by Pat Gray

Created on: January 30, 2008   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

Apart from the actual arrival of your new little responsibilities, the only way you can definitively determine if your dog is pregnant is through an examination by an expert. If your dog (more correctly 'bitch') had the 'motive' and the 'opportunity', a trip your veterinarian as soon as possible is critical, for the welfare of your little lady and for the welfare of her puppies, if you decide to keep them.

- Motive
If your dog was in heat, she, and her perspective suitors had the "motive"! When a bitch goes into heat (twice a year for 10 days to two weeks), her mood changes, she becomes much friendlier, especially with the gentlemen, and the neighborhood gentleman WILL come calling. Even neutered males may react strongly to the pheromones she's releasing.

- Opportunity
Then there is "opportunity". If any male has access, pregnancy is a possibility. And despite popular opinion, size DOESN'T matter - dogs all know they are wolves at heart. Don't assume that Mr. Dachshund who comes calling on Missy Great Dane doesn't have the "right stuff". Where there is a will, there's a way. Even dogs who have been recently neutered are able to impregnate a female - my little George was the result of such a union!

- What's Next
So your girl has been in heat, and she spent an illicit moment or two with a gentleman caller. What do you look for?

For the first three to four weeks, there may be no apparent physical or behavioral changes. After four weeks, symptoms will begin to show:

1) A clear mucus discharge from your dogs vulva (commonly referred to as 'lady bits') will be the first clear sign she is pregnant.

2) Her stomach will start to swell, and in the later stages you will be able to see the puppies moving.

3) Her breasts will start to produce milk and will eventually become engorged.

4) As her delivery date approaches (around 60 days from conception), she will start 'nesting', looking for a safe quiet place to have her puppies.

5) She may become more aloof or more clingy, depending on her basic temperament.

6) Her appetite will increase and her food preferences may change.

Unfortunately, most of these symptoms are also found in false pregnancies, which is why it's important to establish 'motive' and 'opportunity' AND to visit your vet as soon as you suspect your dog may be pregnant.

Your vet will palpate her stomach and take blood tests which is the only way to get a definitive early answer.

-Decision time
If you discover her pregnancy early enough, you have the opportunity to 'terminate'. If the mother or her partner's temperament is less than stellar, if the size difference may cause problems or if you know finding GOOD homes for the puppies will be difficult or impossible, terminating the pregnancy may be the best option.

It isn't an easy choice.

Everybody loves puppies and puppy breath is possibly the best smell in the world. However there are too many unwanted and unloved dogs in the world - do you really want to introduce any more?

If you decide to let her have the puppies, if you properly socialize them, get the proper inoculations, and find them good homes, please consider having her spayed and insuring the puppies are 'fixed' too.

Until the puppies are actually born, examination by a vet is the only sure way to determine if your dog is pregnant. There are indications, but in order to ensure a healthy litter or to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, a visit to the vet is your best option.

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