building a whelping box

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Answer by wade
Submitted on 1/16/2007
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Our Brittany Spaniel just had her first litter of pups. She had six of them and in the first five days, four of them have died. We think she is laying on them. She also takes the blanket that we spread out in the bottom of the box and balls it up sometimes wrapping a pup up inside. In the mean time, I have done some research on whelping boxes and discovered that we should have added a railing around the inside of the box that prevents the pups from being trapped between the wall and the mother. My questions are these; do you suspect that it has been a problem with the box or do you think the mother is just not careful or aware of where she is laying. Is this typical of a first litter? Can the mother learn how to take better care of the pups with future litters? Is there something that we should be putting in the bottom of the box that would work better than blankets? My kids have been so excited to have puppies but what a disappointment when each day we check on the pups to find another one has died. Thanks for your help.

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Question by Judi
Submitted on 5/6/2004
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Breeding, Whelping, and Rearing Puppies FAQ
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building a whelping box

Answer by dglavin96
Submitted on 5/8/2005
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I'd recommend using melamine rather than plywood to build a whelping box. Melamine is pressboard covered with a white formica. It can be purchased at Home Depot or any lumber supply store and is much easier to keep clean than plywood. I found very good instructions for building this type of box at www.flatcoat.com. If you wish to purchase a box, Jonart is highly recommended, though a bit pricey. Durawhelp is also recommended, though not as sturdy or long-lasting as Jonart. You do not say what breed you have or what size box you are thinking of. If you post this information, I can give you some more detailed suggestions.

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