What would be a good whelping box for a minpin?

Question

I have a minpin that is about 9 inches high (sorry, I'm not quite sure how much she weighs). She is due to have puppies in a few weeks. I know I need to get her used to her whelping box soon. But I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about what to use.

And PLEASE don't say, "You need to spay your dog." I know you all have your opinions about the dog population, and I don't even necessarily disagree with them, but please, don't tell me what to do. I'm a big girl and I can make my own decisions.

sniffydogs, Please don't tell me you think that people should not be allowed to breed dogs on there own. That seems like where you are trying to go with this. I am trying my best to do what I can to help my dog and her puppies to stay healthy during her pregnancy.
Also, I am not ignorant about breeding, And I actually know quite a bit about whelping boxes. I simply wanted to get other people's ideas about them. And I have recieved some very good answers.
You speak of "backyard breeders" as if they were the devil's minions or something. (I think the ones that are really in it for the money are the purebred breeders...)
I don't even expect to break even as far as my expenses go. And I don't plan to become a "backyard breeder"
I'm sorry if I sound a bit mad... but I did warn you :) . I also know firsthand about the pet overpopulation problem. This wasn't a planned breeding, but there isn't anything I can do about it now except find good loving homes for them.
I hope you understand.

Answer 1

Congratulations on the expected litter. I have 2 adult minpins and they had a litter 11 weeks ago. What I did for my female was give her security. She seemed to want to be in my room all the time while she was pregnant. I decided to give her the closet for safety. It was 3ft by 4ft. Plenty of room for her to have her puppies. I got some card board and layered the carpeted floor with it in the closet, the I put in some a flat 2 inch thick pillow on one side for her to lay on. I felt better that she had her puppies in my room. I helped her deliver her puppies. When the puppies were 4 weeks old, I moved her into another room. I made a 5ft by 8ft run for her with some extra wood I had laying around. The puppies and her were able to move around freely. My puppies also started to eat puppy food between 4-5 weeks of age. I started paper training and crate training. They are doing great. If you need any other info or help, feel free to ask. I will help if I can. Let me know how things are going.

Answer 2

Good Evening, I am a Min Pin Breeder, and I use a one of those under the bed storage boxes, and put that into a baby play pen, The storage box will keep them in there till they are at least 3 weeks old, I have a litter that is almost 4 weeks and they work wonderful, but the only problem i have trying to keep momma in there, so i put a large peice of ply wood over top the play pen, and that gives her room to roam around and lay out of the box if she wish's
Also, when the pups are about 4 weeks old I cut out the end of that storage box and lay down pee pads so the pups can start using pee pee pads and then they can get right back in to the box as they wish, I learned all this from a wonderful Chihuahua breeder and it works great for me,
I hope this has helped and good luck with your Min Pins, they are so wonderful and take lots of pictures cause they grow so fast, if you have anymore questions let me know

Answer 3

For a dog that small, try getting a very large plastic dog crate (the kind that's solid plastic with a metal door) and remove the door and top half so it's just a large plastic base. Line it with soft towels or t-shirts- no point in using good bedding when it'll get all messy anyway.

A lot of people like to use round kids plastic wading pools also.

Just make sure it's safe, comfy, no sharp corners, deep enough to keep the puppies in until they can walk well, and not absorbent so the messiness can be cleaned out easily.

Answer 4

I'm an old time advocate of making whelping boxes with a puppy rail so that mom doesn't squash a puppy by laying on it.
Just go to Home Depot and get some cheap shelving and a 2x2. frame 4 pieces of the shelving into a square using 2x2 along the bottom edge. Then attach 1x4 to the top of the 2x2. This will give you a 2 inch rail that is 2 inches off the floor. If mom lays down with a puppy behind her it will fit under the rail and not get squashed. I do not put a floor in mine, instead I cut a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet to set the box on.

Here is a pic
http://www.hunt101.com/img/317247.jpg

Answer 5

As a couple of the others have said, the underbed storgae boxes are great for a small dog and pups. That is what I use for my chihuahuas. The mom can easily jump in and out and the pups can't at least not until they are a little older. Have some baby blankets or old towels for bedding. My dogs whelp in these boxes and they stay in there with the babies until they are a few weeks old and start to get out and wander around.

Answer 6

Hi, You know them little blue pools from Kmart or walmart the one for kids? those make good first time whelping boxes, you just have to make sure you keep your puppies in the middle cause it doesn't protect the puppies if they should get behind mom and get suffercated.. I have used one with a german Shephed before we made our whelping boxes :)

Answer 7

Yes, the underbed storage boxes make good whelping boxes. Not too high and easy to clean.

Answer 8

Puppies are the best huh? I agree with some of the other answers one of those under the bed boxes to start with. Remember that Mom should be eating puppy chow and at 4 weeks old you can start introducing dry small bite puppy chow
to the pups they won't eat it, but they will play with it which is good for their gums and digest system.. As they get older they will start to eat it on their own. Do not alter the food in any way by making it wet, dry for any dog is the best.. Mom should also eat dry puppy chow untill she weens them.

Answer 9

Check with other min pin breeders and see what they use.
I use a small kiddie pool for my dogs. It's a breeze to clean (Odoban at Sam's club) and the babies can stay "contained" for several weeks! And Mom can hop in/out as needed.
Good Luck,
Breeder/AKC Judge

Answer 10

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