Dog due date calculator

Choose the date you know: ovulation, the LH peak or the breeding. You get the expected whelping window and the checkups along the way.

The date you know

From progesterone testing: the most precise starting point.

Ovulation date

Puppies expected

Pick a date

The window appears here, with the checkups along the way.

Milestones are counted from the date you entered. A drop in rectal temperature usually comes 8 to 24 hours before delivery.

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How it works

Pregnancy in dogs lasts about 62 to 64 days from ovulation, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Counted from the LH peak it is 64 to 66 days, and counted from breeding it can be anywhere from 58 to 72 days, because the breeding date does not always match the date of conception.

That is why a date from progesterone or LH testing gives a much tighter window than a breeding date. With two or more matings, the tool uses the first and last dates to widen the window.

The milestones come from the same manual: ultrasound can reliably detect pregnancy from about 25 to 35 days, skeletons show on X-ray from about day 45, and an X-ray after day 55 is the best way to count the puppies.

Due window = ovulation + 62 to 64 days, LH peak + 64 to 66 days, or breeding + 58 to 72 days.

Good to know

Length also varies with breed and litter size. Plan around the window, not a single day.
A drop in rectal temperature usually comes about 8 to 24 hours before delivery. Call your veterinarian if labor stalls or the dog is in distress.

Frequently asked questions

How long are dogs pregnant?

About 62 to 64 days from ovulation. From a breeding date it can range from 58 to 72 days, because the breeding date does not always match the date of conception.