Dachshunds are renowned for their loyal dispositions, long bodies, and short legs. The first thing about this dog that lingers to the mind of every dog enthusiast is the question “how many puppies do dachshunds have.”
Dachshund’s pregnancy requires additional care during her gestation period to provide the optimum development environment which is important to produce healthy puppies. Usually, they gave birth between one to six little puppies. With a little attention and proper care, dachshunds can survive pregnancy with very little complications.
Table of Contents
Types Of Pregnancy
False Pregnancy
It is a state where a female dog had not been engaged in a mating, but she is showing and experiencing the signs of pregnancy. The cause of this pregnancy is the uneven allocation of a hormone and sometimes associated with the forming of pus in the uterus like pyometra or meters. In this case, your dog will definitely need a medication and treatment prescribed by a veterinarian.
Normal Pregnancy
In the early days of pregnancy, it is impossible to know whether she is going to have a puppy or not. Usually, the first sign does not change the behavior and physical state of the female dog.
We can notice that after mating, the female dog is gentler, calmer and can sometimes look like a little unhealthy. Experienced breeders can mistakenly estimate how many puppies do dachshunds have. Sometimes, even when a female dachshund is big, she can only have one to two puppies.
Signs Of Pregnancy
Dachshunds may begin to show pregnancy signs just after few days of mating. The first thing that we can notice is their enlarge nipples. They also begin to eat more than their usual amount of food. When your dog experienced these things, it is best to take them in a veterinary for a checkup and for the final pregnancy diagnosis.
There are times when the dachshunds can encounter false pregnancy in a case where they sometimes have morning sickness, weight gain, and swollen nipples. This is where a veterinarian can be of a great help to understand whether she is pregnant or not.
Check out the cute dachshund puppies you can look forward to,
Pregnancy
After a month of breeding this dog, you can notice that they will experience a clear vaginal discharge which only happens in pregnancy. Six weeks after, their nutritional needs will increase. You should feed her for about 50 percent more of the food that she usually conceives.
High in protein food is what they really need. You can also notice that their abdomen will begin to grow and they will only gain a little weight but dachshunds who are carrying a large litter can gain their weight more.
Ultrasound Before Giving Birth
If you are a dachshund dog owner, you should give an extra time taking her in an ultrasound before giving birth. When you are already aware of the number of puppies she will have, it is best to know if you need to take her immediately in a veterinarian when the problem occurs and she can’t deliver her puppies. It is also necessary to go for an ultrasound in order for us to be knowledgeable so that we can set up a place that is ready for them.
Final Days Of Dachshund’s Pregnancy
Dachshunds begin to gain their weight faster during her last week of pregnancy. You will notice that they will begin to be less active because of her swollen bellies. If your dog is carrying larger puppies expect that she will give birth earlier than the usual span of gestation.
You should give an extra time to your dog during the last week of her pregnancy to know if there is an impending sign of their labor. They will also show less interest in food for almost 24 hours. Lack of appetite can be a sign that the owner should prepare for the dog’s labor.
Giving Birth
Owners should check the temperature of the dachshund to monitor the beginning of labor. Many dachshunds will experience a decrease in temperature a few hours before their labor begins, but not all. They will experience contractions and she will lick her vulva repeatedly before her delivery. You can also notice a gray water sac where the puppies are in and the mother may bite the sac to break the water.
After the water breaks, delivery may come in just an hour. The first puppy that he is going to deliver is the most challenging and may cause the mother to strain and moan. The owner should give an update to a veterinarian about the puppies’ and mother’s progress every 15 minutes.
After Giving Birth
Cleaning through licking is the first business of the mother dog after the removal of the membrane. If you notice that dachshund ignore the puppies, it is your time to get a towel and clean the puppy. It is also a good idea to get a small scale and weigh your puppies every day.
They should gain weight steadily daily. If you see a puppy that is weaker, smaller and slower than the other, give special attention to that one.
If you want to know how many puppies do dachshunds have, it is best if you prepare yourself by discovering and reading things about these dogs. They aren’t the type of dog that loves to jog to begin with, but they are intelligent, loyal, and good companion dogs who are full of personality and love to entertain their owners.
