How Long Are Springer Spaniels Pregnant For?

By / June 5, 2021
How Long Are Springer Spaniels Pregnant For?

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Female springer spaniels usually are pregnant for 63 days (9 weeks) after mating, but this can vary from 57-65. Look for an increase in weight and swollen teats to check if your dog is pregnant, but you may not see these signs until she reaches her second month.

Springer spaniels are adorable dogs, and breeding little springer puppies is a very rewarding process if you find a loving owner to care for each dog. But there are several questions to ask before breeding spaniels, one of which is “how long are springer spaniels pregnant for?”.

It takes a higher level of awareness and constant care to get a spaniel through her pregnancy, so here are the best tips for looking after your dog.

How long are springer spaniels pregnant for?

On average, springer spaniels are pregnant for 63 days (approx. 9 weeks). However, this can vary between 57 and 65 days, and some spaniels have been known to deliver almost two weeks late.

All breeds of springer spaniel are pregnant for the same amount of time, regardless of their size or age.

Should I breed my springer spaniel?

Before thinking about how long your dog will be pregnant and how to take care of her, you first need to think about the impacts on you and your spaniel, as it is important that you are breeding for the right reasons.

For example, don’t breed your dog just for the money – while you can be paid for the pups, you need to be thinking about the welfare of the animals and making sure they go to a suitable home – the costs of looking after your spaniel and her health may mean there is very little profit anyway.

You should also think about what happens after the birth of the puppies. These springer puppies will need to live in the care of their mother for at least eight weeks before they can be taken to new homes, so you must have the facilities to look after them properly.

Finally, think about the effect on your springer spaniel. If she is over four years old and has never been pregnant before, giving birth can be more difficult, and miscarriages are more likely. She will be more anxious throughout the pregnancy, too, so keep this in mind.

Number of puppies

Most springer spaniels will have between 4 and 8 puppies in the litter, the average being about 6.

That said, some dogs have been known to birth just one or two puppies, and some who have had as many as 15.

Simply looking at the size of your springer’s stomach is not very effective, so ask your vet during an ultrasound for a more accurate prediction of how many puppies to expect.

How Can I Tell if my Springer Spaniel is pregnant?

Your dog will give you some indication that she is pregnant throughout her pregnancy, and it will become more apparent throughout. These symptoms are common in both English and Welsh springer spaniels.

Weeks 1-3

Your dog may experience morning sickness, and her personality may change – she will be more irritable, more anxious, and less hyperactive than usual. However, some spaniels don’t experience any symptoms in the first three weeks of pregnancy, so you may not even know until week 4 or 5.

Week 4

At this point, your springer spaniel’s mammary glands (in the breast tissue) will start to swell, and she may experience a small amount of clear discharge coming from the genitals – again, these changes are not as evident in some springers.

Weeks 5-7

By now, your springer will be showing noticeable weight gain, and her nipples will start to turn a darker color and swell up. During week 7, she will begin to shed the hair around her abdomen.

Weeks 8-9

When your spaniel is nearing the end of the process, she will be very obviously pregnant – her stomach is holding an entire litter of puppies, so it’s not going to be small! Due to this extra weight, she will be much more lethargic and sluggish, and some days, your springer won’t want to move at all other than to eat and pee.

How do I care for my pregnant spaniel?

Pregnancy is a very emotional time for springer spaniels, and the physical changes can add to the anxiety which your dog feels, so you will need to be there to comfort her. Here are some top tips on how to take care of your pregnant dog:

  • Increase her food by half during the first weeks and then an extra third during the final month – your springer will need more calories as she is feeding for at least two dogs (probably more!), and it is also a good idea to increase the nutritional value of the food – don’t worry about overfeeding as your spaniel will only eat what she needs.
  • The puppies will be putting extra pressure on her bladder so she will pee more often – make sure your springer gets plenty of opportunities for weeing and use fluid-absorbant pads in the room where she sleeps if you’re worried
  • Increase her water supply as she will lose lots through urine
  • Visit the vet regularly for check-ups to make sure that both the puppies’ and the mother’s physical health are okay
  • If she is feeling particularly sluggish, then try going on shorter, slower walks with your spaniel – she will still need some form of exercise but decreasing this is a good idea if she’s not feeling up to it

IN SUMMARY

So how long are springer spaniels pregnant for? The answer is around nine weeks, and during this time, you need to take good care of your dog.

She will need more attention each day and regular check-ups with the vet. And before breeding your spaniel, make sure you have the facilities to look after at least six puppies, in case they are not taken on by new owners immediately.

Disclaimer
Myspringerspaniel.com does not provide veterinary advice. We aim to provide you with information to enable you to make a good decision when making a purchase or to care for your dog.
All content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you’re concerned about the health of your pet, you should contact your vet for advice.
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