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The Whelping Box: Are You Prepared For Your Dog's Pregnancy?
from:The whelping box is the largest and most obvious piece of equipment that you need to have for your pregnant dog. No absolute dimensions can be given as a generalization because of breed and matron size variations. Manufactured whelping boxes constructed of sturdy plastic may be purchased. One can also be homemade with a few basic carpentry skills, exterior plywood, 8 right angles, 16 nuts and bolts and railing material.
The whelping box must be sturdy, allowing the dam to go in and out with ease. It should be square, as four equal sides allow the dam to comfortably position herself anywhere in the box while keeping the litter in front of her. The box should allow her to lie fully extended, from the crown of her head to just past her rump, with her legs comfortably extended.
Bigger is not better when it comes to the size of your box: the box should not be so enormous that the newborn whelps become disoriented, or "lost" from their dam. The whelping box floor must be level with adequate support throughout. It must not rock or in any manner feel insecure as the mother moves around. One of the four sides should be constructed low enough for her to walk over without scraping her distended abdomen or forcing her to hop in. Constructing this side with opposing end brackets allows the addition of a small board, or a hinged board may be used instead. This effectively raises the side, confining the puppies once they become mobile. The other three sides are permanently constructed slightly higher.
Measure the distance from the lowest point of your dog's abdomen to the floor. The shortest side should be no higher than this point. Next, measure the distance from your dog's point of shoulder to the floor while your matron reclines. Her position should be one with her forelegs outstretched, hind legs tucked to one side. You may also measure from her spinal column to the box floor as she fully reclines on her side. This is the point where a railing should be installed around the entire inner circumference of the box.
Railings may be removable or stationary according to the breeder's preference. Depending upon the breed, railings may vary in size from a three-quarter-inch dowel for Toys, to a two-by-four or to a two by-six-inch board for large and heavy breeds, such as the Newfoundland or St. Bernard. A three or four-inch railing is usually sufficient for medium and big dogs such as Dalmatians and Alaskan Malamutes. While board railings are secured to the box's side by brackets and bolts, dowel safety railings are mounted through holes drilled in all opposite sides, then secured exterior to the box by pegs or bolts. Safety is best effected when the railing's depth on the whelping box's side is equal in distance to the breadth of a month-old puppy.
The whelping box should be ready for occupancy about two weeks prior to the litter's due date. Acclimate your matron to the whelping box as her "personal territory" prior to whelping. Make her bed in the box with old clean towels, a blanket or sheet and newspapers that she may shred. Let her become accustomed to getting in and out. If necessary, feed her in the box if she refuses to sleep or rest there.
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