It seems that every other post in this group at the moment, is from worried people concerned about why their bitch hasn't had puppies by day 63 or something. 

So I'm writing this post so I can just post a link to it, anytime someone asks about this and save myself typing a response out now

There are two ways to speak of, that you can know when a litter is due:  1) progesterone testing to determine when ovulation was - she will whelp 63 days plus or minus 48 hours from ovulation - Or 2) cytology to determine when diestrus was - she will whelp 57 days plus or minus 24 hours, from the onset of diestrus.

If you did not do progesterone testing or cytology, and you are going by the date of the first breeding, it can be between 55-70 days later.  That is a huge window.  (It is usually 59-63 days later - but that is just based on averages and what is typical, not what is possible biologically.)

Besides this information, there is nothing anyone on this forum can advise you of, if you are not seeing puppies by XYZ date.  We are not magicians or fortune tellers.  The only biological facts available are the ones I've just posted above. 

If you are concerned that your bitch is overdue, consult your vet.  Do not post on online internet forums.  Your vet, by the way, will also not know from the information you give, if your bitch is overdue - if you did not do timing.  Because there is no way anyone can tell.  They can, though, do an ultrasound, check puppy heart rates and, if necessary, progesterone levels to see how close labour is.  We can't do that, online.  (Just to point that out.) 

If you do not want to be in this position of uncertainty, not knowing if puppies should have arrived, then do timing on your future breedings so you will know to within 48 hours when puppies should arrive. 

Not everyone wants to do timing, and that's totally fine - this is not a post telling you to do progesterone or cytology, but only to say that, if you don't, there is nothing to be gained by popping up and posting worried posts online about it.  No one can reassure you.  You will either have to sit with the uncertainty, or consult your vet.

Over and out ;)

I'm tending to agree when it comes to people asking on a public forum.   For me, the waiting has always been the worst part of breeding (other than towards the end of my breeding programme, finding decent homes for my little dears!).   All we can do is suggest you clear your appointments from the time the litter should be due (counting from the matings) and wait.   Of course if the pregnant bitch is unwell (with or without a nasty discharge), and goes over the expected date by a significant number of days, a vet's input should be taken.

But public forums are for 'sharing' and it might help some, especially the new breeder to look for encouragement/reassurance?

But I'm a bit worried, MamaBas - because we can't really offer that reassurance. 

If we reassure people that all is well, it might not be.  And we're contributing towards someone not seeking vet help when they need it. 

If we tell people things might not be well, they get angry with us if they go to the vet and find out that all is ok. 

Either way, we're damned if we do and damned if we don't...

>So I'm writing this post so I can just post a link to it, anytime someone asks about this and save myself typing a response out now

Unfortunately, doing so would break our rules However, others can link to your post if they feel it is relevant to a particular question. Please keep sight of the fact that this is an information exchange and it only works if members can ask a question and get various answers. Shutting down threads is not really the best way to keep the forum alive, so please keep this in mind.

Ok, I guess I will just copy and paste the response!

People like me are not asking if someone can tell me if she is in labour and I am not worried at all I’m asking if people have had the same experience as what I am going through as every bitch is different the hole point in this and people joining is to speak to other people going through the same thing and asking questions ect is it not? I have breed bitches before who has been a text book bitch and others like the one I have now who is totally different having me up nights on end as if she is in labour but is not some times it’s nice to speak to people having the same type issue and getting advice ect.

It's just not possible to give you that advice though Megrose, for the reasons above. No one knows.

I’m not looking for answers Im just wondering if others have been though the same thing and things they did to comfort the bitch pups will come when they ready.