I was having a very interesting conversation with a fellow breeder at the weekend who was saying that she knows within the first 5 days after mating if her girls have taken.  I must admit that on my last litter I knew within about a week.  While there is no concrete evidence to support it, there do seem to be many breeders out there who know very early on that their bitches have taken.  I rarely scan my girls so don't always know for sure before the 5 or 6 week mark but can virtually always tell well before then due to their behaviour and a 'vibe' I get from them.  I haven't been wrong yet when I say I know they haven't conceived.   The mating can be spot on, their body language, even a premate saying go go go!  I can't tell you HOW I know - I just do!

What do you think?  Do you know early on that your bitches have taken and what are the signs that make you think that?

I knew this time almost instantly, as my bitch's behaviour changed so dramatically. After she had been mated she would not allow ANY of the other large dogs near her. (But for some reason the little dogs were okay!) She's usually so laid back and easy going it was a major change in her.

i was very interested to read your comments on 'knowing' if your girl has taken after mating.  our girl was mated .....first time........on 16 August and then 2 days later.  her behaviour changed overnight ....its her first and she just seemed to mature immediately.......she 2 years old this month.  we've had a couple of scary symptoms - small brown discharge which seems to have eased now and a bit of ......i hope......morning sickness but she's quieter and more loving somehow - i just cant describe it.
anyway i suppose i'll have to wait for the scan next week though am not sure how accurate they are?

Never knew with both pregnancies.  Mothers really bug me, I told her the dog was due to go in season and had to be taken over to Grans, as always she never did it in time.  I was away at Uni.  Got the pups for my 21st birthday present :)

Anyway back to the point, both pregnancies the dog remained the same stubborn, spoiled, lazy, soppy dog - she's a real Diva.  Didn't change weight, was always cobby and stocky, vet said "hmmm she'll need to lose some weight", she turned her nose up at the diet food then a few weeks later out pops puppy in the middle of the living room floor.  During both pregnancies she had been to the vet for various little things, never noticed she was pregnant, at one time she and the dog were on contraceptives (show dogs), still got pregnant.  It was a case of the woman who didn't know she was pregnant until she went to the toilet for a number 2 and came out with a baby.

Bizarrely, she had a phantom pregnancy and we cought that straight away.  Her temperament changed completely.  I guess it just depends on the dog.