Gestation period

This is my toy Pomeranian's third litter of puppies and we believe she is at 65 days gestation. Her last litter was born at 64 days after the first mating. She does not seem to be in distress at all, is eating regularly and the puppies are moving around as they have for awhile. Should I be concerned yet? Now it is the weekend and I am not sure if I should call the vet or wait until Monday? Thanks for your valuable input.

Gestation is 58 - 65 days with an 63 day average. Remember, a dog is fertile for about a week and unless there was only one single mating, you have no idea what of the mating attempts took. Even with humans there is considered a two week window unless you know exactly when conception occured (as with reproductive medicine/IVF, etc). If she is at 65 days and there is no labor, call the vet. I am not trying to insult you but please be aware that this is a very basic question that anyone considering breeding must know long before the dogs are every bred. I am going to recommend a couple books to you that any novice breeder (and asking novice questions no matter how many litters one has bred indicates a person in need of more information) should read. I hope they help you (all are available on line): Successful Dog Breeding : The Complete Handbook of Canine Midwifery, Chris Walkowicz and Bonnie Wilcox The Book of the Bitch : A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches by J. M. Evans, Kay White (Contributor)/Paperback/Published 1997 The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies : A Complete and Practical Guide by Muriel P. Lee/Hardcover/Published 1997 Genetics of the Dog by Malcolm B. Willis/Hardcover/Published 1989

Thanks for your response. I have read all of the books you mentioned but one and will order it. I had witnessed her breedings but thought she could have possibly bred 3 days before her usual fertile day. I am also a labor and delivery nurse. I just got a little nervous. Actually, the dog delivered last night at the end of her 65th day. Four seemingly healthy puppies and one dead one that did not look fully developed and only weighed 1.8 oz. The placenta was not intact so I am taking the dam to the vet to make sure she has not retained any placenta. Such fun, but sometimes tense! Thanks again, Judy