Key facts at a glance
- Bitches can have between one and twelve puppies per litter.
- The litter size is influenced, among other things, by the age and the breed of the dog.
- On average, dogs have five to six puppies.
- In small dogs, the average litter size is smaller than in large breeds.
What factors play a role in the number of puppies?
How many puppies a dog will ultimately have cannot be said in general terms. Because the size of a litter is influenced by various factors.
The following factors play a role in the number of puppies:
- What breed of dog is it?
- Is the bitch pregnant for the first time?
- Since when is the four-legged friend sexually mature?
- How old is the bitch?
The size of the dog breed in particular has a great influence on the number of puppies that you can expect in the event of a pregnancy. Larger breeds usually have more puppies than their smaller counterparts.
One of the reasons for this is that the weight of the bitch should be in a certain proportion to the weight of the entire litter. All puppies combined are estimated to weigh approximately 11 percent of their mother’s body weight.
Apart from that, especially with small dog breeds, it is the rule that young bitches who are pregnant for the first time tend to have fewer puppies and often only give birth to one or two small four-legged friends.
How many puppies do dogs have on average?
Dogs can have anywhere from one to twelve puppies. The average litter size across breeds is five to six puppies. However, small dog breeds are more likely to have three to four puppies on average. In the case of large dog breeds, on the other hand, it is more likely that seven to eight puppies will be born in a litter.
Frequency and duration of pregnancy in dogs
Depending on the breed, female dogs usually come into heat once or twice a year. If a successful mating occurs during heat, it takes an average of 63 days for the puppies to be born.
However, the actual length of gestation can vary for a number of reasons and is around 59 to 67 days. Small litters are usually a little longer in coming, while litters with many puppies are usually born a little earlier.
A pregnancy test is possible from about the 21st day of pregnancy. Finally, after about 25 days, the veterinarian can perform an ultrasound scan, which can be used to check without a doubt whether your bitch is actually expecting puppies.
Our conclusion on the subject of average litter size in dogs
As you can see, there are several factors that come into play when it comes to litter size. It is therefore not possible to say exactly how many puppies your dog will actually have in advance.
However, the breed and age of your four-legged friend can at least provide you with a guideline. In addition, during the second half of the pregnancy, the veterinarian can feel your dog’s abdomen to determine how many puppies she is likely to be carrying.