Hi all, my large breed bitch is due to have pups on 18th December.  She is absolutely huge and getting bigger every day.  She is keeping really well still eating ok.  Not walking much now (due to the amount of snow we have in Scotland).  We have seen the puppies "wriggling" about the last 2 days.  This is my first litter and I just wondered will she go to her date or is there a chance she can go early?  We have our whelping box ready and are all prepared.

Thanks

Hello its always best to expect them the week before the due date as they are fully developed and normally would result in live pups. Often they dont come until the end of the week but like you say its much better to be prepared. In the next 3 days I would be sleeping at the side of the whelping box and wouldn't let your bitch out of site. What day did the maitings take place?

I agree that pups would be perfectly viable if your girl went just another 3 days!  Bless :-)  Exciting isn't it?

You sound prepared, so just look forward to the event, and stay calm around your girl.  Then she will stay calm with you!  :-)

Good Luck!  Jean :-)

Thanks you for your advice.  She was mated on the saturday and sunday.  We will keep a close eye on her from the weekend on then.  Think I asked the vet every question except that one lol.  Yes Jean it is very exciting I am slightly nervous just want my girl and the puppies to be okay.  Will let you know when puppies arrive!!! xxx

Ooo how exciting. I helped deliver my first litter on Oct 28th and it really is the next best thing to having your own baby. It was truly magical and i am amazed at how my instincts kicked in naturally and I just got on with it and coped without even thinking about it.  I slept next to the whelping box the week Megan was due and for three weeks after too. Just didn't want to leave them at all, i'd have been heartbroken if anything happened and i could have avoided it.
Do you know how many pups to expect?  We were expecting two but had a surprise third one an hour after we'd cleaned up and put the dirty bedding in the wash.  She's is the one we are keeping because she was our little surprise.
Keep us posted, it's nice to hear when people have new pups ;-)

Leanne
xxxxxx

Hi Leanne,

So nice to hear you just had puppies and everything went well.  Had her scanned and vet saw 4 puppies but our breed can have up to 12!  Vet only scanned small area as she didnt want to poke about too much.  Have my suspicions she may be having a big litter though.  Got room thermometer today so going to test the heating etc tonight and then we will be already if she goes early.  Did you girl go to 3 days? x