CANINE GESTATION CALENDAR

Canine gestation is just the scientific term for dog pregnancy.
The gestation period begins from the day our Poodles mate and lasts
until the puppies are delivered or "whelped".
Gestation lasts from 58 to 67 days on average, or about eight to nine weeks
depending on the dog's size (smaller dogs typically have a little shorter pregnancy),
the size of the litter and how soon fertilization occurred after the breeding took place.
Sounds simple, doesn't it? However, what's going on inside our Poodle's reproductive system
is anything but simple, and she needs a great deal of care to ensure not only her continued health,
but the health and development of her growing pups.

This week-by-week canine gestation calendar below will help you understand how your puppy is developing inside mom.
Some of the clear photos you see are 4-D Ultrasound of Fetuses in mom's Womb.
Hopefully through our efforts you can appreciate how much care and attention Bijou Poodles puts into each Planned Breeding
Raising and caring for each of our beautiful Poodle Moms and of course each Puppy.
To read what we do more specifically you might wish to read this

Canine Gestation Calendar

Weekly Photos of Mom (what is going on outside)	Changes to Notice (what is going on inside)
Male and Female in a Tie (bred) Zero to One Week	Females will usually come into heat every 6 months. Some breeders will breed second heat, some breeders will not breed until the female is 24 months of age Regardless of what age a female is bred they can only be bred when they are in "heat". Heat is when a female is bleeding and soon to be receptive to a male's attentions. Standing Heat is when bleeding stops and a female will flag and will let a male mount her. Flagging is when the female will lift her rear and put her tail to the side if you touch her rear or if a male sniffs her. Standing heat usually occures 10 days after you see initial bleeding and will last up to 16 days after initial bleeding is seen. When a Breeding takes place you will generally know the male has made entry, when he is breeding and lifts his rear leg. The Male remains joined inside female as his bulbous glandis swells inside the female, locking them together for a few seconds to hours. The male will try to lift his back leg over the female so he is more comfortable, rear to rear. Within a few days, the sperm reaches the eggs and fertilization occurs.
... Week Two	Fetus @ 2 weeks of age The fertilized eggs make their way to the uterus for implantation. You may notice behavioral changes in your dog. She may become moody or more affectionate.
... Week Three	Fetus @ 3 weeks of age Implantation has taken place and the embryos begin to develop. Your dog may begin to display mood swings, appetite changes and breast tissue development.
... Week Four	Fetus @ 4 weeks of age Ultrasound of fetuses @ 4 weeks of age Fetuses can be felt (Palpation) by Vet in the uterine horns around day 28, and can also be seen by ultrasound. Because we know our mother's so well, it is easy for us to know when our mom's are pregnant. Therefore we do not subject them to any stress of going to the Vet's office for confirmation. However we want to offer this information. The spinal cords are developing, and the fetuses are beginning to grow facial features. Your bitch's uterus will shortly fill with fluids to protect the fetuses. After this, it will be weeks until the puppies can be felt again. After day 30 in the fetus, unborn pups form eyeballs and vision similar to a color-blind human, who can't discern red, yellow or green. Scientists believe that dogs' color blindness adapted from their earliest ancestors who needed to compete for prey against other animals during nighttime. More Information about Pregnancy Your dog's appetite will likely increase, so offer her more of her food.
... Week Five	The fetuses develop their sex organs and begin to look like actual puppies. The leg buds lengthen and develop toes. Your dog's belly will begin to look noticeably swollen as the pups take up more space. With less room for full meals, it's time to begin serving smaller meals more frequently.
... Week Six	Fetus @ 6 weeks of age Pups continue to grow and pigmentation develops. The eyes now have lids and remain sealed until approximately ten days after birth. Your dog is noticeably more uncomfortable at this point. She may vomit occasionally due to the extra pressure against her stomach. You may also notice clear fluid discharge from her vulva. This is normal.
... Week Seven	Xray of Fetuses @ 7 weeks of age Puppies are well-developed, and now begin attaining size in preparation for birth. You may be able to see/feel the puppies' movements in your bitch's abdomen. Her breasts are well developed and probably contain a bit of colostrum or "first milk". Your dog is noticeably tired and may begin search for a place to whelp. Time to set up a whelping box.
... Week Eight	Fetus @ 8 weeks of age The pups have fur and are now crowded in the uterus. You may notice a lot of activity as they get into position for the coming birth. Your bitch may begin digging the bedding in the whelping box. This is natural "nesting" behavior. Allow your bitch to feed freely as she is able.
Puppy Being Born still in sack Puppy all the way out Mom cleans off the sack from puppy enabling puppy to breath for the first time Next mom eats the placenta and cleans up the puppy Once this is done then mom cuts the embilical cord freeing the puppy to nurse Breeder is always with the moms to make sure Puppy is all cleaned up, warm and ready to nurse (whelpiing can take up to 12 hours & is always at night !) A puppy must be warm BEFORE allowed to nurse otherwise the organs will shut down and puppy will not live. Finally the pups are clean, dry, warm and enjoying their first taste of mother's milk. Puppys will be nursing for the next 4 weeks until they get weaned onto mom's kibble. *Click to continue to Week 1 - 8 and Until they come home to you	Fetus @ 9 weeks of age The pups are ready for birth, and may be quite still as they rest in preparation for the marathon to come. Your dog may appear uncomfortable and restless or anxious. Time to begin taking rectal temperature readings 12 hours apart. Normal temperature is 100 to 101 F; a drop down near 97 F held for two consecutive readings indicates labor will begin within 24 hours. Click to watch one of our Poodle Girls get ready to deliver and Deliver 13 puppies Watch our Brown girl give birth Watch our Brown girl give birth

Litter of new born pups 1 hour old

Watch a mom get ready and also give birth to 13 pups !!
Watch Puppy being born
Watch Puppy Being Born
Watch pups be born
Watch pups be born

Read About How Your Puppy Develops From Birth

Your Puppy's First Weeks with US

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