how much longer

Question
I have a dashhound and I 've noticed she is bigger some but not much her last two boobs are really big and you can gently touch the nipples and milk comes out she is also starting to grawl at people when they come up. Is this a sign of her getting close to delivery or what?

Answer
Hi Bonnie,

When your dog is due to give birth, depends on when she was bred. A dog's pregnancy lasts approximately 63 days (sometimes it's a little less, sometimes a little longer).

If you know when your dog was bred, you can use this dog pregnancy calculator to give you a rough idea of when your dog is due to whelp:

http://www.askabreeder.com/Dog+Gestation+Calculator

Starting around Day 57 to 65 of your dog's pregnancy start taking her rectal temperature three to five times a day.
A normal dog temperature hovers around 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you begin taking your dog's temperature daily from about 58 days gestation, you will be able to establish her normal temperature, as well as when the drop takes place.
When her temperature drop down to 97-99 degrees Fahrenheit and held for two readings taken twelve hours apart signals impending delivery within the next 24 hours.
You can read how to take your dog's temperature here:

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-take-your-dog-s-temperature/page1.aspx

Nesting behavior is usually displayed by a bitch in the 24-48 hours proceeding delivery, although some females begin a little sooner. You'll notice a general restlessness, and she will likely prepare the area where she intends to deliver the pups by scrunching up blankets, newspapers and such.
If you haven't provided your bitch with a suitable whelping box, you're likely going to suffer some household damage, as she may decide your bed or couch cushion seems like the perfect place, and tear it up accordingly. If this happens, blame yourself, but don't punish your bitch for this perfectly normal behavior. She is simply operating on instinct.

Read more about what to expect when your dog starts to whelp:

http://www.dog-breed-picture.com/dog-whelping.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Dog-Whelp-or-Deliver-Puppies

Best of luck!

Patti