Zeva is pregnant

Hello Staffie Lovers

Well I know now with 100% certainty that Zeva is preggies. I am furious. I kept her and Zulu apart for 2 weeks before she came on heat and 2 weeks ago. Literally on opposite sides of the house. Turns out our alarm went off and the security company came over and left the gate open allowing him access to her and even though the separated them again after a few minutes before they left it would seem it was enough time for him to cover her.

I was planning on a litter next year this time with them which is why I didn't fix Zulu when I got him.

She is almost 4 and he is almost 1. They both pure breeds so the puppies will be gorgeous and I have loving homes already on stand by so the puppies will be well taken care of.

I am worried about Zeva though, I have never been a mommy to a preggy doggy. What do I do? Does she need extra food? Certain type? Does she need help when the puppies come or do I just keep her calm and safe and give her extra love?

She is due in about 2 weeks maximum.

She is walking slower, sleeping more, eating less and is very agitated with Zulu.

Please don't go off at me for not fixing her and him. I had planned a litter. Just not so soon and did all I could to ensure it didn't happen. I have also given the alarm company a piece of my mind as they were very irresponsible.

I don't really have helpful information I'm afraid, I'm fiercely against breeding unless you are a registered breeder so I will keep this short as I've nothing constructive to say

I was just wondering if this accident didn't happen and you went along with your plan to breed next year whether you were planning on learning as much as you could about breeding and whether you were planning on getting your dogs health checked before breeding them?

I don't say this to be argumentative I just think a lot of people don't realise all the risks and little things you need to know before going ahead and breeding, it's more than a matter of putting two dogs together and hoping for the best.

I hope you don't carry on breeding but if you do I hope that you will educate yourself before going ahead

You should of done your homework and know all the answers to your questions before your bitch got pregnant. Surely this is just common sense. Too many people go into breeding not knowing what the hell they are doing. I to am fiercely opposed to breeding unless you are a competent breeder.   

This case does seem like a genuine accident so I don't think people should be too harsh and I hope someone along here will come and answer the questions asked for Zeva's sake as she's the most important thing now and she needs the proper care.

My concern was only with the planned breeding and whether there was an intention to educate before going ahead.

I've spent the last 4 years working in rescue so have had some experience in working with pregnant bitches that have been dumped off on us, as fair as I'm aware staffies have pretty straight forward births ( hense why even the chaviest of scum bags can do so without issue) so I'd simply monitor from afar for signs of distress and keep her comfortable during the birth. She does need extra food, I've seen so many bitches lose a serious amount of weight due to the pups taking all of her nutrients, I'd say an extra feed whilst pregnant and probably another when feeding. What is she currently fed on?

To be honest, I think your best bet would be to contact a registered kennel club breeder who can give you all of the tips and tricks. I'm sure you could find a decent one that doesn't mind helping. I'm against random litters for the simple fact that I've had to personally put to sleep so many of the offspring due to over breeding, however, what's done is done. Just make sure you find them good homes, and I would recommended spaying when she's ready.

I was doing my homework and had not yet fully decided to breed her at all and if we were going it would be next year. Please don't treat me like a back yard puppy farm. I love my dogs, they are treated like my own kids and would never put them in harms way. I separated my dogs dogs 2 weeks before she was due and till 2 weeks after.

I came here for help, not be moaned at for being negligent. I did ALL I could and a 3rd party messed up.

Not to mention the fact that this is my first EVER dog pregnancy and I have owned dogs ALL my life. I fix all my animals as a rule and wanting my bitch to have one litter is not irresponsible.

Admin, you can delete my account.

ok let not have an war please on here

what have you done so far?

she the right age but he very young but saying that some KC breeder get their stud to breed young to get them ready, but it shouldn't happen,

have the male and female been tested for all staffy health problems?

whats done is done now,have you had her scanned to see how many pups she could be expecting,contact your vet and have them on stand by just in case there is any complications at the birth and could need a c section.

L-2HGA, HEREDITARY CATARACT, PHPV & PPSC

if not then you probably be wise to get all the pups tested for them.

I have put her onto puppy food (pellets - Hills) and she is inside with me at night. She gets wet food 3 x a week. I was told to give her pap and eggs but I don't know about that. During the day she is in the garage (ventilated) with her blankets and food/water. She is going to the vet tomorrow for a check up.

I will ask my vet about supplements and after care for when she is feeding her pups.

I just wanted to know from other dog parents how to treat her and ensure she is happy and safe and not stressed.

@Steve - is both parents don't have it, then would the puppies? I will test them for sure but it would be interesting to know if the pups could get it if both parents don't.

@Stella - she is going tomorrow for a scan but my friend (a breeder of great danes for 20 years) has said she can only feel 3 pups so I am hoping for a a small litter.

depend if they carry the genes in some health problem if both parents are carriers then it's very likey the pups will get it

Do let us know how the vet check up goes.

For those who don't know what pap is, it's basically a corn-based porridge

Both my dogs are very healthy and had all their blood work done before I adopted them. I would not have thought to test the pups based on that but I will for sure now.

you will need to get some kind of welping box for her,so when the time comes she has some where she feels safe to give birth in,introduce it to her now so she gets used to going in it,make sure you have puppy formula milk and bottles in too so if she has a lot of pups you may have to feed if she cant feed them all her self,thats why asked if you had her scanned.

I didn't want to start an argument with you and I'm sorry if it felt like you were being attacked, it wasn't my intention. Without treating you like a fool I just wanted to make sure you knew everything there was to know about breeding before you went ahead and did the planned pregnancy next year.

This pregnancy was obviously a mistake and out of your control so I didn't want to flame you for that, apologies if it seemed that way.

I'm sure you do love your dogs and treat them well, I wasn't questioning that at all. I hope you understand that I have my own feelings about breeding and in my opinion its wrong if you are not registered BUT that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it just as you are entitled to yours

I do hope you get the information you need on here and I hope Zeva has a safe and happy preganancy.

I apologise if you were offended by my comments.

I am well versed in feeding new born pups and kittens (and even rabbits) and have all the stuff I need in case she has too many or doesn't have enough milk.

I will get her into a nice warm box with her blankets and will keep her by me. She is very close to me and is by my side all the time. Now is now different. Thank you for that suggestion.

My vet is literally 2 minutes down the road, so in case of an emergency I can get her there in minutes.

She is not big at all, I thought we dodged the bullet till I felt the pups move in her. I really hope for a small litter - 1 to 3 pups.

As this was a surprise (very early pregnancy), there won't be a litter next year. Zulu is already booked to be snipped next week.

We will keep one pup, my best friend who loves staffies wants one (has been looking for 6 months already to find a baby) and depending on many others, I have 4 other friends who really want. They have been bugging me for years as the red staffies are hard to come by and both mine are reds. I kept telling the maybe next year.

The pups will all have good homes and will be given under contract to have them fixed between 4-6 months.

book of the bitch by k m evans is a really good read,has lots of imformation that would help you,go on amazon you can buy from there

please let us know how her pregnancy goes and when the pups are born.

BelleR wrote:....and will be given under contract to have them fixed between 4-6 months.

Advice from this website and elsewhere on the web seems to indicate that 4-6 months is too young for the health of the dog:

'The traditional spay/neuter age of six months as well as the modern practice of pediatric spay/neuter appear
to predispose dogs to health risks that could otherwise be avoided by waiting until the dog is physically
mature, or perhaps in the case of many male dogs, foregoing it altogether unless medically necessary.'

The source of this is: https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12763-long-term-health-risks-and-benefits-associated-with-spay-neuter-in-dogs?highlight=neuter

No point piling more mistakes upon those already made.

good look with your pups plz let us know how you get on

Thanks, my vet told me 4 months is fine BUT I have learnt that breeders/owners most times know better. So I will ensure the guidelines here are followed. I just want happy healthy puppies.

Good luck with everything, eagerly awaiting the puppy pics

Agreed with "yeahbut." I don't understand why vets say that; fixing that young is going to bring them health problems aswell as behavioural problems. I'd always recommend 18-24 months providing their going to responsible owners.

Zulu is 10 months and as responsible as I was, Zeva still got knocked up. I am still so angry as we did everything right and a 3rd party messed it up. Now i have no choice but to fix him as this can/will happen again as they don't care.

My step mum has 8 dogs, mixed genders and only half of them old enough to fix (pedigree whippets and mixed breed lurchers.) She puts her bitches in kennels or with another family member when in season. The benefits for spaying and neutering later and not to be sneezed at, but then, we don't want anymore litters either so it's a catch 22.

Belle accidents happen its done know just hope everything goes well keep us informed and make sure you get plenty of pics to put on here 

Accidents happen yes but they had no right be so irresponsible, What if they were separated for a more important reason like aggression? Leaving the gate open could have ended in my dogs being killed. I have laid a formal complaint.

By leaving the back gate open, they also allowed my Yorkie into the front yard and the gate has a opening big enough for him to get out. I could have lost him too.

There are days I wish Zulu was more aggressive towards strangers - no one would dare open the gate then but he is such a lovable baby - he literally wags himself off his own feet.

Don't blame you get that complaint in straight away my beau's the same lick any one death

I would prepare further into the future - how are you going to ensure these dogs get into good homes, with responsible owners? Make sure not to separate them from their mother too early. Do you have help - professional, or otherwise? Have you involved your vet?

Hope everything works out for you and the mum to be plz keep us all informed and lots of pictures pretty please

No pups yet. Vet said anytime this week. No ultrasound as theirs was not working on the day we went. They "felt" 4 pups but said to expect 6.

Gud luck belle hope everything goes well keep us informed how it goes

Zeva is in labour - so we will have pups really soon!!!      

Gud luck zeva

Hope all is ok xxx

Good luck, hope all goes well   

Aww good luck Zeva hope to see pics soon   

Fingers crossed good luck

How's the little love getting on? xx

How are things, Hope every thing is ok Xxx

Hope everything went well??

Hope all went well too. Do let us know when you can.

Please let us know how everything is, would love to see some ohotos

Hope everything went well and Mum and pups are doing well

She finally had her pups naturally at 6am this morning.

All boys

1 x white & black (more white)
1 x black & white (more black)
1 x light brown
3 x dark brown

All fat and healthy - pics to follow soon

Congrats, looking forward to those pics