pregnancy, in which case false symptoms are easily mistaken for real ones. The date of birth is influenced by many factors, one of which is the course of pregnancy. How long does a dog's pregnancy last ?
When does the conception process in dogs occur?
After the male sperm and female egg have merged, the dog begins to become pregnant. Ideally, the sperm reaches the egg within an hour after sexual intercourse. On average, fertilization will take on average up to 6-7 days. The further state of the female depends on her body. In different breeds, the ovulation process takes place in a different period of time: on the fourth, sixth, eighth day of estrus or at a later date. Therefore, a single insemination is not enough. The female is ready for insemination on the ninth day of estrus. If the insemination procedure is performed on the ninth and eleventh day, then usually this is enough for conception.
Factors Affecting Dog Duration of Pregnancy
Mating errors most often affect conception and the course of pregnancy. Many dog ​​owners believe that a single insemination is enough, but they cannot correctly determine the date of ovulation. As a result, when mating on the twelfth day due to a shift in the time of ovulation, the dog does not become pregnant. In this case, both the male and the female are checked for deviations in the state of health according to various indicators:
- the course of a previous pregnancy;
- the number of offspring in the female and male;
- the presence of diseases of the reproductive organs;
- the number of failures from mating;
- during the period of proestrus (estrus);
- hormonal disorders;
- false pregnancies.
The second factor affecting how long a pregnancy in dogs lasts is the inability of the animals to mate normally. Most often this applies to young inexperienced dogs, which, with numerous movements, cannot completely penetrate the inside of the vagina, as a result, semen is poured on the eve of the vagina. Part of the sperm in this case dies due to the acidic environment, and the rest is not always able to reach the egg. In this case, pregnancy occurs late or does not occur at all. A third factor affecting how long a pregnancy in dogs lasts is poor semen quality. Poor quality refers to poor sperm motility, their small number and morphology (sperm structure). The amount of sperm depends on the weight of the animal and its size. With low sperm motility or poor morphology, the pregnancy in the female may not occur or the embryos will die.
How long does a dog’s pregnancy last?
Pregnancy in dogs lasts an average of 63 days. Puppies become viable between 53 and 71 days old. The exact date of delivery depends on the size of the dog, the course of the pregnancy, and related factors. Small breeds can spawn on the 60th day. Animals that will give birth for the first time, bear offspring for a longer period. According to statistics, most often the female whelps for 58-64 days. Therefore, it is very difficult to say exactly how many days a dog’s pregnancy lasts.
Dog's first month of pregnancy
Initially, it is difficult to determine the presence of pregnancy in a dog; examination and palpation will not give anything. The animal can lead a normal life. Some females become more calm, restrained, affectionate or lethargic, drowsy. Two weeks after conception, the appearance of the mammary glands changes: they swell, become more pink. In the third week, the embryos attach to the walls of the uterus, so the female has vitreous discharge from the vagina. In the fourth week, you can feel the presence of round lumps, provided that the pregnancy is multiple. If the female has 1-2 puppies, then it is extremely difficult to determine something by touch.
Dog's second month of pregnancy
In the second month, the pregnant female’s stomach gradually increases. The animal's appetite increases, caution appears in the movements. At the sixth week, the babies are clearly felt in the supine position. Two weeks before the puppies are born, tremors appear in the animal’s stomach. At first they are irregular, barely noticeable. The closer the date of birth, the more actively the babies push. The movement of puppies is viewed visually. In the last week, the back is sagging, the stomach is dropping. A few days before birth, the amount of vaginal discharge increases, they become yellowish or greenish. When asked how many months a dog’s pregnancy lasts, we can say this: 2 months and a week.
How long does a dog have to give birth?
The duration of labor in a dog depends on the number of offspring. Childbirth consists of three periods:
- The preparatory period, during which, under the influence of contractions, the cervix opens, it lasts from 6 to 30 hours.
- Directly the birth (breeding) of puppies - with the help of contractions and attempts, the puppies are brought out in the pelvic or head presentation, lasts from 3 to 12 hours with an interval between puppies up to 10-15 minutes.
- The postpartum period lasts 12-15 days, the uterus contracts and returns to normal, the uterine cavity is completely cleansed. The neck closes tightly.
The first puppy must be born on its own. The placenta usually goes immediately after the newborn, but sometimes it can be delayed. After the birth of the last puppy, the afterbirth can depart within half an hour. Large individuals and females of heavy breeds are recommended to assist in the process of childbirth. Small animals usually need help only with a small pregnancy (1-2 puppies). Help consists in removing the amniotic membrane from the puppy, cutting the umbilical cord with sterile scissors, treating it, wiping the baby with a dry clean rag or towel. Thus, the question of how long the pregnancy in dogs and labor lasts, you can answer: pregnancy in a dog lasts an average of 2 months and one week (64-71 days), and childbirth - from 8 hours to 1.5 days with a postpartum period up to 15 days.