My Minature Schnauzer: Chloe

My Miniature Schnauzer: Chloe
Female, 2 yoa
Color: Salt & Pepper


To be honest, we felt our way through this experience. A month and half after mating, we had her examined. For two reasons, 1. to make sure she was healthy and 2. to determine the number of puppies to expect when she gives birth.

At 45 days the veterinarian did an ultrasound and took some pretty cool pictures. After which, she 'guess-ta-mated" the number of puppies. It was only after this visit that I found if I would have come a few days later we could have an x-ray that would show the skeletal systems of all the puppies and the exact number to be sure.

Typically Miniature Schnauzers have puppies anywhere from 54 - 74 days. They need ample water and puppy food or the equivalent for nutrition.

From that moment on, we decided the next step was to purchase supplies for the birth - or what people call whelping kits. Looking in retrospect, there was no need. Chloe was well equipped with nature's intended "instruction booklet.." But something that has proven to be priceless is the whelping box we constructed for the birth and home for the puppies in the months ahead.

We constructed the whelping box to fit under the window under the windowsill from a single piece of particleboard. It was rather easy after I did some research. For additional information, please email me, I can share a list of instructions and suggestions. In addition, we purchased a heat lamp to keep the puppies warm when Chloe gets exhausted from the nursing.

On the 60th day at 10:30am, January 26, 2009 Chloe had a litter of 5 puppies 4 boys and 1 girl.

It took her 2 hours or less to give birth and clean up the puppies. The whelping box we constructed was perfect for her to nest and stretch out when the puppies were born. She did an incredible job!