I got asked today a question I really should know the answer to but I was left feeling a bit of a muppet because I just couldn't remember.

We were musing about dogs whelping and I got asked if, in a second or subsequent litter, 1st stage labour is shorter than the first time, like it is with women. Having been there and done that, I should know but my brain has got a block on.

Although I did say with some bitterness that the easy 2nd childbirth I was promised was worse than the 1st lol but I just can't remember what my dogs did.

Hasn't been for the dogs that I've had, though saying that last time my girl ended up needing a c-section.

I can barely remember her first but it was over 5 years ago, her second ended in a section and felt like it dragged until first puppy was born. Scared the bjesus out of me and since then im a nervous wreck with litters but my only one since then didnt go so great either. She missed this time but maybe next time ill get a plain sailing one??? I dont think you can say that with dogs are there are so many variables, age, different sire, weight, health, size of litter etc. mothering instincts will have a been there done this vibe but as to the labour I dont think 2nd time round is necessarily easier.

Not in my experience though the bitch may show less obvious signs of distress as she has been though it before, but if your good at spotting the signs then the time for mine has been similar, 12 to 24 hours from first signs of nesting, restlessness, panting etc.

Like humans they can vary from pregnancy to pregnancy,my vet told me with my first litter that most breeders miss the start of the first stage, I told her not any breeders I knew as we were watching them like hawks for any changes from about 10days before first due date or else how would we know if the first stage was prolonged or not and intervention was required.