week 5 - 9

Week Five (Days 29-35)                            

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws
Foetuses look like dogs
Gender can be determined
Eyes (previously open) now close
Foetuses grow from 18 mm – 30 mm
Organogenesis ends — embryos are fairly resistant to interference with development

CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Swelling becomes noticeable
Loss of “tuck-up”
Weight will start to increase

CARE OF THE BITCH
Slightly increase amount of food and switch to puppy kibble. If you feed one meal a day, add an extra meal. If you feed twice a day, slightly increase one of the meals. If raw fed add more tripe to the diet.
Palpitation no longer possible due to fluids in uterus

Week Six (Days 36-42)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Development of skin pigment
Foetuses should weigh around 6 grams and be 45 mm long
Foetal heartbeats can be heard with stethoscope

CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Nipples darken and enlarge
Abdomen continues to enlarge
CARE OF THE BITCH
Increase the amount of food in the extra meal
Bitch can start sleeping in whelping box

TO DO LIST
Assemble whelping box
By this time you should be fairly sure that the bitch is pregnant. 

Week Seven (Days 43-49)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Growth and development continues

CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Abdomen hair will start shedding
The bitch will start to look pregnant at this point if she hasnt already 

CARE OF THE BITCH
Slightly increase both meals

TO DO LIST
Stop any rough play or jumping

Week Eight (Days 50-57)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Foetal movement can be detected when bitch is at rest

CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Milk may be squeezed from nipples
The bitch will be very large.

CARE OF THE BITCH
Add moderate lunch

TO DO LIST
Gather whelping kit (see below)
Prepare phone list for help/support. It should include your vet’s phone number, the emergency clinic’s phone number, the number of any friends who will be offering support during whelping, and anyone else you might need to contact before, during, or after whelping
Make sure your car is ready for a possible emergency trip to the vet’s 

Week Nine (Days 58-65)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Growth and Development continues

CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Nesting behavior may be seen
Bitch may become distressed (panting, pacing, acting uncomfortable)
When temperature drops significantly, puppies should be born within 24 hours
Appetite may disappear as whelping approaches

CARE OF THE BITCH
Start taking temperature twice daily am and pm 

TO DO LIST
Make sure your phone’s battery is loaded (if you have cordless phone or mobile)
Keep detailed records on temperature and behaviour of bitch

photos by National Geographic "inside the womb" documentary.

week 1 - 4

Week One                                                                                                           

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

Fertilisation occurs
2 cell embryos are in the oviduct
The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in development

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

possible morning sickness 

Possible personality changes

CARE OF THE BITCH

Normal feeding
No flea treatments
No jabs 

Week Two (Days 8-14)                                                           

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of week
Embryo enters the uterus

CHANGES IN THE BITCH

Possible morning sickness (can also come in week 5)

CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as with Week One

Week Three (Days 15-21)                

          

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
 Implantation of embryos in uterus
The embryo is sensitive to external interference in development

CHANGES IN THE BITCH
See week 1 and 2 

CARE OF THE BITCH
See week 1 and 2

Week Four (Days 22-28)                                                  

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Development of eyes and spinal cords
+ Faces take shape
+ Fetuses grow from 5-10 mm to 14-15 mm
+ Organogenesis begins– Embryos are at their most susceptible to defects
+ Days 26 – 32 are the best days to palpitate (i.e.. feel for the puppies)

CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Possible clear vaginal discharge
+ Mammary development begins

CARE OF THE BITCH
After Day 26, palpitation may be possible to diagnose pregnancy
Limit strenuous activity (such as working, jumping, long runs)
Add Omega 3+ oil or similar daily

TO DO LIST

Schedule a scan by the end of the week. 

Photos curtsy of National Geographic "Inside the womb" documentary 

Before and after mating

There is a minefield of information out there on how to whelp dogs this is personal to me and my Danes.

I have been breeding for just over 6 years now and still don't know everything. I research and research everything, ask other breeders in the game too. My mentors as well and yes other breeders have them too someone that has been doing this for over 20-30 years.

Now you have lined up a bitch from your kennels that looks favourable to us for mating thinking she will make nice pups but who with.

Now the hunt is on for a stud you may have one of your own or source one out for this. The choice is yours.

This may take the best part of a year to decide, no it isn't a case of throwing whatever together.

I looked at pictures of Great Danes and husband watched a lot of them in the show ring too to get an eye on what we might like. Which isn't everyones cup of tea but ours.

Once you narrow down your choices you would contact the other person to ask your questions and what contracts they draw up for the stud.

All my dogs and bitches are health tested as in hips and elbows and I would expect the hips to be done at least from the stud dog.

I chart all my bitches for their seasons too and some do like to keep you on your toes as in not go into season a week late or more.

Prior to this we are gearing up and give folic acid for 3 months before hand.

I do not change the diet just yet.

I always premate this is a blood test to see when ovulation is because you have a window of 2-3 days for a mating. Also handy to have if your stud is a good few miles away.

Now when she ovulates this is the day you take for when pups are going to be born not on the day of mating unless it's the same day of course.

Now when your bitch and dog are together never leave them unattended as the bitch may get a fright and rip the male of her and she will kill him as they lock together called a tie. It is your males that are in danger when mating because of this tie/lock.

It is the female that releases the male when she is ready and not the male.

We find that tying them together by a belt works so they dont go round in circles.

A tie can be as short as 10 minutes to as long as an hour. We soothe both dogs more the bitch as she can be a bit upset over this process.

Once they release we do another mating 24 hours later usually as it gives them a break.

NEVER EVER THROW WATER OVER THEM AT ANY STAGE OF THE MATING IF YOU DO THIS YOU SHOULDN'T BE BREEDING