Hi everyone,

My [small breed] is pregnant for the first time. It is my first litter too. I have support from a mentor and my parents have bred dogs in the past. Both my mentor and parents are quite ‘old school’ and don’t really agree with the whole temperature taking (although I have been taking it!) or ovulation testing. The question I have is, my mini is currently 61 days from her first mating and 59 days from her second. The first mating was a slip mating and they didn’t tie (although very nearly did). The second was a full tie for a good 15-20 minutes. In terms of dates, should I be taking the first mating (even though it was only a slip?) or the second? Obviously I’m watching her like a hawk anyway but I’ve read lots of scary stories about dogs going over their dates so wanted to know when I should start getting concerned date wise (I know we aren’t at 63 days yet but I’d like to be prepared). Both my parents and mentor say to use the second mating? But I’m not so sure and would appreciate your advice. Ps her temperature has been pretty much the same for the past week, she isn’t showing any signs of nesting at all, her vulva is very slack and puffy (has been for maybe 3 days) she is permanently glued to my side and will only get in her whelping box if I get in too!

You don't really have much choice other than to take the 2nd mating - because what are you going to do otherwise?  Go and get a c-section, earlier?  Pups born too early will not survive - even just a few days too early.

Thank you for your reply. My understanding is that the pups are viable from 58-59 days? Either way they will be over that certainly? She was mated late in her season (day 13 and 15) as was still bleeding heavily before then

Unless you did cytology to check when she entered diestrus at the end of her season, you can't know when she is due.

For example - semen can live at least 5 days and often up to 7 days (if good quality) in the bitch.  So, this would mean that fertilisation actually happened 7 days after her 2nd mating....

You cannot use mating dates as reliable indicators of due dates - they can only be rough guides - because gestation is from fertilisation, onwards...

Ah thank you very much for explaining, that’s really helpful. I think I’m just being a stressed first timer!

I never take temperatures.  But if this is a toy breed I wouldn't let her go too long over before a vet check. 

My toy breed whelps on day 56.  Perfectly viable pups with fully developed lungs.

Thank you. She isn’t a toy breed. She weighed 6kg pre pregnancy but I might take your advice and if we haven’t had any movement before Friday I will take her for a vet check. The vets are only round the corner and she loves the vet so it shouldn’t be too stressful. I’m not sure I could cope with the stress of breeding again, but if I do I will certainly be getting an ovulation test.

I have bred several different breeds and they all vary both between breeds and individuals, I would be guided by a sensible, experienced mentor who can come over and have a look at your bitch, vets generally don't see normal whelping and are inclined to either do nothing, waiting for nature to take it's course or jump in and want to do a section. Personally, if you can see the puppies moving, your bitch is looking relaxed and still eating a little and drinking then I would wait, I know how anxious the waiting time is but the vast majority of births are fairly uneventful, however I would also go with my instinct, you know your bitch best and if you are really worried then go to the vet. Hopefully you will soon have a boxful of puppies and be enjoying the experience of rearing a litter.

> She was mated late in her season (day 13 and 15) as was still bleeding heavily before then

With my girls that would be considered early, most of mine are mated anywhere from day 15 - 22.

Breeds cab vary ditto family lined and individuals as to when they ovulate.

Mine often bleed bright red right through.

Thank you. I’ve read so many books and websites which say you should breed day 11-14 and my mentor said the same but obviously some bitches are not the ‘norm’. I hope they arrive soon though as I’m a nervous wreck. The puppies have slowed down their movements a lot and my girls belly doesn’t seem as big? Is this a worry?

13 and 15 is pretty normal in my breed.

I totally echo what mixedpack says above....