Pitbulls are a very popular dog breed that is commonly known by many people. They are not only amazing family dogs, but also great for exercising and watching over your home. So it’s no wonder that the demand for Pitbulls is so high.
But how many puppies can a Pitbull have in one litter? What is the average number and how can you even know that your Pitbull is pregnant?
If you are wondering how much puppies your female Pitbull can have, keep on reading this article to find out.
How do I know if my Pitbull is pregnant?
Bitches get pregnant if they mate during their heat cycle. Their heat occurs once every eight months and lasts for about three weeks.
Very often you won’t even notice that your dog is pregnant until the pregnancy is already in its advanced stage. Since we don’t have home pregnancy tests for dogs, we need to look for common pregnancy symptoms.
There are different signs that can indicate that your female dog is pregnant. One major sign is swelling of the vulva. The vulva is red, swollen and soft.
The nipples of your canine may become larger too. And the dog may show some changes in her appetite.
Some behavioral changes can also be possible: your dog gets tired easily, she is a bit moody or her temper is completely different than before.
The pregnancy of a dog lasts up to three months.
Pregnancy stages in Pitbulls
There are different stages to every pregnancy. The gestation period of a dog has three different stages. The phases go by the months of the dog’s pregnancy. The beginning of the third month marks the time in which your dog will most likely give birth to her puppies.
First month
During the first month, the embryos travel from the uterine horns in the uterine lining. This happens from day 7 after the fertilization to day 16. The fetuses then take shape from day 22. Already by day 28 to day 30, your vet will be able to detect a heartbeat on the ultrasound.
Second month
The development of the fetuses will move very quickly during the second month. Eyelids form by day 32 and toes are visible by day 35. The claws form by day 40, and the coat and skeleton follow a few days later. Your vet will be able to reveal the size of the litter by day 50. Your bitch will start seeking for a nesting place by day 58.
Third month
By the start of the third month — your bitch is ready to go into labor. The development of the puppies is complete by day 58. The pups will move into position in the birth canal in the last few days of your dog’s pregnancy.
After that your dog is ready to give birth to her puppies. Symptoms of labor include loss of appetite, restlessness, panting.
How many puppies can a Pitbull have?
The size of a litter depends on the size and breed of your canine friend. A rule of thumb is that larger
dog breeds have larger litters.
Pitbulls are fairly large dogs so it’s perfectly normal that a Pitbull can have more puppies in one litter. A bigger sized Pitbull can even have up to 10 puppies in her first litter.
The number even increases over time, and the same Pitbull could even have up to 14 perfectly healthy puppies in her second litter.
However, the average delivery at a time is 6 puppies.
Conclusion
It’s perfectly normal for a dog owner how many puppies their female dog could have in one litter. However, no one could give an exact answer to that question.
If you have a Pitbull, you have to consider that they are a fairly large dog breed, and will therefore have quite a few puppies in their litter.
The average number is 6, however it could reach even up to 14 per litter.
More content about pregnancy in dogs:
- How Many Puppies Can A Dog Have?
- Prenatal Vitamins For Dogs
- Dog Gestation Period — Canine Pregnancy
- How long are dogs pregnant?