A pregnant pooch can be an exciting adventure or a source of significant worry, depending on whether it was a planned event or if your sweet little Precious took herself out for a night on the town without your consent. A pregnant dog brings a lot of concern to a family who loves her, as complications can arise. However, a pregnant dog also brings many sweet surprises and introduces many people to the miracle of birth in a way they’ve never before witnessed. One of the most common questions when Precious shows up for her morning meal after absconding with Jo-Jo from down the street the night before is: how long is a dog pregnant?
There is both a short and long answer to this. Generally speaking, a dog is pregnant for about 62 days. Dogs with smaller litters may extend this by about a week, while dogs with larger litters may deliver their pups a bit earlier, as larger litters tend to run out of room, signaling the beginning of the birth process. On the other hand, smaller litters have the luxury of a few extra days for development before entering the chilly world.
A Dog is Pregnant for 62 Days
For most people experiencing an unplanned pregnancy with their dog, it’s difficult to determine exactly when those 62 days began, especially if they were unaware of the pregnancy until the dog started showing signs. However, those intentionally breeding their dog will know exactly when the pregnancy began and likely have the delivery date marked on a calendar.
The question of how long a dog is pregnant often turns into “how long has my dog been pregnant?” when the pregnancy wasn’t planned. If you have a regular escape artist on your hands, there may be more than just one night of bliss to be concerned about. Start by understanding when your pup went into heat. We call it “heat,” but it really means “preparing to ovulate.” A dog in heat hasn’t necessarily ovulated yet, but she is getting ready to accept a “gift” from Jo-Jo down the street.
A common misconception is that a dog in heat is immediately ready for copulation and conception, but that’s not entirely true—there are stages.
During the first stage, which becomes obvious to humans due to the vulva’s enlargement and associated bleeding, your dog is not ready to copulate. This is a preparatory stage, not an active one. Unfortunately, many dog owners mistakenly think that the end of the bleeding marks the end of her fertile cycle. Most dogs are in stage one for about nine days, but it can last as long as eleven to fourteen, depending on your dog.
When the bleeding subsides and a new discharge is released, it should appear as straw-colored mucus. Stage two, with the straw-colored mucus, is the stage during which your dog can copulate and conceive. This stage is often misinterpreted as the end of heat, which leads many dog owners to mistakenly believe that their dog is no longer in heat and allow her to roam freely. This misunderstanding can result in confusion when your dog shows signs of being “with pup.”
During the second—fertile—stage, there is a wide window of variation that keeps a dog receptive to conception. In other words, your dog may be able to get pregnant for anywhere from nine to twenty days, and either timeframe is considered normal. This can be frustrating for those trying to prevent their dog from getting pregnant, especially when her spaying is overdue. Many people aren’t aware that their dog is still in the conception phase and may inadvertently let her out, only to find her busy with Jo-Jo from down the street.
Most dogs require a trip to the vet to determine whether there are little Preciouses on the way. Around day 25 of the pregnancy, fetal heartbeats can be detected. It’s an amazing experience to listen to the numerous little hearts drumming away inside your dog. For those who have ever experienced it, it’s the miracle of life, repeated over and over again, and it’s something you won’t soon forget.
X-rays can determine the number of pups your dog is carrying, but this is typically done around day 45. In this case, you probably won’t need to know this information to determine whether or not she’s pregnant, but rather to understand how many applicants for homes you’ll be accepting in the very near future.
Pregnant dogs—and especially first-time dog owners—require veterinary advice throughout pregnancy and the whelping process. Unfortunately, dogs sometimes struggle, and having experience, a few good books, and the advice of your vet will be your best resources. If you’re particularly unsettled by the experience, your vet may be able to recommend other options.
When you’re waiting for your dog to give birth, whether it was an intentional coupling or an accidental foray, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the impending birth of puppies. In your case, how long is a dog pregnant? By the time you reach day 62, the only answer you’ll have is “too long.”
