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Estimate expected whelping date
Dog Due Date Calculator
Estimate your expected whelping date from an ovulation date, LH surge date, or breeding/insemination date.
Best results
Use the most precise date you have
- Ovulation date is usually the most accurate.
- LH surge date is a strong alternative.
- Breeding date is helpful when no hormone timing is available.
How to use this calculator
- Choose Ovulation date when you have progesterone-based timing and know the estimated day of ovulation. This is usually the most accurate way to estimate a due date, because canine gestation is most consistent when counted from ovulation rather than from the breeding date. In most cases, delivery can be expected about 63 days from ovulation.
- Choose LH surge date when you know the date of the LH surge but do not have a confirmed ovulation date. The LH surge is an important hormonal event in the heat cycle that happens before ovulation. Ovulation typically occurs about 2 days after the LH surge, which is why the expected due date is usually calculated as about 65 days from the LH surge date. This option is helpful when breeding management was based on hormone timing but ovulation itself was not directly confirmed.
- Choose Choose Breeding / insemination date when that is the only date available. This can still provide a useful estimate, but it is less precise than using ovulation or LH surge timing because sperm can survive for several days before fertilization occurs. If more than one breeding or insemination took place, use the date that best matches the most likely fertile timing, or rely on ovulation-based timing when available.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Common questions breeders have when estimating a due date.
Ovulation date is usually the most accurate choice because canine gestation is most consistent when counted from ovulation.
If you do not have a confirmed ovulation date, LH surge date is usually the next best option.
A dogās pregnancy is typically about 63 days, but the normal range is often around 61 to 65 days depending on how the pregnancy is dated.
Timing based on ovulation is usually more precise than timing from the breeding date alone.
If you have hormone timing, use ovulation date or LH surge date instead of guessing from multiple breeding dates.
If breeding date is the only option, use the date that best matches the expected fertile period.
No. This calculator gives an estimated due date based on the information entered.
Actual delivery can vary, so use this as a planning tool and stay in contact with your veterinarian when timing is important.
Ultrasound is usually most helpful for pregnancy confirmation around 25 to 35 days after breeding or ovulation.
It can confirm pregnancy and help assess fetal viability, but it is not the best way to get an accurate puppy count.
X-rays are usually most useful at about day 55 or later, when the puppiesā skeletons are visible enough to get a more accurate puppy count.
Many breeders use this later in pregnancy to help prepare for whelping and to know when delivery may be complete.
Yes. SmartPupPro helps breeders track breedings, litters, reminders, puppy growth, and other important records in one place.
Track the full breeding timeline
SmartPupPro helps breeders track breedings, progesterone timing, litters, puppy growth, and upcoming reminders in one place.
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