For owners considering breeding their female dog, pregnancy and whelping require rigorous preparation and attentive veterinary follow-up — a project that cannot be improvised.

Gestation length and monitoring

Canine gestation lasts an average of 63 days, with a possible variation of a few days. An ultrasound check from the third week onward confirms the pregnancy, while an X-ray toward the end of gestation helps estimate the number of puppies and anticipate any complications.

The specific needs of the pregnant female

  • Adapted diet: energy needs increase progressively, particularly in the final third of pregnancy, requiring a ration adjustment in line with the principles covered in our article on nutrition for the active dog
  • Moderate physical activity: keep up light exercise without intense effort, especially toward the end of pregnancy
  • Preparing the whelping area: a calm, warm and secure space, made familiar in advance to reduce the female's stress

Signs that whelping is imminent

  • A drop in body temperature below 37.5°C in the 24 hours before labor
  • Restlessness, active nest-seeking, refusal to eat
  • Panting and visible contractions

Complications to watch for

Labor that drags on for several hours without progress, intense contractions without delivery, or a female showing signs of distress (severe lethargy, abnormal bleeding) warrant an emergency veterinary consultation — dystocia (difficult birth) remains a potentially serious complication that sometimes requires surgical intervention.

The first days after birth

Close monitoring of the puppies during the first 48 hours (weight gain, effective nursing, ambient temperature) allows any difficulty to be detected early. The mother herself deserves particular attention, with a post-whelping veterinary check to rule out retained placenta or infection.

Also available in English: harness or collar: which to choose depending on use, ticks and parasites: protecting the active dog all year round and paw pad care: protecting the active dog's feet. More translations are added over time.