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Miniature Schnauzer Birth

A Miniature Schnauzer Birth - Preparing for the birth of a Miniature Schnauzer puppy; an overview and video.

Whelping Pen Pet Gear Octagonal Pet Pen

Prepare a comfortable pen or whelping box in a secure area. A Miniature Schnauzer will carry her puppies somewhere between 56 to 66 days before giving birth to them (61-63 days on average). Three weeks prior to delivery is when abdominal enlargement will be the most noticeable.

Hair loss around the Miniature Schnauzer's breasts is common and a sure sign that whelping is imminent. This would be a good time to begin preparing a whelping box or a whelping pen.

The whelping box should be placed in an area of your home that is quiet, secluded, warm and draft-free. The whelping box (or birthing box) provides the female a safe place to deliver her pups. You will want to be sure an introduce your Miniature Schnauzer to the box several days before her due date so she can adjust to it. The whelping box should be large enough to fit your Miniature Schnauzer comfortably when she is stretched out. The box or pen sides should be tall enough to contain an active litter of puppies ~ around 6 inches.

A few days before she gives birth, the Miniature Schnauzer will start to build her nest and milk production will begin. About 12 hours before whelping the mother’s temperature will drop to below 100. Take her to her box and keep a close eye on her.

Whelping Box for Schnauzer Puppies

A whelping box (also called a nesting box or whelping pen) is designed to protect puppies during birth and early life by keeping them safely contained and protected from the cold. Preparing a box with an extension (like the one in this photo) will provide a separate area for the puppies to roam and eliminate.

The sides of the box are designed to be high enough to safely contain the Schnauzer puppies, yet low enough to allow the mother to enter and leave comfortably. The bottom of the box may be lined with specially designed whelping pads, pee pads, disposable diapers, or layers of newspaper to absorb fluids and provide cushion.

Most puppies will be delivered nose first, although hind feet emerging first is not that uncommon. The mother will lick the puppy to open the amniotic sac so the puppy can breathe. She will then clean the puppy entirely and chew off the umbilical cord.

Puppies should begin suckling immediately after being cleaned up. The puppies receive antibodies from the colostrum in the mother's milk. This will help them fight disease and infection, while their own immune system matures. In the video below, the breeder rubs and dries the puppy to help give it a kick-start. She suctions out any fluid and mucous so the puppy is able to nurse right away. Enjoy this Miniature Schnauzer birth!

Puppy Nursing Bottle Kit was designed to properly care for orphaned, rejected or bottle-fed baby animals. The pure gum rubber nipples were developed to simulate the milking action of mother's nipples. Kit includes: One bottle with twist-off cap, three rubber nipples and a deluxe bottle and cleaning brush.