Good morning.

I am questioning the rapid growth of my toy breed bitch. The breed is not the smallest of toy breeds.
I am not a novice when it comes to breeding however this will be my first litter in 7 years and her rapid growth has made me question, well everything!

She will be 6 weeks this Friday coming, and showed obvious signs at 4 weeks. I first noticed the rib had become broader and also colour and size change in teats.
Her tuck up has now gone and there is considerable growth of the abdomen, so much so I noticed yesterday when she went to clean her rear end that this was a struggle and she was unable to reach.

Now, she is not “huge” at this point but I would say rather large for this stage. I would even go as far as saying from memory as large as my last bitch at full stage who had 2 pups.

I’m certain it is not “normal” to show at all (growth/belly) wise so soon.

What are people’s thoughts, has anyone any experience with such early and definite signs ?

I will add that I have not had her scanned and did not plan to unless absolutely necessary. It is not something I have ever felt the need to do. Could the rapid growth be a case of phantom ?

I'd stop worrying - in fact I'd be more concerned if there was no increased girth at 6 weeks!   In another week you should see puppy movement going on, so at that point (7 weeks) you'll know for certain she's in whelp - at that point!

I've not experienced a phantom with any of my bitches, but I thought this tended to happen after due due date, when there should be puppies nursing.   From my experience.

Yes that’s what I thought also regarding phantoms however never having experience with one I’m not entirely sure how they work.

I think my worry is with such early growth I’m concerned there will be too many. Im hoping she will slow down and her size/stage will average itself out.

In regards to movement of pups would it be unheard of to have felt very subtle movement already ? I remember previously watching pups move at a much later stage, but I’m all most certain we felt very light flutters of moving pups and it also coincided with a wriggle from the bitch as if the movement made her jolt due to discomfort? Maybe just wind

If you're concerned then a scan would be quick, non-invasive and potentially very helpful.

There is not really any correlation (well, much correlation) between size and number of puppies. Sometimes there is just a lot more fluid than at other pregnancies, I don't know why. So just try not to worry...

> I am questioning the rapid growth of my toy breed bitch. The breed is not the smallest of toy breeds.

I have Chihuahua Long Coats.  I've had them so huge that they looked like dinner plates with heads on.  Fluid plays a huge part.

I used to have a lovely little Papillon bitch who loved nothing more than laying on her back on my lap. As she did this all the time I got to feel her stomach during pregnancy a lot more than any other bitch I have had, and the first time I felt movement was 44 days. She was huge with her final litter of 4 big pups and whelped them on day 55.