Could she have been a Mother?

NeNe

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#1
We adopted Grace about 2yrs ago & the shelter estimated her age at around 2 yrs old. Every dog we have had prior to her, we had from puppies & they were spay around 6 months of age & they all had a nice tuck to their belly area. Grace has a rounded belly. The Vet is good with her weight - she has good muscle tone and definition to her waist. Could her rounded instead of tucked belly area mean she has had puppies in the past? Oh, she is a Schnauzer. Just curious- she is such a good dog & I find myself wondering about her past before we adopted her.
 
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CaliTerp07

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#2
She could have, absolutely. It's not uncommon for people to find out their dog is pregnant and dump either pregnant mama or mama with babies.

It can drive you crazy not knowing their past, can't it? I often wondered what Lucy's former homes were like--we were her third family when we adopted her at 3 years old. Thanks for adopting Grace and giving her a good home :)
 

Grab

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#3
If she's a Miniature Schnauzer, they're also prone to a host of ailments that can cause rounded bellies. Cushings, Thyroid issues, etc. You might look to see if she has any of the other symptoms of those ailments and do further testing, if needed. With conditioning and proper diet, a dog who has had a litter should not retain a rounded belly..

Alternatively, it could just be her structure
 

frostfell

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#4
any bitch who has been through any heat cycles will get saggy boobies, esp if they milk like a holstein with their false pregnancies. a BULGE on the other hand is not normal at all, post-spay, not even if they were a professional mill bitch
 

SizzleDog

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any bitch who has been through any heat cycles will get saggy boobies, esp if they milk like a holstein with their false pregnancies. a BULGE on the other hand is not normal at all, post-spay, not even if they were a professional mill bitch
Saggy boobies? I don't think so... at least, my dogs haven't. Bigger nipples sure, but not "saggy boobies."

Not only did Kaylee go through several heat cycles, but she's also had a litter of puppies. This is a photo I took a few months after she weaned her puppies:



2.5 years post-whelp:

KayleeNEcat3 by sizzzle_dog, on Flickr


I agree with you though - a big bulgey stomach is not a good sign. :(
 

Shai

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Saggy boobies? I don't think so... at least, mine haven't. Bigger nipples sure, but not "saggy boobies."

Not only did Kaylee go through several heat cycles, but she's also had a litter of puppies. This is a photo I took a few months after she weaned her puppies:

I agree with you though - a big bulgey stomach is not a good sign. :(
^ Ditto all of this. Mira has had three heat cycles and while her nipples are larger than Kim's, who has never had a heat cycle, they are not saggy...they simply aren't nearly flush anymore. She's coated though so pictures wouldn't help illustrate.
 

Laurelin

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#7
Summer had two pregnancies (1 failed, 1 stillborn) prior to me getting her and she's got a nice tuck up and no bulgy belly or saggy nipples. ;)
 

CaliTerp07

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#8
Wouldn't it depend somewhat on the way the breeding was done? I mean, there is a beagle foster at the place I train now, and she had TEN humongous puppies (they look to be lab or rottie mixes). Poor girl has super saggy tummy now.

I gotta believe it's like people--some you can't tell they were ever pregnant, and others have saggy boobs and excess skin for life.
 

Shai

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Wouldn't it depend somewhat on the way the breeding was done? I mean, there is a beagle foster at the place I train now, and she had TEN humongous puppies (they look to be lab or rottie mixes). Poor girl has super saggy tummy now.

I gotta believe it's like people--some you can't tell they were ever pregnant, and others have saggy boobs and excess skin for life.
Varies I guess. Mira's mom had 3 litters -- 12, 7, and the last was 5 huge puppies. She still has her girlish figure. She's very active and athletic though.
 
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#10
Wouldn't it depend somewhat on the way the breeding was done?
I think so. I've seen a lot of rescue/puppy mill dogs that definitely have a lot of excess sagging/skin. Maybe just from lack of care during/after breeding, or breeding lots of litters back to back, or stuff like that.

I would worry about a rounded/firm belly, though.
 

NeNe

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#11
Thanks all. She has been for 2 yearly exams since we adopted her & the Vet has always given her a clean bill of health. I guess she is just different in structure than our other dogs. I intend to do everything in my power to insure a long healthy life for her. She is such a Sweetheart.
 

frostfell

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#12
Saggy boobies? I don't think so... at least, my dogs haven't. Bigger nipples sure, but not "saggy boobies."

Not only did Kaylee go through several heat cycles, but she's also had a litter of puppies. This is a photo I took a few months after she weaned her puppies:



2.5 years post-whelp:

KayleeNEcat3 by sizzzle_dog, on Flickr


I agree with you though - a big bulgey stomach is not a good sign. :(
I know. And I am forever envious of your sexy trim post-whelp bitch. Mine is SPAYED now and still has big saggy fleshy curtains for boobies smh

depends on the bitch, clearly. also yours is raw fed, mine was not. and Ill wager she gets a lot more physical workout than my lazy houseplant
 

Aleron

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#14
I gotta believe it's like people--some you can't tell they were ever pregnant, and others have saggy boobs and excess skin for life.
This has been my experience. Also I think some breeds tend to look better after litters than others. A friend's dog had two litters and looked like a cow the rest of her life. The dog was well cared for and raw fee but still very saggy, it happens.

As for the dog in this post, I'd be concerned about the health issues that have been mentioned in a Schnauzer with a round belly.
 

smkie

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#15
In my opinion there is a slight different feeling to the muscles of the tummy. AT least Mary's and mine tho we were both muscular, never were completely the same again.It feels just a little softer tho the appearance can be just about the same. My Mom said Mary would never go back with all that milk she had, but she did.
The only saggy baggies I ever saw were over bred females. Pepper has a totally different appearance even tho she never had puppies. If you looked at her you would think maybe she had, if you touched down the middle of her stomach, you would never she never did. THe skin is very taunt and the muscles hard across evenly. I would think a round tummy would more likely be something else.
 

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