In these short articles, let’s call them Vet-Express, we will address topics that do not need much explanation.
Hence, in this case, the question is simply: Dr. Franck, how long is my dog’s gestation/pregnancy period?
The answer is probably a bit variable, although generally we talk about a duration of 58 to 65 days1 , although intervals of 57 to 68 days can be considered normal2. There are many factors that influence this length of time and it is obviously not possible to predict which bitch will take longer or shorter to whelp.
If there are any other quick questions you would like answered, please contact me!
Further Readings
- I Have A Fat Dog: What Can I Do?
- Temperature in Dogs: What You Need To Know
- Vaccines For Dogs: Reactions, Symptoms (and more)
- The Complete Guide To Dog Coughing (What To Do, Symptoms)
- What To Know About Pet Insurance: A Quick Guide
- Water Consumption For Cats And Dogs – A Quick Guide
- Heatstroke For Dogs, Cats (And Other Animals) – A Quick Guide
- 12 Tips To Prevent Dental Disease (Dogs, Cats, Ferrets)
- The Complete Dog Diarrhea Guide
Source 1. Concannon PW. Reproductive cycles of the domestic bitch. Anim Reprod Sci. 2011 Apr;124(3-4):200-10. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.08.028. Epub 2010 Oct 8. PMID: 21055888.
Source 2. Concannon PW, McCann JP, Temple M. Biology and endocrinology of ovulation, pregnancy, and parturition in the dog. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1989;39:3-25. PMID: 2695640.

Francis Lagacé has been a member of the Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec since 2004. He practiced for 16 years in several veterinary clinics across Canada. He treated animals of all types, mainly cats, dogs and exotic animals (rabbits, rodents, ferrets, birds, reptiles). Since 2020 he has been working in the field of veterinary pharmacovigilance. You can find him on LinkedIn.