Are you excited and dying to know how many puppies your Staffordshire Bull Terrier will have? Whether you are planning to breed or your Staffordshire Bull Terrier is already pregnant, you should be prepared and know what to expect.
Enough preparation will save you and your dog from stress brought about by pregnancy.
How Many Puppies Does a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Have?
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier can have an average of 5 to 7 puppies in a litter. The number of puppies will depend on the genes of both parents. If both the dam and the sire came from a big litter, there is a possibility that they are carrying that gene, too.
The litter size can also depend on the health of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier mother and father. If the mother and father are healthy, there is a high possibility that the puppies will grow healthy inside.
Lastly, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier can have a lesser number of puppies if she is a first-time mom.
Signs and Stages of Pregnancy
A pregnant Staffordshire Bull Terrier will experience different changes in her body. She is also going to go through different stages of pregnancy and each stage needs different levels of care and attention. So, here are the signs and stages of pregnancy of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Early Stage of Pregnancy
- In the first few weeks, your Staffordshire Bull Terrier will experience morning sickness, including nausea and vomiting. She may also lose her appetite because of the changes happening inside her body.
- Her hormone levels are starting to change as well which causes physical changes in her body, such as growing and reddening of nipples.
- Inside of her body, her uterus is also changing. The uterus enlarges to welcome the puppies. Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier may also experience some behavioral changes or mood swings.
Sometimes they love to cuddle, but sometimes they want some space. Their energy level will also go down and most of the time they don’t want to play.
As the owner, you should be careful when playing with and cuddling her. Be sensitive to her physical and behavioral changes.
If you are not sure if she is pregnant or not, you can go to the vet to make sure that she can get the proper care that she needs. Make sure that her vaccines are up to date.
Middle Stage of Pregnancy
After 5 to 6 weeks, your Staffy’s appetite is still fluctuating, sometimes she wants to eat so much, and sometimes she will eat so little.
Appetite fluctuation is just normal. During this stage, her belly will become more prominent. She will also gain weight so it’s important to monitor her food intake.
Also, the nipples will get larger because it is now preparing for nursing. You will also take notice that the fur around her nipples is thinning and shedding. During this stage, you should limit her exercises and outdoor activities as well.
Final Stage of Pregnancy
During the 7th to 9th week of pregnancy, your Staffordshire Bull Terrier may experience more behavioral changes. She may become more territorial and protective over her things. This is because she is having more of a mother’s instinct.
Her mood swings may also be caused by the pain or discomfort that she’s feeling.
Her belly will become bigger and firmer this time. Her exercise should be limited to walking for a shorter period of time, avoid running activities.
You may also notice that she’s becoming more restless. She will spend most of her time napping or walking around the house.
Your Staffy may begin to look for her nesting spot. You can prevent her from giving birth under your bed or somewhere inappropriate by preparing a whelping box for her and puppies.
You can cover the whelping box with old blankets, towels, and puppy pads to make them comfortable.
Potential Health Concern With Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies
| Health Concern | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Hereditary Cataracts | cloudy cornea, different size pupils, pupils do not respond to light |
| Mast Cell Tumors | skin tags, warts, lesions, and lumps |
| L-2 Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria | seizures, wobbly walking, tremors, and cramping of hind legs |
| Distichiasis | red, inflamed eyes, eye discharge, and blinking more often |
| Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous | lazy eye and abnormal eye movements aren’t easily detectable hence it’s better to get your dog screened |
Related Questions
How Much Do Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies Cost?
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy can cost an average of $2000. The price of the puppy varies based on the breeder’s location, dog’s pedigree, age, and color among other factors. Some Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies’ prices can range from $1,500 to $3,000.
When Can Staffordshire Bull Terrier Get Pregnant?
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier can get pregnant at an early age of 6 to 12 months old. However, this stage is not advisable because her body is not well-prepared for pregnancy yet and complications may happen. A Staffordshire Bull Terrier can start getting pregnant at least 2 years old and up.
How Many Puppies Do Bull Terriers Have?
Bull Terriers have around five puppies per litter on average. They can even have as much as nine puppies per litter
Conclusion
It’s fun to have cute little puppies at home, yet there are also responsibilities that you need to attend to. A Staffordshire Bull Terrier can have an average of 5 to 7 puppies in one litter. You have to make sure that you can take care of them whether you’re going to rehome them or not.
