Hi, so I do various activities with my dogs. Been lurking for awhile.

I am a first time breeder. Both healthy, fit dogs who have done very well.

But both maidens.

They are a small breed [Breed removed - Terms and Conditions of Use]

Since day one of the season, the Male has been very keen and the girl very flirty and flagging. He has been mounting and “thrusting” all of the time. Of course I separate them for breaks.

Day 13 of the season we had a tie of ten minutes. Days 14 & 15 a little interest but from day 16 until now nothing. The swelling has gone, she doesn’t flirt or flag and the boy shows no interest in her at all.

I have talked to a few people who have told me that they have heard of this and it could be a very good sign that she has taken, but I wondered what you all think.

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There won't be any interest if she isn't at the right time to take.  But whether or not it proves that she's taken, I don't think you have any guarantees.   Just wait, and have patience, you'll know soon enough.

She's obviously 'gone over' now so neither will usually be interested in mating.  It's NO guarantee that she is pregnant however.   You'll just have to wait, and 'assume' there is a pregnancy starting.

With mine, normally during the third week there was just a little hardly coloured discharge until by day 21, it was all over.  I might suggest the vulva doesn't go back to it's previous size.   I did have one who, mated twice, started to produce a more coloured discharge through the third week, and at the time, didn't think she'd taken.   She had an uneventful pregnancy and produced, albeit by C.Section, 9 of probably the best puppies we'd ever had.

Thank you both, she has calmed down since then too, being more snuggly instead of jumping up.

Just weird how it was so sudden. They were very flirty and “humping” before she was in standing heat too.

She seems to have a bigger tummy again but I realise the only way to know is to scan.

One vet said they can scan at three weeks, one said four, so I’ll book her in when she’s 4 weeks.

Hi all,

Update: so she is giving off good signs that SOMETHING  IS HAPPENING, with a little tummy, teets which are slightly bigger and behavioural changes. Even morning sickness early this morning.

Of course, these could be signs of a phantom.

She has slowly gone off of her food in the past week. I managed to feed her some raw mince yesterday. She’s not eaten anything today despite trying scrambled egg and chicken, so will get some goat’s milk and more mince.

Scan booked for Tuesday when she will be 4 1/2 weeks. Hope to see pups!

I never had a pregnant bitch go off her food until her size meant she had problems eating a full meal.   At that point I'd cut back on the 'bulk' and feed a series of smaller meals.   I'd suggest she shouldn't be off her food this soon in the pregnancy.   Pregnant bitches should remain on a good quality diet, the same as she had before being mated, until again, her size dictates a slight adjustment is needed.   And that would only be needed if she's carrying a big litter.

By around 4 weeks, owners might notice her being a bit more 'careful' of herself, around other companions (but not always!) and some thickening of the flanks but that's all.   I always noticed the vulva tended to stay rather more enlarged/puffy than normal and maybe teats too with a successful mating, but again, not usually at only 4 weeks.   Imagination!!

I'd not be happy to see a lack of appetite when only 4 weeks into a pregnancy.

Thank you!

She may be a week more but I’m just counting from when the tie was. She’s thin normally so might take her to the vet tomorrow though eating a sausage treat today and cat food! Not chicken though!

Update: she’s eating full meals again!

Scan this week

5 confirmed!