How long does dog labor last?

It generally lasts six to eighteen hours. By the end of this period the dog's cervix will have completely dilated for the puppies to pass. read more

Just Before Labor Begins: Pregnancy in dogs last approximately 63 days (56-69 days). Toy breeds may deliver a week earlier while large breeds often deliver later. Two weeks before your dog’s due date, begin to take its temperature at noon. Purchase a rectal or oral thermometer but use it rectally. read more

About 24 hours before labor begins, a dog's body temperature drops by 2 or 3 degrees. She signals the onset of labor by restless, anxious behavior and looking for a place to make a nest. At the end of Stage I, her cervix is fully dilated. read more

About 12 hours to 24 hours before productive labor gets underway, a dog's temperature drops to between 98 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If labor does not begin within 24 hours after the temperature drop, a veterinarian should be consulted. read more