Breeders Timeline Checklist of Events
Prior to breeding (female NOT in season)
____ Health checks completed for sire and dam.
4 weeks prior to delivery
____ Send breeding Information to Compliance Chairperson
1 week prior to delivery
____ Gather all forms needed for whelping information
____ Prepare whelping area and supplies to assist with delivery
Whelping Day
____ Describe and number each pup as soon as they are born.
Save birth order for ISAA registration records.
Day 2 or 3
____ Take litter and dam to the vet for initial check-up
First week
____ Submit Litter recording paperwork to AKC the first week
(No names required for this form)
Second week
____ Name puppies (or let buyer name them)....this ensures they have an 'official'
Icelandic name on the records...owners may give the puppy a call name, that is OK
____ Start puppies on solid food after eyes are open
Third week
____ Worm the litter and dam.
Seventh or eight week (Depends on vet)
____ Take the litter to the vet to get their second checkup, first shots, second worming
and individual health certificates. Make copies for each puppy’s file.
____ Request an ISAA pedigree for each pup from the ISAA Tracking Chairperson. Owners name, location, registration number
and best guess of dogs color are required in order to issue a complete pedigree.
To be given to new owners as part of delivery package.
____ Fill out the AKC paperwork with Name, Color and new owner information as you
finalize each sale. Forward information to Tracking and Membership Chairpersons
Delivery Day
____ Have new owners read and verify AKC FSS recording form. Sign form if correct.
Mail forms to AKC FSS. Registration will be mailed to them directly.
____ Furnish the new owner: a signed contract, health certificate, copies of all shots and
vet visits, small bag of dog food. Other items you wish to furnish: Collar, name
tag, leash, toys, photo album, ISAA Membership etc. Visit Helpful Tips for other ideas.
Prior to breeding (female NOT in season)
____ Health checks completed for sire and dam.
4 weeks prior to delivery
____ Send breeding Information to Compliance Chairperson
1 week prior to delivery
____ Gather all forms needed for whelping information
____ Prepare whelping area and supplies to assist with delivery
Whelping Day
____ Describe and number each pup as soon as they are born.
Save birth order for ISAA registration records.
Day 2 or 3
____ Take litter and dam to the vet for initial check-up
First week
____ Submit Litter recording paperwork to AKC the first week
(No names required for this form)
Second week
____ Name puppies (or let buyer name them)....this ensures they have an 'official'
Icelandic name on the records...owners may give the puppy a call name, that is OK
____ Start puppies on solid food after eyes are open
Third week
____ Worm the litter and dam.
Seventh or eight week (Depends on vet)
____ Take the litter to the vet to get their second checkup, first shots, second worming
and individual health certificates. Make copies for each puppy’s file.
____ Request an ISAA pedigree for each pup from the ISAA Tracking Chairperson. Owners name, location, registration number
and best guess of dogs color are required in order to issue a complete pedigree.
To be given to new owners as part of delivery package.
____ Fill out the AKC paperwork with Name, Color and new owner information as you
finalize each sale. Forward information to Tracking and Membership Chairpersons
Delivery Day
____ Have new owners read and verify AKC FSS recording form. Sign form if correct.
Mail forms to AKC FSS. Registration will be mailed to them directly.
____ Furnish the new owner: a signed contract, health certificate, copies of all shots and
vet visits, small bag of dog food. Other items you wish to furnish: Collar, name
tag, leash, toys, photo album, ISAA Membership etc. Visit Helpful Tips for other ideas.
Breeders Timelines
Pregnancy Timeline
Week One
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Fertilization occurs
2 cell embryos are in the oviduct
The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in development
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Possible morning sickness
Possible personality changes
CARE OF THE BITCH
Normal feeding
Check any and all medications with vet prior to administering
No insecticides (i.e., flea treatments)
No live vaccines
TO DO LIST
Put together pedigree on litter
Write contract
Contact AKC for litter registration application
Start taking puppy reservations
Week Two (Days 8-14)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of week
Embryo enters the uterus
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Possible morning sickness
CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as with Week One
TO DO LIST
Nothing special this week
Week Three (Days 15-21)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Day 19 -- Implantation of embryos in uterus
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
See above
CARE OF THE BITCH
See above
TO DO LIST
Nothing special this week
Week Four (Days 22-28)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Development of eyes and spinal cords
Faces take shape
Fetuses grow from 5-10 mm to 14-15 mm
Organogenesis begins-- Embryos are at their most susceptible to defects
Days 26 - 32 are the best days to palpitate (i.e.. feel for the puppies)
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Possible clear vaginal discharge
Mammary development begins
CARE OF THE BITCH
After Day 26, palpitation may be possible to diagnose pregnancy
Limit strenuous activity (such as working, jumping, long runs)
Add 1/4 cup cottage cheese or a hard boiled egg to food on alternating days
TO DO LIST
Schedule ultrasound or palpitation with vet if desired
Week Five (Days 29-35)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws
Fetuses look like dogs
Gender can be determined
Eyes (previously open) now close
Fetuses grow from 18 mm - 30 mm
Organogenesis ends -- embryos are fairly resistant to interference with
development
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Swelling becomes noticeable
Loss of "tuck-up"
Weight will start to increase
CARE OF THE BITCH
Slightly increase amount of food and switch to puppy kibble. If you feed one
meal a
day, add an extra meal. If
you feed twice a day, slightly increase one of the meals.
Add daily multi-vitamin
Palpitation no longer possible due to fluids in uterus
TO DO LIST
Nothing special this week
Week Six (Days 36-42)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Development of skin pigment
Fetuses should weigh around 6 grams and be 45 mm long
Fetal heartbeats can be heard with stethoscope
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Nipples darken and enlarge
Abdomen continues to enlarge
CARE OF THE BITCH
Add cottage cheese or hard boiled egg to food daily
Increase the amount of food in the extra meal
Bitch should start sleeping in whelping box
TO DO LIST
Assemble whelping box
By this time you should be fairly sure that the bitch is pregnant. Notify the
people on your puppy list. Let them
know when you expect delivery.
Week Seven (Days 43-49)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Growth and development continues
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Abdomen hair will start shedding
The bitch will start to look pregnant at this point
CARE OF THE BITCH
Slightly increase both meals
TO DO LIST
Stop any roughhousing or jumping
Radiographs (X-rays) possible to determine number and size of puppies
Week Eight (Days 50-57)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Fetal movement can be detected when bitch is at rest
Puppies can safely be born from now on
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Milk may be squeezed from nipples
The bitch will be very large.
CARE OF THE BITCH
Add moderate lunch
TO DO LIST
Gather whelping kit (see below)
Prepare phone list for help/support. It should include your vet's phone
number, the emergency clinic's phone number, the number of any friends who
will be offering support during whelping, and anyone else you might need to
contact before, during, or after whelping (like your office to let them know you
won't be in!)
Make sure your car is gassed up and ready for a possible emergency trip to
the vet's office.
Week Nine (Days 58-65)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Growth and Development continues
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Nesting behavior may be seen
Bitch may become distressed (panting, pacing, acting uncomfortable)
Temperature should be around 100.8-100.2=B0
When temperature drops to around 98-99.4=B0, puppies should be born
within 24 hours
Appetite may disappear as whelping approaches
CARE OF THE BITCH
Start taking temperature three times a day
TO DO LIST
Notify vet or emergency clinic when temperature drops so that they will be
ready if you have any problems
Keep detailed records on temperature and behavior of bitch
Double check that whelping supplies are ready
Post Partum
Make sure each puppy gets some of the bitch's colostrum (first milk) within
first 24 hours.
Lochia (vaginal discharge) should be reddish to reddish-brown (green is okay
on first day). If you see black discharge,
contact your vet immediately!
Within 5-6 hours of last puppy's birth, take bitch and puppies to vet for check
up. The vet will ensure that the bitch
hasn't retained any puppies or placentas and that the puppies are in good
health. You especially want to check for cleft
palates as these puppies probably won't survive and should be euthanized
now.
Week One
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Fertilization occurs
2 cell embryos are in the oviduct
The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in development
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Possible morning sickness
Possible personality changes
CARE OF THE BITCH
Normal feeding
Check any and all medications with vet prior to administering
No insecticides (i.e., flea treatments)
No live vaccines
TO DO LIST
Put together pedigree on litter
Write contract
Contact AKC for litter registration application
Start taking puppy reservations
Week Two (Days 8-14)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of week
Embryo enters the uterus
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Possible morning sickness
CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as with Week One
TO DO LIST
Nothing special this week
Week Three (Days 15-21)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Day 19 -- Implantation of embryos in uterus
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
See above
CARE OF THE BITCH
See above
TO DO LIST
Nothing special this week
Week Four (Days 22-28)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Development of eyes and spinal cords
Faces take shape
Fetuses grow from 5-10 mm to 14-15 mm
Organogenesis begins-- Embryos are at their most susceptible to defects
Days 26 - 32 are the best days to palpitate (i.e.. feel for the puppies)
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Possible clear vaginal discharge
Mammary development begins
CARE OF THE BITCH
After Day 26, palpitation may be possible to diagnose pregnancy
Limit strenuous activity (such as working, jumping, long runs)
Add 1/4 cup cottage cheese or a hard boiled egg to food on alternating days
TO DO LIST
Schedule ultrasound or palpitation with vet if desired
Week Five (Days 29-35)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws
Fetuses look like dogs
Gender can be determined
Eyes (previously open) now close
Fetuses grow from 18 mm - 30 mm
Organogenesis ends -- embryos are fairly resistant to interference with
development
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Swelling becomes noticeable
Loss of "tuck-up"
Weight will start to increase
CARE OF THE BITCH
Slightly increase amount of food and switch to puppy kibble. If you feed one
meal a
day, add an extra meal. If
you feed twice a day, slightly increase one of the meals.
Add daily multi-vitamin
Palpitation no longer possible due to fluids in uterus
TO DO LIST
Nothing special this week
Week Six (Days 36-42)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Development of skin pigment
Fetuses should weigh around 6 grams and be 45 mm long
Fetal heartbeats can be heard with stethoscope
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Nipples darken and enlarge
Abdomen continues to enlarge
CARE OF THE BITCH
Add cottage cheese or hard boiled egg to food daily
Increase the amount of food in the extra meal
Bitch should start sleeping in whelping box
TO DO LIST
Assemble whelping box
By this time you should be fairly sure that the bitch is pregnant. Notify the
people on your puppy list. Let them
know when you expect delivery.
Week Seven (Days 43-49)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Growth and development continues
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Abdomen hair will start shedding
The bitch will start to look pregnant at this point
CARE OF THE BITCH
Slightly increase both meals
TO DO LIST
Stop any roughhousing or jumping
Radiographs (X-rays) possible to determine number and size of puppies
Week Eight (Days 50-57)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Fetal movement can be detected when bitch is at rest
Puppies can safely be born from now on
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Milk may be squeezed from nipples
The bitch will be very large.
CARE OF THE BITCH
Add moderate lunch
TO DO LIST
Gather whelping kit (see below)
Prepare phone list for help/support. It should include your vet's phone
number, the emergency clinic's phone number, the number of any friends who
will be offering support during whelping, and anyone else you might need to
contact before, during, or after whelping (like your office to let them know you
won't be in!)
Make sure your car is gassed up and ready for a possible emergency trip to
the vet's office.
Week Nine (Days 58-65)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Growth and Development continues
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
Nesting behavior may be seen
Bitch may become distressed (panting, pacing, acting uncomfortable)
Temperature should be around 100.8-100.2=B0
When temperature drops to around 98-99.4=B0, puppies should be born
within 24 hours
Appetite may disappear as whelping approaches
CARE OF THE BITCH
Start taking temperature three times a day
TO DO LIST
Notify vet or emergency clinic when temperature drops so that they will be
ready if you have any problems
Keep detailed records on temperature and behavior of bitch
Double check that whelping supplies are ready
Post Partum
Make sure each puppy gets some of the bitch's colostrum (first milk) within
first 24 hours.
Lochia (vaginal discharge) should be reddish to reddish-brown (green is okay
on first day). If you see black discharge,
contact your vet immediately!
Within 5-6 hours of last puppy's birth, take bitch and puppies to vet for check
up. The vet will ensure that the bitch
hasn't retained any puppies or placentas and that the puppies are in good
health. You especially want to check for cleft
palates as these puppies probably won't survive and should be euthanized
now.
Raising Puppies Timeline
Week One (Days 1-7)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
90% of time spent sleeping
10% eating
Susceptible to heat/cold
Instinctive reflexes: crawl, seek warmth, nurse
They can right themselves if placed upside down
Needs stimulation for urination/defecation
Rapid development of central nervous system
Need constant care from bitch
Rectal temperatures 94-97°
Pups may lose 10% of weight after birth, but should start gaining again
Weight should double by end of week
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Chart weight daily (2 x daily first 2 days)
Examine puppies daily
Trim nails weekly
Keep whelping box around 85° (this means if it's hotter than that out, put a
fan in the room or turn on the air
conditioning, if it's colder than that get a heat lamp to put above the
whelping box)
When you handle the puppies, it's a good idea use a towel when you hold
them. The puppies urinate upon
stimulation and will inevitably find your attention stimulating!
If your breed requires tail, ear, or dew claw docking, schedule this with your
vet.
CARE OF THE BITCH
Keep dam on fluids for first 24 hours (i.e.. chicken broth, etc.)
Feed three full meals a day after that
Supplement with 250 mg Vitamin C twice daily
If puppies are fussy, supplement bitch with Vitamin B complex
Check mammary glands twice daily (looking for signs of mastitis --
swelling, hardness, pus, etc.)
Keep an eye on vaginal discharge (looking for signs of infection)
Make sure bitch eats, drinks, and relieves herself
TO DO LIST
Keep detailed records on puppies' weight and behavior
Keep charting bitch's temperature
Call puppy buyers with results of whelping
Week Two (Days 8-14)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Eyes should open around days 8-10
Ears should open around days 13-17
Temperatures should be around 97-99°
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Keep whelping box around 80°
Begin holding puppies in different ways (applying light stress)
Trim nails weekly
CARE OF THE BITCH
Bitch should get three times her normal amount of food
TO DO LIST
Continue as above
Week Three (Days 15-21)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Teeth begin to erupt
Puppies stand up and start walking
Begin to lap liquids
Defecate/urinate without stimulation
Start becoming aware of environment
Start playing with littermates
Develop sense of smell
Puppies will start to discriminate as to where to relieve themselves
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Start adding stimuli (toys) to puppies' life
Start giving specific stresses when handling (i.e.. pinch an ear or toe gently)
Start giving pups milk replacer to lap for one meal a day -- after two days,
add some very mushy food
Weigh puppies every 2 days
Give puppies a dirty shirt of yours to play with
Start weekly grooming sessions (brush, trim nails, look at teeth, etc.)
CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as above
TO DO LIST
Purchase milk replacer to feed puppies
Week Four (Days 22-28)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Begin to eat food
Begin to bark, wag tails, bite, paw, bare teeth, growl and chase
Use legs well
Tire easily
Depth perception starts
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Keep mom with them a lot! Things can get overwhelming at this age and
Mom will add stability for them
Each pup needs individual attention
Offer food that is the consistency of cooked oatmeal
CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as above
TO DO LIST
Start limiting bitch's access to pups before offering them food
Week Five (Days 29-35)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Group activities and sexual play will begin
Dominance order starts
Rapid growth/development
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Reduce fluids in puppies' food
Make sure other people start coming to see pups
Begin weaning
Play radio at normal volume near pups for 5 minutes at a time
CARE OF THE BITCH
Start reducing amount of food to discourage milk development
Keep a careful eye on mammary glands
TO DO LIST
Discuss vaccination schedule with veterinarian
Week Six (Days 26-42)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Growth and development continue
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Offer soft, damp food
Chart weekly weight
Individual attention crucial -- give each puppy time with you away from litter
CARE OF THE BITCH
To prepare bitch for weaning: Day 1 -- no food
Day 2 -- 1/4 normal maintenance meal
Day 3 -- 1/2 normal maintenance meal
Day 4 -- 3/4 normal maintenance meal
Day 5 -- full amount of normal maintenance meal
Keep bitch on puppy food for several weeks to help her recover from the
strain of breeding, whelping, and raising
puppies
Keep careful eye on mammary glands
TO DO LIST
Continue as above
Week Seven (Days 43-49)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Total hearing/visual capacity
Will investigate anything
Can't respond yet to name
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Pups should be weaned and on regular puppy food
Pups can go to new homes
CARE OF THE BITCH
Keep careful eye on mammary glands until milk is completely dried up
TO DO LIST
Week Eight (Days 50-56)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
First fear period
Starts learning name
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Don't ship puppies
Can start training puppies in small steps
CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as above
TO DO LIST
Continue as above
Week Nine (Days 57-63)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Develops strong dominant and subordinate behavior among littermates
Begins to learn right behavior
Motor skills improve
Short attention span
Starts focusing attention on owner rather than other puppies
Separate littermates
Start house training
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Continue lots of individual attention
Week One (Days 1-7)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
90% of time spent sleeping
10% eating
Susceptible to heat/cold
Instinctive reflexes: crawl, seek warmth, nurse
They can right themselves if placed upside down
Needs stimulation for urination/defecation
Rapid development of central nervous system
Need constant care from bitch
Rectal temperatures 94-97°
Pups may lose 10% of weight after birth, but should start gaining again
Weight should double by end of week
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Chart weight daily (2 x daily first 2 days)
Examine puppies daily
Trim nails weekly
Keep whelping box around 85° (this means if it's hotter than that out, put a
fan in the room or turn on the air
conditioning, if it's colder than that get a heat lamp to put above the
whelping box)
When you handle the puppies, it's a good idea use a towel when you hold
them. The puppies urinate upon
stimulation and will inevitably find your attention stimulating!
If your breed requires tail, ear, or dew claw docking, schedule this with your
vet.
CARE OF THE BITCH
Keep dam on fluids for first 24 hours (i.e.. chicken broth, etc.)
Feed three full meals a day after that
Supplement with 250 mg Vitamin C twice daily
If puppies are fussy, supplement bitch with Vitamin B complex
Check mammary glands twice daily (looking for signs of mastitis --
swelling, hardness, pus, etc.)
Keep an eye on vaginal discharge (looking for signs of infection)
Make sure bitch eats, drinks, and relieves herself
TO DO LIST
Keep detailed records on puppies' weight and behavior
Keep charting bitch's temperature
Call puppy buyers with results of whelping
Week Two (Days 8-14)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Eyes should open around days 8-10
Ears should open around days 13-17
Temperatures should be around 97-99°
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Keep whelping box around 80°
Begin holding puppies in different ways (applying light stress)
Trim nails weekly
CARE OF THE BITCH
Bitch should get three times her normal amount of food
TO DO LIST
Continue as above
Week Three (Days 15-21)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Teeth begin to erupt
Puppies stand up and start walking
Begin to lap liquids
Defecate/urinate without stimulation
Start becoming aware of environment
Start playing with littermates
Develop sense of smell
Puppies will start to discriminate as to where to relieve themselves
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Start adding stimuli (toys) to puppies' life
Start giving specific stresses when handling (i.e.. pinch an ear or toe gently)
Start giving pups milk replacer to lap for one meal a day -- after two days,
add some very mushy food
Weigh puppies every 2 days
Give puppies a dirty shirt of yours to play with
Start weekly grooming sessions (brush, trim nails, look at teeth, etc.)
CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as above
TO DO LIST
Purchase milk replacer to feed puppies
Week Four (Days 22-28)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Begin to eat food
Begin to bark, wag tails, bite, paw, bare teeth, growl and chase
Use legs well
Tire easily
Depth perception starts
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Keep mom with them a lot! Things can get overwhelming at this age and
Mom will add stability for them
Each pup needs individual attention
Offer food that is the consistency of cooked oatmeal
CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as above
TO DO LIST
Start limiting bitch's access to pups before offering them food
Week Five (Days 29-35)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Group activities and sexual play will begin
Dominance order starts
Rapid growth/development
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Reduce fluids in puppies' food
Make sure other people start coming to see pups
Begin weaning
Play radio at normal volume near pups for 5 minutes at a time
CARE OF THE BITCH
Start reducing amount of food to discourage milk development
Keep a careful eye on mammary glands
TO DO LIST
Discuss vaccination schedule with veterinarian
Week Six (Days 26-42)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Growth and development continue
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Offer soft, damp food
Chart weekly weight
Individual attention crucial -- give each puppy time with you away from litter
CARE OF THE BITCH
To prepare bitch for weaning: Day 1 -- no food
Day 2 -- 1/4 normal maintenance meal
Day 3 -- 1/2 normal maintenance meal
Day 4 -- 3/4 normal maintenance meal
Day 5 -- full amount of normal maintenance meal
Keep bitch on puppy food for several weeks to help her recover from the
strain of breeding, whelping, and raising
puppies
Keep careful eye on mammary glands
TO DO LIST
Continue as above
Week Seven (Days 43-49)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Total hearing/visual capacity
Will investigate anything
Can't respond yet to name
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Pups should be weaned and on regular puppy food
Pups can go to new homes
CARE OF THE BITCH
Keep careful eye on mammary glands until milk is completely dried up
TO DO LIST
Week Eight (Days 50-56)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
First fear period
Starts learning name
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Don't ship puppies
Can start training puppies in small steps
CARE OF THE BITCH
Continue as above
TO DO LIST
Continue as above
Week Nine (Days 57-63)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
Develops strong dominant and subordinate behavior among littermates
Begins to learn right behavior
Motor skills improve
Short attention span
Starts focusing attention on owner rather than other puppies
Separate littermates
Start house training
CARE OF THE PUPPIES
Continue lots of individual attention
