People keep dogs as pets as they are great companions, and their puppies are so attractive with their big eyes, floppy ears, and cuddly little bodies. Raising them can be an enriching experience, and watching them grow is a joy.
If you have a pet dog expecting pups, you are probably curious about the number of puppies. Well, all that depends on the dog’s size and breed. A dog’s first litter approximately contains 1 – 12 puppies. However, smaller dogs usually have litters of 2 to 5 puppies, and larger dogs can have up to 12 and more. These two major factors determine the average number of puppies a dog can have.
We all love to play with puppies, and having more puppies may seem fun, but having more puppies for the first time could be a danger for both mother and puppies. This article will discuss how many puppies a dog can have for the first time, the factors affecting the number of puppies, and the things you can do as a pet owner to help your dog.
The Number Of Puppies Dogs Can Have In Their First Time
When deciding how many puppies to have, it depends on the breed of dog. Some breeds can have one or two puppies their first time, but some can have a lot of puppies. For instance – some small breeds like Chihuahuas generally have fewer puppies than Labrador, a giant breed.
It also depends on the dog’s age when it has a litter. Usually, younger dogs have more puppies than older dogs because their bodies are still developing. Therefore, younger dogs can produce more milk and provide nutrition to their babies.
If you’re planning on breeding your dog, you must discuss the size of the litter you expect with your veterinarian. Based on their unique characteristics, they can give you more details. For a better idea of the exact number of babies, your vet can do an X-ray at the end of your dog’s pregnancy and determine how many puppies are in her belly.
Different Factors Affecting The Number Of Puppies A Dog Can Have
Various factors affect how many puppies a dog can have for the first time, making it difficult to predict exactly how many puppies a dog will have. However, knowing these factors will help you understand what to expect when your dog gives birth.
1. Age
As a female dog ages, her reproductive system changes and becomes less efficient. A younger dog is usually able to have more puppies and is more likely to have fewer puppies as she gets older. For this reason, breeders use younger dogs for breeding. The average dog age to stop having puppies is between 8 to 10 years old.
However, some dogs can have puppies into their teens, while others may be able to have puppies for a few years before their fertility starts to decline. Age-related hormone changes can cause problems with carrying a litter of puppies and the production of milk, making it difficult for an older dog to feed her puppies.
2. Health Of The Dog
Your dog’s health is one of the essential factors affecting the number of puppies it can have. A healthy dog is likely to give birth to a more significant number of puppies than an unhealthy dog. Like humans, many common health issues impact a dog’s health, like hormonal imbalance, infections, genetic problems, poor nutrition, etc., which are the major issues that cause reduced litter size.
However, to provide good health to your dog, they must get regular exercise, healthy food, and a good environment. A portion of healthy food is essential for all mother dogs.
A pregnant dog needs to eat a balance of all the nutrients to ensure that her puppies are healthy. Moderate exercise and daily walks will help to keep the mother dog healthy and will help her deliver her puppies safely.
A good environment in which a dog lives can affect its health. Dogs who live in dirty surroundings are more likely to contract several diseases. So, cleaning your dog’s space and providing a spacious environment is essential. However, if you have a pregnant dog, taking care of her health like a family member is crucial.
3. Size And Weight
They both are major factors affecting the number of puppies. Smaller dogs usually have smaller litter sizes than larger ones due to the less space they have to carry the multiple puppies in their bodies.
Regarding weight, heavier mother dogs tend to have larger litter than those with light weight. For example, Chihuahuas are born very small and lightweight, which is why they can produce a smaller litter. Labradors are heavier and bigger, so they are more likely to give birth to approximately 10 puppies at a time.
The average litter size for a small dog is between 2 and 5 puppies. On the other hand, the average litter size for a large dog is around 8 to 10 puppies.
4. Breed
The breed is the major factor in determining the litter numbers and size. Some giant dog breeds are well known for their larger litter, like Golden Retrievers, which usually have up to 15 puppies at a time, and on the other end, Yorkshire Terriers typically only have one or two puppies.
Along with the breed, the season of birth also plays an essential role, with winter and spring births typically resulting in larger litter sizes than summer and fall births.
5. Regular Diet
Your dog’s regular diet affects how many puppies it can have. The type of food a dog eats can affect its litter size. A lack of nutrition and poor-quality foods can lead to a smaller litter size and a variety of health issues in both the mother and her puppies, whereas adequate and high-quality dog food results in a larger and healthier litter.
You should take care of the following things mentioned below:
- If you have a pregnant dog at your home, you should take care of her regular diet and consider a few things when it comes to feeding your dog daily during pregnancy.
- Feed them nutritious and good-quality food. This will help them stay healthy and provide their puppies with all the nutrition from their mother.
- Increase the quantity of food you feed your dog as its belly grows.
- Make sure to consult your vet regularly about the amount of food you need to feed so you don’t overdo it and make your dog sick.
- Make sure puppies need more calories than adult dogs, so you need to feed them more often.
6. Conceiving Method
If dogs breed naturally, they will generally have more puppies than if they are artificially inseminated.
Which Breed Can Produce The Greatest Number Of Puppies?
Are you wondering which dog breed has the most puppies? If so, we will give you some good options. When it comes to which dog breed produces the largest number of puppies, a few breeds stand out.
For instance, Saint Bernard’s and Great Danes are known for their larger litter sizes of up to 12 or more. You can also consider Labradors, which typically have around 6 to 10 puppies at a time, and Rottweilers, which often produce 8 to 12 pups.
So, if you want to bring home a lot of puppies at once, these are some good breeds for your home. However, it’s important to remember that all dogs are different, and litter size can also be different, even within the same breed. So, while these breeds may be more likely to have larger litters, there’s no assurance that any individual dog will produce many puppies.
Conclusion
Dogs can have 1 to 12 puppies on average during the first pregnancy. So, if you are looking into getting puppies, be sure to do the research and obtain the proper information, and most importantly, be prepared to have a lot of furry friends.
But, you should consult with your vet for more accurate information based on your dog’s particular health and other factors.
FAQs
The average age of a dog at which it can get pregnant is 6 months old. Some dogs as young as 4 months old can get pregnant if they reach puberty early. On the other hand, larger breeds have slow puberty and cannot expect puppies until they are 18 months or 2 years old.
If your dog is pregnant, pay close attention to her behavior and appearance like –
Changes in appetite: she might either increase her hunger or experience a sudden loss of interest in food, vomiting, swollen breasts, weight gain, and increased urination.
The average time of a dog’s pregnancy is 58 to 68 days. This can vary depending on the breed of the dog, and some dogs may also experience false pregnancies that may last for several weeks or months.
A dog can produce multiple puppies in a year. It depends on the dog’s breed, age, health, and natural cycle.
A small dog can give birth up to three times a year, and the average dog can get pregnant only once or twice a year.
Dr. Lillian is a D.V.M. passionate about promoting awareness of dogs. She shares her expertise through her blogs on canineweekly.com and provides animal care services, including internal medicine, dermatology, and emergency care. Dr. Lillian is committed to contributing to animal welfare.