This week-by-week canine gestation calendar below, will help you
understand how your puppy is developing inside mom.
Some of the clear photos you see are 4-D Ultrasound of Fetuses in mom's Womb.
Hopefully through our efforts you can appreciate how much care
and attention Njoy Japanese Chin puts into each Planned Breeding
Raising and caring for each of our beautiful Chin Moms and of course each Puppy.


Weekly Photos of Mom
(what is going on outside and inside)

Canine Gestation Calendar

Male and Female in a Tie (bred) Zero to One Week	Females will usually come into heat every 6 months. Some breeders will breed second heat, some breeders will not breed until the female is 24 months of age Regardless of what age a female is bred they can only be bred when they are in "heat". Prior to breeding, as soon as a breeder sees blood discharge they may decide to place their female on an antibiotic such as Aventi-Clave 6.25mg, BID to make sure she does not have any infection depending on her previous breeding history. Heat is when a female is bleeding and soon to be receptive to a male's attentions. Standing Heat is when bleeding stops and a female will flag and will let a male mount her. Flagging is when the female will lift her rear and put her tail to the side if you touch her rear or if a male sniffs her. Standing heat usually occures 10 days after you see initial bleeding and will last up to 16 days after initial bleeding is seen. When a Breeding takes place you will generally know the male has made entry, when he is breeding and lifts his rear leg. The Male remains joined inside female, as his bulbous glandis swells inside the female locking them together for a few seconds to hours. The male will try to lift his back leg over the female so he is more comfortable, rear to rear. After they seperate, they can tie again right after or several times a day. However sperm count will be less the more time he breeds within a few hours. Most breeders will seperate them for 12-24 hours to let sperm build up and male to rest. Within a few days, the sperm reaches the eggs and fertilization occurs. Breeder's know she will give birth around 60-65 days after initial breeding
Week Two	Fetus @ 2 weeks of age The fertilized eggs make their way to the uterus for implantation. You may notice behavioral changes in your dog. She may become moody or more affectionate. Most of my females will get morning sickness and may have some discharge, which is all normal. I advise people to take weekly photos of their females side ways and up on their hind legs as in my photos, so that you can see the growth and know things are progressing. Hairy dogs could have their belly's shaved down, or photos taken when momma is being bathed and is soapy enough for the coat to stick tight to the body to show baby belly.
I had to wet Yuna's fluffy coat down to show her belly Nothing much to notice now Week Three	Fetus @ 3 weeks of age National Geographic Video of a puppy in the womb Implantation has taken place and the embryos begin to develop. My female may begin to display mood swings, appetite changes and breast tissue development. Day 30 Image of the uterine horns at 30 days gestation with 10 embryos Complete ossification of the jaw and skull. Size of the embryo is about 2 - 3cm *More on Canine ultrasound
Week Four Yuna's fur was watered down to show her belly	Fetus @ 4 weeks of age National Geographic Video of a puppy in the womb Ultrasound of fetuses @ 4 weeks of age Fetuses can be felt (Palpation) by Vet in the uterine horns around day 28, and can also be seen by ultrasound. Because we know our mother's so well, it is easy for us to know when our mom's are pregnant. Therefore we do not subject them to any stress of going to the Vet's office for confirmation by ultrasound. The spinal cords are developing, and the fetuses are beginning to grow facial features. Your bitch's uterus will shortly fill with fluids to protect the fetuses. After this, it will be weeks until the puppies can be "felt" again. After day 30 in the fetus, unborn pups form eyeballs and vision similar to a color-blind human, who can't discern red, yellow or green. Scientists believe that dogs' color blindness adapted from their earliest ancestors who needed to compete for prey against other animals during night time. More Information about Pregnancy Your dog's appetite will likely increase, so offer her more of her food.
Week Five Click on photos to see larger	The fetuses develop their sex organs and begin to look like actual puppies. The leg buds lengthen and develop toes. Your dog's belly will begin to look noticeably swollen as the pups take up more space. With less room for full meals, it's time to begin serving smaller meals more frequently.
*Click on photos to enlarge them Week Six	Fetus @ 6 weeks of age Pups continue to grow and pigmentation develops. The eyes now have lids and remain sealed until approximately ten days after birth. Your dog is noticeably more uncomfortable at this point. She may vomit occasionally due to the extra pressure against her stomach. You may also notice clear fluid discharge from her vulva. This is normal.
*click to view Yuna at 7 weeks pregnant Week Seven	(*Click to enlarge photo of my Standard Poodle "Glory" who had 12 pups inside !) Xray of Fetuses @ 7.5 weeks of age Puppies are well-developed, and now begin attaining size in preparation for birth. You may be able to see/feel the puppies' movements in your bitch's abdomen. Her breasts are well developed and probably contain a bit of colostrum or "first milk". Your dog is noticeably tired and may begin search for a place to whelp. Time to set up a whelping box. I do NOT routinely do an Xray. Only if I have concerns.
(there are "6" pups inside there) It is important during this time that you redirect her to her whelping box and not in your bed. ALWAYS potty her on a leash outside and bring a flashlight and towel Allow your bitch to feed freely as she is able. My Vet advises me to start taking temperatures a week before due date said that the normal temperature is 38F and will drop to 37-37.5 12-24 hours prior to whelping, maybe as long as 36 hours. The pups are ready for birth, and may be quite still as they rest in preparation for the marathon to come. Your dog may appear uncomfortable and restless or anxious. Week Eight	Fetus @ 8 weeks of age The pups have fur and are now crowded in the uterus. You may notice a lot of activity as they get into position for the coming birth. Your bitch may begin digging the bedding in the whelping box. This is natural nesting behaviour. Mom can have an ultrasound, to ensure pups have a heart beat Fetal Heart Rates can be variable but should remain above 200. Ultra Sound detection of fetal HR below 180 is indicative of fetal distress, is often accompanied by fetal bowel movements, and can be the basis of elective intervention in near-term bitches. Ultra sound can also reveal fetal overgrowth or growth retardation and other abnormalities including hydrocephalus, fetal anasarca herniation of the ventral abdominal wall. Such cases can then benefit form intervention. Mom's usually start shivering, panting and looking for a place to whelp 12 hours prior to puppy being born My girl "nesting" getting ready.
1st born puppy is a sable male 5.5 oz 5 puppy litter newborn Chin puppies Breeder is always with the moms to make sure Puppy is all cleaned up, warm and ready to nurse (whelping can take up to 24 hours & is always during the night !) A puppy must be warm BEFORE allowed to nurse otherwise the organs will shut down and puppy will not live.	Yuna having her contractions. Yuna's first born puppy Yuna all done delivering and is now nursing her pups The pups are ready for birth, and may be quite still as they rest in preparation for the marathon to come. Your dog may appear uncomfortable and restless or anxious. Temperature Chart Finally the pups are clean, dry, warm and enjoying their first taste of mother's milk. Puppys will be nursing for the next 4-6 weeks. After this I wean them onto fresh RAW Goats milk from a farmer and RAW fine ground chicken, adding more meat to the mix as they mature and are able to eat. Yuna and her newborn pups

Mom is all settled into her new Whelping box and nursing her pups


(light is on only to take this photo)
*Video of mom in Box

Room temperature should be around 70 or 20 degrees
Mom should be isolated in a bedroom or seperate area from
household coming and goings, so she can relax and focus on pups.
Some mothers can be VERY protective and can injure their pups in their
efforts to keep everyone away from their pups.
Some mom's will also be so busy "gaurding" her pups that she will never settle
down to nurse them, and she can dry up and not have milk for her puppies.
Hormones are raging and so is her protective instinct, so Breeders need to
ensure she is calm, happy and comfortable with her pups.
Containing mom, in a safe, quiet, warm environment accomplishes this.

NO drafts, No bright lights, No other dogs, no humans messing with her babies
for the first 2 weeks especially, mom needs to be with just her pups.
My mom's are either outside to potty, walking with ME
every 1-2 hours or in their whelping area for everyone's safety.
AFTER puppy's eyes open, pups are able to regulate their own body temperature
and can be without their mom, for a bit longer period of time.
Breeders will not risk mom getting exposed to,
and bringing back diseases to her babies
by having Mom play and romp with other dogs,
during the time she is still nursing.
After pups are 3-4 weeks of age, mom's area is expanded.
Once pup's teeth come in, mom will start to wean her pups and
Mom is then intergrated back onto the family home.

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