My bitch is due any time she is a large working breed, took her for a scan at day 30 and was told took from 1st mating  and could see 4 but picture was not very good. i have been taking her temp for the last 7 days and its been between 37.7 and 37.3, been losing a little clear discharge for last few days, a little digging in her box and the odd panting, lots of deep breathing and sleeping,can see pups all moving well.  The last 24 hours her temp has dropped a bit more  yesterday morning was
8 am  37.1 
1pm - 37.6
6 pm -37.7
11.30 37.1,

Ate a little breakfast of which she still has some in her bowl usually would of ate dinner by now as well but not really interested. Took Her our for a walk  and she was sick white frothy liquid on her walk
Temp this morning 
9am -37.2   
1pm  37.9 which is highest it has been and now its back at
3pm  37.1,
this is her first litter but not mine but i am a little rusty on the temp side of things, she is happy in her self and sleeping alot she is in my room next to my bed in her whelping box and am home now and she wont be left but wondered if there was anything else to look for signs wise.
Thanks in advance

We also have just had her first runny poo been going to the toilet lots today more than normal

Again I have never set much score by the temperature but when it's still fluctuating, up and down, she's not going to whelp just yet.   When it drops and stays down, then you can expect her to start whelping within 24 - 48 hours.   And although I appreciate that conception may not have taken place immediately, I go more by counting from the first mating, of which we usually didn't take any more than 2, 2 days apart, or even just one if it was a 'good one'.     I didn't let mine just sit for over 2 days from the due date because especially with small litters, they don't always want to make an appearance, growing bigger by the day and making a C.Section more likely to be needed.   Each bitch is different as is each breed - mine tend to go into secondary inertia, and that's another reason why I didn't wait.

The waiting is the worst part, but again I tend to go by knowing the apple won't usually drop until it's ripe.

Thank you for replying , I am waiting for the drop in temp , I have popped out for a few hours tonight and my other half is watching her as I think I am driving us both mad .
this is my 1st litter with this breed but have great mentors in the breed that are helping me .  Just good to hear everyone else experiences

Still no drop am worrying I have missed it, she is now panting in her box groaning and looking at her rear end a lot don't think pups will be hear yet but could be the start ?
She also has a look on her face can't quite explain it and she is staring at me with her ears back .

Knowing her it is a false alarm but we will be in the room all day today just in case .

Certainly sounds like first stage labour, but if she's looking at her rear then she may well be into second stage.

I expect she has had or is having her pups by now.

Spoke to my friend and she said she is probably first stages like you said brainless, she said the looking at her rear end is probably because stuff is happening and being her first litter she is a.but unsettled . She has a gurgling stomach and is sleeping but fast breathing  in between panting sessions . No digging as yet but had bitches not dig at all so not to worried . She has been out to the toilet and is back in her box , she is trying to fit in small dark spaces to sleep so try to encourage her to sleep in box .

Will update as soon as we progress more .

any news?

Ant puppies yet?

Hi everyone sorry I have been unwell with a chest infection not good timing, things are well and truly started with lots of digging and panting in box , sick a few times yesterday, will update when she starts delivering pups x

oh dear, try to look after yourself and get well soon x

Hope you feel better soon. Good luck.

Thanks quick update we have 5 so far and still more to come

So we have 5 boys and 1 girl all came within 3 hours, mum and pups are doing great ,
Thank you for everyone's help .

> So we have 5 boys and 1 girl

That sounds like my 'splits' in terms of boys v girls - especially when normally I wanted bitches.   Still if you are after a bitch, you won't have to worry about wich one is best!!  Hope she's all good of course.        I even had a litter of 5, all boys.    Grrrr.

I don't know whether it's another old wives tale, but I was always told that the earlier you mate, the more likely you are to have more males than bitches.   This might be right in my case as I was always eager to get a mating done!!   And we usually tended to have more males than female

There are other OWTs however

Good luck with your new family.

Yes wanted a bitch so got 1 at least.

Thank you

Congratulations! Well done mum!