A Survey on Whelping in the Female Dog

Purpose

To create a large database on the timing of whelping milestones in dogs. We aim to re-evaluate current recommendations and guidelines on whelping monitoring, and on management practices in broodbitches to improve mother and puppy wellbeing and puppy survival. More specifically, we aim to:

• Collect detailed information on the timing of specific events during whelping in broodbitches, such as when their temperature changes or the time of birth of each puppy.
• Gather data on how body weight, nutrition, and physical activity affect the course of labor.

Background

Many breeding bitches in the U.S. are overweight or obese, likely due to overfeeding and reduced physical activity. Obesity negatively affects the function of almost all organ systems and shortens a dog’s life span; however, the effects of being overweight or obese on pregnancy, whelping, and puppy health are largely unknown. Obesity is known to cause chronic low-grade inflammation which may alter normal physiological and hormonal balances and lead to infertility, pregnancy disturbances, and birth complications. Neonatal outcome and puppy health may also be affected.

Our study aims to determine how body condition affects fertility and reproductive performance in bitches that are actively reproducing. We will investigate weight in conjunction with nutrition and exercise. 

We hope that the results of our study will help breeders and veterinarians make the best decisions about breeding, predict reproductive outcomes on an objective scientific basis, and implement and monitor nutritional, exercise, and management strategies to improve reproductive efficiency and bitch and puppy health.

This study is funded by a Nestle Purina Resident Research Grant.

Eligibility

• All breeders and owners, whose:
• broodbitches have had previous litters and owners kept notes on the whelping.
• broodbitches will have litters in the future and events on the upcoming whelping will be recorded.

Exclusion

• Pregnancies that have undergone an elective C-section.

Study Design

Breeders and owners will be asked to participate in:

1. An online survey, which can be completed online, filled in electronically and emailed, or printed and mailed. This survey can also be saved and filled out for a future whelping.
2. The information provided in this questionnaire will be kept strictly confidential and not shared with any outside sources. The data will be anonymized and used by the investigators for research purposes only. 

Study Timeline

The survey is open until December 2026.

To Participate

Complete the survey online.

If you have questions about the survey, please contact Sam McCarter or Orsolya Balogh at
540-231-4621 or whelping@vt.edu.

If your query is urgent, please call the Small Animal Hospital on 540-231-4621 and ask for the theriogenologist on duty.