We have just had a successful mating with our girl Josie, but we obviously don't know if she is in whelp yet.  I was just wondering what to do about her exercise.  She has always came out running with me, ( I go out 4 times a week for between 45 and 90 minutes) aswell as her normal daily walks. Do you think I should stop her running with me now?  Or do you think she'll be OK, and then stop when she's around 4 weeks?  Or any other suggestions.

Hi, I exercised Roxy right through her pregnancy, she did seem to slow up towards the end but they definately know their own limits. She is a boxer and ran around like a looney right up til the last week or so. She would not have been happy and would have had a miserable pregnancy if she was restricted. I would carry on as usual and just be a little more aware of her ability. i am sure she will let you know if she is unhappy. Other people may have different experiences to me so it will be interesting to see what they think. Hope this helps a bit. Louise

Thanks Louise.  Josie would be miserable too, if she didn't come out with me, she gets so excited when I get my running gear on.  I should add that while I'm gasping for breath, and feeling like dieing, Josie does what looks like a fast walk and never breaks into a run, just has a superior look on her face!  I've decided not to let her come on the long runs anyway, I'll see what other people think about the rest.

I always try to keep mine well exercised when in whelp; it's usually only been in the last week or so that they start to slow down.  I always try not to overdo it though, but one of mine was still doing a fast-ish run up until a week before she whelped a nice healthy litter of eight.  She popped them out really easily too.

You'll probably find she keeps you right on exercise, and lets you know when she's had enough. 

I always exercise mine as usual when they are in whelp.  They can pace themselves.  I still remember the strange sound of mamary glands slapping as one of mine was chasing rabbits a matter of days before she whelped a good size litter of 11.

Its good to keep them in good condition, mentally & physically whilst in whelp.  They know when to start slowing down.  Don't forget that the if pregnancy turns into just fat then they can have a lot of problems, inertia etc.  A wise old sage (actually my friend who has been breeding for 30 odd years) always says , 'they are pregnant, not ill'.  Think this is a good way to look at it.

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to just see how it goes and just let her do the shorter runs. 
What does anyone think about letting them swim while in whelp?  We live in the Lakes, so obviously alot of lakes and rivers, Josie loves swimming, but my breeder said to try and keep her away from water, which I've managed so far,but with great difficulty!

One of mine did a working test including water work 5 weeks into her pregnancy.  I felt those pups from the day after taking her to the working test.  This was her last litter at 8 years of age and they were all fit and healthy pups :d  It's nt something that I would normally do but we were a new breed at the time in the gundog group, still are almost 5 years later :d  but she loved it!

Hi

I would of thought swimming was better than running when in welp. Water take the weight of the bump.

my bitch with her last litter if I let her free run as she was use to she would have a bloody discharge after. I think she over did it and didnt know her own limitations. I did the same when I was pregnant:rolleyes:

Keep a eye on her and if you think she is ok jogging fine but if not cut it back. As she gets bigger she probably wont want to run about so much

Wendy