Whelping boxes are an essential tool for dog breeders. These boxes are designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for a female dog (called a dam) to give birth to and nurse her puppies. They come in a variety of sizes and materials and can be purchased or constructed by hand. In this article, we will take a detailed look at whelping boxes for dogs, including their purpose, design, and features.
Purpose
The primary purpose of a whelping box is to provide a safe and secure environment for a dam and her puppies during the whelping process (which is the process of giving birth to puppies). A good whelping box should provide enough space for the dam to move around and care for her puppies while also keeping the puppies contained and safe from harm.
A whelping box should also be easy to clean and maintain. Puppies are messy creatures, and a lot of bodily fluids (like blood, urine, and feces) are produced during the whelping process. A good whelping box should be easy to clean and disinfect after use to prevent the spread of disease.
Finally, a whelping box should be comfortable for both the dam and her puppies. The box should be warm, dry, and draft-free to keep the puppies comfortable and healthy.
Design
There are several key design features that are important to consider when selecting or building a whelping box for your dog.
Size
The size of the whelping box should be based on the size of the dam and the expected litter size. The box should be large enough for the dam to move around freely and lay down comfortably, but not so large that the puppies can get lost or wander too far away from the dam. A good rule of thumb is to make the box at least four times the size of the dam.
Height
The height of the whelping box should be high enough to keep the puppies contained but not so high that the dam has trouble getting in and out of the box. A height of around 18 inches is usually sufficient.
Entry
The whelping box should have a low entry point to make it easy for the dam to get in and out of the box. The entry should also be wide enough to accommodate the dam’s size but not so wide that the puppies can escape.
Flooring
The flooring of the whelping box should be non-slip and easy to clean. Many breeders use rubber mats or puppy pads to provide additional traction and absorb moisture. The flooring should also be warm and comfortable for the puppies.
Walls
The walls of the whelping box should be high enough to keep the puppies contained but low enough to allow the dam to see and interact with her puppies. The walls should also be smooth and free of sharp edges or corners that could injure the puppies.
Features
There are several additional features that can be added to a whelping box to make it more comfortable and functional for the dam and her puppies.
Heating
Puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature for the first few weeks of life, so it’s important to keep them warm. A heating pad or heat lamp can be placed inside the whelping box to provide additional warmth for the puppies.
Rails
Rails can be placed inside the whelping box to prevent the dam from accidentally crushing her puppies. The rails should be placed high enough to prevent the dam from stepping on her puppies but low enough to allow the puppies to nurse.
Cameras
Some breeders choose to install cameras inside the whelping box to keep an eye on the puppies when they are not in the room. This can be particularly useful for breeders who work outside the home.
Whelping boxes are an essential tool for dog breeders. They provide a safe and comfortable environment for a dam to give birth to and care for her puppies. When selecting or building a whelping box, it’s important to consider the size, design, and features that will best meet the needs of your dam and puppies. With the right whelping box, breeders can ensure that their puppies get the best possible start in life.
