Puggle Whelping Tips

What do you get when you cross a beagle with a pug? A puggle, of course. If you have successfully bred your puggle and your veterinarian has confirmed the pregnancy, you should expect puppies within 63 days. Preparation is ultimately the key to helping your puggle through the birthing process. There are many things you can do to ensure that your puggle's whelping goes smoothly and that you are prepared for any unexpected events.

  1. Whelping Area

    • Your puggle will require a safe place to whelp her litter of puppies. Generally, she will decide on her own where to give birth. Keep an eye on her: She may pick a closet, a comfy spot under a bed, or a specific corner of a room. Making a barrier to prevent the puppies from wandering may be helpful, recommends veterinarian Larry Cohen from Village Animal Center in Larchmont, New York. You can easily make a simple wooden barrier with pieces of plywood.

    Whelping Time

    • Your puggle should give birth anytime between 60 and 64 days after becoming pregnant. Start taking her rectal temperature as she nears birthing. A dog's normal temperature is between 100 and 102.5 degrees. Your puggle should be 24 hours away from the first stage of labor when you record a reading of 99 degrees or lower, according to the American Kennel Club. Then you can stay close to home in case your puggle needs your help during labor.

    Whelping Emergency

    • Because puggles may be prone to birthing difficulties, keep your veterinarian's phone number handy. Do not hesitate to call your vet if your puggle has not whelped by day 64 or if she has intense contractions approximately every three to four minutes and no pup appears within half an hour. You should also call your vet if any placentas are missing (there should be one per pup) and you know your puggle has not consumed any.

    Whelping Assistance

    • To assist your puggle while she's giving birth, remove the fetal membrane covering each puppy so the puppy can breathe, in case the mother looks tired or is catering to another puppy. Rub the puppy gently to stimulate its breathing. You may also use a pediatric nasal aspirator to gently suck away fluids from the puppy's nose, mouth and throat, and later use some dental floss to tie off and cut the umbilical cord if it is still bleeding, recommends veterinarian Kimberly S. Cole.

    Post-Whelping

    • Ensure that the room where the puggle pups and their mother are resting is kept at a temperature of 75 degrees. Avoid using heating pads, which can cause serious injuries and even death. Puppies should nurse to receive their first dose of colostrum. Monitor the puppies and mother carefully for the first 72 hours, ensuring that they are healthy and that the mother does not lie down on the puppies. It is normal for the mother to secrete a brownish-red discharge for about 6 to 8 weeks post-whelping. Call your vet if you notice any abnormalities.