If you have a female German Shepherd that has not been spayed, you must be aware that your dog might get pregnant. All female dog owners should know how to recognize early signs of pregnancy in German Shepherds.
Just like women, female dogs will show different behavior when they get pregnant. German Shepherd dogs usually have their first heat cycle at the age of 9 to 12 months. This is the period when your dog becomes sexually mature and is ready to mate.
Many dog owners don’t want their females to produce, and they decide to sterilize it to prevent the unwanted dog pregnancy.
Let’s learn more about signs of pregnancy in dogs.
What Are Early Signs Of Pregnancy In German Shepherds?
If you have mated your female and expect her pregnancy, you probably know roughly what to expect in the coming period. However, sometimes a dog’s pregnancy can surprise many dog owners.
If your female has gone through her first heat cycle, and you have not sterilized her, it is very possible that mating will occur even if you did not plan for it.
Many dogs only need a few minutes for fertilization to happen.
Therefore, if you do not want your German Shepherd to have a litter of puppies, you should always supervise her and make sure that she does not wander away from home, as well as that she does not come into contact with males during walks.
In any case, dog pregnancy is not a disease, and is a completely normal condition. However, it is good to know the early signs in the dog’s behavior and appearance that will clearly show you that your dog is pregnant.
1. Morning Sickness
Just like women, some German Shepherds might experience vomiting as an early sign of pregnancy.
Of course, not every vomiting will mean that your dog is pregnant. Also, if you notice your dog vomiting too often, together with any other symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian.
You can find useful information in our article on the dog vomit color chart – this way, you will be able to determine what your dog’s vomit is showing you.
2. Enlarged Mammary Glands
In early pregnancy, it is possible to notice an increase in mammary glands in most German Shepherds.
In addition, in some dogs, their nipples become more noticeable, change color, and it is possible that a semi-transparent liquid comes out of them.
This is one of the ways in which the dog’s body prepares for the arrival of puppies – soon your German Shepherd will nurse its puppies and thus provide them with everything their little bodies need.
3. Weight Gain
Weight gaining usually comes later in the pregnancy – when the puppies begin to grow, however, in some dogs, this can be noticeable in the earlier stages of pregnancy.
This will depend on every individual dog. If your German Shepherd is slightly overweight, you might not even notice any change in her weight. But, if your dog is usually at the optimal body weight, you will probably immediately see that something is going on.
It is always important to keep your German Shepherd active and to give her high-quality dog food – no matter if she is pregnant or not. Obesity can significantly impair your dog’s quality of life, her health, and even her lifespan.
4. Higher Body Temperature
If your German Shepherd is pregnant for the first time, various changes occur in her body. Of course, this is true for every pregnancy, but it stands out especially in the first pregnancy, since this will be a completely new situation – both for your dog and for you.
One of the early signs of German Shepherd pregnancy could be an elevated body temperature. Body temperature rises in many pregnant dogs due to more intense metabolism.
If you are not familiar enough with the body temperature of dogs, you can find useful tips in our article on the dog temperature chart.
5. Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge is a pregnancy sign that is more typical for the last part of the dog’s gestation period.
However, in some dogs it might appear a little bit earlier. If your dog’s discharge does not have any odor, and it is colorless, you have nothing to worry about.
If you notice blood in your dog’s vaginal discharge, or that the discharge has a really bad odor, you should contact your veterinarian right away.
6. Lack Of Appetite
You might expect your dog to eat more when she gets pregnant. Well, this is true, but usually later on in the pregnancy.
There is a higher chance that your dog’s appetite will be decreased in the early pregnancy. This is also the period when many dogs will experience sickness, so, they will probably be less interested in food.
This is why you should feed your GSD with lighter food, and you should give her smaller meals. If you are unsure what kind of food would be a good choice for a pregnant dog, you should ask your vet for advice.
7. Dog Gets Tired Quickly
Seeing an active dog breed like the German Shepherd getting tired quickly might even scare some dog owners.
This is something you might have not even encountered since you started sharing life with your German Shepherd.
Since hormone levels change in dogs during their early pregnancy, this affects their activity levels. This usually happens in the first weeks of pregnancy. Your German Shepherd will probably feel very tired; after all, her body is growing an embryo!
Your German Shepherd is likely to feel better at the end of the first month of the pregnancy. Still, you should not go back to your standard activities, no matter if your dog feels herself again.
Also, if you have small children, you should explain to them that your dog needs to rest and prepare for the labor. All exhausting physical activities should be avoided while your German Shepherd is pregnant.
Also, your dog might want to be alone during this period, so you should give her all the privacy and peace she is asking for.
How Many Weeks Can A German Shepherd Be Pregnant?
The gestation period in all dogs usually lasts for approximately 63 days. This is also the case with the German Shepherds.
It is essential for dogs to know when their dog will give birth. This way, you can take good care of your dog, and you will be able to prepare for newborn puppies.
This is why it is so important to take your dog to the vet’s as soon as you notice possible pregnancy symptoms in your German Shepherd.
Some dogs will not be pregnant for exactly 63 days – some will give birth a couple of days earlier. When you have a pregnant German Shepherd, is it also essential to know how to recognize the dog’s labor has started.
You can find a detailed explanation of this topic in our article on signs the dog is going into labor soon.
How To Tell For Sure Your GSD Is Pregnant?
Many dog owners notice early signs that could indicate pregnancy in their pets, but they are still not entirely sure whether it is pregnancy or perhaps a health problem.
For this reason, if you notice signs that could point to the pregnancy of your German Shepherd, it is necessary to take the dog to a veterinary checkup immediately.
There are various ways for pregnancy testing in dogs.
With ultrasound, it is possible to diagnose gravidity when a dog is 3 to 4 weeks pregnant. During this period, it is not possible to say with certainty how many puppies your dog will have.
An X-ray is an additional method that can be used to confirm pregnancy, and the exact number of puppies your dog will have. A vet might also hear the puppies’ heartbeats.
The veterinarian can also use the palpation method – that is, he can feel the puppies in the dog’s uterus. There are also additional laboratory methods, such as blood tests, through which it is also possible to confirm pregnancy in dogs.
Blood tests might show the presence of the hormone relaxin, which begins to be secreted immediately after the implantation of the fertilized egg.
As your dog’s pregnancy progresses, you might notice some additional signs, like the nesting behavior. This is a dog’ way to prepare for delivery of puppies.
Conclusion
Female dogs that have not been spayed, and have reached their sexual maturity, are physically ready for pregnancy.
This is why dog owners should know how to recognize early signs of pregnancy in German Shepherds. You will probably notice a change in your dog’s nipple size, as well as in the nipple color.
Also, your dog will probably be less energetic and might refuse to eat. Later on in the pregnancy, the dog is likely to feel better, once her body gets used to the hormonal changes.
The gestation period will not be the same for all dogs. Some dogs will tolerate this period quite well, while some will be very tired, lethargic, and will not show interest in playing or walking.
No matter how your German Shepherd behaves during pregnancy, it is very important that you do everything to make her feel as comfortable and safe as possible.
In addition, you should feed your GSD dog food that is suitable for pregnant dogs, and take her to regular veterinary examinations.
In most cases, the dog goes through the labor without any assistance, of course, if everything is in the best order. If there are any complications – either during the dog’s pregnancy or labor – your veterinarian is there to help.