My mini Dachshund Mocha is about 44 days pregnant. The sire is my 1yr old mini dachshund Romeo and they had two ties on July 19th each lasting about 2min. She's progressing well but I'm a nervous wreck... I've heard mixed opinions on whether to have an x-ray done before whelping. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated thanks!

An x-ray would not only be a safe thing to do, it would ease your mind during whelping to know how many puppies to expect.
The pups skeletons would be visible and you could get a count at 45 days gestation.
Remember to keep the vet on speed dial, if this is your and her first litter you don't want any complications.

I would highly recommend getting x-rays done. This is part of the expense of breeding, and a necessity.

Thank you very much... Yah I'm n

Oops, lol meant to say I'm not worried about the cost, well prepared for anything she and her pups may need. Just didn't want to do unneeded things medically you know? I was also wondering about when she should really start to pudge out w pups. She has definitely gained weight but it's not super obvious she's pregnant. Her appointment w our vet is next Friday.

When do dachshunds really start showing? My Doxie Mocha is 44days pregnant today... She's definitely put on weight w the extra feeds and the high quality puppy food but I can't really see the baby bump real prominently.

Some of that will depend (just like humans) on her size and build and how many pups she is carrying.
I once had a cat that was being boarded until we could spay her, the night before her surgery she had a litter of 4 kittens at the clinic, I didn't even know she was pregnant.
She was naturally a long, lanky cat and hid it well.

Mocha still has approximately 20 days before giving birth, so she still has a ways to go.
But to the original question, Yes, go for the x-ray.

How much exercise should she be getting? I know it's not good for her to be completely lazy... I'm worried she's gaining too much weight.

Take her for a walk around the block once a day.

I hope by now you are feeding her puppy food. She should be fed puppy food now and until those pups are weaned. It helps her keep her body weight and give extra nutrition to the puppies.. plus it makes weaning easier.

At this point, I know she is a "short and long", you want her to gain weight. She needs to gain weight.. she needs to feed her puppies and keep her energy levels up.

Switch her to puppy food.. you might even have to feed canned puppy food on top of the dry 3 times a day to help her out. If it's a quality puppy food, than you won't have to supplement any vitmans, if you are feeding foods such as beneful, pedigree or low grade Purina products, vitamins should be given along with the puppy food and canned puppy food.

We are feeding her Kirkland Signature Chicken and Rice dry w 1/3can of wet puppy food 2-3times per day. She licks her bowl clean but I can't leave food out all day for her cause my other dogs will steal it. When we get her whelping box finished it'll be in an area where we can leave food out for her to eat at will. Thanks for the info on walking her once per day, she's so lazy these days which is to be expected of course but I didn't want to over do it on the exercise.

I do have another question though. She had her regular yearly booster 5in1 in June of this year, she was bred in July... Do I need to have get another 5in1 before she whelps?

No, absolutely do not give another 5 in 1 vaccine while she is pregnant.
Besides, if she just had a yearly vaccine in June, she is not due another vaccine until next June.

Here is some good general information on the labor process and care of the pregnant dog.

Giving Birth to Puppies (http://marvistavet.com/html/giving_birth_to_puppies.html)

That what I figured, thanks for the confirmation. I didn't know about the isolation of the female for three weeks before and after labor. Is that really necessary? She loves to play w our other dogs and they all share a large crate at night. Obviously the whelping box will be separate from their crate. But between now and then.

So what's the best tips for a whelping box, I need to commit to a specific style soon as Mochas due to whelp in a few weeks. I want it out for her to get used to for at least a week before her suspected whelping week.

Ive heard of some people using baby pools for a welping area.. Its round so its harder for the mother to lay on her puppies.. Or you could build a welping box

How to Design a Whelping Box for a Small Dog | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_6318447_design-whelping-box-small-dog.html)

Building a welping box wouldn't be an idea if you plan on breeding multiple times, but if this is just a one or two time thing, the baby pools work just as good.

Make sure to also get a heating lamp for the whelping box. They sell ones specifically for whelping boxes, they hang over the box and keep the puppies warm. As you probably know, puppies can't regulate their own body temperature, so making sure they're nice and warm is very important. You could call around, or check Kijiji, and see if you can get a used one. They're not cheap when bought new, but they're a necessity.

Can't wait to see pictures of the new babies. :)

You don't need a heating lamp if the pups are inside... Just make sure they're in a room with low traffic and no drafts. For homes with ac, close the vents.

Heating lamps and new borns are actually dangerous, they don't move when they're too hot and can get too hot, especially during the warmer months.

If you feel the pups are cold, purchase the hot water bottles, or use latex gloves fills with water and heat it. When giving it to the pups, if it's too hot for you on bare skin, it's too hot for them..

I hate to disagree Lucky, but water bottles are, in my opinion, very dangerous. A puppy, like you said, cannot move that well, and laying hot water bottles under them can actually cause burns. I realize you said to test the temp first, but even then it does happen. Also, hot water bottles cool off very quickly, so unless the OP is willing to constantly refill the water bottles on an hourly basis, it's not a great way to keep the pups warm. Unlike the heat lamp which is suspended from the ceiling, and has many different settings so you can adjust to the needed temperature.

These pups will be born in fall. Not knowing where the OP lives, it could be cooling down. Goodness knows it's already cooling down where I live. Darn weather. ;)

We use hot water bottles at the hospital for sick dogs and new borns... And the book claims its safe.

My experience with heat lamps was kind of troublesome. The puppies got too hot and there was now cool place for them to go.. And it was positioned high above them. Heat lamps are just no good.. I think they work best for poultry, and that's really it

I was really concerned about using a heating blanket like so many recommend because of the possibility of malfunction and me accidentally cooking the pups. I thought I'd use what my family refers to as a "bed buddy" which is basically a soft terry cloth sack filled w rice or pellets that you can either freeze or heat and put wherever needed. And I'm committing to the plastic storage tub for my whelping box w egg crate underneath the top layer of bedding so we don't get swimmers. We are in Cenyral Cali and are still consistently getting triple digit weather here; it'll finally start cooling off mid October. The pups should be here some time between sept 14-20th.

Sounds like you have it all planned and figured out. September 14th would be a great day for the birth, it's my birthday. :)

Well then I'm rootin for seitember 14th. It would be day 58 for her... I was wondering though, if we did end up going the c-section route (god forbid) what will that run me? Again these are questions that I'll also ask the vet but if I can get a few tentative answers too ahead of time I'll take them! I'm probably getting obnoxious w all my questions but you guys are REALLY helpful and I've been itching to pick experts' minds on a few things. So thank you all for the great advice and tips!

You're not getting obnoxious at all. Truth is, it's a relief to see someone with a pregnant dog that's actually willing to not only listen, but willing to spend the money needed to ensure the health of the mom and the pups. You're a breath of fresh air. If you don't believe me, read some of the other posts in the dog forum. You'll be banging your head against a wall in no time.

C-sections aren't cheap, but really it depends on your vet, where you live. I would put a few thousand dollars aside just in case, but really do talk to your vet about this, he/she is sadly the only one that can give you the cost of vet care.

Are you willing to post pictures of the mama? We'd love to see her. :)

If you don't know how to post pictures go to the dog forum, there are stickies (permanent posts) on the top and one of them gives step by step instructions on how to post a picture. If you can't find it I can post a link.

Awe! Thank you, to tell you the truth I was worried about posting anything because I was worried I'd just get hot heads that think they should make my decisions for me and tell me how selfish and stupid I am for breeding at all. I'm young in life and I want to turn this into a hobby... I love the breed and have owned them all my life. I feel like you never really know until you do something and everyone starts at square one. So don't bash me just help me gain the knowledge I'll need to be successful at it! I'll look now and try to post a picture of my proud momma to be! She's gorgeous if I do say do myself! ;)

Ok I can't find the advanced button... I wonder if I go on using my computer it'd show up. Let me try that.

We are a group of experts that don't believe in backyard breeding, puppymills, and the like. But there's always a but. Some of my colleagues may not agree with me, but when I see an owner that is doing everything right, like you are, I'm less inclined to give the backyard breeder speech.

My only recommendation, if you want to turn this into a hobby, is to seek the advice of a breeder. That's how most breeders start. They get a breeding mentor, learn from that mentor, learn what to look for in a dog, the testing that should be done, etc. etc. If this is a life long dream, something that you want to be taken seriously for, then that would be what I recommend as your next step.

But, you're doing the research, you're willing to spend the money necessary to make sure that your dog and the pups are healthy, and I'm sure that when it comes time to find these puppies a home you'll do your research there too, and we can help with that if you'd like.

We can be harsh on this site, but only when it's called for. It's not called for in your case. :)

Okay I got it figured out... here is a few pics of Mocha and her little pregnant belly. I tried to upload a few other good pics of her but they are not uploading for some reason... not sure why.41215

41216

Yay I figured out how to reduce the pixels and was able to successfully upload another picture of my baby Mocha on her back with a good shot of her pregnant belly.41217

If you're wondering... which you're probably not being you've probably seen many dachshunds in your time. She is a Brindle patterned smooth coat... only one in her litter to get this pattern. Her mom was a smooth red and dad was a black and tan red so I'm assuming dad was a "hidden brindle" being that this pattern only shows up on the red coat. She's my little Zebra Girl... I was able to feel at least 3 puppies today so we are thrilled... getting the x-ray on Friday afternoon to confirm. :) :)

She's gorgeous. I was going to say "you have a brindle pup", but you beat me to it. :)

Can't wait to see the puppies.

Thank you! We can hardly wait either. I'll be happy with healthy pups but our sire is also a smooth red and so we are wondering if any of the pups will get her beautiful stripes; only a brindle parent can throw a brindle pup (or so I've read). Do you know any other info about this particular color as far as passing down this pattern type?

Thank you! We can hardly wait either. I'll be happy with healthy pups but our sire is also a smooth red and so we are wondering if any of the pups will get her beautiful stripes; only a brindle parent can throw a brindle pup (or so I've read). Do you know any other info about this particular color as far as passing down this pattern type?

I don't know a lot about genetics. I'm not a breeder, I just happen to know a lot about what it takes to be one. I mainly work in rescue, and most of my dogs have been rescue dogs. :)

From what I've read, it does take a brindle to produce a brindle, but it's not a sure thing, even if both parents are brindle's. This is just from what I've read though. A dachshund breeder could tell you a lot more about coloring and genetics. :)

The doctor I work for Always tells people with breeding dogs to have $2000 stash away for c sections or emergency anything with the puppies.

I just wanted to say that I must agree here that you are a breath of fresh air.
Ask all the questions you want to ask, I applaud your efforts to do things the right way, the safe way and are trying to ensure your pets well being.

And yah! She's a cute one that Mocha.

I was really concerned about using a heating blanket like so many recommend because of the possibility of malfunction.


This concerned me both from the angle of a malfunction and possibility of mom or a pup chewing through the cord.

I've never heard a heating blanket/pad suggested before.

Am I in the dark ages?

JudyKayTee a hearing blanket was recommended on a quite a few sites that I looked at to put it under the bedding on low. I think it was mainly to be used during the whelping so the puppies could be placed in a separate box while mom continued giving birth. Then everyone is to be reunited and I would imagine mom and pups could keep it nice a warm. I'm just going to use the bed buddies I talked about earlier and I won't be worried about any possible electric malfunction.

Thanks you guys for the comments on my little Zebra Girl Mocha... She is a cutie! I'll be sure to post pictures of the puppies when they make their appearance.

JudyKayTee a hearing blanket was recommended on a quite a few sites that I looked at to put it under the bedding on low. I think it was mainly to be used during the whelping so the puppies could be placed in a separate box while mom continued giving birth. Then everyone is to be reunited and I would imagine mom and pups could keep it nice a warm. I'm just going to use the bed buddies I talked about earlier and I won't be worried about any possible electric malfunction.

Thanks you guys for the comments on my little Zebra Girl Mocha... She is a cutie! I'll be sure to post pictures of the puppies when they make their appearance.


I hope it's for limited use! I had a dog who chewed through the cord on an electric blanket and severely burned his mouth (nothing more serious and, of course, he could have died). They scare me to death when they're around animals!

Yah they have been known to catch fire and electrocute those using them so I'm extremely wary of using one!

Yah they have been known to catch fire and electrocute those using them so I'm extremely wary of using one!


I've never had much of a desire to burst into flames during the night.

Bliss, when I was researching Dachshund whelping for a different poster a long while ago, I came across this site: Dachshund Pregnancy And What To Look For (http://www.everything-about-dachshunds.com/dachshund-pregnancy.html). I don't know if it will have any information you can use, but it may be an interesting read.

She is beautiful and hope she has a safe delivery.

Thanks for the site... I'll check it out. I've been watching lots of you tube videos of dachshunds giving birth and I will have my mom alongside me when the big day comes (as long as its not too inconvenient for my mom) and so I hope we have a safe delivery too! I'll be sure to post pictures of the puppies so you can all Oooohh and awwwwee... Lol!

Ok so I have another question... There seems to be lots of different views on whether mom should be allowed to consume any of the placentas... Also if I am the one that has to cut the umbilical cord dull scissors verses sharp? I've read that it's better to "crush" the cord than a clean cut.

Again with the questions! Just kidding.
I have only always clamped, tied then cut umbilical cords, someone else may come along with a alternative method.
With a hemostat clamp the cord between about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the belly, the hemostat is essentially giving the "crushing" effect and help to seal the cord and give you a guide as to where to tie the string. You can use a lightweight fishing line to tie off the cord just below the hemostat (between the hemostat and the belly) put at least 4 throws in your knot.
Then you simply cut the cord immediately in front of the hemostat on the side that the placenta is on.
As for eating the placentas, even the doctors at the clinic where I work differ a little. While they all agree that it is natural, and natures way it's just gross. Which it is, it will really turn your stomach.
Personally I wouldn't let my dog eat the placentas if I could help it because it is one of the few things that sets off my gag reflex.
Good thing your Mom is coming over, because you will need an extra set of hands to help to tie off placentas, whichever method you choose, they are wiggly little critters.
And I actually like your idea about the rice socks/bed buddys, I have suggested heating pads in the past for orphaned newborns but there is no mother and they have no teeth and feeding is so frequent that you have many opportunities to keep a check on things.
I don't think a heating pad for a dog that has the slimmest chance of chewing on it is a good idea.

After thought-of course after I typed up that method-you have an appt with your vet this week right?
That would be a good time to ask about their preferred method to tie off placentas and even have a staff member demonstrate it for you.

They would demonstrate that for me? Gosh that would be great! Yes my husband is a heavy sleeper and if she decides to wait until two or three in the morning I'll be on my own. Lol so I asked my mom if she would help midwife w me. The placenta thing really sets my gag reflex in motion too do unless I hear about some fantastic gain from consuming them I believe I will be discarding them. Plus if she ate one and I didn't see than I may get panicked thinking I have an extra pup w no afterbirth and she has retained a placenta. I am looking forward to her vet appointment this Friday and I hope our vet is ready to have her brain picked! ;)

I don't see why they wouldn't, I can't say for sure, we often demonstrate things for clients, trimming nails, cleaning ears, trimming potty tracks, etc because well, they have to do these things at home sometimes and we'd rather them to know how to do these things safely.

I would have no problem demonstrating it for a conscientious client, I know I certainly couldn't be there for whelping.
Sometimes I think people don't ask about some things because they simply don't think about it.

Good point LadySam. I'll be sure and ask for a demonstration on Friday! If I think of any more questions I'll be sure and post them or you think of any other helpful advice please don't hesitate to share!

What a cutie! I love the brindle coat. I hope you come back and update us with an over load of cuteness when the babies are born!

Bliss, as you think of the questions you want to ask or the concerns you have, write them down. Take the list with you to the appointment. It will help you remember what you needed to talk about with the vet and/or the staff. Plus it will give you a place to write down any added information and the answers.

That's a good idea... I'll be writing them down over the next day! Oh you can bet I'll be back w loads of adorable baby pictures!

Well as I'm writing these I'm wiping away the tears streaming down my face. Just got home from Mochas appt w the vet and the X-rays show a false pregnancy... No babies. The vet was shocked and was not expecting this to be the case. She is presenting w all the signs of pregnancy except the babies. We can try again next time... Her next heat will be around January. Sorry for the let down guys but it is what it is...

Well as I'm writing these I'm wiping away the tears streaming down my face. Just got home from Mochas appt w the vet and the X-rays show a false pregnancy.... No babies. The vet was shocked and was not expecting this to be the case. She is presenting w all the signs of pregnancy except the babies. We can try again next time... Her next heat will be around January. Sorry for the let down guys but it is what it is....

I'm so sorry to hear this.

Wipe those tears. Go give Mocha a big hug. It's better to know what's going on.

I know this is a blow, and I know you were so excited about this, but there's always next time.

Right now Mocha needs you, and I know that you'll put aside your feelings and be there for her. :)

Well as I'm writing these I'm wiping away the tears streaming down my face. Just got home from Mochas appt w the vet and the X-rays show a false pregnancy.... No babies. The vet was shocked and was not expecting this to be the case. She is presenting w all the signs of pregnancy except the babies. We can try again next time... Her next heat will be around January. Sorry for the let down guys but it is what it is....

I, too, am sorry to hear this.

Once the shock and disappointment wears off you will see that there is something good coming out of the false pregnancy. You found out what you need to research a bit more to be even more ready next time. It will also give you more time to have money set aside for possible complications.

Give Mocha a hug for me, too (and treat if it is allowed.)

Thanks Alty- yes I will be there for Mocha no matter what. It's just such a feeling of loss because she looks and acts like she's pregnant and to find out there's no puppies to be had is just such a let down. Even the vet was shocked by the way she is presenting that there really are no little skeletons to count on the x-rays. I still feel like they're going to call me and tell me they mixed up the x-rays but I know that's not the case. This is a really great vet and I trust them completely. There is always next time... I just wish I knew if this was just a fluke or whether a different stud is necessary?

@ Cat1864... I will definitely give her lots of treats but now I'm wondering if the extra 3lbs she has put on since breeding will come off easily on on its own once the hormones subside a bit. I feel like she knows from my energy that something's amiss and I wish I could explain what's going on to her. I wish I knew how to be there for her... the vet said to watch her cause she will probably go through some pretty funky behavior over the next two weeks.

@ Cat1864...I will definitely give her lots of treats but now I'm wondering if the extra 3lbs she has put on since breeding will come off easily on on its own once the hormones subside a bit. I feel like she knows from my energy that somethings amiss and I wish I could explain what's going on to her. I wish I knew how to be there for her....the vet said to watch her cause she will probably go through some pretty funky behavior over the next two weeks.

The funky behavior will most likely happen. Basically her body thinks that it's pregnant. She thinks she's pregnant. Heck, you thought she was pregnant. So imagine what your body, and you, would go through if you found out that you're not pregnant a week before you were due to deliver.

Start walking more frequently, cut back on the food (you were giving her extra because she was pregnant, but she doesn't need that extra any more). She'll drop the weight.

She's a healthy dog, loved, well cared for. She'll bounce back. You will too. :)

Ok... I just feel so sad for her because I know there are no babies coming. I'm worried this will be worse for her than It probably will be. I've not done a ton of research on this condition but enough that I'm anticipating a pretty messed up pup for a few weeks. I hope you're right Alty and she does bounce back pretty quickly. Is it safe for me to go ahead a breed her on again on her next heat? I don't mean to sound insensitive but I think that would help in more ways than one.

Is there any chance we did the X-ray too early and the puppies just aren't showing up yet? I looked at the calendar and she was 49 days when we did the x-ray. Just trying to rule out anything and everything I can so my poor mind can rest and begin mending.

Isn't there a rule not to breed females more than once every other year or some such? And you are the one who will be missing pups. She has no emotional connection to them.

Normal gestation is a little over two months. Pups would be visible during an x-ray at this point.

Canine False Pregnancy (http://www.marvistavet.com/html/canine_false_pregnancy.html)

Wondergirl is correct by day 45 the puppies bones have mineralized and will be visible on x-ray.
If she was 49 days in they would have shown up on the film.

Ok I figured as much. Both my males (the original sire from this false pregnant and my 5mth pup) are extremely interested in her over the last day or so. They are both trying to mount her and she's trying to mount my older male (sire); is this all normal behavior? She's not due to go into heat again until January.

Canine False Pregnancy (http://www.marvistavet.com/html/canine_false_pregnancy.html)

Wondergirl is correct by day 45 the puppies bones have mineralized and will be visible on x-ray.
If she was 49 days in they would have shown up on the film.

Ok I figured as much. Both my males (the original sire from this false pregnant and my 5mth pup) are extremely interested in her over the last day or so. They are both trying to mount her and she's trying to mount my older male (sire); is this all normal behavior? She's not due to go into heat again until January.

Can you protect her somehow? Is it possible she is going into heat now?

I don't see how she could be going into heat now... Her last heat began on July 4th! By my calculations she's not due to come in again until January 4th. Or am I incorrect and you count the month she's in heat as part of the six until she's due to come in again in which case it'd be December 4th. We have the doggie diapers she wears while she's in heat, I could put those on her.

I wonder what is attracting the two male dogs. I hope our dog experts will chime in soon. Yes, I would put doggy diapers on her to protect her.

Some smaller dogs will go into heat more than twice a year.
You will have to track her cycles to know for sure if this is the case.
It depends on the dog, they vary.
If she is humping the other dogs and they are showing interest then she may be in heat again.
Have you noticed any swelling?

Yes she is also humping the male dogs and her vulva is a bit swollen but I thought it was due to the false pregnancy. It was a little over 6mths in between her first and second heat cycles (when she was bred) so maybe she is a little above average on her time in between cycles. I'll just have to watch her, no bleeding though.