Whelping Due Date Calculator
Enter your dog's breeding date or progesterone-confirmed ovulation date to get the expected whelping due date and a complete milestone timeline. Share the link with your vet, co-breeder, or puppy families.
Whelping Timeline at a Glance
Early pregnancy (Days 1-28)
- No visible changes in the first 2-3 weeks
- Embryos implant around Day 14
- Ultrasound confirms pregnancy at Day 25-28
- Mild morning sickness is possible
Mid pregnancy (Days 28-45)
- Belly starts to enlarge
- Appetite increases -- start adding food gradually
- Nipples become more prominent
- X-ray for puppy count after Day 45
Late pregnancy (Days 45-63+)
- Increase food by 25-50%
- Set up whelping box by Day 50
- Start temperature checks at Day 55
- Temp drop below 99°F means labor within 24 hrs
Breeding American Bulldogs?
Every ABRA-registered American Bulldog litter is recorded at pedigreedatabase.ca. Register your litter and preserve the bloodline history.
More Breeding Tools
Plan every stage of breeding and whelping with our free calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a pregnancy calculator and a whelping calculator?
They calculate the same thing -- the expected due date -- but a whelping calculator is designed specifically for breeders who are planning for the delivery. It includes a tighter prediction window when ovulation is progesterone-confirmed, plus a milestone timeline with specific action items (ultrasound, X-ray, temperature checks, supply prep) leading up to whelping day. If you are a breeder managing a planned litter, this is the tool to use.
Why does progesterone confirmation change the due date range?
When you only know the breeding date, the due date window is 58-68 days because canine sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to 7 days -- so the actual fertilization date is uncertain. When ovulation is confirmed via progesterone blood testing, you know exactly when the eggs were released and fertilized. This narrows the whelping window to 61-65 days from ovulation, giving you a much more precise prediction for planning purposes.
When should I do an X-ray to count puppies?
Puppy skeletons become calcified and visible on X-ray around Day 45 of gestation. Most vets recommend scheduling the X-ray between Day 50 and Day 55 for the clearest images. Knowing the exact puppy count is critical -- if you know there are 8 puppies but only 7 have been delivered and labor has stalled, that tells you a puppy is retained and you need emergency veterinary help immediately.
What supplies do I need for whelping day?
Essential whelping supplies: a whelping box with pig rails, clean towels and washcloths, a digital rectal thermometer, a puppy scale (weigh each puppy daily), bulb syringe for clearing airways, dental floss for tying umbilical cords, iodine for cord stumps, puppy milk replacer as backup, heating pad or heat lamp, and your vet's emergency contact number. Have everything assembled and in place by Day 55 at the latest.
How do I know if my dog is having trouble during whelping?
Warning signs that require immediate veterinary attention: active contractions for more than 2 hours without producing a puppy, more than 4 hours between puppies when you know more are coming, green or black discharge before the first puppy is born (after the first puppy this is normal), the dam becomes lethargic or unresponsive, or a puppy is visibly stuck in the birth canal. Do not wait -- call your vet or go to the emergency clinic.
Should I have my vet on standby during whelping?
Yes -- especially for first-time dams, brachycephalic breeds, or breeds with large heads relative to body size. Let your vet know the expected whelping window in advance. Have both your regular vet's number and a 24-hour emergency vet number written down and accessible. Many experienced breeders also keep a mentor breeder on call. Whelping emergencies happen fast and having help one phone call away can save lives.