You ARE the father!

by Nikki
(Austin, Texas)

I was wondering if a mother dog can be impregnated by multiple male dogs?

My dog had puppies about 2 months ago, she had gone into heat and was sneaking out of the yard--mostly when we were not home or asleep believe it or not!! And she had 7 puppies--3 of whom did not make it.

2 were white, one was grey. Of the pups that did survive she had 2 brown/Black mixed dogs, one short-haired beige puppy & a long hair beige puppy. My dog is also a mix breed but she has markings of a rottie. Some of the pups could pass for a pitbull pup. But we have been trying to figure out if it is possible for them to have different fathers.

We gave the short-haired beige puppy to a friend of mine and when she took her to the vet she was told the puppy may be mixed with lab. Which is more confusing because we have never seen a lab in the neighborhood. HELP!



Hi Nikki
It sounds as though your little girl was having LOTS of fun :o)

Yes, it is possible for a female dog to be impregnated by more than one male, if they both got to her while she was fertile.

That could have happened here. But, it's also possible that the dad was a mixed breed and the puppies are just the result of all those different characteristics.

It's really impossible to tell for sure. The 'lab' look in the beige puppy could come from either mixed breed parent if they had lab in their heritage somewhere.

As long as the puppies are healthy and sound temperamentally I wouldn't worry about it at all. Many mixed breeds are healthier and more stable than some of their 'better-bred' relatives.