Breeders, shelters and rescue organizations work on a first-come, first-served basis. If your name is at the top of the list, you will be allowed to visit the dog first and choose your favorite dog. Like all things in life, the best puppies in the litter go first. It is recommended to have a clean and disinfected delivery station for when the bed arrives, comfortable bedding, a lot of knowledge of what is expected of you during delivery, and that your local veterinarian is on hand for any questions, queries or concerns you may have during your pregnancy.
Dogs are pregnant for 63 days (9 weeks), but it's best to prepare to give birth starting at 58 days. If parents and their puppies pass this test, breeders will have the mother and father raise another litter. Socializing your puppies is a vital part of their development and will prepare them very well to be safe additions to their new homes. A new litter of puppies requires round-the-clock care for the first 8 weeks they're with you, so keep this in mind.
If they are about the same size, cubs generally end up around the size of their mother and males generally end up closer to the size of the male father. You don't want to pick puppies from a litter where the first half of the litter has already been sold. To choose a puppy from a litter, start by finding a reputable breeder rather than going to a pet store, since pet stores don't give you a chance to see how puppies interact with the rest of their litter. That's the litter or the next, which experts recommend prospective pet owners choose their puppies.
Then interact with the puppies one by one and look for a good-natured puppy who is active and playful, but not too shy or too aggressive. When your dog has been pregnant for about 25 days, you will be asked to have an ultrasound that will allow the veterinarian to count the number of puppies. It is recommended that, as a breeder, you allow your puppies to go to their permanent home with 5 weeks of free insurance, offered by the Kennel Club. However, the number of puppies a given dog mom will have depends on a variety of things, including their breed, age, and general health status.
