Has anyone ever had pups deliver before 59 days?  Flossie is 57 days today and she is so restless and the babies are starting to move down.  She will lie down, then turn to look at her back end, then lie back down, then she will go for a walk.
She's not panting or digging, just this odd behaviour...well odd for her this early anyway.  I have read that pups born before 59 days aren't viable.....any opinions??

Yes, saw a litter born on day 56, all were fine.  Sounds as though she will go a bit longer. Good luck.

I've had two litters born on day 56 from different girls, both times everything was absolutely fine. I kept the room they were in really warm just as a precaution but they were no different from other litters I've had born on day 63.

Thanks each.....my girl is due  but there is no way she will hang on til then.  If she can just wait until Wednesday I'll be a lot happier but I'm prepared for anything at the moment LOL

I believe I replied on another thread about the same? Most of my litters (of both my breeds) are born before day 59. It's not true at all that they are not viable. The earliest I had was born just into day 55 -most of the labour was day 54 but it was just past midnight when the pups were born. Big pups, big litter for the breed, all survived. Last year I had a litter of 13 born day 57, this year same bitch 13 pups again, day 58. (First time 12 survived, this time 11 -but nothing to do with when they were born.)

Pups tend to arrive when they are ready. If there's plenty and/or big ones, chances are they will be earlier than if less and/or smaller.

> I have read that pups born before 59 days aren't viable

Poppycock!

I have a breed that regularly whelps on day 56.  Totally viable pups with fully developed lungs.  Where have you read that?  Because it's a serious error if it's in a reputable book for canine breeding.

>Where have you read that?

I've read that just about everywhere for the past 25 years!  I'm so glad - and not a little amazed - to know that is not necessarily true!

My toy breed is notorious for being several days early, often 5 days or thereabouts. They should be viable any time after 56 days. :-)

puppies are generally viable from a week before 63 days, I wonder if your confusing this with the usual range of birth dates is from 59 - 67 days after the first mating (if mated late in cycle pups will apear to be early and if mated early appear to be later).

Outside these parameters overcrowding will induce labour sooner, as it is the hormones released as pups get stressed that help induce labour, which is why often singleton pups don't trigger labour.

> <br />I've read that just about everywhere for the past 25 years!

WOW!  My first canine breeding book 45 years ago is still, in my humble opinion, the best in the world!  You see, in all that time, while feeding has improved a hundredfold, mating and gestation etc hasn't altered.  I've whelped an awful lot of bitches (for myself and novice friends) yet I've never met a 63 day bitch. 

Yes, I do have the current day recommended BOTB, and as my favourite book is no longer published, I would recommend BOTB to newbies, but I learned so much about malpresentations from my out of date book and it has helped me a lot over the years.

However - I am glad that you are amazed!   

I've met a lot of 63-day bitches.  That means 63 days from the first mating, for whatever that's worth.

Thanks everyone for your replies.  Flossie has settled back down now but I think she was lining them up ready!!  I could feel some knobbly bits when I posted but now they must have settled down as all I can feel is a podge with a few wriggles !!
I feel so much better after all your replies, not being an expert and having only had 2 litters previously, I learn a lot in here.  For those who asked where I'd read that about the 59 days...I can't actually recall !!

Anyway, will keep you up to speed with any developments.

Thanks again xxx

>However - I am glad that you are amazed!

Yes, always something new to learn, isn't there!

> all I can feel is a podge with a few wriggles !!

What a beautiful description!  I love it! 

Still nothing to report, Flossie has settled right back down and is very chilled.  I guess it will be Friday on day 61 then.  We wil see
Hope everyone and their fur babies are well xxx