The pregnancy of a German Shepherd is almost always a welcome, planned event. To get a strong offspring and maintain the health of the bitch, she is provided with proper care. It is important to know how long a pregnant dog walks: the German Shepherd is a multiparous breed, and many owners even try to take time off to be present at the birth and then help take care of the newborns.
At what age are German Shepherds mated?
The German Shepherd reaches sexual maturity at 6-10 months, when it begins its first heat. At the same time, the dog continues to grow and develop. The ideal age for the first mating is 18-22 months, which falls on the third heat.
Transferring it to an earlier date threatens a lot of problems - disturbances in the development of the genital organs, complications with the spine and physique, few offspring and early aging of the dog.
The latest date for breeding a bitch is 4 years. At an older age, her hip joints lose extensibility and flexibility, metabolic processes are disrupted and excess weight is gained.
Under the strict supervision of the breeder, mating of a healthy dog is possible up to the age of 10 years, provided that time is allowed for recovery.
What else should you pay attention to?
In addition to food and walks, the owner should be attentive to any little details:
- If the dog is injured, the injury site should be washed with an antiseptic solution and the procedure repeated until complete healing. The use of antibiotics is extremely undesirable during pregnancy, so you should not lead to purulent complications.
- If there are signs of any illness (diarrhea, vomiting), you should contact a veterinarian to stop the disease in the early stages.
Young, healthy dogs usually go through pregnancy without any problems and give birth without complications.
Diagnostics: how to know if a dog is pregnant
To determine whether a German Shepherd is pregnant, the results of various studies are used. They allow you to obtain information about the condition of the dog and its offspring at different times. Among the main methods:
- Palpation (palpation) - carried out on days 21-28 after mating, dilation of the uterine horns is detected in a pregnant bitch, fetuses are palpated in the last two weeks.
- X-ray examination - possible no earlier than 40-45 days, you can determine the number of fetuses or differentiate a true pregnancy from a false one.
- Ultrasound examination is the most accurate, informative and harmless method, carried out on days 25-30 of pregnancy.
What day is pregnancy counted from?
This is where the first difficulties in determining deadlines begin. The date of the first mating is always taken as the starting point , so the second and subsequent ones are advised to be carried out as quickly as possible, and not after 2-3 days. Although in this case, errors are possible: in dogs mated on days 2-4 of estus, fertilization can occur within 5 days after insemination. Don't forget to mark the dates of dog dates on your calendar and carefully monitor your pet's condition.
What affects the length of pregnancy
How long it will take your pet to bear puppies depends on many conditions.
These include:
- breed of dog;
- number of fruits;
- age of the animal;
- serial number of pregnancy.
Signs of pregnancy in a German Shepherd
You can find out whether a German Shepherd is carrying puppies or not by looking at its external signs. They become obvious in the second half of pregnancy, but even at the beginning of pregnancy, an attentive owner may notice changes in the behavior of the bitch. Sometimes she looks lethargic, tired, apathetic, caresses and demands more attention.
By the beginning of the second month, the mammary glands enlarge and rapid weight gain occurs. In the ninth week, the stomach drops, colostrum and vaginal discharge appear in the chest. Milk for German bitches who have given birth comes a week before giving birth, for first-time mothers - just before whelping.
Pregnancy by day
A German Shepherd's pregnancy lasts only 59-65 days, but while she is carrying her puppies, many changes occur:
| Days | Description |
| 1-2 | Mating of German bitches, ovulation |
| 3 | Control mating, movement of sperm through the fallopian tubes |
| 4-5 | Fertilization, zygote formation |
| 5-11 | Division of zygotes, formation of embryos, their movement through the fallopian tubes to the uterus |
| 12-14 | Introduction of embryos into the uterus, growth of the placenta |
| 15-16 | The embryos are 1 mm in size and internal organs begin to form. |
| 17-18 | Formation of the head, neural tube, spine |
| 18-20 | Germ size – 4 mm |
| 21-22 | The heart begins to form, the size of the fruit is 5 mm |
| 23-25 | Embryos are up to 1.5 cm long, ears, noses, mouths, eyes appear |
| 26-30 | Bones of the skull and skeleton grow |
| 30-31 | Mustaches grow on faces |
| 32 | The weight of the fetuses is 20% of the weight of newborn puppies |
| 33-35 | Increased growth of limbs, size – up to 3.8 cm |
| 36-40 | Hair begins to grow, primary sexual characteristics are formed |
| 44-47 | The German Shepherd has a clearly visible belly and hair falls out near the nipples |
| 48-50 | The dog constantly licks the nipples, the size of the fetuses is 75% of the size of newborns |
| 53-58 | Colostrum is released from the nipples. Puppies up to 16 cm long |
| 60-65 | Childbirth |
Pregnancy by week
The gestation period for German bitches is the same as for other dogs. From month to month, while they are walking, their character, behavior, and physical condition change:
| weeks | State |
| First | Lethargy in the morning, possible pink discharge on the labia. It is impossible to worm a German Shepherd |
| Second | The dog must be protected from contact with stray animals, at this point it is susceptible to infectious diseases |
| Third | The bitch needs vitamins with calcium and phosphorus, she is fed vegetables high in folic acid, and increases the amount of cottage cheese, fish, meat and eggs. |
| Fourth | The belly and mammary glands are growing. The German Shepherd is not physically stressed |
| Fifth | The female quickly gains weight, the number of feedings per day is increased to three |
| Sixth | Appetite grows, feed as much as the dog wants, walk at will |
| Seventh | The shepherd is preparing for childbirth - making a “nest”. Add more foods high in calcium to your diet |
| Eighth-ninth | The dog sleeps a lot, colostrum is secreted from the mammary glands, the puppies are already moving. Childbirth is coming |
Pregnancy by month
The entire pregnancy is conventionally divided into several periods:
| Month | Period | Description |
| First | Embryonic | Fertilization, embryo formation |
| Prenatal | Embryo growth from 0.5 cm to 2 cm, skull formation | |
| Second | Fetal | The dog’s weight is growing, the organs and systems of the fetus are being formed, the bitch is preparing for childbirth |
Some intimate details
While a male dog is ready to make puppies all year round, things are different for a female dog. She will agree to a fruitful date only during a certain period of estrus, which is called estus (hunting) and lasts on average a week. During heat, the female is ready to conceive, and ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries into the oviducts) occurs every few hours. Mating is considered successful if it ends in gluing (a lock caused by a spasm of the vaginal muscles). It is in the castle that the likelihood of conception is highest. At the end of the process, it is better to lay the bitch on her side or let her stand on her front legs, slightly raising her hind legs (10-15 minutes). The next day the knitting can be repeated.
Useful tips from a dog handler
- Contrary to popular belief, preparing your pet for a future pregnancy should begin in advance . It is important to take care not only of choosing a suitable gentleman, but also of improving the physical fitness of the bitch. A month to a month and a half before the onset of estrus, increase the load and duration of walks. Then this will help the tailed mother avoid obesity and make childbirth easier.
- A week before mating, the four-legged lady is transferred to a light diet rich in vitamins (grated carrots, egg yolk, seaweed, vegetable fats).
- Even if you are confident in the health of the dog, 14 days before the planned meeting with the groom, you need to carry out antiparasitic treatment.
- You cannot bathe a shaggy girl before mating ; you will have to limit yourself to dry cleaning. Be patient, when the last mating is over, you will take your soul away.
Signs that indicate a false pregnancy
False pregnancy in a German Shepherd is a pathological consequence of a psychophysiological abnormality or the result of an unsuccessful mating. The body of a non-whelping dog produces hormones that should only be produced during actual pregnancy.
The main symptoms of deceit include:
- swelling of the mammary glands;
- the appearance of colostrum in the breast, and later milk;
- vaginal discharge;
- toxicosis;
- increased body temperature;
- slight increase in abdominal volume;
- pseudo-contractions.
Treatment involves taking homeopathic remedies aimed at normalizing hormonal levels, restoring the cycle and neutralizing pathological symptoms.
Keeping a pregnant dog
While the German Shepherd is pregnant, she is provided with careful care and maintenance. In the first month, food and physical activity are not limited. Make sure that the dog does not come into contact with stray animals, does not lie on a cold floor or wet grass, since during this period it is vulnerable and susceptible to infectious diseases. They regularly carry out hygiene procedures, care for the coat, walk, bathe and feed.
Feeding
The puppy's diet is changed after 35 days. If she was given industrial food, select special food for pregnant women, lactating women or for puppies. If the food consisted of natural products, their volume is increased by half and the bitch is transferred to three feedings a day. Add cottage cheese, kefir, carrots, apples, veal, buckwheat, rice and quail eggs to the diet. Your veterinarian will be able to select the required vitamin supplement. It should include calcium, phosphorus and vitamins C, D, E.
Walking outside
Despite the fact that the bitch is bearing offspring, active training with her must be continued until the third week of pregnancy. Even if the female is stubborn and capricious due to hormonal imbalances, the load is not reduced. From the fourth week, they walk the dog after each feeding. Walks last 30-50 minutes, with a gradual decrease in the intensity of exercise.
Bathing
Hygiene procedures for a German Shepherd should be carried out in the usual manner for it. Swimming is acceptable in the second half of pregnancy, but with precautions. Use warm water and dry the hair thoroughly after the procedure. Immediately before giving birth, hairs near the nipples and vagina are cut off in long-haired species.
Some tricks
If it so happens that one of the partners is smaller than the other, then you can place a pillow under the pet’s hind legs. If the bitch is smaller, she should be laid with her stomach on her knee. These recommendations are relevant for small breed animals. It is strictly not recommended to bend the “bride’s” paws so that the “groom” can reach her.
After ejaculation, a new stage begins - mating. The male at this stage can be on the bitch or turn his back to her. It is not recommended to disturb the newlyweds. However, if you breed a dog according to all the rules, and suddenly it wants to break free during the mating period, you cannot let it do this. When calming one of the partners, you must try not to scare the pets.
It happens that the time has come to breed a bitch during heat, but after mating there is no mating, because the male has lost interest in his “lady.” In this case, control mating should occur after 1-2 days.
Yes, pet owners are often interested in what day their dog should be born. But, as a rule, dogs do not cause trouble to their owners in this matter. If doubts or difficulties arise, then the specialist will tell you which day of estrus you need to prepare for and then breed the puppy dog with a male dog.
What are the signs that indicate an impending birth?
By watching your German Shepherd as a puppy, you can notice the signs of labor in time and prepare for them. Among the main symptoms:
- sagging abdomen;
- stopping the puppies from moving;
- change in nipple color and swelling;
- colostrum secretion;
- drop in body temperature;
- vomiting or diarrhea;
- increased heart rate;
- removal of the plug;
- first, not very frequent contractions in the form of uterine contractions;
- discharge of amniotic fluid.
Possible difficulties
The birth process can cause a bitch to go into shock; firstborns are especially prone to it. The animal is noticeably nervous and moves around the room chaotically and senselessly. The dog's body and limbs are cramped. She is shaking as if from cold. Saliva begins to drip from the mouth, and breathing quickens.
These signs are characteristic of titania - postpartum shock. In this state, the shepherd does not control its behavior and is capable of harming the cubs, even biting and eating them.
The owners should not lose sight of the woman in labor; it is necessary to closely monitor her during the first 24 hours. If dangerous symptoms appear, the new mother is isolated from the offspring. They try to calm and warm the dog. If the animal cannot be brought back to normal, it should be shown to a veterinarian.
Preparing a place for a dog to give birth
To give birth at home, you need to carefully prepare. For obstetrics you will need:
- sterile napkins, diapers and oilcloth;
- tweezers, scissors;
- thread for tying the umbilical cord and colored thread to mark the puppies;
- thermometer;
- syringes, cotton wool, disinfectants;
- puppy box;
- warmer;
- notepad and pen.
The room where the bitch will give birth should be warm (+28 ⁰C), without drafts. The dog is comfortable in a large box or playpen. The floor is covered with diapers, which will be changed periodically. A separate box is prepared for puppies, the bottom is covered with sterile bedding.
How do Germans give birth?
Childbirth begins with contractions, during which the cervix dilates. A pregnant dog begins to strain, causing the fetus to move down the birth canal. Each puppy takes between 2 and 10 minutes to be born. By breaking the bubble and licking the baby, the mother stimulates breathing and blood circulation. Between the appearance of puppies it can take from 5 minutes to an hour and a half. The duration of labor depends on the number of babies. On average, they end in 6-12 hours. In experienced females the process goes quickly, young ones require observation and help.
Help for newborn puppies
German Shepherds are large dogs, so birth complications are rare for them. It happens that the fetus does not pass. It is necessary to grasp the puppy with a sterile napkin and gently sip in the rhythm of contractions.
Sometimes the mother does not free the puppies from the bubbles, then the owner does it himself, then cuts the umbilical cord at a distance of 2 cm from the stomach. It is worth shaking the baby and rubbing it lightly if he does not show signs of life.
The dog may behave restlessly after giving birth, constantly jumps up, walks, leaves the puppies alone, has rapid breathing, profuse drooling, and paw cramps. You need to seek help from a veterinarian. Valocordin and a warm heating pad can help.
Germinal period
If your German Shepherd is in the fetal stage of pregnancy, it can be very difficult to understand. The dog behaves almost the same as always. This period includes the first and second weeks of pregnancy.
First week
In the first week after conception, the sperm of a male dog still retains its activity and tries to enter the egg in order to fertilize it. After successful fertilization, embryonic rudiments are formed.
Second week
At this time, the embryos begin to attach to the walls of the uterus. However, in size they are very small and almost undeveloped.
Possible complications during and after childbirth
With a weakened immune system and an unstable psycho-emotional state, a German Shepherd may develop pathologies at different stages of pregnancy and after birth:
- Stopping the development of embryos in the third or fourth week due to stress or trauma.
- Miscarriage due to brucellosis.
- Frozen pregnancy due to poisoning or poor-quality food.
- Ectopic pregnancy as a result of hormonal imbalances, disorders of the reproductive and endocrine systems.
- Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary glands.
- Rupture of the loop, formation of microcracks, their suppuration after mating, if the male was significantly larger than the female.
- Sexual infections as a result of uncontrolled mating.
Calculating the period of conception after IVF using a calculator
Today, several mathematical methods are used to determine the exact time of pregnancy and the estimated date of birth. The most common of them are the following:
- Nägel's formula. This method works best in this case. If the patient has a stable menstrual cycle, without significant fluctuations. To do this, 3 months are subtracted from the first date of the last menstruation and 7 days are added.
- Mathematical. The normal physiological duration of pregnancy in modern medicine is considered to be 10 lunar months (280 days). If you add this period to the date of the last menstruation, you can get an estimated delivery date.
Calculators - specialized software applications based on the specified mathematical techniques - make it possible to calculate the gestational age with IVF quite accurately. It is enough to enter the initial parameters into the program, and it will display the date of conception and birth. However, this does not guarantee absolute accuracy and in any case it is necessary to undergo a medical examination. Calculators help, first of all, the expectant mother herself to plan her pregnancy in general terms.
Often the functionality of such software applications is expanded to a full-fledged calendar. In addition to the gestational age after IVF, it allows you to obtain the following information for the period selected by the user:
- necessary medical examinations;
- changes occurring in the maternal body;
- degree of development and morphological parameters (weight, size, etc.) of the fetus.
Pregnancy calendars allow the expectant mother to monitor its progress, visit a doctor on time, plan her diet and activity schedule, etc. However, the work of such applications is based on average data (generally accepted medical norms), so the information they provide may differ to some extent from the actual one. , since for each woman the gestation period proceeds differently.
Take the first step
make an appointment with a doctor!
Caring for a shepherd dog and puppies after birth
A caring mother will do everything to ensure that her offspring grow up healthy, and the owner is required to create conditions that can ensure the full growth and development of puppies. To do this you need:
- Change the litter regularly.
- Ensure a comfortable temperature in the area where the dog and puppies are located.
- Transfer babies who do not have enough breast milk to artificial feeding.
- Trim the nails regularly to avoid injuring the abdomen.
- Eliminate all sources of injury around the nest.
- Start complementary feeding at two weeks.
