Calculator
Dog due date from ovulation or LH peak
Updated October 2026 · Information only, not veterinary advice
Step 1
What do you know?
Puppies are due
- Earliest, day 56
- Nov 30, 2026
- Latest, day 70
- Dec 2, 2026
A 2-day window, based on confirmed ovulation, which is accurate to about a day.
Day 14 of 63 · week 2
22%
Breed profile
Golden Retriever
large breed
- Average litter
- 8 puppies (6–10)
- C-section risk
- low
Worth knowing
- Regular veterinary palpation or ultrasound recommended around day 28-30 to verify healthy embryonic sac numbers
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
Why ovulation dating is more accurate
A dog’s sperm can live for several days inside the female tract, and her eggs need roughly two to three days after ovulation to mature before they can be fertilized. Because of that, a mating date can be days earlier than actual conception, and the gestation counted from it ranges from about 56 to 70 days.
Ovulation is a fixed biological event. Dogs deliver about 63 days after ovulation, usually within a day either side. That precision matters most when you are planning a C-section, deciding when to scan, or judging whether a dog is overdue.
How accurate is each date?
| Date you enter | Whelps about | Normal window | Precision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single mating date | 63 days | 56–70 days | ±7 days |
| Ovulation date (progesterone) | 63 days | 62–64 days | ±1 day |
| LH surge peak | 65 days | 64–66 days | ±1 day |
| Diestrus day 1 (cytology) | 57 days | 55–59 days | ±2 days |
How to find the ovulation date
- 1
Start testing early in her heat
Your vet usually begins progesterone blood tests a few days after she starts to show signs of heat and repeats them every day or two.
- 2
Watch progesterone rise
Progesterone climbs as ovulation approaches. A rise to about 5 ng/mL is commonly used as the marker for ovulation. Your vet will pick the day from the pattern of results.
- 3
Or use the LH surge
Luteinizing hormone peaks about two days before ovulation. If your vet identifies the LH peak, choose that option in the calculator instead.
- 4
Enter the date above
Select the method, enter the date, and the calculator gives the due date, a delivery window and a calendar you can save or print.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a dog’s due date from ovulation?
Add 63 days to the confirmed ovulation date. Most healthy dogs whelp between day 62 and day 64 from ovulation. If you used the LH surge instead, add about 65 days to the LH peak.
What progesterone level shows ovulation in a dog?
Vets commonly treat a rise to about 5 ng/mL as the marker that ovulation has occurred, but labs and clinics differ. Your vet interprets the series of results, not a single number.
Can I find the ovulation date at home?
Not reliably. Behavior and swelling are poor guides. Progesterone blood tests or serial vaginal cytology done by a vet give the best answer. Some home progesterone kits exist, but results should be checked with your vet.
Why is the mating date less accurate?
Sperm can survive for several days in the female tract and eggs need about two to three days to mature after ovulation, so mating can happen days before conception. That is why a mating date gives a window of 56 to 70 days.
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