When is your dog due?
Standard 63-day canine gestation, calculated from breeding date. Plus key prenatal milestones so you know what to expect along the way.
Due date = breeding date + 63 days (range 58–68) Ovulation typically occurs 2–5 days after breeding; the calculator uses a 3-day average to estimate from breeding date.
Range: —
Milestones
| Day | Date | Milestone |
|---|
Pregnancy timeline
- Days 1–7: Fertilisation. Embryos move freely in the uterus. No external signs.
- Days 8–21: Implantation. Subtle nipple enlargement may appear by day 16–20.
- Days 22–35: Embryos visible on ultrasound from day 25. Some dams experience mild appetite changes / mild morning-sickness-equivalent.
- Days 36–45: Skeleton forms. Fetuses visible on X-ray from day 45. Dam's belly visibly rounds.
- Days 46–55: Rapid fetal growth. Switch to puppy-formula food. Pre-whelping vet visit + X-ray count.
- Days 56–63: Final preparation. Set up whelping box. Monitor temperature daily — a drop below 99 °F / 37 °C signals labour within 24 hours.
- Day 63+: Labour. Three stages: nesting/restlessness (6–12 hours) → active delivery (puppies arrive every 30–60 min) → placental delivery + post-partum.
Sources: AKC breeder resources. Concannon PW. "Reproductive cycles of the domestic bitch." Anim Reprod Sci (2011). Veronesi MC et al. "Comparative pregnancy diagnosis in the dog." Reprod Domest Anim (2002).
Frequently asked questions
How long is dog pregnancy?
The average canine gestation period is 63 days (range 58–68 days) from the day of ovulation. Most breedings happen 2–5 days before ovulation, so the calculator subtracts the standard 3-day average to estimate from breeding date.
How accurate is the due date?
±5 days, generally. Smaller breeds and first-time mothers often deliver earlier; large litters can push the date later. The most accurate way to time delivery is by progesterone testing at the time of breeding, which establishes exact ovulation day.
When can I see puppies on ultrasound?
Fetal sacs visible from day 25–28 post-breeding. Heartbeats audible around day 30. Fetal skeleton visible on X-ray from day 45 — this is when you can count puppies (important for delivery planning).
When does my dog need a vet visit?
Pre-breeding wellness check + brucellosis test. Mid-pregnancy ultrasound (day 25–35). X-ray at day 50–55 to count puppies. Pre-whelping vet visit at day 55+. Plus: any sign of trouble (lethargy, discharge, refusal to eat) is an immediate vet call.