Dog Pregnancy Calculator
Enter the breeding date and get your dog's expected due date plus a complete milestone calendar from conception to whelping. Share the link to keep everyone on the same page.
What to Prepare Before Whelping Day
Whelping box supplies
- Whelping box with pig rail
- Clean towels and washcloths
- Heating pad or heat lamp
- Rectal thermometer
- Puppy scale (weigh daily)
- Puppy milk replacer (backup)
- Bulb syringe for clearing airways
- Dental floss (for tying cords if needed)
Emergency contacts
- Your regular vet's number
- 24-hour emergency vet number
- An experienced breeder on standby
Warning signs during whelping
- Contracting 2+ hours with no puppy
- Green/black discharge before first puppy
- Dam becomes unresponsive or collapses
- Known puppy count doesn't match deliveries
Breeding American Bulldogs?
Every ABRA-registered American Bulldog litter is recorded at pedigreedatabase.ca. Register your litter and preserve the bloodline history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a dog pregnant?
Average canine gestation is 63 days from the date of ovulation. However, the breeding date and ovulation date are not always the same -- sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to 7 days. This means a dog bred on one date may whelp anywhere from 58 to 68 days after mating. The expected due date in this calculator is calculated from the breeding date, not ovulation, so use the full 58-68 day range as your planning window.
How can I confirm my dog is pregnant?
The most reliable confirmation methods: (1) Ultrasound at 28-30 days -- can confirm heartbeats and count puppies approximately. (2) Palpation by a vet at 28-35 days -- a skilled vet can feel the embryos before they become too large. (3) Relaxin blood test at 25-30 days -- detects a hormone only present in pregnant dogs. X-ray is most accurate for puppy count and is done after Day 45 when skeletons are calcified.
What should I feed a pregnant dog?
In the first 5-6 weeks, a pregnant dog's calorie needs don't change significantly. In the last 3 weeks (weeks 7-9), increase food by 25-50% using a high-quality, nutrient-dense food -- puppy food is often recommended because of its higher protein and fat content. Switch gradually. Avoid calcium supplementation during pregnancy as it can interfere with the dog's own calcium regulation and lead to eclampsia (milk fever) after whelping.
How do I know when my dog is about to go into labor?
The most reliable signal is a drop in rectal temperature below 99°F (normal is 101-102.5°F). This temperature drop typically occurs 12-24 hours before active labor. Start taking your dog's temperature twice daily starting around Day 55. Other signs: nesting behavior (rearranging bedding), loss of appetite, restlessness, panting, and mild vomiting. When active contractions begin, a puppy should arrive within 1-2 hours. If a dog is contracting for more than 2 hours without producing a puppy, call your vet.
How many puppies should I expect?
Litter size varies by breed and individual. Small breeds average 2-4 puppies. Medium breeds average 4-8. Large and giant breeds can have 8-15 or more. The most accurate count comes from an X-ray after Day 45. Knowing the count is important -- if you know there are 8 puppies but only 7 have been born and labor has stopped, that's a medical emergency.
What is a whelping box and do I need one?
A whelping box is an enclosed space where the dam gives birth and nurses her puppies for the first 3-4 weeks. It should be large enough for the dam to stretch out fully, with low sides she can step over but that keep puppies contained, and a 'pig rail' (an inner ledge a few inches from the walls) to prevent the dam from accidentally lying on a puppy. Introduce the dam to the box at least 1-2 weeks before her due date so she's comfortable in it.