In the market for a whelping box? When considering the purchase of a whelping box, there are many factors that play into your decision apart from being a safe, clean and cozy place for your puppies to come into the world. There are charts and recommendations online to start your process, but ideally, your decision comes down to a myriad of options and other considerations. To help you in your decision process, carefully consider the following situations:

Size of Dog.

It all comes down to the size of the dog, right? Wrong. OK, it wouldn’t make sense to buy a small size whelping box for a Great Dane, however, we have had some extraordinarily large custom-ordered whelping boxes made specifically for a Pekinese! This situation was quite unique, however. The dog owner wanted enough room in the whelping box to lay beside her dog and play with the puppies. The size of the dog is a great starting point, but often, breeders want to make sure that the dog has enough room to remain comfortably in the space with the puppies, with room to move around if she needs to reposition. Most breeders don’t want to give their dog too much room to move around, however, or else the dog could get away from the puppies and they won’t be able to nurse on-demand.

Litter Size & Frequency.

How many puppies are you expecting? If you only have a couple in your litter, a smaller box might be the best fit for your new friends, however, the larger the litter, the larger the box should be to allow room for growing, active pups. How often do you have litters? Do you have to set up and tear down frequently? Having an easy-to-assemble whelping box makes birthing prep much easier. Do you have room to store a large box? Consider selecting a box that stores flat!

Space Requirements.

Does your home allow for a large whelping box? No, it isn’t a permanent fixture in your home, but for the weeks you will use it, do you have enough room to live in the space and enjoy your new puppies? If space isn’t an issue, do you have room for an extension pen or additional accessories?

Temperament of the Mother.

Not all dogs react the same when it comes to raising puppies. If your dog gets aggravated easily, perhaps a larger whelping box is in order to give her a place to get away when needed. Or, if your dog wants to be with the puppies at all times, you may be able to get by with a smaller option. Does your dog push the box around and you need something heavier to keep in one place? Does your dog chew on the sides, or flop down on puppies, where you may need a puppy rail around the edges to protect them?

While your head may be spinning with all the criteria you need to consider before deciding on which whelping box to buy, always remember that at Lakeside Products, we are always available to answer your questions and help you determine which whelping box is right for you! Whatever requirements you have for your whelping box, Lakeside Products' MagnaBox has the options available for your needs. Check us out online at LakesideProducts.com for ordering information.