My girl is 2 years old, 1 of 3 that I have bred myself. She has done well in the showring and is now on day 36 of her pregnancy. She is very healthy and doing well but I feel so guilty. She was upset during the mating (as most maidens are) but I just feel really bad. She is the first of my home bred girls that is pregnant. Is this a normal feeling or am I being paranoid?

I am sure you thought long and hard before you decided to breed her so just look back on your reasons for deciding to breed and I am sure you will feel better knowing and reminding yourself why you made the decision in the first place. Or you could pour yourself a stiff drink.

Thanks, several drinks later. Yes good reasons for breeding as she is a good representative of the breed but I know I will be upset when it comes to the delivery. Love my babies so much.

Have you ever whelped a bitch yourself?  Because your anxiety will easily be picked up by your bitch.

Can your mentor be there to help when the time comes?

She was upset during the mating (as most maidens are)

Not so, most bitches should be happy to stand even as maidens, so it looks like she had a bad time here for whatever reason and I can understand why you are upset if it was not as natural as it could be.

But....... you have to let it go, I can understand a day or two later but you are on day 36 now and as JeanSW has said you need to be calm personified for your girl now.

Hopefully you are well versed in dealing with breeches and any other problems during whelping as you can not panic at all your girl as a maiden may whelp like water off a ducks back or she may well panic herself and be stressed so you need to be a rock for her here. :-)

It is always good to have a mentor at your first time (you may well already have that :-) )

But, it's too late to be upset or have any tears, now you have to be strong and upbeat all the way through this your girl is depending on you. :-)

> I know I will be upset when it comes to the delivery.

You can have a cry AFTER the delivery away from your girl so you dont upset her. You have to be a tower of strength for her.

I think we've all got to a stage when we look at our bitches woddleing around and think "oh hell what have i done to her" but you have to get over it and remember why you did the mating.

Good luck :-) x

My Brambles first litter she didn't flinch with the mating, if the timing is right 'usually' they don't fret.  I felt guilty because she was massive, she ended up having 11 pups with her first litter.

Not our first litter so not worried about the whelping just don't want her to be upset. I know I'm pathetic

:-D :-D You'll be ok, nothing wrong in loving our dogs so much, just don't let her know you are upset. ;-)

> I know I'm pathetic

Not at all, youre human :-) x

Just to mention, she did stand well but was upset during the tie, bless.

Ah now that is a differen matter, I have a tart of a bitch, but she hates the tie to teh exten of turning turtle, and needign to be held, all foru feet of the ground.

Yet next occasion more than happy to be a strumpet and have a  second, and then third helping.  She has had three matings for both her litters and been exactly the same.

Well, I was worried about nothing.... She sailed through the birth and made less fuss than during the mating. She is a natural, 7 puppies in 4.5 hours. She loves being a mum.

Fantastic news :) Congrats!

Well done 'both of you' :-D

Now the hard work begins, enjoy every minute. :-)