The Gestation of a Poodle

The poodle is one of the most popular dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club. Though poodles may look different from other breeds, when it comes to gestation they follow the same patterns and duration as any other dog. The typical gestation period for poodles is nine weeks, or 63 days. However, it is common for puppies to be born between 58 and 68 days, so do not be concerned if your poodle gestates for up to five days longer than the norm.

  1. Conception to Two Weeks

    • For the first 26 to 35 days following the breeding, it is impossible for you or your veterinarian to determine whether your poodle is pregnant. The puppy embryos advance from two celled organisms to 64 celled embryos during the second week of pregnancy. By the end of the second week, the embryos enter the uterus. Your dog may experience morning sickness but it is unlikely she will exhibit any symptoms.

    Weeks Three to Four

    • The embryos attach to the uterus in week three but more major changes come in week four. During this week, the fetuses develop eyes, spinal cords and faces. The puppies also start developing organs during this time. In some dogs the gestational sac can be seen on an ultrasound as early as three weeks into the pregnancy. Ultrasound is more reliable than an X-ray or palpitation in determining if your dog is pregnant. The heartbeat can usually be seen on an ultrasound after three weeks.

    Weeks Five to Six

    • Fetuses start to look like dogs in week five. They begin to grow toes, claws and eyelids. In most dogs, you will notice no changes at all until the fifth week of pregnancy and even then it may be hard to tell, depending on the poodle. After 35 days, your doctor can feel the dog's abdomen for signs of pregnancy but this method is not 100 percent accurate. After 45 days, however, an X-ray will tell you how many puppies you can expect from your poodle. An ultrasound can reveal the sex of the puppies. Some poodles will experience a decreased appetite and an increase in nipple size.

    Final Weeks

    • During the final weeks, the puppies will grow larger until they are ready to be born. You will notice both physical and behavioral changes in your poodle during the latter stages of her pregnancy. Toward the end of the pregnancy, your dog may act restless and irritable. She may shred up blankets and papers in an effort to build a nest. The dog will also begin to gain weight; the amount depends on the number of puppies gestating inside of her. The larger the litter, the more weight your poodle will put on.