Female dogs typically give birth 63 days following conception, with some variances ranging from 56 to 70 days depending on the exact period of fertilization in relation to mating.
Week 1: Mating Breeding happens when the female dog is receptive to the male, and her eggs are fertilized, normally occurring 10-20 days into her heat cycle.
Week 2: Maintainance After fertilization, the embryos move into the horns of the Y-shaped uterus of the dog and embed into the uterine lining.
Week 3: Nidation Embryo development is taking place. Changes in your dog’s appetite and energy levels may occur.
Week 4: Confirm Gestation By days 25-28 of pregnancy, a veterinarian may feel the developing embryos with her hands and identify heartbeats with an ultrasound.
Week 5: Foetal Stage The weight of the developing fetuses will increase considerably (up to 75 percent!) as their organs continue to grow and mature.
Week 6: The Turning Point The fetuses’ coats and skeletons are growing as your dog’s tummy gets bigger and stiffer.
Week 7: Hair She could start losing her tummy hair. The babies may also be moving beneath her skin, which you may be able to see and feel.
Week 8: X-Ray The puppies have reached full development and are starting to position themselves in the delivery canal.
Week 9: The Final Countdown The whelping time arrives. You might begin checking your dog’s temperature every day.
Whelping: Giving Birth In general, most bitches do pretty well on their own. Your primary responsibility is to provide her with peaceful surroundings and a soothing presence.