Hi Group,

One of my girls is 8 weeks in whelp today from the first mating. I had her scanned and Pat counted 10 puppies but said she had taken from the 3rd mating which would make her 8 weeks monday coming. Do you find large litters tend to arrive earlier? My previous litters have all been 7 pups and  arrived 1 day before the due date. Shes is absolutely huge and her poor tummy looks like its about to burst at the seams. I'm just wondering how soon you would be ready for them to appear. I'm all organised so we are ready when she is but i'm working up until wednesday so hope she can hang on until at least wednesday evening! I haven't started taking her temp yet as i'm waiting for a thermometer i ordered to arrive!As soon as it gets here(hopefully tomorrow) i will start.
Any advice appreciated.

Mel.

from day 59 they can be born but the longer they are in mum the better

any born before this time may not survive so the longer the better good luck

Definately arrive earlier in my experience.  I have had them arrive 4 days early when there was 14.

Yes i have had litters born 5 days early

umm :) my girl just had 4 pups ,3days early and this is a very small little for this breed...my other girl different breed had 12 and she only went 1 day early so id have to say for me i think its more down to the breed , as some tend to go over some before some on time :):):):) x

I've regularly had litters born a whole week early.  I always tend to have everything in place by day 56.  Any earlier and survival is doubtful.

First and larger litters seem to be early, but my breed tend to be early anyway.

My own last litter were born 25th due on 28th and a friends bitch had hers on the 9th and were due the 12th, boith maidens with average size litters.

My earliest has been 5 days early, most are born before due date and have only ever ahd a few litters born due date or later, and these have been the result fo earleir matings than the usual day 15+ that mien seem to prefer.

Asti's only litter - 14 pups born on day 63
Miranda's first litter - 14 pups born on day 64
Miranda's second litter - 14 pups born on day 60

OMG Christine 14 pups, phew thats a lot

ist litter 11 born day 58, 2nd litter 8 born day 58

Biggest litter was a maiden bitch, had a litter of 11 born on day 59, held to first mating (12th day)

My biggest litter was to my maiden bitch born last summer (a show type cocker spaniel) she had 9 pups and whelped day 63 from 1st mating