Dog Whelping Date Calculator
Your preparation countdown
- Whelping box set up and in use: (days 50–55) — set it up in a quiet corner and let her sleep in it.
- Supplies gathered, vet number posted: by day 56 at the latest.
- Start twice-daily temperature checks: (day 56).
- On watch from day 58: the window opens — someone should be able to check on her every few hours.
Everything is calculated in your browser. The dates you enter are never sent anywhere — no signup, no account, nothing stored.
Whelp date vs due date
They are the same day. “Due date” is the owner's word; “whelp date” is the breeder's word — whelping is simply what a dog giving birth is called. What makes this dog whelping date calculator different from the due date calculator is everything around the date: the watch window, the temperature routine, and the preparation countdown, all dated from your mating date.
The watch window: days 58–68
From day 58 she could honestly whelp at any time, and most dogs do it in the middle of the night, quietly, in the box you prepared. “On watch” means: temperature taken morning and evening, no long absences, the box ready, supplies laid out, the car with fuel in it, and your vet's number — plus the emergency clinic's — written down. Our whelping preparation checklist has the full dated version.
Temperature monitoring from day 56
Take her rectal temperature twice a day at the same times from day 56 and write every reading down. Her normal baseline is usually 101–102.5 °F. When it drops by about 1–2 °F — typically below 99 °F (37.2 °C) — and stays down, labor usually starts within 12–24 hours. It is the most dependable short-range sign there is; the full method is in our guide to the temperature drop before whelping, and what follows it in the dog labor signs guide.
Worked example
First mated Friday, August 14, 2026 → temperature checks from Friday, October 9 (day 56) · window opens Sunday, October 11 (day 58) · whelp date Friday, October 16 (day 63) · window closes Wednesday, October 21 (day 68).
During whelping, call your vet if
She strains hard for 30–60 minutes with no puppy · more than about 2 hours pass between puppies while she is straining · dark green or black discharge appears before the first puppy · there is heavy bleeding, collapse, or obvious distress. See the full list in when to call the vet during dog pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a whelping date?
The estimated day your dog will give birth — “whelping” is the breeder's word for a dog delivering puppies. It is calculated exactly like a due date: 63 days after the first mating. This calculator adds the watch window and prep dates around it, which is what breeders plan by.
When should I start taking her temperature?
From day 56, twice a day at the same times, so you know her normal baseline (usually 101–102.5 °F). A drop below 99 °F — roughly 1.8 °F or more — means labor typically starts within 12–24 hours. That drop is your most reliable short-range signal.
What does “on watch” mean in the whelping window?
From day 58, someone should be able to check on her every few hours, she should not be left alone for long stretches, and the whelping box, supplies and vet's number should all be in place. Most dogs whelp inside the window without help — being watchful is the job.
What if the whelp date passes with no puppies?
Stay calm through the window: the whelp date is the midpoint, not a deadline. If day 68 passes from the first mating with no labor, or you see the warning signs in our when-to-call-the-vet guide at any point, contact your vet the same day.
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