Dog pregnancy calculator
Pick the date you know (mating, or a vet’s LH or progesterone test) to see when puppies are most likely due and what to expect each week.
Due date
Pick a date to see her due window and what to expect each week.
Not veterinary advice. PupRange gives estimates from published veterinary sources. Every dog is different. If you’re worried, call your veterinarian.
The Merck Veterinary Manual puts whelping 64–66 days after the LH peak but anywhere from 58 to 72 days after the first mating, which is why the date you count from matters.
How it’s calculated
- Due window. We add the published number of days to the date you picked. The wider window is what’s possible; the narrower one is most likely.
- Day count. To place the milestones, we convert your date to days since the LH peak, the scale most vet sources use. That conversion is our estimate.
- Milestones. Ultrasound, relaxin test and X-ray days come from Merck and VCA. Sources don’t always say which day they count from, so every date is “about”.
- Today. We read today’s date once from your device when the page opens, so dates follow your time zone.
| Counted from | Possible (days) | Most likely | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| First mating | 58–72 | 60–64 | Merck (possible), VCA 62 ± 2 (most likely) |
| LH peak | 64–66 | 64–66 | Merck |
| Ovulation | 61–64 | 61–64 | Our estimate from Merck’s LH numbers |
| First day of diestrus | 56–58 | 56–58 | Merck |
Mating dates give the widest window because sperm can live for days and the exact day of ovulation isn’t known. A vet’s progesterone or LH test narrows it a lot.
Sources
- Davidson AP. Breeding Management, Whelping and Pregnancy Determination in Dogs and Cats, Merck Veterinary Manual (reviewed Jun 2025, modified Jul 2026) Checked
- Scully. Dystocia in Small Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual Checked
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Feeding the Pregnant Dog (updated Mar 3, 2025) Checked
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Pregnancy Testing in the Dog (updated Oct 30, 2026) Checked
Questions owners ask
How long are dogs pregnant?
About 9 weeks. Counted from the LH peak that a vet measures, Merck gives 64 to 66 days. Counted from mating, VCA gives 62 days, give or take 2, and Merck notes it can range from 58 to 72 days because sperm can live for days and the exact day of ovulation is unknown.
How can I tell if my dog is pregnant?
Your vet can confirm it. According to Merck and VCA, ultrasound works best around days 25 to 35, a relaxin blood test turns positive from about days 22 to 27, and an X-ray shows the puppies’ skeletons from about day 42 to 45. An X-ray after about day 55 is the usual way to count puppies.
When should I take my pregnant dog to the vet?
Plan a visit to confirm the pregnancy in the window around days 25 to 35, and ask about an X-ray late in pregnancy (after about day 55) to count the puppies so you know when whelping is finished. Call your vet any time she seems unwell, and right away if labor shows any of the warning signs listed above.
What are the signs of labor in dogs?
One of the most useful signs is a drop in rectal temperature. Merck says it falls to about 98.8°F (range 98.1–100°F) about 8 to 24 hours before whelping. Taking her temperature twice a day in the last week helps you spot it.
When is labor an emergency?
Call your vet or an emergency clinic if there is no puppy 24 to 36 hours after her temperature drops, strong contractions for more than 30 minutes with no puppy, weak or on-and-off straining for more than 4 hours, more than 2 hours between puppies, dark green or black discharge before the first puppy, labor lasting more than 24 hours, or more than 70 days since a known mating. These signs come from the Merck Veterinary Manual.