OUR DOG IS A SHITZU TERRIER AND WE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT HER STOMACH WAS GETTING BIGGER HOW LONG DO THEY NORMALLY CONCEIVE???? I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS SO IM KINDA SCARED!!!!! PLEASE ADVISE THANK YOU

The gestation period for a dog is 63 days. But dogs usually don't "show" that they are pregnant until around week 5. Was your dog recently in heat? Was she with male dogs? Females can even go through a false pregnancy (the body acts as though she's pregnant, shen she isn't)...their teats will swell and they will even get milk. To be on the safe side, if you aren't sure if she's pregnant, going through a false pregnancy or just gained a little weight, treat her as though she's pregnant and prepare for the upcoming birth. Good luck!

Lyndsey,

 

Yes, our dog was in heat and was mating with my mom's dog Shihuahua. So it sounds about right about 5 weeks ago when my mom's dog was here for almost 1 month. So, I wonder how their babies would look like???? Our dog is a Shitzu Terrier and the father to be is Shihuahua I hope I spelled this correctly. Well, should I take her to a Vet then to determine how many weeks she is can they find out what is your suggestion?? We are sooooo excited though.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Veronica

If you dog is about 5 weeks pregnant, I would go mark on your calendar one month from today as to when your dog should be due. It may be a week before or after as well, since you don't know the exact date of breeding. (5 weeks + 4 weeks= 9weeks or 63 days).

If it was me, personally, I wouldn't take the dog to the vet for xrays or whatever. She should do just fine. I would in the meantime do as much research online as possible about caring for and whelping a litter and start looking for homes for the puppies.

 I believe you should expect 2-5 puppies, based on what a Shih Tzu usually has.

 Good Luck!

when a mother is getting close to delivery her tits will drop and start having milk.also when she is in you lab,pat her belly and when she is close to delivering the babies will move around when you pat her belly.i do the to count how many and see if she will delivery around 58 days or about 63 days. 

Thank you for your advise

 

Veronica

A pregnancy blood test can confirm a pregnancy in expensively after 5 weeks.  If you are unsure- your vet is your best friend.

Vaginal temperature drops one full degree the day of delivery so take her temp when you think she is close.

Danie

Royal Puppy Court Maltese

You need to talk to your vet. At the very least, let him/her know that you may be needing him in another month or so.

Another good thing to do since it's your first time dealing with a whelping is to get a book about it. There are several good ones out there. I got two when I first started and they helped a lot. There is a lot to know and not a lot of time to find out about it.

Good luck!