How Long Are Corgis Pregnant? Expected Term Duration

If you’re expecting a hoard of mini-Corgis in the near future, you may be wondering how long you’ll have to wait before they rear their adorable heads. Corgis—like other dog breeds—are pregnant for around 63 days from the time of ovulation, though this can vary slightly. They go through three trimesters of pregnancy, with each trimester lasting approximately 21 days.

In this post, we’ll explore the Corgi’s reproductive cycle, the early signs of pregnancy, and what to expect in each trimester.

A Corgi’s Reproductive Cycle Explained

The heat cycle is the period in which a female dog is fertile and ready to mate which lasts between 18 and 21 days and occurs every 6 months or so (though this can vary by dog and by breed). Dogs go through four stages during their reproductive cycles, which are:

Proestrus Stage

The proestrus stage describes the period in which female dogs start to attract males and show signs such as bloody discharge and a swollen vulva. This stage lasts about nine days (variable) but can go on for up to 27 days in some cases. Female dogs in the proestrus stage are not yet receptive to males’ attempts to mate.

Estrus

Like the proestrus stage, the estrus stage lasts for around 9 days but can vary. This is the time in which the female dog is fertile and begins to respond to male dogs’ attempts to mate. There is typically less bloody discharge during this time and the vulva becomes enlarged but soft.

Diestrus

When the female dog no longer reacts to male dogs’ advances, she is in the diestrus phase. Progesterone levels rise 3–4 weeks into the diestrus period, then fall at the end of the stage. Diestrus lasts for 2 months on average.

Anestrus

Anestrus is the period between diestrus and proestrus which lasts around 4 months. Again, this can vary by breed.

How Can I Tell If My Corgi Is Pregnant?

Early symptoms of pregnancy in dogs may not be that noticeable. Some dogs gain a little bit of weight during this time. Around the 3–4-week mark, your Corgi may experience morning sickness, though not every dog gets it. Fatigue and appetite loss are other possible early symptoms of pregnancy.

If you suspect that your Corgi might be pregnant, please contact your vet as soon as possible. They will be able to support and guide you through all the stages of your Corgi’s pregnancy and let you know exactly what to expect.

What To Expect on a Monthly Basis

Three trimesters mark the different stages of your Corgi’s gestation (pregnancy) period. Below is a heads-up as to what changes you might see in your Corgi on a monthly basis as explained by the American Kennel Club.

First Month

Not every dog will display symptoms very early on, but some do. Your Corgi’s first month of pregnancy may mean some morning sickness, tiredness, and a desire to eat more than usual. Other physical signs include enlarged nipples and clear vaginal discharge which continues into the second month. Your Corgi may also be more affectionate or clingy than usual.

Second Month

Your Corgi may gain a noticeable amount of weight in the second month and their stomach may feel larger and harder. By day 50, you may be able to see the puppies moving in your Corgi’s abdomen. You may also spot fluctuations in appetite as this tends to increase in the first month and at the start of the second month, then drop at around day 45.

Third Month

The third month marks the final period of your Corgi’s pregnancy. By this stage, the puppies are getting into position to be born (day 58 approximately), so your Corgi’s waist might slim somewhat as the puppies move downwards. You might notice restlessness, including shivering, panting, and pacing. Digging is also a possibility.

Around 12 to 24 hours before your Corgi goes into labor, their body temperature typically drops, as does their appetite.

Whelping Box Preparation

It’s recommended to prepare a whelping (nesting) box big enough for your pregnant Corgi to be able to stand up, stretch, and turn around. Place the box in a calm, quiet area that’s around 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celcius) and put a towel or blanket inside.

The sides should be raised to prevent the puppies from falling out and should contain railings inside. This helps prevent puppies from getting crushed against the walls of the box.

Labor: What to Expect

When your Corgi is getting ready to give birth, they may be more restless than usual, withdraw, lose their appetite, and engage in nesting behaviors like digging and circling in the box. They may also release vulvar mucus which is red or brown in color. When it’s time to give birth, your Corgi should be in a more relaxed state.

When birthing starts (stage 2), your Corgi will go through contractions. The first puppy is usually born within 20–30 minutes if the mother is having strong contractions, though if the contractions are not strong, this process can take up to four hours.

Some time will pass between when each puppy is born—this is called the resting phase and it can last up to four hours. You will see a thin mucus covering on each puppy—don’t worry, the mother will remove this to allow the puppy to breathe, though in some cases, you might need to help her out with this. Wait a few seconds and if she doesn’t break the sac, it’s down to you.

The puppies will also be attached to an umbilical cord. The mother may chew this to break it, but if she doesn’t, you can cut it with thread or dental floss.

Each puppy is followed by a placenta, which is typically released within 15 minutes. It’s normal for dogs to eat their placentas but avoid letting them have too many in case they get a stomach upset. All the puppies should be born within 3–12 hours, though it can take up to 24 hours for some dogs.

Monitor your Corgi while they’re giving birth to make sure they’re not straining and having strong contractions for more than 20–30 minutes at a time without giving birth to a puppy. If this is the case, please call a vet.

When Should I Call a Vet?

What Happens After the Birth?

This is the time for a mother Corgi to get some rest and get to know and bond with her puppies. She will also need to eat some high-quality food (double the usual amount) and have access to fresh water. It’s a good idea to deliver these to your Corgi so she doesn’t have to leave her puppies.

Just bear in mind that it’s not uncommon for dogs to reject food for up to 12 hours after giving birth. Also, mother dogs can eat puppy food during pregnancy (the last 2–3 weeks in particular) and while nursing.

Keep your Corgi as calm as possible by making sure the whelping box area is quiet and relaxed. We don’t want to risk the mother rejecting her puppies because she’s not in a calm state of mind.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, Corgis are pregnant for around 63 days, and it usually takes them around 3–12 hours to give birth. It’s important to let your vet know as soon as you suspect or become aware that your Corgi is pregnant. Your vet will be your guide through this new experience and will be able to provide you with the best information to make your Corgi’s pregnancy as stress-free and safe as possible.

Featured Image Credit: jubatusdj, Shutterstock