My bitch tied 35 days ago.

I'm finding it really difficult telling if she is pregnant or not.  She hasn't put on any weight at all from what i can see or feel.  Still lanky and skinny!

I'm just wondering if this is normal?  Can it be difficult to tell at this stage?, or would they normally have started to gain weight by this stage?

I have read tons of books, but they all say the same - look out for swolen nipples etc etc - I haven't really noticed this either yet, but wondering if again, its too early?

Any advice would be wonderful !

(p.s, yes this is 1st litter but ALL healthchecks done and bitch carries all paperwork)

Thanks :-)

In a maiden bitch especially it can be very difficult to tell before about 5 or 6 weeks.

i would generally expect the nipples to look a little larger or pinker by 5 weeks (the four nearest the back), this is the first sign i notice in a maiden as they have tiny nipples until they have a first litter.

Other obvious signs sometimes are kept very well hidden

What is her temperament like as i also notice a change quite early, but again they are all individuals and there are no set rules

Was it just the one mating?

She was only mated the once due to distance.
I travelled over 300 miles for the stud.  I wanted the perfect stud, proven, with all health checks clear so was willing to travel the distance.  But with that distance could only mate once. 
They tied successfully, tie lasting about 25 minutes.

She is close to being 5 weeks now, but I can see no difference at all with regards to any weight increase.  She looks and feels exactly the same weight as she has always been.

Her temperment has changed a little in the sense that she has become quite fiesty while out and about on walks.  We live in the rural countryside so meeting other dogs isn't all too often, but lately when we do pass other walkers with dogs, she has been "having a go" at the other dog if they come near her.  Not biting or anything like that! Gosh no! Just a doggy telling off type thing as if to say "get away from me".

Thats about the only change i have noticed :-)

one of my girls went very loving and clingy towards me but very dominant with the other girls so maybe she is the same, some breeds hide it very well until the last minute too.

Maybe consider a scan if you really would like to know now (thought bear in mind they can be wrong too), otherwise all will be revealed in a few more weeks

Good luck and i hope after all your effort you get the litter you want :)

I wouldn't necessarily notice any weight gain at all as early as this. :) But this behaviour towards other dogs is usually a very good sign indeed!

Thanks guys!! :-)

When will i start seeing noticable weight gain or a larger belly?
Some picture i have seen of dogs at 6 and 7 weeks pregnany and they look huge!!  Thats only 2 weeks shy of where my bitch will be soon yet she is still a skinny little thing :-)

> Thats only 2 weeks shy of where my bitch will be soon

And that sounds about right to me.  Remember that the fastest growth rate is towards the end.  At 5 weeks, none of mine show outward signs.

I had my girl mated 5 wks ago,large athletic breed,and have known from 3 wks that she is pregnant.I could feel 'marbles in jelly' along her flanks,and her personality changed overnight.Now I can see her nipples have gone pink,and she has been sick a few times,bright yellow bile.She is running as normal with my other 2,but has become more loving and clingy.She was wet through today in the rain on our walk,and I could definately tell from her profile.I suppose every breed is different?

Had an ultrasound scan done and nothing :-(
Vets told me they couldn't see a single thing.
Quite dissapointed :(

I know that feeling well, what a shame. Other posters who have just let their dogs run loose together, with no care, will doubtless have a large litter. Doesn't it make you sick?

Better luck next time.

M.

I actually felt sick in my own stomach when they were doing the scan and there was nothing :(
I have had this planned for such a long time, and after countless trips for health checks then soo far for the perfect stud.
I was so excited, and we even had her whelping box and kit ready too - we were so prepared :-(

To make matters even worse - on the drive home from the vets, we passed a young youth walking a dog - scruffy looking mongrel with a huge pregnant belly!! 
Why does it seem to happen for these dogs/people but not us who go out of our way to do everything right :-(

so sorry to hear this :( ...hope that next time it happens x