Dog Owner's Manual › Chapter 8: Dog Health Care › Canine Reproduction ›

Pregnancy in Dogs

For a number of reasons, chief among them pet overpopulation, the breeding of dogs is not recommended by most veterinarians and trainers. However, if you own a purebred (some of whom are sold on condition that they be bred at least once), this section contains a brief overview of what to expect during the mating and reproduction process.

On average, canine pregnancies last 63 days, though the duration can vary from 59 to 66 days. At 5 weeks, the mother’s nipples will become enlarged and her abdomen will swell. At 7 weeks, her mammary glands will enlarge. In the days before the birth, these glands may also secrete watery milk. During pregnancy the mother’s body weight may increase as much as 50 percent (a little over 30 percent is more typical).

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Chapter 8: Dog Health Care

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Quirk BooksThe Dog Owner's Manual is a basic guide to dog care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides dog owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!