Due Dates

7 am temp: 99.4 - looks like ALiy is one of those who has a naturally low temp. GOOD TO KNOW!

So what's the deal with calculating a due date for the puppies?? Aliy's due dates are June 14 - June 24. Here's how I came up with that.

In her book Canine Reproduction author Phyllis Holst says that the gestation period for a dog is 60 days from when fertilization occurs. 85% of all girls whelp their litter within one date of that target of 60 days. The problem with just using 60 days is that fertilization does not occur at the time of breeding, in fact it can occur as long as a week later!

Most whelping calendars use a target date of 63 days. Aliy was bred several times between April 17 and April 22, giving a target time period of June 19 - June 24. The trouble with that is that I have never had a girl go 63 days.

In her exellent book The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies, Muriel Lee suggests calculating the due date based on 58 days from the first breeding to 63 days from the last breeding. Using that "formula" I end up with with the due date range of June 14 - June 24.

Although I've had several long time breeders tell me June 14 is way too early, I just went back and checked the dates for Kachina's litter... she was bred January 17 and Jnuary 19. Aliy and her siblings were borm March 16, 2000, 58 days after the first breeding! If Aliy is like her mom, I need to have everything in place by June 14.