If you have a female Maltese and you’re not sure how many puppies he can have, we invite you to read this article.

Normally, females of this breed usually have a minimum of 3 puppies and a maximum of 8 puppies, depending on a number of factors including Size and Age.

If you want your dog to become a mother, we advise you to inform yourself about the progress of her pregnancy. The delivery of a dog is always a concern for her owners, but if you have been well informed before, you will be ready to deal with any situation, just like your dog, and you will ensure the well-being of your pet.

There are certain factors that should be taken into account and that will determine the number of puppies that your Maltese will give birth. One of the first factors is size, the Maltese are a small breed and size is a very important factor. Another factor that determines the number of puppies that your dog can have is her age, from the fourth heat cycle, and is at a minimum age of 2 years old, the fertility of the female is optimal.

What Is The Best Age To Breed A Female

it is important to take into account certain aspects to know how to manage the future pregnancy of the Maltese. In the case of males, it is strongly recommended that you wait for one year before, or even longer so they could grow to become normal adults. With females, you have to be more careful because they will have litters of puppies. A Female Maltese normally lives her first heat at the age of 6 months, it can generally occur at any time between 4 months and one year old. It is recommended that your dog has litters from her first heat, that is to say from a year and a half or 2 years.

Heat Cycle of Female Maltese

A normal heat cycle lasts approximately lasts between 2 and 3 weeks and is divided into several phases. The first phase is called proestrus and starts from the moment a female Maltese vulva begins to swell, and you may notice her licking herself more than usual. The next phase is ovulation, the best time for mating the female. At this time, the swelling disappears and, in general, females can begin their pregnancy after this period. Ovulation can last from a few days to nearly two weeks. You need to know that the most fertile days are usually the 9th to 14th days after the start of menstruation.

In any case, it is important that you know exactly how ovulated your Female Maltese is, especially if a mating has been planned. It is always best to go to the vet to estimate the best time for it.

Caring for Your Maltese During the Heat Cycle

Keep a close eye on her: This is mainly to protect her from an unwanted breeding because males can detect the scent of a female in heat from some distance away, and they’ll travel from blocks away to find her.

This is mainly to protect her from an unwanted breeding because males can detect the scent of a female in heat from some distance away, and they’ll travel from blocks away to find her. Be extra patient and gentle with her: She may feel a little under the weather during the proestrus stage.

She may feel a little under the weather during the proestrus stage. Avoid bathing her until she completely stops discharging: That way you can figure her cervix is closed again, and she’ll be less likely to develop a vaginal/uterine infection from the bathwater.

That way you can figure her cervix is closed again, and she’ll be less likely to develop a vaginal/uterine infection from the bathwater. Have your female Maltese checked for brucellosis: Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted, and it can cause infertility in both sexes. request that the dog owner has the male checked as well

It’s All About Timing

Timing the cycle is imperative in how many puppies your dog can have. Females Maltese usually have a few days of fertility during which they are more likely to have greater litter size. The number of puppies your pet will have will depend on the eggs released from the ovaries when mating, and it is also important that the male has a good fertility rate.

The length of gestation

Because of its small size, The gestation period for Female Maltese usually lasts between 58 and 59 days, Beginning in the fifth week, the first symptoms of pregnancy will appear in Maltese, and it will enlarge in the flanks and breasts. During the last phase of gestation, you will see that the puppies move, and you will know that the day of delivery has arrived when your dog will eat nothing and its temperature will go down. You will notice your dog having difficulty breathing and start preparing his bed for the imminent arrival of the puppies.

Once your dog has given birth, it is very important to respect the living space of your pet and its puppies. Avoid bathing your Maltese immediately after giving birth, as you will eliminate the smell and his little ones may feel confused. If you wish, you can keep the dog away for a few seconds, wipe a wet towel all over her body, and after drying it well, you have to return it to her puppies.

During the first 12 hours after delivery, your dog will not be able to eat, and it will be perfectly normal. Just leave some fresh, clean water nearby, and after a few hours, you can leave food near his bed to start feeding.

You may never breed your female Maltese, but it’s good to know all about the heat cycle