Dog Pregnancy Calculator
Knowing when your dog is due helps you prepare a whelping box, schedule vet visits, and be ready for delivery day. Enter the breeding date and your dog's size to get the estimated whelping date along with important pregnancy milestones.
Canine gestation averages 63 days from ovulation, with a normal range of 58 to 68 days from breeding. The wide range exists because the exact moment of fertilization depends on when the eggs mature after the LH (luteinizing hormone) surge, not the mating date itself. Dogs bred early in their heat cycle may appear to have longer pregnancies, while those bred later may seem to deliver early.
Small breeds sometimes whelp a day or two earlier on average, while giant breeds may go a day longer, but individual variation is more significant than breed size differences.
Pregnancy timeline at a glance:
- Days 1-14: Fertilization and early cell division. No outward signs yet.
- Days 15-25: Embryos implant in the uterus. Some dogs show decreased appetite or mild nausea.
- Day 25-28: Earliest reliable ultrasound to confirm pregnancy.
- Days 30-35: Embryos develop rapidly. The dog's abdomen may start to enlarge.
- Day 45: Skeletal mineralization begins. An x-ray can count puppies to help plan for delivery.
- Days 55-63: Puppies are fully developed. The dog may nest and become restless.
- 24 hours before whelping: Rectal temperature typically drops below 99F (37.2C).
Always work with your veterinarian throughout the pregnancy. A prenatal vet visit around day 30 and an x-ray around day 45 are standard recommendations.