How To Know If My German Shepherd Is Pregnant

December 7, 2021

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How To Know German Shepherd Original Breed

My German Shepherd had a false pregnancy for 9 weeks.

dogs gsd puppy

One of the most obvious ways to tell a German Shepherd from other dog breeds is by simply looking at its coat. When we think of the typical German Shepherd, we think of tan coloring with black facial and saddle markings. The coat is typically dense and short and lies close to the body.

German Shepherd Pregnancy: All You Need To Know

This blog post covers everything you need to know about German Shepherd pregnancy, from when the dog breed gets pregnant to how long it remains pregnant to how many babies a German Shepherd can produce at one time, and so much more!

German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Today, they are purchased as well as adopted as hunting dogs, service dogs, police dogs, and pets, of course. Though German Shepherds are low maintenance in the grooming department, they still require special attention, especially if they are pregnant.

The thought of having German Shepherd puppies may catch you off guard, but if you are well prepared and informed about German Shepherd pregnancy, you can easily take care of your pregnant dog during a time when it may need your help the most. So, without any further ado, lets fill you in with everything theres to know about German Shepherd pregnancy.

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German Shepherd Ultrasound 25 Days After Mating

The fastest method for finding if your German Shepherd has conceived is to get your vet to perform a German Shepherd ultrasound. This scan can be first done 3 weeks after mating, but at this early stage it wont always be 100% accurate the best results come with an ultrasound at least 25 days after conception.

Ultrasounds are pain-free, but it can be a stressful occasion if your German Shepherd doesnt like the vets as their belly hair will be shaved off.

The costs of an ultrasound pregnancy check tend to range between the $300 to $500-dollar bracket . Its not a cheap method, and many people will simply wait until their German Shepherd is showing more obvious signs of pregnancy rather than paying for a scan.

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How Do You Tell If A Female Gsd In Heat

There are four stages in the heat cycle, and the signs that a female German shepherd is in heat depends on which stage shes currently in.

Proestrus: This is the stage where males are attracted to female GSDs, while the female isnt. This lasts for an average of 9 days.The most obvious sign of this stage is when male dogs start to crowd outside of your house. This is because its how male dogs react to a female in heat. They become attracted.However, your pet is likely to reject them since she still isnt susceptive to mating. Plus, fertilization isnt possible at this point.Regardless, your female dog will start to show vaginal bleeding at this stage, although the blood becomes lighter as the period progresses.

Estrus: The female GSD will be susceptive to mating at this stage and it can last anywhere from 4 to 21 days. This can be called the flagging stage.During the flagging stage, the dark red vaginal discharge will turn lighter. You may also notice your pet rubbing their rear end against furniture or other objects. These are indications that your female German shepherd is ready to mate. This is also the stage where mature eggs are released from the ovary.

Anestrus: Anestrus is the period between each heat cycle and as previously said, it lasts for about 6 months. While we mentioned this as the fourth stage, its not exactly a part of the heat cycle.Regardless, at this stage, there will be no growth and development in the female German shepherds reproductive organs.

Everything You Need To Know About German Shepherd Pregnancy

How Long Is A German Shepherd Pregnant For?

Your pregnant GSD is likely to eat more than a normal GSD, More signs of German Shepherd pregnancy at this stage include: Your GSD will be eating a lot more than usual,Five successful spontaneous pregnancies in four patients with GSD Ia and two in a woman with GSD Ib were reported, Your GSD will then start to eat less again around the 45 th Your GSD will gain significant weight.< img src=âhttps://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/cwPezkn3z8g/maxresdefault.jpgâ alt=â61 Days Pregnant German Shepherd close to labor, Your German Shepherd will be pregnant for between 58 and 68 days, While this may seem like a whole lot of weight, The average length of a German Shepherd pregnancy is about 63 days from the mating date to delivery, 2020During pregnancy monitoring for adenoma development is mandatory, At a younger age, Emmanuel goodness, The only need is to ensure good nutrition, Women with GSD III do not seem to have any issues with fertility, but you must wait until she reaches 2 years of age for better consequences, But other shapes can also be normal, Despite the high prevalence of irregular menstruation cycles and polycystic ovaries, Overall the outcome of pregnancy for both mother and child is

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German Shepherd Gestation Period

What is the length of the German Shepherd gestation period? The Gestation Period for German Shepherds is approximately 59-65 days from the first time bred. German Shepherds will not always conceive after one breeding. They will generally mate multiple times in one heat cycle. The German Shepherd Gestation Period Calculator above attempts to generalize the estimation of the due date without any additional factors using a 63 day gestation period for German Shepherds. If your German Shepherd has not delivered by day 67, its critical to have a veterinarian see her. The average German Shepherd Pregnancy results in 8 puppies. Once your German Shepherd has been bred, watch for the signs a German Shepherd heat cycle. Also, if you are a breeder, check out the German Shepherd Breeders list at Askabreeder.com. When your dog nears her whelping date, review the article Top 10 German Shepherd Labor Signs.

Gestation Period: How Long Are Dogs Pregnant

The normal gestation period in dogs is approximately 63 days from conception, although this can vary by several days. While this might seem like a straightforward answer, conception is often hard to determine. Sperm can live for several days inside the female, and eggs can remain fertile for up to 48 hours, which means the act of mating itself is not an exact measurement of gestation. This makes it hard to predict the length of pregnancy without the assistance of a veterinarian.

Hormone measurements give a much more exact time frame for gestation. Many breeders use vaginal smears and blood tests to monitor reproductive hormones during the breeding process. This helps them determine the best time to breed their bitch, as well as the length of gestation and the potential due date.

Gestation length according to accurate hormone measurements:

56-58 days from the first day of diestrus
64-66 days from the initial rise in progesterone
58-72 days from the first time the bitch allowed breeding

Pregnancy in dogs is relatively short compared to humans, about 9 weeks total, and each day matters. Knowing the length of the gestation period is important for the health of the pregnant bitch and the puppies and is used to monitor nutrition and veterinary care during pregnancy.

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When Can A German Shepherd Be Pregnant

Fertilization can only happen during the second stage of the heat cycle. At that point, a German shepherd can be impregnated.

With that said, the gestation period can be considered as the third stage of a German shepherds heat cycle. This usually occurs after 6 months.

If you want to know more about the heat cycle, check out our German shepherd heat cycle article.

Are German Shepherd Cuddly

8 week pregnant German Shepherd Dog

puppies shepherd puppies

For the most part, German Shepherds do enjoy cuddling. Its in their nature to be loyal and protective and remaining close to their owners is one such way that they can express their affection and also keep their owner safe. That being said, its important to note that not all dogs like to cuddle.

German Shepherd Pregnancy Tips

Your German Shepherd will be pregnant for between 58 and 68 days. The average length of a German Shepherd pregnancy is about 63 days from the mating date to delivery.

There will be plenty of behavioral changes in your German Shepherd too, not just physical ones. For example, as she enters the last 14 days of pregnancy you might see the following signs:

Your German Shepherd will want to cuddle you more and show you more love.
Your German Shepherd wont want to socialize with other dogs but could be cling to you.
Your German Shepherd will be calmer and less excitable.
Your German Shepherd might appear to be uncomfortable.
Your German Shepherd might want to sleep more and even in different places.

The Early Signs Of A German Shepherd Pregnancy

Your GSDs appetite will decrease, and she might even miss some meals altogether.
Your GSDs stomach could get bigger, sometimes as soon as 14 days after insemination.
Your vet could feel her belly, possibly feeling movements as soon as 20 to 30 days.
Your GSD may exhibit behavioral changes including lethargy.
Your GSDs nipples might have become enlarged in readiness for nursing.

None of the methods above are fool-proof checks to tell whether your German Shepherd is pregnant and expecting a litter of puppies though. Instead vets and breeders rely on more scientific methods to test for pregnancy, including German Shepherd ultrasounds, all of which you can see below.

How Can I Tell When My Dog Is Ready To Give Birth

As you are counting down the days to when you will see your newborn German Shepherd puppies, there are a few indicators to be on the lookout for when your dog is entering labor, also known as whelping. As the date approaches, many dogs will suddenly lose their appetite. In addition, a few days before delivery, your dog may start building her nest too, where she will anticipate having her puppies. As an owner, you can help your dog by creating a whelping box for her to have her puppies. The details behind creating an ideal whelping box are outlined in the steps below. Once all conditions are right, you may notice the dog having abdominal contractions followed by straining, moaning, and a drop in rectal temperature. These signs indicate that your pup has finally entered the long-awaited whelping stage.

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Are German Shepherd Sart

alsatian dog breed

German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, and with good reason: They’re considered the third smartest breed of dog. To be placed in the top tier of intelligence, breeds must understand a new command after only five repetitions and follow the first command given to them 95 percent of the time.

Enlarged Or Discoloured Nipples

Changes in your German Shepherds nipples is another way to see whether your dog is pregnant. In the early stage of pregnancy, you will notice that your dogs nipples will become more noticeable and rounder than they are normally.

They will also darken in color due to the increased blood flow to them. When your dog is close to delivery, the nipples will further increase in size as they prepare to provide milk to the puppies.

In some cases, the nipples might even leak milk later in pregnancy, before the puppies are even born.

How To Know If Your German Shepherd Is Pregnant

Sometimes, German shepherd pregnancy may not be obvious. After all, German shepherds are known for enduring pain.

Thats why as a pet owner, you should make sure you know the signs of gestation period. Heres a look at the four most common indications of German shepherd pregnancy.

Increased Appetite: To cater to the needs of her pups, a female GSD will usually eat significantly more food.If you get what this means, you should make sure you stock up on dog food for your pet. Also, consider buying food that are healthy rather than those that focuses on taste and not nutrients.

Weight Gain: There will also be an increase in weight during German shepherd pregnancy. This can range from a 20% increase in weight up to 50% increase.While this may be overwhelming at first, dont worry because theyll significantly lose weight after the gestation period.

Frequent Urination: In general, a female dog can mark its territories more frequently when they are pregnant. They do this by urinating in various places.While urine-marking is done by female German shepherds sometimes, you will rarely see this. Besides, they dont choose the place to mark, be it the sofa, the television, or the corner of the room.

Sure, these signs are helpful for finding out about a German shepherds pregnancy, but there are also surefire ways.

These ways make use of technology and is often conducted by veterinarians:

Hormone Tests
Palpation

Determining When A Dog Became Pregnant

If gestational age is going to do you any good, you need to determine when the dog became pregnant. Often, this is harder than it first appears. When the male and female get together isnt necessarily when the female becomes pregnant.

Sperm can live inside a female for days. Usually, dogs mate before the eggs are ready to be fertilized. It works best when the sperm are already waiting upon the release of the egg.

Eggs themselves stay fertile for up to 48 hours. They can be fertilized anywhere in this period.

Therefore, the date of conception isnt necessarily the same as when the dogs mated. It is nearly impossible for the average person to determine when the eggs were fertilized. There arent any outward signs that point to this happening!

Usually, dogs are pregnant anywhere from 58-72 days from the day they mate. This is a much more extensive range than what we discussed earlier, as it considers all the possible variables regarding when the eggs become fertilized.

However, some hormone tests can be helpful. Many professional breeders use these to determine pregnancy length and age. Usually, hormones are taken throughout the breeding process to help determine when the female becomes pregnant.

A rise in progesterone signifies that the eggs were just released. The eggs are only active for about 48 hours. Therefore, the breeder can accurately determine the date of conception within a two-day range using this method.

Best Dog Food For Pregnant German Shepherd

Pregnant German Shepherd dog 8 weeks

May 2, 2019

What Happens Next?

The search for the best dog food for pregnant German Shepherd Dog has made lots of breeders switch to puppy food.

We advise you to stick with your regular adult food. Switch to 2-3 meals per day. You can add cottage cheese, egg, or yogurt, and fresh meat.

Note: if you supplement calcium continue to do this throughout lactation. Sometimes people supplement calcium with pills during pregnancy and the body does not work so hard to extract the calcium it needs, then once the puppies seem to be doing well, the breeder stops with the calcium, but the puppies requirement increases with every pound they put on, and the bitch can get a calcium deficiency which can be fatal.

Also Check: How Much Food Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy

Signs Of Dog Pregnancy

Again, if your German Shepherd is of age, you can then check for the signs of dog pregnancy. Note, however, that some of these may not be obvious, especially during the earlier stages.

Vomiting Or Sickness. Similar to morning sickness in humans, your dog may exhibit some sickness in the early stages of pregnancy. She may have a drop in appetite and may sometimes vomit.

Fatigue. Along with morning sickness, your dog may also exhibit fatigue in the early stages of pregnancy.

Increase In Appetite. To accommodate for her puppies, your German Shepherd will show an increase in appetite and start to eat more food. This appetite change is particularly prevalent during the second half of your dogs pregnancy.

Weight Gain. Your dog will also be gaining weight throughout pregnancy. This gain can go up to a 50% increase in weight and will become more prominent in the second half of pregnancy.

Enlargement Of The Nipples. At around 25 days into the pregnancy, your dogs nipples will start to enlarge and become pinker. They may also discharge a small amount of clear liquid.

How Long Are Dogs In Labor

Once the gestation period is over, labor begins. There are three stages of labor.

Stage One

The first lasts 12-to-24 hours and is often not outwardly noticeable. Contractions in the muscular wall of the uterus increase throughout stage one, both in strength and frequency, but no visible contractions are evident. Instead, look out for the following symptoms of labor in dogs:

Change in disposition and behavior
Restlessness

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Weight Gain And Enlarged Abdomen

As the puppies grow, your dogs abdomen will expand in size. This can be one of the clearest indicators of a dogs pregnancy, especially if your dog has no other reason for sudden weight gain. However, enlarging of the abdomen occurs relatively late into your dogs pregnancy, meaning that if you notice this sign, along with others, its time to take her to the vet.

How Do German Shepherds Act When Pregnant Puppy Her

Our comprehensive dog breed guide explains the temperament, personalities, and general health of each breed. Visit our site today to learn more The female usually becomes receptive to the male after the bleeding stops. There isnât a good way to abort the possible pregnancy at this stage. If you donât ever want to have puppies, I would schedule her to get spayed in 2 weeks. Even if pregnant, the pregnancy shouldnât be large enough to increase her risks in surgery Building a ânestâ in the final stages of your dogâs pregnancy. In the final stages of dog pregnancy, your dog will want a private place to relax and peacefully give birth in. You can help your pet by building a ânestâ where they can feel warm, comfortable and safe for the delivery of the puppies

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