As the board hasn't had loads of activity recently I decided to go back and read ALL the posts on the breeding forum. I am currently on page 319, reading backwards from 369. I have come across a term 'popping her ribs' quite often and wonder what this actually entails? How does this happen and how far along in pregnancy?

Its very interesting to read some of the member's earlier posts, the general chatty atmosphere, TROLLS and the even how often the 'needle on a string' topic came up!

The hormone 'relaxin' is released in pregnancy (same as in people) which relaxes the ligaments and joints, to make birth possible re the Pelvis and in the case of ribs allows more rom for the pregnancy.

I'd say from 6 weeks, but if your measuring you may see it sooner.

wow...so they start to expand outwards to make room for the developing pups. just to clarify - do they expand from the shoulders outwards in a sort of fan shape (when you look from the top) or do they expand in a rectangular sort of shape?

in a deep chested breed like mine, i'm guessing that they would manage to keep pups quite high up and tucked in for longer than a smaller chested one?

out from shoulders to loin, so giving that wide shape when looking f rom above.  That is why some bitches with tight tums only seem to go sideways.

>so they start to expand outwards to make room for the developing pups.

They end up looking like a barrel on legs! I measured my girl's chest (27") and waist (19½") during her season and every week of her pregnancy. She ended up with both chest and waist measuring 31½"!

We usually say the ribs have Sprung.

so theoretically, if one was to measure the ribs on the day of mating and then again at 5 weeks and once a week for every remaining week, there should be a noticeable increase in girth. Could this also occur in severe phantoms?

Yes to first question, don't know for second as never had a severe phantom with any of my bitches (never more than slightly thickened mammary glands nearest the rear).

i love this site... you always learn something new. thanks barbara.

>> so they start to expand outwards to make room for the developing pups.
> They end up looking like a barrel on legs! I measured my girl's chest (27") and waist (19½") during her season and every week of her pregnancy. She ended up with both chest and waist measuring 31½"!

Thats very interesting & I never thought to do measurements.
A Whippet should already have a good spring of ribs prior, so it does look really odd & they totally loose its 'tuck up' when heavily pregers.

I love this site... you always learn something new. thanks barbara.

I agree i always think of Brainless as Alanis as her knowledge is encyclopaedic - now That's Ironic! (i realise it may be in relation to her breed).  (",)

Nah I just retain info/trivia, and like to google.

I had the same form tutor at school for five years and he was the kind of teacher who made pupils thirst for knowledge(never stuck to syllabus and we'd go off on wild tangents) and taught us how to research (so much easier with IT), and I have the if I don't know then I know a man who does philosophy.

Barbara you are too modest.

Many a time I've seen questions asked, and the reply comes from Brainless.  And I think, how the bloody hell did she know that.  :-)

I've learned a great deal from you over the years.  And, as you don't shout your own praise I will do it for you.  One of the nicest things is the fact that you don't "talk down" to folk who know a great deal less than you.  It's people like that who make Champdogs what it is.  The best dog forum on the planet.

Absolutely! I think the advice given here is unapologetic which is what i love. You are all passionate and i often think people take offence because you don't blindly say yes dear that's fine carry on.

If we come here looking for professional advice we need to push our own ego aside and take it. I have only been on here for a short while but have witnessed you often get the same requests very much like my initial post. Yet you all still offer the information needed.

Don't change CD

Not something I've been aware of with my main breed (Basset) because they should have a good spring of rib in any case.   I didn't take a litter from my Whippet although as she's matured, she has a good spring of rib too (some of it is fat, sadly - but my excuse is she's spayed!!).