Carrying Puppy Term

by Ann
(Northern Ireland)

How long does a Rottweiler carry puppies for? I have a female aged 6, and i tried to get her serviced back in March.

The breeder didn't think it had happened but this last couple of weeks my rottweiler teats are hanging really low and getting bigger, could she be in pup?

What do you think?



Hi Ann
A canine pregnancy lasts for approx. 63 days, give or take, counted from the day of conception which you need to take a guess at depending on how many times she was tied with a male.

However, even if it was the very end of March when you had her mated, it's been longer than the 63 days, so unless you have the dates mixed up then I highly doubt she's pregnant. The swollen nipples etc. may just indicate that she's approaching her next heat cycle, or it could possibly be a phantom pregnancy.

6 years old is on the maximum edge of what I'd personally consider the 'age window' for breeding a dog, so unless there's a really important reason for her producing a litter (she's a prize winner in conformation for example) I think it may be better not to pursue this. However, if it's important to you to breed her, watch carefully for her next heat cycle and get her serviced in plenty of time.

I hope this helps. Best of luck.