How Long Are Goldendoodles Pregnant?
If you have a female Goldendoodle, she will go into heat in her early years. After that happens, she can become pregnant with pups. You may wonder how long are Goldendoodles pregnant? Let’s get deeper into the topic below.
Gestation Period in Goldendoodle
A pregnant Goldendoodle will carry her puppies for about 61 to 64 days, where she will then give birth to her litter.
We can confirm the pregnancy 21 days after ovulation.
Her gums often appear paler on day 21. Some breeders also report a clear mucous discharge from the dog’s vulva. Definitely expect a drop in temperature.
Take your Goldendoodle to the vet around this time to check her hormones. Your vet can officially declare your dog pregnant on day 28 with an ultrasound.
An ultrasound or X-ray technology is the best way to find out when the Goldendoodle will give birth. Before your dogs give birth, you should already have a place for them to nest and ween in (a nest is not a whelping box).
Average Gestation Period for Goldendoodle
Pregnancy in dogs starts during egg fertilization and implantation inside the uterus. The gestation period for a dog is around nine weeks.
Look out for dog’s signs of pregnancy, such as:
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Enlargement of mammary glands
When these signs are spotted, owners can expect a dog to give birth within the next month. Although this is an average timeline, not all dogs will follow this schedule. Dogs may even have their puppies two weeks earlier or later than the projected time.
Early pregnancy symptoms of a Goldendoodle are the same as every dog except for morning sickness during the 1st week to 3 months of pregnancy. Like other dogs, Goldendoodles may become more withdrawn and lose their appetite. However, they may become extra tired and thirsty.
What Prenatal-Checks Are Required?
Goldendoodle should have a thorough checkup from their vet. Vet visits will include other tests to ensure that her diet, lifestyle, and reproductive system are in optimal health before becoming pregnant. Before mating, she should already have had all the necessary vaccines.
Pre-mating tests that SOME Vets do: A blood test is good to check for any reproductive diseases. The vet will also do a urine analysis, looking for crystals or infections. Your expectant Goldendoodle should have a fecal examination to screen for intestinal parasites or internal problems that might interfere with the pregnancy.
The vet may also run some tests on the dog’s thyroid function to ensure she is healthy enough for breeding. After pregnancy confirmation, other prenatal visits are not necessary unless the dog shows signs of illness.
When My Goldendoodle Is in Labor?
The time taken for the entire process is around 1 hour. However, it could be as short as 30 minutes or last over 2 hours. Note that these are only average times, and not all dogs follow this timeline exactly.
Your Goldendoodle will have the following labor signs:
- Contractions
- Discharge of clear fluid
- Nesting behavior
- Restlessness
- Panting
They will likely give birth within 24 hours after noticing these symptoms. It does not mean that the actual birthing process starts right away because it could be anywhere between 6-12 hours or more.
How To Care for Your Goldendoodle During the Gestation Period
(See our comparison of male vs female Goldendoodles)
You should give her enough food and vitamins. She especially needs extra vitamins during the 1st three weeks of pregnancy. The Goldendoodle is eating for herself and the puppies developing in the womb.
The mother dog also needs to get moderate exercise, stay hydrated and protect her joints with supplements when pregnant.
Food
Eating well means that you should be providing your dog with a balanced diet that includes essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Vitamins and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are great for a pregnant dog. They help in building strong bones and teeth as well as muscle mass.
Your dog may eat more since she is carrying puppies. Monitor her physical condition and food intake because obesity could impact the health of mothers and puppies.
Consider switching your Goldendoodle’s food during the 1st few weeks of pregnancy to one made especially for pregnant dogs. If you are using a high-quality kibble, add some more servings into her diet or begin feeding more frequent smaller meals.
Balanced Activity
Following a regular exercise routine keeps your dog healthy and lessens her chances of developing obesity-related ills such as heart disease and diabetes.
As you know, your dog will be more tired during the gestation period, and she may not want to go out and exercise. Work with her needs by walking her daily and playing with her in a wide-open space.
Make sure she has clean, fresh water regularly. Remember that your dog drinks more when pregnant than usual because she loses body fluids to produce milk for the puppies.
Protect your dog’s joints with supplements such as glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids. It will help maintain joint health and prevent arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other conditions that may develop over time.
Goldendoodle Litter Size
The average litter size of a Goldendoodle is 6-8 puppies. You may decide you want to keep all, some, or none of the puppies, but that is best to decide before any puppies are born.
What Affects the Gestation Period?
Both overeating and underfeeding can negatively affect your dog’s health, which is especially true during pregnancy.
Overeating means she gains too much weight, becomes obese, or develops diabetes. Under-eating may cause anemia because of a lack of nutrients.
Keep in mind that your dog may have large litters or small ones, depending on her condition and how healthy the father is. However, never intentionally breed a dog a second time before at least a year has passed after she gave birth to a litter.
In conclusion, Goldendoodles are good-natured dogs that make great pets for children and families. They are also good mothers and will look after their puppies well.
