When I spoke to my vet recently he said he can usually tell if a bitch is in whelp, by palpatation on day 30 and to ring and make an appointment for then.  So I put that on the calendar.  But I've just read the 'Book of the Bitch' again and it says that the foetuses are at a crytical stage at days 24 to 35 and that it is extremely unwise to let anyone feel for the foetuses then.  So I'm confused now.  Who's right? Does anyone else let their vet feel to see if their bitch is pregnant?

I have mine scanned.  Some vets can do this, but in my opinion, people who specialise in scanning tend to be more accurate.

I used to have our previous vet palpate my bitches, and he was very accurate. I can't remember at what day he liked to feel though, and I've not had a litter since he retired.

I just spoke to the vets again, they reassured me they know what they are doing!  The vet is in  his 70's so has obviously done it quite a few times.  I wish I could be patient and wait, but I can't!

how long has it been since she was mated? is she showing any signs of pregnancy (just to be nosey)

She had a slip mating 21 days ago (wasn't ready) and a good mating 17 days ago, which is the one I'm counting from ( had a pre mate which said she was ready).
Signs she is pregnant, well every little thing she does different me and OH look at each other and say 'is it a sign!', she's not allowed up stairs, but keeps coming up in the morning, she's started pinching food of the work surface again (stopped about a year ago), she's just been sick (but she did just nick a couple of very hot chips that I dropped on the floor!) and she's sad (but OH is away at the moment).
Proper signs no not really, I did think her nipples looked bigger and pinker this morning, but who knows.  Her vulva seems to have nearly gone back down to normal size, not too good I suppose.  Early days I know, I'm just not very good at waiting.

My girl too had a slip mating and then a tie , i`m counting from tie 25 days ago. As this will be her first litter (if she is pregnant) I don`t expect too many signs she is very fit and like her mother I don`t expect her to show until 4 1/2 - 5 weeks. She has been off her food had to hand feed her for a few days she is eating herself now but not her dry food she just spits it out. She has stopped running about when I take her for her walk she stays close to me and has let her boyfriend(not dog I mated her with ,same breed rescued no papers) know that kisses only no play. Her nipples are getting bigger and are usually black now they look pink her vulva not quite pre season size.Could be pregnant could be a phantom.I prefer to have my bitches scanned so she will be scanned next week when she`s 4 1/2 weeks.