Timing is everything with a dog pregnancy scan. Scan too early and you may miss the embryos entirely; wait too long and you lose the most useful diagnostic window. Here's what you need to know.
The ideal scanning window
The best time to scan your bitch is between 25 and 35 days after mating, with around day 28–30 being the sweet spot. At this stage, the embryonic sacs are clearly visible and — crucially — you can detect the puppies' heartbeats, which is the most reliable confirmation that the pregnancy is progressing well.
Scan earlier than 25 days and the embryos are often too small to see clearly. Wait past 35 days and the puppies start to overlap, making it harder to get a clear image and an accurate (if rough) count.
What scanning can — and can't — tell you
Ultrasound is excellent at confirming a pregnancy and checking viability. What it's less reliable for is giving you an exact puppy count. The puppies move around and can overlap, making it easy to double-count or miss one. If an accurate count matters to you — for whelping preparation, for instance — a vet X-ray at around day 55 will give you a much clearer answer.
What if I don't know the exact mating date?
Don't worry — this is more common than you'd think, especially with natural matings. Give us your best estimate and we'll talk you through when to book. We'd rather scan slightly early and rescan than miss the window entirely.
Is it safe for the puppies?
Completely. Ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation, and is entirely safe for both mother and developing puppies at any stage of pregnancy. We may clip a small patch of fur on the tummy to get a clearer image, but that's the extent of the preparation.
What to expect on the day
The scan takes around 30 minutes and is calm and stress-free. We carry it out at our farm in Middlewich, which is easy to reach from Crewe, Sandbach, Northwich and across Cheshire. Your bitch doesn't need to be sedated or fasted. Just bring her along, keep her reasonably calm, and we'll do the rest.
Book a pregnancy scan in Cheshire — £25
We offer dog pregnancy ultrasound scans at our farm in Middlewich — just £25, around 30 minutes. Easy to reach from Crewe, Sandbach, Northwich, Congleton and Holmes Chapel.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to scan a pregnant dog?
Between 25 and 35 days after mating. Ideally around day 28–30 for the clearest results and heartbeat detection.
Can ultrasound give an exact puppy count?
Not reliably. Ultrasound gives a rough idea of litter size, but for an accurate count, a vet X-ray at around day 55 is recommended.
How much does a dog pregnancy scan cost near me?
At Moorsbarrow Hall Farm in Middlewich, Cheshire, a dog pregnancy scan costs £25. We serve clients from Crewe, Sandbach, Northwich, Congleton and across Cheshire.
Is it safe to scan a pregnant dog?
Yes — ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation. It is completely safe for the mother and the developing puppies.