Expert: Renee Cox - 3/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a 3 year old boxer mix she has never had a litter before and I wasn't planning to breed her. I usually put on the doggie underwear before I let her go anywhere near my other dog. This has worked for me in the past, But last month I left my husband in charge and he forgot to put the underwear on her and i think something happened. She started her heat around  the 3rd of Feb. and that day I think it was the 13th, I have seen some changes in her but I am still not sure if she is. Her vulva is still swollen and her tits seem a little bigger.  I do have an appointment next week to take her to vet, I do have some pictures and would like to know your opinion. thanks hope you can help.

ANSWER: Hi. It sounds like your girl very well could be pregnant. A lot of breeders take the still swollen vulva as a positive sign. The thing is, it's really hard to say for sure if a dog is pregnant or not. Dogs can have what's called a false pregnancy, making it even harder to know for sure. Has she filled out any, does she look heavier?

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QUESTION: She looks a little bigger but not a lot, Could this maybe be a small litter? She seems really affectionate and follows me around everywhere, which she really didn't do before she would rather be playing with my kids.

Answer
if she was bred on the 13th of Feb., that would put her due in a couple of weeks. it could mean a smaller litter, or she could be carrying them up high, which is pretty common in Boxers. From whatever day she was bred on, count 50 days. After that day, you can have an x-ray done to know for sure. Hormones can change a dog's attitude, making them clingy, or even the opposite of what they normally are. If she's filling out, and her breasts are getting bigger, then I would treat her as pregnant until she proves otherwise. Good luck! :-)