Breeding your Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be a very rewarding experience. Every litter is full of potentially wonderful dogs, and both first-time breeders and experienced veterans can experience bringing new lives into the world.
However, there are always risks involved when breeding your Staffy. It takes a long time before a breeder learns all the signs of potential problems when whelping a litter.
Breeders should always be present when a dam is giving birth, especially when it is her first time delivering a litter or if the dog is more advanced in age. Being present allows breeders to take steps to intervene if the dog is showing signs of distress or difficulty in giving birth.
Let’s take a look at the steps you can take so that you’re as prepared as possible for your dog to whelp a litter of puppies.
Preparing for Whelping
Preparing for whelping happens well in advance of your dog’s due date. It’s important to know when your dog is supposed to give birth, as the dog will require more care and constant monitoring around that date. It’s wise to prepare a whelping kit with all of the things you’ll need.
Dogs are usually pregnant for around 63 days. However, some dogs may give birth as early as 57 days or as late as 71 days. Before you even think about the process of whelping, it’s a good idea to get your dog checked by a veterinarian so they can guide you through the pregnancy.
Your veterinarian will also be able to give you advice regarding your dog’s whelping. Be sure to get their number and emergency contact information so that if your dog requires medical intervention, you know who to contact. Your vet may also prescribe supplements and food for your pregnant dog, depending on the dog’s needs.
You’ll also need a whelping box, either DIY or store-bought, so that your dog is comfortable while they’re giving birth. This box should be placed in a quiet, secluded area of the house that is kept at around 22 degrees Celsius.
Whelping a Litter of Staffy Puppies
Stage 1: Preparing to give birth
The preparation stage of whelping usually lasts around 6 to 12 hours. Your dog may become restless and may start digging around the whelping box. Some dogs have a longer preparation stage, especially if they are giving birth for the first time.
Another sign of the preparation stage is your dog passing a small amount of red/brown mucus from her vulva. The dog may also have very weak contractions without any straining. Just before your dog starts to give birth, they will generally settle down within the whelping box.
Stage 2: Giving birth to the puppies
When your Staffy is ready to give birth, they will start to experience stronger contractions than in the preparation stage, and will start to strain to produce the puppies. Keep watch for symptoms of dystocia, or abnormal pregnancy. If your dog is breathing heavily or vomiting, they may not have a normal birth.
The first puppy usually takes the longest. Weak contractions may mean the puppy will take between 2 to 4 hours to be born. Stronger contractions may mean the puppy will be born within 20 to 30 minutes. After the puppy is born, the dog may pass a placenta, which will often be eaten by the dog.
There should be a rest period between each puppy being born. This rest period may vary in length greatly, depending on the dam. It can be as short as 5 minutes or as long as an hour and a half. So long as the dog is not in distress, this break between puppies is normal.
In between each puppy, your dog should be comfortable and licking her newborn pups until she starts on the next puppy. If you notice that your dog has been straining for 20 to 30 minutes without any progress, contact your veterinarian immediately. If you have any concerns about your dog while they are whelping, it’s a good idea to seek veterinary assistance.
Stage 3: Caring for your dog after labour
Most Staffies will give birth to an entire litter of puppies within 3 to 9 hours after the start of contractions. Whelping a litter of puppies should never take longer than 24 hours, and for protracted whelping, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
It’s important to keep your dog relaxed and comfortable after they are done whelping. There is a risk of the dam refusing to feed the puppies if the dog is too stressed after giving birth. The dam will need to rest and eat in peace and quiet, so avoid bothering the dog as they recover.
How Many Puppies Are in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Litter?
On average, a Staffy will give birth to 5 to 7 puppies in each litter. The number of puppies will depend on the health of both the dam and the stud, as well as the size of the dam.
