Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Portuguese Water Dog
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Portuguese Water Dog Will Have
- How Much is a Portuguese Water Dog Puppy
- How Long is a Portuguese Water Dog Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Portuguese Water Dog
- Conclusion on Portuguese Water Dog Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Portuguese Water Dog
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 17 different Portuguese Water Dog birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Portuguese Water Dogs can have is 7 puppies. Also, the Portuguese Water Dog can have as few as 2 puppies per litter and as many as 12 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Portuguese Water Dog compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Portuguese Water Dog Will Have
Portuguese Water Dog Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Portuguese Water Dog will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Portuguese Water Dog is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Portuguese Water Dog litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Portuguese Water Dog will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Portuguese Water Dog
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Portuguese Water Dog will have if your Portuguese Water Dog gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Portuguese Water Dog. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Portuguese Water Dog at different ages. This table applies to a Portuguese Water Dog that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 6 puppies | 5 to 7 puppies |
| 3 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 4 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 5 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 6 | 6 puppies | 3 to 8 puppies |
| 7 | 5 puppies | 3 to 8 puppies |
| 8 | 5 puppies | 2 to 8 puppies |
| 9 | 5 puppies | 1 to 8 puppies |
How Much is a Portuguese Water Dog Puppy
The average price of a Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of a Portuguese Water Dog puppy ranges from $2500 to $3300.
Since the Portuguese Water Dog has an average litter size of 7, therefore a Portuguese Water Dog litter birth is worth $20020.
To learn more about the price of Portuguese Water Dog puppy, check our review on how much Portuguese Water Dog puppy cost, and Portuguese Water Dog buying advice.
How Long is a Portuguese Water Dog Pregnant?
Portuguese Water Dogs are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Portuguese Water Dogs can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Portuguese Water Dog conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Portuguese Water Dog for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Portuguese Water Dog
To ensure that your Portuguese Water Dog successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Portuguese Water Dog well: A good diet will ensure that your Portuguese Water Dog has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Portuguese Water Dog is in good health: Ensure you take your Portuguese Water Dog to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Portuguese Water Dog gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
Conclusion on Portuguese Water Dog Litter Size
Portuguese Water Dogs can have 7 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Portuguese Water Dog will have depends on factors such as the age of the Portuguese Water Dog and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Portuguese Water Dogs the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Portuguese Water Dog. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Portuguese Water Dog gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Portuguese Water Dogs in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.