Hello Everyone i just really wanted to get some info from breeders that have experience with the whelping of a rottie. Does the mother do most of the work and what happens if she startes having the pups in the middle of the night? Should i try to be there when she starts having the pups? Okay one last question, does she act differently when she gets ready to have them?
Thanks i would appreciate any information i can get....Tazzy

i think you need to get the book, the book of bitch by j,m evans and kay white,

I wll definitly do that, Thanks
Tazzy

I take it from your post that you have never had a litter before , is your bitch due to whelp or are you looking into this for the future.
Surley you have read books and asked your breeder and the vet about these things and prepared for the big day ( or night )
I take it you have had all the medical tests done on your bitch and the stud dog that this breed requires by your vet Hip and Heart tests etc and that they have come back good as you would not want to pass on any problems to the puppies.
The bitch should do most of the work as you put it but not all bitches take to motherhood as they should , so yes you should be with her at all times while she is whelping, also you have got her a whelping box so she feels safe and secure to have her babies?
if it's the middle of the night then so be it you will have to stay up with her all night!
She will start to act different before the pups come , heavy panting not being able to settle etc , and you should have prewarned you vet that she is due in case you have to call him in the middle of the night.
Other people will hopefully add to the post as it's xmas eve and brain not working as it should.
Good luck and keep us informed

Deary:)

Yes she is due to Whelp the 12th of Jan. I have been reading alot about Whelping of the Bitch, this is the first, her first. I have to learn somewhere and i figured asking questions and getting replys maybe i would learn alittle more than what i already know. I appreciate a your info, thanks.

Should you be there when she starts?????? Yes....you should be there for the whole process and then some more as well!!!!
You may have to get the pups going, clear their airways, towel them dry, cut their cords, start them feeding....even hand rear them......its never ending!

Advise your vet now of her due date, so that he is aware he may be called out in the middle of the night!! I slept in my bitch's whelping room for 4 nights before she decided to have them - she was fine, I was a wreck - she was 6 days overdue, and I had the vet out twice to make sure she and they were okay. It cost a fortune, but I had a healthy mum and healthy litter.

My vet is aware of her due date, and he is very helpful. With her first litter, how may pups do rotties usually have?

ahem...this is your breed? Surely you have experience with the breed over the years and you have contact with other rottweiler breeders? Sorry but this seems a rather basic question for someone who has mated a bitch? Have you not looked into this beforehand?

well the 3 litters ive whelped had ---10------11---and 14! and have yousorted out the tail docking, or are you leaving them on :D

The Tails will be docked, they wouldn't be true rotties with tails. Do you dock the tails of your pups?

It is ilegal to dock the tails of pups yourself. Many vets won't do it, but they are the only ones allowed to by law. Please organise a willing vet now, as they need to be done at two or 3 days old.

When I had my first litter I had the book of the bitch by my side, and have had it by me with each litter since:D

If you have a freind experienced in whelping who the bitch knows well then if you think your bitch will not mind, ask them to stay with you.

Alternatively have your bitch's breeder on the end of the phone!

Trouble is there are no hard and fast rules. A prolonged whelping may be progressing fine, or may be a sign of trouble. The books say allow say two hours max between pups, but then again healthy pups may be born at longer intervals.

I was galsd to ahve an experienced freind on hand after the birth of first pup, when I had the first litter. It gave me the confidence to know what to expect the next time. This experience told me that one bitch that I whelped for freinds was having trouble and would need assistance, even though the first pup was only an hour old, I could tell that things weren't right. She ended up with two more pups at vets with drug assistance, and finally a C section for the remainder!!!

Don't feel to badly that people are giving you a slight teling off, as you would be amazed at sojme of the irresponsible breeding situations we get questions about.

Hope all goes well:D :D

I know that its illegal to dock the tails yourself. My vet is planning on doing it. I have been taking my rottie to the same vet since she was a pup and my vet is planning on being there if i need him and without question...Thanks for your advice :O)

its my sisters rotts i delivered, and yes they are docked-but legally :D

Sam I have looked into this beforehand, but no i have not personally watched my bitch have pups, its her first as well as mine. I'm sure you were full of questions when you first got into this kind of experience? I understand if whom ever wants to give me grief, but i have to start somewhere....
Thanks

Ur best choice would be on line with ur breeder. I became good friends with mine and was on the phone with her, actually I woke her up at around 1 am (long distance too). I now talk to her at least a couple times a week for a couple of hours. Hope u and ur breeder are good friends since they can be alot of help.
Don't forget to take her temp. it should tell u in the book and that should pretty much let u know when she will be going into whelp.
Good luck and do hope it all works out and is an easy whelp for u and her.
ttfn :)

i hope all goes well too, thanks

Hi
Nobody wants to give you grief but people on this board are concerned about the amount of people breeding their bitch without firstly doing the neccesary health checks for that particular breed and secondly without being prepared for the lifetime commitment that is required.
You haven't answered the member who asked if you had her health checks done-did you use a health checked stud with a compatable pedigree?
As you say everyone has to start somewhere but what people are getting at is that you should have done more research before you bred your bitch.
I'm sure you want the best for your girl and thats why you are asking questions on here so I hope the answers are of some help.
As people have said find a vet now that will dock the pups-not all will.Be prepared for possible vets bills and do you have transport to the vets if your bitch has problems.I was at the birth of a litter of staffs a few years ago and one poor little bitch was born with her underneath open from front to back and all her intestines exposed-these things don't wait till the morning,they need the vet immediately.Not all bitches are natural mothers are you prepared to hand rear.
We all hope for the safe and happy arrival of your pups and would all love to know how things go.Good luck.
Archer.

We all hope that things go smoothly and that mum and pups are fine

Hi Archer,
Yes my girl is vet checked and like i was saying in the response before, she as been going to the same vet since she was a pup. He knows everything about her. The stud has been medically checked also and all is well. So no problems there. I'm prepared mentally and phyiscally for anything that may happen with her, problems or no problems. I just felt in a away that maybe conversing about the situation instead of just reading about it, i would feel better. Maybe i should have just asked my questions differntly in the beginning. Thanks, i will definitly keep u informed

by health checked-we mean hipscored, your vet cant tell this looking from the outside, -she is kc registered isnt she, ? out of interest what lines has she and the dog you used? and is he hip scored too?

Wow, i bet it's absolutely nerve racking!!!
Hope everything goes smoothly, and you don't lose too much sleep over it all :)
Do let us all know how it goes!

Annette

Thanks Annette:)

What we were getting at is has your bitch and the stud dog been hip scored, and had any other checks through the British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club schemes for control of genetic disease.

Your own vet can xray but the plates have to be scored by an expert panel of veterinary orthopaedic specialists. Yopur average vet cannot interpret hip xrays at all acuaratly. I have had friends told they had an excellent set of xrays and results came back poor, and even worse a vet telling someone to not bother submitting the plates as they were bad, and in fact result was excellent. Rotties I beleive also should have their elbows xrayed and scored, and possibly hearts graded by a Cardiologist.

Also eye tests can only be done by one of the BVA panel opthalmologists.

Tazzy, yes of course we all have to start somewhere in all fields where we have no previous knowledge. If we want to learn to cook, then we read a cookery book and maybe even go to classes. If we make a mistake, then we can throw it in the bin and start again!
Dealing with living animals is a completely different ball game. When breeding dogs, it's important to learn from others experience before we attempt to do it ourselves, because if we don't do the right thing at the right time then we risk our bitch and if we make a mistake by not understanding the genetics behind our bitch and the chosen stud, then we sell these mistakes on to other families, who have to live with these problems for the next 12 years!
Breeding dogs is not just putting a dog and bitch of the same breed together, and that is what some of the posters are trying to explain to you.

Okay listen everyone, i'm sorry for even bringing my questions to ya'll. Everyone seems to be on the negative point of view here. I understand all aspects that everone is trying to explain to me. No my bitch as not had hips checked, the bitch and the stud are both in very good health and are AKC registered. I will let everyone knows how it goes. I have my vet by my side and i'm sure everything will go well. I will take in to mind all that as been said. I appreciate everything. Thanks
Have a Happy New Year:)

Hey Tazzy,
Sounds like you're in the US like me. I hope you have good luck rearing your litter. But a word of good advice is after your rottie whelps this litter get her into the vet for OFA hip certification. This is an important factor if you want to be taking seriously as a breeder, by the public who will potentially buy your puppies and by fellow breeders. With how much money you should make selling this litter you shouldn't have a problem setting aside a couple hundred to have the necessary health checks and tests done. That way next time anyone asks you about it you are forarmed and can proudly state that the checks are done and all is clear. I hope all goes good for you and your rottie.

Carissa

OFA is the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals. In the states Xrays can only be submitted from animals over 2 years of age. They also run the scheme for Elbows, and whikle your bitch is under she should have those done too.

CERF is the organisation that deals with certification of eyes.

The AKC website has a lot of articles on ethical breeding and the various procedures. it is shytting the stable door after the horse has bolted, but at leat if you have her done after the pups are born, and a problem emerges you will be able to advise the new puppy owners accordingly, or if unfortunately there should be a serious problem such as dysplasia, you may decide to cull the litter. I know that in USA folk are a lot more inclined to sue if they are sold unsatisfactory 'goods' which is how the law views a pup.

I do hope that all will be well, and if her Parents had good OFA and CErf results, then hopefully the chances are good that hers will be, but I would advise having all this done before you try to sell the pups.

Hi Carissa, yes im in the us. I will make sure that after she has her pups that i get all the major test taken that everyone is telling me about. I just came from the vet and i questioned him about these test that shes needs to have. It will be done:)

Its a bit late AFTER she has had pups......if she proves to have terrible hips or any other inherited defects, the poor pups will probably have it too. The whole purpose of these tests is to find out if stock is suitable for breeding from and to prevent these problems being passed on to the next generation of dogs by irresponsible breeding!

The test should definitely be done. Surprised your vet didn't advice it sooner. Yet in the farming states (like where I am) many people don't even know about these tests and it is not a major concern. (Lets not argue whether that is wrong or right) I personally had no idea about these tests until coming to this board to find out more before I considered breeding. I am glad that I now know, but most people don't and many of the vets here are not able or willing to take the time to do these tests!! Better late than never at least if there is a problem with the bitch she will know and hopefully not breed her again and the pups can be sold with limited papers on a nueter/spay contract.
QT

That's great news Tazzy. I could tell that you were interested in doing this thing right and just got off to a bad start(mainly lack of pertinent info.). Yes this litter could have potential problems, but you are willing to do testing if you want to breed her again and in my opinion this shows great merit. Everyone starts somewhere and I think you have some great advice now to take you on a good path(if you choose to follow it). Another good bit of advice is keep coming to the board, it is full of people with tons of knowledge. Of course you have to filter through the advice and find what works best for you, but I find this board to be one of the best sources for help when the need arises. Some people can come off rather "passionatley" about certain subjects, but try not to take it personally. Nobody is perfect, but a closed mind is a very bad thing. You keep us informed about the litter-----OK?

Carissa

Hi Tazzy. Ive been reading this thread with much intrest, in my opinion no one (later in the thread) has been picking on you about hipscoring etc. They are just concerned doglovers who are trying to make sure you did everything you should have before breeding. Your only goal when breeding should be to better the breed, this means proving your bitch in the ring, getting all the tests done and matching her pedigree with a compatible dog. Its quite understandable that you may not have thought of some things before the breeding, but its too late now, we are just making you aware of the things you need to do if you decide to breed your girl again. Remeber; the last thing you want is your bitch producing pups with a structual problem, you are responsible for every pup you produce and MUST take the pup back if the new owner can't keep it, you dont want to give your breeder (or stud) a reputation for producing dogs with a defect because you made a mistake in the breeding of your bitch (you are continuing their lines)
I wish you all the luck with your girl and hope everything goes to plan :) Please if you are going to breed her again take all the necessary medical exams to clear her of any problems, take everyones good advice and put it to good use (they know what they are talking about, most of them have been breeding dogs for years) And most of all take the same amount of caution as you would walking on hot coals barefoot, if you dont do it right you will end up with a disaster on your hands :)
I hope you had a merry christmas and have a happy new year :)
Take Care,
Nikki

Hi Tazzy. First good luck to you. Yes we do have to start somewhere.
Anyway when my Husky was about to give birth she just wouldn't let me out of her site. She followed me alover if I left her she would cry. She was like that for a couple of hours then when she did go into labour everything was really straight forward. Hope it's the same for you.
I have emailed you privately

Okay everyone i just wanted to give update on miss roxie, she has been in labor since about noon today. She has had 7 pups, 4 boys and 3 girls, although one of the girls was born dead. She just had her 7th about 7:30pm. Mum looks good and so do the pups. she did everything.:)
How do i know when she is finished?

shes on her 8th not sure if its a boy or a girl:)

good sized litter then!!!! im not sure about knowing for sure theyve finished-i thought mine had with her second litter, settled and feeding them, all snuggled up etc-so i had myself a few hours and she had another one,
so im not the best to ask about that side of it, -good luck with them,

well not finished yet, she just had the ninth:)

She as actually had 11 pups since 12 noon tues, only 7 survived so far. 3 were born dead and one she layed upon. Its 3:15am, is it normal for that many to be still born?

did you try to revive any of them??? one of mine was born dead - didnt take much to revive it!

It is important to rub remove the membranes and rub the pups briskly to get them breathing. If the bitch has another pup quickly after an earlier one she is still busy woith, she may not notice thre is another one, and it could be lost.

I always let Mum attempt things herself, but make sure that I hae the airways clear and give pups a good rubbing, turning them upside down to ensure any mucus drains. bitches are quite rough with newborns to get them going in this way.

My second oldest bitch left to her own devices with first litter would probably have lost half through inexperience. On the other hand with her next she didn't need me at all and was very business like. Her daughter with her first litter could happily have coped all by herself, even though she had 9 pups in under 3 hours.

What I am saying is that all bitches and whelpings are different, and you have most chance of not loosing pups if you are there throughout and stay with the bitch for first few days. Unless youget a pup going properly, and the lungs expand properly, they can die over the firs5t few days. Crushing is always a rik with some of the heavier and clumsier bitches. Rarely a problem with my breed, but I always sleep by the bitch, and if a puppy sqyeeks in the night I fish it out from behind Mum, or wherever it has got itself stuck, as sometimes Mum seems not to notice!

Yep know the getting them out when squealing in middle of the night - lol - 2 nights of that so far - ebbie is getting better at moving though.

Nikki x

Tazzy,

According to the Book of the Bitch, in large litters you can expect to lose up to 25% of the pups at birth or up to a week(?) old. I have bred three litters from 2 different bitches (Mother & daughter) and have had 14 pups in each litter although only 12 survived in the first, 9 in the second and 10 in the third. The 10th in the third litter was born "dead", I revived her and she came around although she always seemed "poorly". Unfortunately at a week old she had to be put to sleep, so I ended up with 9 (Perfectly healthy) pups. It's sad, but it's better for the bitch to cope with.

Hope all is well with the pups. :)

She had 12 pups with only 7 living, she wouldn't let me get near the pups after she had them, its almost like she knew that they were not living. her last three born were still born. so 4 were still born and 1 she layed upon. I have been right by her side since, without much sleep. Last night i slept right next to her to make sure she didn't lay on anymore. She done good. I took mum and pups to the vet wed morning, doc made sure there were no more pups inside of her. The pups weren't nursing as they should so while she was sedated at the vet, they put pups on mum to nurse. I have been doing the same making sure they are nursing. I have two pups that arn't as strong as the others. One i had to take to vet this morning because she wouldn't eat or anything not even out of a bottle, she was getting very limp. Her blood sugar was low, doc gave her some fluids and now is doing fair, the other pup the same.
They are beautiful pups....I must say i was nervous.....I have been reading the book of the bitch aot these past few days, looking for any and all answers. Roxie is doing good about not laying directly on top o them.
So all in all, how does everyone think i did, being i got shot don in the begining??? ;0
Thanks everyone,
Tazzy

Well Done Tazzy,
keep up the hard work, with your determination(sp) they should all do fine!
I am sure people did not mean to shoot you down, they were just giving their oppion. Good luck with the puppies.
Best Wishes
ILOVEDOGS :)

Tazzy - you're doing well! Congratulations on your first litter - enjoy this stage. At the moment, I'm at the 8 week old, picking up poop stage - and they are right little devils :-) I want to train these puppies NOT to walk backwards through their poops as I'm trying to pick it up!!

One thing I think you will have learned is to check with other breeders as well as with your vet - after all, the breeders have the hands-on experience - I know I've had a lot of invaluable support from Aussie breeders and other Champdoggers!

Margot (pooper-scooper extraordinaire!)

Tazzy,
Congrats on your litter! Sorry about the lost pups, it happens, and is very hard to deal with. I always have to help my girls if left to there own devices the pups would still be lying on the floor still in their sacs. I have to virtually do everything for them. But they usually feed the pups with no problem. Sometimes I do lie with them and put pups on in turns, the weaker ones first by themselves and then the larger ones. If you continue to want to breed you need to learn the revival techniques and also how to supplement feed. Tube feeding has saved a number of pups for me. You did good Tazzy.

Carissa

Thanks everyone, indeed i must say that it as been a stressing experience for me, only because it being my first litter and also that she had 12 pups and only 6 surviving (everyone says that is normal). I'm constantly worring about the pups and if their getting enough of mums milk, worring if i'm doing the right thing ect....I now know what to expect next time, it won't be quite as trying for me. Roxie is a good mom and the pups are so tiny and her tits are so big you have to help them get latched on, but their getting the hang of it. I took them to the doc yesterday to get tails done and he sent me right back home and told me to wait until Monday because the pups are still not strong enough to handle the procedure. He did say that they are gaining weight though. I have 6 pups, one if i leave it for to long it gets to where she don't wont to eat and gets kinda left out, i then can not get her to latch on to mum, so i use the bottle to get her started then once she gets some supplement in her, she latches on to mum just fine. Its like having a newborn baby, you have to have time, patients and alot of love.
Have a wonderful day,
Tazzy:) :)

I hate to tell you this but I have lived this stress through every litter I have bred, the worst was my third when they had poorly tummies from therir second worming. I sat with my head in my hands crying!!!

Time goes by and we do it again! There is a lot of satisfaction watching the pups grow, getting to know their new owners, and then seeing pictures, and getting visits from the pups and their people.

I agree Brainless, it never gets any easier does it? The process is always different and the stress is enormous. But in the end it is worth it. My last one was especially distressing. She had 10 pups and kept having uterine inertia, in the end only 6 survived. Was very hard putting my girl through all that.

Carissa

get some nutri drops, theyre like a kick start-booster type thing-keep giving the one thats falling behind a dollop of it