The French bulldog is a small, stocky breed that’s known for its wrinkled face and short snout. It also has lots of personality with an expressive nature! The french bulldog pregnancy cycle can be difficult to understand at times because it consists of four different phases: proestrus, oestrus, diestrus, and anestrus.
All in all, our comprehensive article on the french bulldog pregnancy calendar should help you figure out how long your dog will need to stay pregnant before she gives birth. If you have any other questions or concerns about this topic feel free to reach out anytime.
French Bulldog Pregnancy Guide 2023: Calender
Week 1 (Days 0 to 7)
This begins on the first day of breeding and ends seven days later. This period is also referred to as “Day 0.” The female’s eggs are not yet mature enough for fertilization, so she will release them during her next estrus cycle (which could be anywhere from a few weeks away to several months).
Since sperm can live inside the female for about seven days, a male can be introduced during this time to improve the chances of fertilization.
During week one of a french bulldog pregnancy, neither the dog nor her owner will notice any changes in behavior or appearance. The only noticeable change is that she may have an increased appetite and become more affectionate towards her owners because she prepares to receive and care for a litter.
Week 2 (Days 7 to 14)
This begins on the eighth day after breeding (the first day of Week Two) and ends fourteen days later.
During this time, cells that will eventually become puppies begin dividing rapidly inside the female’s uterus to form an embryo. Meanwhile, her eggs have fully matured and are released into one of the fallopian tubes during ovulation (the release of an unfertilized egg during estrus).
If the female mates with more than one male, multiple embryos and fetuses may develop in her uterus. These can result in litters consisting of puppies from different fathers (often referred to as a “Big Litter”).
At this point, you may notice that your dog is feeling nauseous and has a decreased appetite. She may even vomit after eating, which can be caused by the pregnancy hormones she’s producing or because of an embryo beginning to develop in her uterus.
During week two of a french bulldog pregnancy, owners may also begin to notice their female looking “pregnant.” This is because her mammary glands are developing, which means she has entered the second stage of pregnancy.
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Week 3 (Days 14 to 21)
This begins on the fifteenth day after breeding (the first day of Week Three) and ends twenty-one days later.
During this time, your dog’s uterus is growing to accommodate one or more unborn puppies. The embryo(s) continue to develop rapidly so they can be born within 63 days.
The placenta is also developing, which will allow your pet to nourish and support the unborn puppies until they’re born. It connects her uterus to their umbilical cords so that blood can carry nutrients and oxygen from her body into theirs and waste products in the other direction (out of their bodies). The chorion forms part of the placenta and is responsible for creating a barrier between your dog’s blood and her unborn puppies.
This week, you may notice that your girl has become even more affectionate than before! This can be caused by changes in hormone levels (especially if she is pregnant with multiple embryos) or because she knows something special is happening inside of her.
During week three of a french bulldog pregnancy, your dog will begin showing the physical signs that she is pregnant. Her abdomen may appear larger because her uterus has expanded to accommodate one or more unborn puppies.
She might even vomit more frequently due to morning sickness caused by rising hormone levels (although this can continue throughout all stages of pregnancy).
Week 4 (Days 21 to 28)
This begins on the twenty-second day after breeding (the first day of Week Four) and ends 28 days later.
The chorion has now fully formed, which means that your dog’s placenta is ready to function! It will use blood vessels in her uterus to exchange oxygen and nutrients from her bloodstream with waste products in the puppies’ blood.
The chorion will also prevent any fluids or bacteria from passing through it into your dog’s bloodstream, which ensures that the puppies remain safe inside of her uterus until they’re born.
The amniotic sacs are forming at this point, and some fluid has probably accumulated within them (which is called “waters breaking” when it happens at the end of labor). The sacs themselves (which are also referred to as “bags”) protect and cushion your dog’s puppies while they’re developing in her uterus.
The amniotic fluid that has accumulated by week four is probably clear, although some may be yellowish if it contains a small amount of urine from one or more puppies.
During the fourth week of a french bulldog pregnancy, your dog’s uterus will continue to expand to accommodate her unborn puppies. She may become noticeably larger and feel heavier as she gets closer to giving birth.
You should also be able to feel one or two small lumps on either side of her abdomen near where her ribs and hips meet. These lumps are called “fetal extremities,” and they will become her puppies’ limbs, feet, and head when she gives birth to them in 63 days.
Week 5 (Days 28 to 35)
This begins on the twenty-ninth day after breeding (the first day of Week Five) and ends 35 days later.
Your dog’s cervix will begin to open slightly during this week, which allows for some amniotic fluid to escape from inside her uterus. This is also known as “bloody show” because it often looks like a few drops of blood mixed in with the fluid.
The sacs that contain your dog’s puppies are still full, though they will slowly begin to deflate as they prepare for birth! This is because they need room to grow once their puppies start moving around (which usually happens during Week Six). The amniotic fluid surrounding them makes them look like tiny water balloons.
Your dog will probably continue to gain weight until she gives birth, and her size can be an indication that labor is approaching (although it’s not the only one). Her teats may also become larger and pinker than before as they prepare for feeding puppies after birth!
During week five of a french bulldog pregnancy, your dog will continue to develop her placenta and amniotic sacs. She may have a few more contractions as her cervix begins to open slightly! You should also be able to see some of the fluids that surround her puppies inside their amniotic sacks at this point.
Week 6 (Days 35 to 42)
This begins on the thirtieth day after breeding (the first day of Week Six) and ends 42 days later.
Your dog’s contractions will become more frequent over the next few weeks, which is your signal that it’s almost time for her to give birth! She may also have some bloody show in between them when they slow down.
Your dog’s puppies will begin to move around by the time your french Bulldog gives birth, and they may even bump into one another! Each placenta has an umbilical cord that attaches it to a puppy for them to get nutrients directly from their mother’s bloodstream (this is why you can’t see a cord on your dog’s puppies).
Your dog may also become restless and spend more time outside of her den as she gets closer to giving birth. She’ll probably try to build a nest out of blankets or other soft materials, which is where you should plan on keeping the puppies after they’re born!
During week six of a french bulldog pregnancy, your dog will continue to have contractions. She may even begin nesting by this point! You should also be able to see the fluids that surround her puppies moving around inside their amniotic sacks at week six of a french bulldog pregnancy.
Week 7 (Days 42 to 49)
This begins on the thirty-first day after breeding (the first day of Week Seven) and ends 49 days later.
Your dog’s cervix will be fully open by now, which means that her puppies are ready to make their way into this world! She’ll probably spend most of her time in or near her birthing den because her puppies will be born within the next few days.
Your dog’s teats may also become darker and larger by this point as they prepare to feed her puppies. You may even see some of her milk coming out onto them at first, but it should stop after a day or so because she won’t need any help feeding until after birth.
Your dog’s contractions will be very noticeable at this point, and you may even see some of the amniotic fluid surrounding her puppies if she decides to get up and move around. This can happen during labor.
During week seven of a french bulldog pregnancy, your dog will begin to give birth soon. Her cervix will remain open, and she will likely spend most of her time in or near her birthing den.
You should begin to see the amniotic fluids surrounding your dog’s puppies move around at this point during a french bulldog pregnancy.
Week 8 (Days 49 to 57)
This begins on the forty-second day after breeding (the first day of Week Eight) and ends 57 days later.
Your dog’s contractions will be more frequent now as she gets closer to giving birth, so it’ll be easier for you to tell when labor has begun! You should also notice her teats becoming larger and darker than before as they prepare to feed her puppies.
Your dog will probably begin eating less during this time because she’ll be busy giving birth. She may also become more restless than usual and may even start nesting again!
The amniotic sacs containing your french Bulldog’s puppies should rupture by the end of week eight, which means that they’ve begun to emerge from their mother’s womb. You may even notice her licking herself in preparation for giving birth!
At the beginning of week eight of a french bulldog pregnancy, your dog will begin to give birth soon. Her contractions may become more frequent by this point, and you should be able to see her teats getting larger and darker as they prepare to feed her puppies. Her amniotic sacs will begin to rupture, and she may even start nesting again!
Week 9 (Days 57 to 65)
This begins on the forty-third day after breeding (the first day of Week Nine) and ends 65 days later.
Your dog’s puppies will likely begin to make their way into this world over the course of week nine, which also means that she’ll be very restless! You should notice her nesting near or inside her birthing den in preparation for giving birth.
Your dog may even eat less during this time as she gets closer to labor! She’ll be busy preparing to give birth and won’t have much time to eat or drink, so make sure you’ve got plenty of food and water ready for her when the puppies arrive.
At week nine of a french bulldog pregnancy, your dog may begin to show signs of nesting. She’ll likely eat less and be very restless during this week because her puppies are about to arrive! The amniotic sacs containing the puppies should rupture, which means that they’re beginning to emerge from their mother’s womb.
How Can You Tell If Your French Bulldog Is Pregnant?
X-Ray
After 40 days of being pregnant, you can schedule an x-ray to see if your French Bulldog is actually pregnant. If the puppies are visible on the screen, then it’s safe to assume she’s expecting!
During week nine of a french bulldog pregnancy, you may be able to tell that your dog is giving birth by simply looking for signs of nesting. The amniotic sacs containing the puppies will likely rupture, and you can also schedule an x-ray to see if your dog is pregnant at this point.
Hormone Test
Another way to tell if your French Bulldog is pregnant during week seven of a french bulldog pregnancy is through hormone testing. You can schedule an appointment with the vet for this, and they will give you an accurate answer as to whether or not she’s expecting.
Ultrasound
You can also schedule an appointment with the vet for an ultrasound to see if your French Bulldog is pregnant. The doctor will be able to tell you whether or not she’s expecting based on how large her uterus appears in the image!
Palpation
If you want to tell if your French Bulldog is pregnant without having to schedule an appointment with the vet, then palpation may be a good option for you. Palpating involves feeling her abdomen so that you can see whether or not she’s expecting puppies!
French Bulldog Pregnancy Problems
Several problems can arise during a french bulldog pregnancy. The most common is dystocia, which occurs when the puppies become stuck in their mother’s birth canal. This may happen if your dog has a huge litter of puppies or if she is overweight!
Dystocia typically results in serious health concerns for your dog in both cases, so it’s essential to contact a vet as soon as possible.
Another problem that may arise is if your french Bulldog goes into labor but doesn’t give birth within 24 hours after the first sign of contractions. This could be an indication that her cervix hasn’t opened yet, which can result in fetal death.
If your dog goes into labor but doesn’t give birth within 24 hours after the first sign of contractions, this could indicate that her cervix hasn’t opened. This can result in fetal death and may require a veterinary visit to avoid serious health concerns for your French Bulldog. You can also read a guide on the reasons why your Frenchie is hyper.
French Bulldog Heat Cycle
Proestrus
The first phase of a french bulldog heat cycle is called proestrus. During this time, your dog will be in her mating period. She’ll likely show signs such as constant licking around the vulva area, restlessness, increased urination, and a bloody discharge coming out of her vagina!
Oestrus
The second phase of a french bulldog heat cycle is called oestrus. During this time, your dog will be in her mating period, so she’s able to get pregnant! She may start exhibiting signs such as vaginal bleeding and aggressively trying to mate with male dogs.
Diestrus
The third phase of a french bulldog heat cycle is called diestrus. During this time, your dog will have an inactive period where she won’t be able to mate with male dogs! She may experience symptoms such as swelling in the mammary glands and vaginal discharge throughout this stage.
Anestrus
During this time, your dog will have another inactive period where she won’t be able to mate with male dogs. She may experience symptoms such as vaginal discharge and swelling in the mammary glands throughout this stage.
Few Words Before Wrapping Up…
If you want to know the french bulldog pregnancy guide 2023, this article has provided all of the information that you need! From hormone testing and ultrasounds to palpation and stages, we’ve covered it all.
If you’re looking for more information on any particular stage in your dog’s pregnancy or would like help with anything else related to her health care needs during pregnancy – don’t hesitate to contact us!
We’ll be more than happy to give our insight on what steps should be taken next as well as provide expert advice from our team of professionals.