First time breeding

[mark1]

We are hopefully expecting our first litter in late November all being well. I just wanted to see what other breeders experiences are when it comes to symptoms of pregnancy. I have read countless books and online info before finding this site (we're newbies to COL). Molly is a 2.5 year old blue roan and was mated 24 days ago. I know there may not be many early signs but she seems to have turned into a walking food processor. We haven't increased her food, as recommended, but she seems constantly hungry. She has even sussed out that when the squirrels have been on the nut feeder there are minute particles of peanut on the ground that she can hoover up. Has anyone else had that experience? The other thing is that she seems more loving (if thats possible) but very clingy. We are still debating whether or not to get her scanned and any advice there would also be welcome. In fact any constructive advice would be more than welcome.

[PennyB]

do you have her breeder to act as a mentor

[mark1]

We lost contact with Mollies breeder but have had great support from the stud dogs owner.

[spanielcrazy]

It can be hard to tell, particularly with maiden bitches   Many experienced breeders have been fooled by false pregnancies  

Some bitches bits or nipples stay swollen, but there aren't usually a lot of outward signs. An experienced breeder or vet can sometimes palpate around 5 weeks or later, otherwise a scan or x-ray is the only sure way to tell

[mark1]

Thanks for the replies. It may have come out wrong but we are getting plenty of general help and advice but it seems everyone has a different experience with pregant bitches and just wondered if anyone else had had similar early signs or is it just me looking too hard and seeing things.

[bluegirl]

By 4 weeks you'll have plenty of signs, but I'd advise you have her scanned as if its your first experience of breeding it will take the guesswork out of it. I would also advise you read up about pregnancy and the birth so that you can assist if you need to. Not all pregnancies are plain sailing.

[mark1]

Thanks bluegirl I think we probably will go with the scan and have a contact for that. Believe me we have done nothing but read up and talk to as many people as we can about the highs and lows of breeding and are not going into this lightly. We have planned this for eighteen months and there will be no shortcuts at all. I really appreciate the constructive comments we've had, after all everyone was a first time breeder once.

[Ninasmum]

If you do have a scan then don't take it as 'gospel' when the amount of puppies are mentioned. 

When Jo Jo had her 1st litter, immedietely after the first mating she slept the rest of the day (unusual for her), she became very clingy, her teats were enlarged, and we just sensed she was pregnant.    She did have a check up at the Vets at about 5 weeks into this and he could feel she was pregnant.  We never got her scanned because very shortly after we could see her shape changing, at 6 weeks she started eating for england.  We were told by our mentor (with 25 yrs experience) it was a waste of time having a scan, and if you are having it done to try to find out the quantity of puppies, in most cases it is not accurate.  I also didn't choose to have a scan because i didn't want to stress her.

As Emily said The Book of the Bitch is really useful. 

Good Luck with your girl. 

[bluegirl]

I agree scan usually unpredictable with number of pups. Our first scan said 3 -4 pups but Penny actually had 11. But the point about scan is it takes the guesswork out of is she or isn't she.

[loppylugs]

My poppy has had 2 litters and both times i knew at 4 weeks,her nipples got huge,she was very quiet,very clingy.She still had the same amount of food untill the week before,then she went off her food about 3 days before they arrived.Mind you,she was fit to burst by now,not much room for the food.Both times she started at around 5 o'clock in the morning,and had 7 pups.We shared the looking after and feeding of the pups,as she thought her duty was done by carrying them all that time,then getting them out!!!!!

[Sharon]

I have my own scanner and can normally see at 3 weeks if pregnant or not.  I NEVER try and count pups, just really to check there are more than one