The American Beagler Forum

Anyone out there run pregnant bitches. This afternoon I took my very pregnant bitch out for a walk. I had her on one of those retractable leashes. I have an exercise pen but most of the time when I put her in she will walk around for a while then go lay down. I try to take her out for a walk most days. Expecting moms need exercise.. Back to my story. As soon as we entered a woods trail, she went wild. The rabbit must have just been there. I was very tempted to let her go for a run. The 80 degree temp, high humity and skeeters made me reconsider…. I have heard that running a bitch full of pups can be a good thing. Somehow the pups are supposed to learn about running rabbits even before they are born. I have never ran any of mine while they were full of pups… Most of the time I end up breeding in the spring and the weather gets hot early here in south Mississippi. Anyone out there run their bitches when caring pups. If you do, other than exercise, what is the benifits ?????? Harvey

CAINCUTTER wrote: Anyone out there run their bitches when caring pups. If you do, other than exercise, what is the benifits ?????? Harvey

None. I have ran bitches that were pregnant but not the last couple of weeks. It would depend upon the running style of the bitch. If I had a medium speed bitch that I could catch when I determined she had enough then it wouldn't bother me. If I had a run to catch type hound then I wouldn't chance it after the first few weeks. That is just my opinion and no facts to base it on.

I have been running my pregnant bitch regularly. She's now around 35 days into her pregnancy, ran her just yesterday and she was hammer-down the whole evening . However, yesterday was probably the last trip she will have to the field with the rest of the dogs, but she will still get ran, solo. After they reach the halfway point in the term, I quit running them packed and start running them solo so they dont feel the pressure to run so hard if they cant due to the extra weight, etc they are carrying. I will also shorten the running time some too, an hour each outing is plenty for a pregnant bitch, and do it during the most cool part of the day too. Just keep an eye on her and dont let her over do it. If you notice her starting to get tired or breathing heavier than normal, reel her in and quit for the day. Once the female hits around 1-2 weeks to go to whelping, it's only the backyard for her, no more running in the field.

A fat, out of shape bitch will have a harder time whelping puppies.

I run mine until they start showing then quit.

Run her.Just do it with some common sence.

Since she's 43 days onto welping, I would use good sense and not over due her on the exercise. Sore and infected teats are not something mom will want the little ones messing with. I think the point is, not to lay them up and allow them to put on a layer of fat and get out of shape...

I agree with patch ! (thats a first)

I quit running my pregnant female a week and a half before she was due. This is my first litter I have raised. She didin't have a bit of trouble having her 7 pups. Just my two cents


Jeremy

I had my very pregnent bitch out agin for a walk. It was around 2 PM and the temp is above 80 degreese.... I saw the rabbit when it took off and my little mama hound went into full cry on the leash. I wanted to let her run but again decided aginst it.... She is only 44 days bred, but is rounded out and tits are getting big.... As much as I would love to hear her put the hammer down on a rabbit I just do not want to take a chance on her getting over heated or cut up by briers......Harvey