My bitch is on day 56 from mating and is currently quite round. My question is...she likes to be outside a lot during the day chewing bones and laying on the patio, she lives indoors. I live in the South and currently all our snow has melted, there is no ice on the patio (but some in the road out the front) it still feels cold. Is it okay for me to let her lay out on the patio or should I bring her in?

One of my girls had pups outside on a rather cold night, she WOULD NOT have them indoors.  Just made sure I had plenty of hot water bottles, boxes blankets etc. for the pups and luckily we had an old dog kennel which wasn't in use to sit in and look after the pups. Once they were all born she was fine and came into the house with them all and settled down.  It was a nightmare though.

I would limit her time out though to be truthful in this weather.

Thank you perrodeagua for your reply. Hope my bitch doesn't decide to have them outside, think she actually has my bed on her list of favourable places, only thing is (luckily for me) she can't jump on it any longer!

Yes, I guessed moderation on the indoor/outdoor time, I think she seems to be feeling warmer than usual and that's why she wants to be outside a lot.

my girl is on day 49 she is massive bless her ,she got a very thick coat but she hates going out LOL she has a quick wee and runs in ,but she is panting alot now, good luck xx

My large toy breed whelped 4 lovely babies last sunday. One on my bed one in her box one on my knee and last one outside in the snow when i took her out for a pee. So lucky i had my torch cause it was 5 in the morning. He was fine though and is doing great and is gaining so much wait .She is great now her puppies are all in the box but just wasnt too happy giving birth in the box. Just likes to be awkward.First litter ever and it has been the most wonderfull experiance even with all the lack of sleep etc i dont care it is well worth it lol

hows your girl doing any signs of pups yet? xx

I've had a few pups born on my bed, messy but easy to help and get everywhere...if the bitch is comfortable there I'd stick a big throw (mine tended to scratch it up though) and let her have a couple.  My bitches then went to the whelping box.

My girl had her pups yesterday (day 60 from mating) started at 10.10am. All seven (the scanner was right) were born in 2 3/4 hours. She had them in the whelping box (although she had taken a bit of a fancy to the settee). This is our first 'proper' litter, as she previously had one puppy by caesarean, which sadly didn't survive. Following advice from many of you on here and some other experienced friends, we decided to go ahead and mate her again. The birthing this time seemed easy for her, she had none of the ripping up newspaper signs, and seemed to deliver each one with ease. She was restless the day before and we could see she had changed shape and thought things were imminent.

Mum and pups seem to be doing very well at the moment. I know everyone says this, but she really is being a great mum!

All the puppies have great homes to go to, we just want to get them all through the first few weeks as we know things can still possibly go wrong.

Thanks to everyone on here that have offered kind words, support and advice this year. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and wish you all whatever you desire in 2011.

:) so happy your girl has done so well congrats, now the lack of sleep for you! il be the same soon xx