Well ....
I had a discussion about this with a very good friend of mine, who is well up on info on breeding/genetics etc ..... she gave me a book, that is very good ....
Basically a bitch will whelp 63 days after ovulation, (not last mating).
Technically there is no such thing as 'late or early', she has her pups at 63 days .
Because a bitch will stand & receive the male, it doesn't actually mean she is ovulating that day, or on the previous or subsequent days. She could be standing & mated on the Monday, but not actually ovulate until the wednesday, or, ovulate the previous friday, but not be mated till the Monday etc .... sooo unless you know when your bitch was actually ovulating (usually determinded by the idexx progesterone test) you wont know for sure her actual due date (i.e 63 days)
As my vet says, they come when they are ready & not before. If the bitch is happy, not stressing, or giving signs there could be something wrong, then don't panic. I tend to get them checked out every other day when they are getting near their due date just for my own piece of mind. I've had them go upto 5 days 'late' & some upto 4 days early, but going by the 63 day from OVULATING & not mating rule, then technically they are not late.
A still born puppy is usually either the first (& generally though of the one that is sacrificed & 'opens' the way for the rest to follow) or, one of the last, especially if its a long or large litter. I have had 18hr labours with the last puppy still alive, but the odd stillborn half way through.
Wed May 26, 2010 12:14 pm
