Labrador Retriever pregnancy
Labrador Retriever pregnancy: gestation, litter size and C-section risk
Updated October 2026 · Information only, not veterinary advice
Step 1
What do you know?
Puppies are due
- Earliest, day 56
- Nov 24, 2026
- Latest, day 70
- Dec 8, 2026
A 14-day window, based on the mating date. Sperm can survive 5–7 days, so conception may be later than the tie.
Day 14 of 63 · week 2
22%
Breed profile
Labrador Retriever
large breed
- Average litter
- 7 puppies (5–10)
- C-section risk
- low
Worth knowing
- Labs can have very large litters (10+), ensure adequate nutrition in late pregnancy
Temperature watch: take her temperature twice a day from day 56. A drop below 99.0°F (37.2°C) means labor within 12–24 hours.
Source: Borge et al., Theriogenology 2011 — 10,810 litters, 224 breeds.
Your calendar
Sixteen dates to put in the diary
Labrador Retriever pregnancy at a glance
| Labrador Retriever | |
|---|---|
| Gestation from ovulation | 63 to 64 days (63 days average) |
| Gestation from mating | 56 to 70 days |
| Typical litter | 7 puppies (range 5 to 10) |
| Size group | large breed |
| C-section risk | Most whelp naturally |
Labs typically have smooth pregnancies and deliveries. They are one of the most commonly bred dogs.
Watch her weight
Labradors gain weight easily. Feed to condition rather than to appetite, increase portions gradually from the second half of pregnancy and keep gentle daily exercise going. Extra weight can make labor harder.
Timing and typical litter
Gestation is about 63 days from ovulation, or 56 to 70 days from the mating date. A litter of six or seven is typical, and an X-ray after day 50 gives the actual number.
Temperature watch from day 56
Take her temperature twice a day from day 56. A drop below 99.0°F (37.2°C) usually means labor within 12 to 24 hours. Our temperature log tracks this for you.
What to watch for in Labradors
- Labs can have very large litters (10+), ensure adequate nutrition in late pregnancy
Dates to put in the diary
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Day 25 to 30 | Ultrasound to confirm pregnancy |
| Day 50 to 55 | X-ray to count puppies and check head size |
| From day 56 | Take her temperature twice a day |
| Day 63 | Expected due date from ovulation |
Add all of these to your phone with the whelping calendar, and track her temperature with the temperature log.
Call your vet now if…
- Green or black discharge before the first puppy is born.
- Strong straining for 30 to 60 minutes with no puppy.
- More than two to four hours between puppies when you know more are still inside.
- Tremors, stiffness, collapse or seizures at any point (possible low blood calcium).
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Labrador Retriever (Lab) pregnant?
Labradors are pregnant for about 63 days from ovulation, and most whelp in 63 to 64 days. Counted from a mating date, the normal range is 56 to 70 days, because conception can happen days after mating. Use the calculator on this page to get a date range.
How many puppies can a Labrador Retriever (Lab) have?
A typical Labrador Retriever litter is about 7 puppies, with a range of 5 to 10. First litters and litters from older dogs are often smaller. An abdominal X-ray after day 50 gives the actual count.
Does a Labrador Retriever need a C-section?
Most Labradors whelp naturally, but any dog can need help. Know your emergency vet before the due date.
What are the signs a Labrador Retriever is pregnant?
Around three to four weeks you may notice a smaller appetite, pinker and larger nipples and a clear mucus discharge. Her belly grows from about week six. Confirm with an ultrasound at about day 25 to 30.
When should a pregnant Labrador Retriever have an X-ray?
Between about day 50 and day 55. By then the puppies’ skeletons show, so your vet can count them and compare head size with her pelvis.
Keep reading
Related tools and guides
Due date from ovulation or LH peak
Narrow the window to about two days with progesterone or LH dating.
Litter size by breed
Typical litter size and C-section risk for 200+ breeds.
Dog pregnancy week by week
What happens, what to feed and when to see the vet, weeks 1 to 9.
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