The story so far………

Now that we've found out that Tilly's pregnant – the ultrasound scan confirmed this, we're now turning our attention to the equipment that we are going to need for puppy births etc…

I've been reading my book –Book of the Bitch and also having a really good scout around the internet.

Here's a list of things we think we'll need:

1. A whelping box….

If you're only doing this as a once in a lifetime experience (which this could well be….ask me that again when the pups are running around like hooligan's in the house) then a cardboard whelping box would probably be sufficient – although I'm not sure how many wee's that could withstand?

The next stage would be to go for a more sturdier option, and these appear to be plastic ones. They look much the same as the cardboard, but presumably will withstand large volumes of ammonia and other messy subtances! The only problem with these is that you've got to find somewhere to store them, if you want to use them again (and that is a BIG If!)

Now this one doesn't look very big to me, I'm wondering if it's designed for toy dogs, rather than for large labradors. So, I'm going to have to do a bit more research on this one. There doesn't seem to be much help in the description. At just shy of £70 I need to make the right decision. Having done a bit more investigation, here's how you decide which whelping box is big enough….

Firstly, measure your dog from nose to the base of her tail (where the tail meets her body, not the tip). Then add 4 inches on – this is required if you are using puppy rails.

Then select a box that will be big enough to allow your dog to lie flat along one side.

I've measured Tilly, and she needs the 48 inch square box, so that's what I've ordered.

2. Whelping Kit

Wow, this is a minefield! There are several suppliers that offer pretty much the same products, and each offer a basic, an essential and there is often a deluxe and even super deluxe product. Basically the more you pay, the more bits you get.

It seem's quite difficult to decide what you are going to need, so I have plumped for a mid range package which contains, stethoscope, forceps, thermometer, aspirator – just in case the pups have difficulty breathing to start with and loads of other bits and bobs related around hygiene. Here's an example of what I've bought….

3. Vet bed for the whelping box.

I used a lot of this when I first had Tilly as a pup, as it is machine washable and can be cut to fit whatever space you require. I have ordered the vet bed from the same place as the whelping box, in the hope of saving some postage costs.

4. Puppy play pens

Finally, I also need to look at puppy pens, once they are a bit bigger.

The first one I have found is a very heavy duty one, but at £100 it is not cheap. However, I think you get what you pay for, so I am considering this option.

 I have found another one, which is a lot cheaper, but there does seem to be quite a high step into it.

I'm just wondering whether I should wait until the litter is born before deciding on this one, just so that I get one that is big enough.

Anyhow, for the time being, as long as I've got the whelping bed and kit on order, then I'm happy. We still have 3-4 weeks to go before it will be required.