Looking in the book of the bitch it says that on average that many bitches go to 63 days, does this also mean working bitches or are they likely to go in to labour before or after this time.   I have also read that they are not very maternal to the pups and that we might have to do the work for or with her.  This is not scaring me as i am very excited about her having her first litter.  We got her scanned last friday and saw three pups the vet said there could be more but were see i got very emotional with the scan more than i was with the scan of my son.  We are getting everything organised and reading the b.o.t.b every day learning something new.    If anyone can let me know any info. on the above it would be much apprecated.

Whether a bitch is a working bitch or not will not count towards when she will go into labour. If she has a large litter she will most likely go early, but she could go late :D The thing about breeding is the not knowing IF or WHEN the pups will be born. We just have to wait and see. :) As the book of the bitch says - the AVERAGE is 63 days. She could go days after that ;)

If you have the Book of the Bitch you will also see that it tells you on p.83 to "free yourself of the notion that canine pregnancy lasts for 63 days".  If you look at the Breeding Table 12.1  in the back it might give you some idea as to whelping characteristics for your breed.  What is your breed?  Working narrows it down a little but not much!

At the risk of sounding boring, why don't you register with Champdogs which will allow you to ask all those questions you need instant answers to?