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What are the signs my pregnant German Shepherd is about to give birth?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | 2 years and 10 months old

How can I tell that my pregnant female shepherd is in her finals week or days of pregnancy?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 15th, 2017

Great question! A dog's normal gestation is 58-68 days in length. If you know when Samantha mated, this will tell you how far along she is in her pregnancy. If you aren't sure about a mating date, I would have her seen by a vet for x-rays and ultrasound. The vet can give you an idea of how far along she is in her pregnancy. When she gets into her last week of pregnancy, you can start taking her temperature rectally twice a day. A dog's normal temperature is 101-102.5F. Once it drops below 100F, she will give birth to the puppies in 24 hours. If she does not, she will need to see a vet immediately.

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