how do I know if my dog is pregnant?

Question
We live in the middle of knowhere and have a German Shepherd Bitch - despite her being in a Pen, a stray has managed to break in and has mated with her - how do I know if she is pregnant?  Are there any early signs I can look for?


Answer
Hi, Dogs carry their pups for 63 days approx.  If she has never had a litter, she can carry them up under her rib cage and they may not "drop" until 2 weeks before they are due.  So you may not see any symptoms until that time.  I would count from when they mated and check her around 2 weeks before.  She may start to develop nipples and then produce milk, but that normally occurs approx. a week before.  Two weeks or so before she may start to try and nest too.  You can get x-rays done when she gets closer to term to see if she really is pregnant.  Hope this helps,


Dawn