Key facts at a glance
- Bitches usually come into heat at the age of six to twelve months.
- During the first heat, the body of the four-legged friend is not yet ready for pregnancy.
- A first pregnancy test is possible at the end of the third week.
- From the 25th day, pregnancy can be unequivocally proven by an ultrasound examination.
- It takes dogs an average of 63 days after conception to have puppies.
- Gestation length can vary depending on litter size and timing of mating.
- On average, a litter consists of five to six puppies, although the actual number can be higher or lower
When do dogs become sexually mature?
When dogs become sexually mature can vary by breed. In small dogs, sexual maturity usually starts a little earlier, while large dogs reach puberty and become sexually mature a little later.
As a rule, a bitch comes into heat for the first time between the sixth and twelfth month of life. Occasionally, however, it can take much longer for a bitch to come into heat for the first time.
How to recognize when your bitch is in heat
A bitch in heat develops an increased interest in male conspecifics. In addition, the vagina of the four-legged friend swells and there is a bloody discharge. Other signs of being in heat are frequent licking of the genitals and increased urination.
As the owner, you should be aware that your bitch’s first heat does not mean that the four-legged friend is already ready for the first pregnancy. Despite being in heat, the bitch’s body is not yet fully developed for carrying offspring.
Determining pregnancy in dogs
If mating was successful during heat, after about 30 days the teats will swell and there will be clear to white vaginal discharge. Other external signs of pregnancy are, in particular, weight gain and the bitch’s belly that is slowly becoming thicker.
A pregnancy test, in which the veterinarian measures the bitch’s hormone levels, is possible after around three weeks and an ultrasound examination, which can be used to confirm the pregnancy beyond any doubt, can be carried out from around the 25th day after conception.
How long does it take for the puppies to come?
On average, bitches are pregnant for about 63 days. However, the duration of pregnancy can vary and can also be somewhat shorter or longer. A period of between 59 and 67 days is not uncommon and usually nothing to worry about.
Small litters of just one or two animals tend to take a little longer for dogs to have puppies, while larger litters tend to have a slightly shorter gestation period than the average 63 days.
In addition, the timing of the mating also plays a role. Male sperm can survive in the uterus for several days. If the bitch is mated a few days before ovulation, it will take a little longer and, after ovulation, correspondingly shorter, until she has her puppies.
How many puppies can a dog have?
The number of puppies a bitch can have depends on her breed and age. On average you can count on five to six cubs. However, small dog breeds usually only have three or four puppies, while large dogs usually have seven or more puppies.
Apart from that, the number of puppies can be slightly lower, especially in young bitches who are pregnant for the first time. This applies at least to small dog breeds, where the first litter often consists of just one or two small four-legged friends.