🦴 Updated on July 20th, 2023
Preparing for a new litter can be exciting, but it can come with some concerns if you are unprepared. As a pet owner, you will want your dog to be comfortable and have enough space and supplies for her babies once they arrive.
So, how many puppies can a Pitbull have? The answer will depend on several factors, such as age, health, and parental genetics.
On average, a Pitbull will have around five puppies in a litter, but it can be as few as one or as many as ten. Let’s examine the contributing elements affecting a Pitbull’s litter size.
The Pitbull Gestation Period
The gestation period for Pitbulls ranges from 62 to 64 days. Depending on the breed’s size, health, and genetics, this timeline can be less or more by a day or more.
How Long Does It Take for Pitbulls to Have Puppies?
Although two months seems like a straightforward schedule, it can be challenging to determine the exact point of conception, making it seem longer to some pet owners.
The Heat Cycle
At what age can a female Pitbull breed? Before your Pitbull can get pregnant, she must enter her heat cycle. This stage indicates sexual maturity and typically happens around six months old. A female dog can remain in heat for two to three weeks, allowing time to breed with a male.
An Active Pregnancy
You can confirm positive breeding with your Pitbull by visiting a local veterinarian for an examination. Your pet may also have appetite, mood, and energy level changes. A typical Pitbull pregnancy will last 63 days from conception.
Birthing the Litter
During active labor, your Pitbull will deliver her puppies one at a time. This process can take her 30 to 60 minutes to successfully deliver each puppy. Knowing your Pitbull litter size beforehand will help you gauge when your pet is finished. Typically, the birthing process can take up to 24 hours to complete.
Contributing Factors of a Pitbull Litter Size
If you are trying to guess how many puppies does a Pitbull have in a litter, exploring these factors can help you narrow down a number.
Size of Parents and Genetics
One contributing factor to Pitbull litters is the size of your pet and the breeding parent. On average, Pitbulls are medium-sized dogs and will have a litter of 5 puppies which is typical for their stature. Your dog’s genetics play a large part in how many puppies they produce in each litter.
When comparing Pitbulls to other dog breeds, it’s apparent that smaller dogs will have less offspring with each litter, while larger breeds produce more puppies.
Of course, your pet may be smaller or larger than normal or breed with a male that is outside of standard Pitbull sizing. So, take a look at both parents, and you can determine if the litter will fall into a medium-dog or large-dog litter.
Your Dog’s Age
Naturally, the dog’s age will affect how many puppies she can have. It can be common for young Pitbulls to have fewer early in life.
So, how many puppies do Pitbulls have in the first litter? Your pet may only produce two or three puppies in its original litter. In contrast, older female dogs may have fewer puppies than previous litters as they age.
Generally, if your Pitbull has multiple litters throughout their life, they will be similar in size each time.
Your Pet’s Health
Your pet’s health can also contribute to the Pitbull litter size. Of course, if your female dog is overweight or not in optimal health, her body will not produce average or larger-sized litters. In these cases, unhealthy mothers may only have one or two puppies in total.
As long as your Pitbull is healthy and at her target weight without any pre-existing conditions, her litter should be around five puppies each time.
How Many Times Can a Pitbull Get Pregnant?
A female Pitbull can enter her heat cycle once, twice, or three times annually. This frequency makes it possible for your dog to get pregnant more than once a year.
In addition, dogs do not experience menopause like humans do, meaning they can produce multiple litters their entire life.
However, it isn’t favorable for your Pitbull to have more than one litter per year. Producing multiple puppies can take its toll on your pet. She will need time to recuperate and sustain a healthy weight before attempting to have another litter.
Consequently, Pitbulls who are continuously bred every year can also see a decline in litter numbers. This overbreeding can affect the health of the mother and her puppies.
Therefore, many reputable breeders will only use a female once a year for approximately four years before they retire her from a breeding program.
How Many Puppies Can a Blue Nose Pitbull Have?
A Blue Nose Pitbull is an average-sized dog that can produce a litter of around five puppies. However, in some situations where the female is in optimal health and age, you may even see litters as high as 10 puppies at once.
The genetics of a Blue Nose Pitbull can range from medium to large-sized dogs, which may affect the litter numbers.
Some smaller Pitbulls of this breed will only be 30 pounds, while those on the larger end of the scale can reach up to 85 pounds or more. Therefore, the size of your Blue Nose Pitbull can indicate its litter sizes.
The Takeaway: A Pitbull Litter Size
Having a concrete idea of how many puppies your Pitbull can have will ensure you are ready when these little ones arrive. However, guessing how many puppies a Pitbull can have is not an exact science.
So, if you want a definite number to prepare for, it’s best to visit your veterinarian who can confirm the exact litter size. An average Pitbull should produce five puppies, but it can be more or fewer depending on age, genetics, and health.
