Is my Jack Russel pregnant?

Question
How do I know if my Jack Russel dog is pregnant?

My name is Rob Stubbs. My wife and I have a little bitch jack russel name Sandy.

Recently, we noticed some weird behaviour from her, she seemed to be gettin bigger, her nipples have got bigger. And a few weeks ago, someone walked past our garden and told us that her boxer had got into our garden - (But didn't mention anythin which would make us think, while sandy was there?)....Sounds like a dun deal that she is pregnant huh?...Well I took her to two seperate vets, one said she is and one said she's not?

One said the only way of knowing is to have a scan. But unfortunatly we are financially struggeling at the min so we can't afford to waste money if it turns out she's not?

This vet also pointed out she wasn't pregnant because she was not producing milk and that he couldn't feel anything? And said he's 99% sure she's not! So he suggested it could be a phantom pregnancy!?

But the first vet we visited said she could feel them in her tummy and that she's 99.9% sure she is!

Our concerns are obviously for Sandy's health, but our other concern is if it turns out to be true and she is pregnant by a boxer, how could this effect her during birth?? If she has to have a sisarian, it could go into hundreds of pounds we just don't have! (I imagine they are goin to be very large puppies!)

We're so confused and don't know what to do for the best?

Please could you give me any more information and any clear signs on what to look for? Should we be feedin her anythin else just incase she is? What about vitamins etc??

Answer
Hello Rob,

It's very strange that the two veterinarians have different opinions about the condition of your dog.  If your dog is pregnant she won't start to "show" until well into the 4th week or so, so if you are unable to afford a diagnostic test in the veterinarians office, you're just going to have to wait a while to know for sure. Milk won't be coming out of her nipples until a few days before she is about to give birth. The gestation time in pregnancy for dogs is approximately 59-60 days, so you should count 59,60 days from the time the boxer was in your yard to get the approximate due date.
You should start feeding her PUPPY food right now which is high calorie and excellent nutrition for her and the growing puppies - and you should keep her on the puppy food until she starts to wean the puppies off her nipples at about 4 weeks old. If she is not pregnant you should put her back on regular food because it's very fattening to adult dogs.
I HIGHLY suggest an x-ray or ultrasound during the last few days of her pregnancy so you know how many puppies are in there and it's crucial that you research and read everything and anything you can about how to help with the birth. There are many good websites and books out there that will help you, but one of my favorites is the LEERBURG series. They breed German shepherds but their videos and books are the best out there. There is SO MUCH to know about birthing and raising puppies, I couldn't fit it all in this answer box. You need to learn about the whelping box (where she will have the pups), temperature control, cleaning, delivering each puppy, delivering dead puppies, what to do if a puppy is in trouble, how to cut the umbilical cords, how to care for the mom, and so so much more, make sure you start NOW and learn everything you can!!!  
I wouldn't worry too much about the size of the puppies being born, they are all small at birth and should not be a problem being born, but you should have the phone number and address of an emergency veterinarian on hand in case there IS a problem. New mothers can get very nervous during delivery and you will have to be the calm one.
If your dog is pregnant by the boxer, you should get half the money from the owner to help in the veterinary expenses that you will incur. I also suggest you have your dog spayed as soon as you can. Go to the website of SPAY/USA -  which is a nationwide organization that helps with the cost of spaying and neutering dogs to help stop the unwanted puppy population!
I hope your dog isn't pregnant but if she is, you have time to get prepared and educated. I wish you the very best of luck and please feel free to write anytime for any and all other questions you may have. Take care.
Carol