It has to be recognized that dogs and their ancestors have evolved differently to many other mammals. Dogs, Dingoes, wolves etc, have always been in the middle of other various groups. They are hunters and even the hunted, and whilst they prey on their food, it is not easy to come by, and they could be called opportunists rather than hunters, as they prey on the young of others mainly.

Pseudocyesis

Living in packs they have evolved to rely on each other, and a pack is almost like one animal. So they need to be more flexible than other predators, like the Big Cats. 

One erroneous trait has evolved, that causes a condition called pseudocyesis, or false or phantom pregnancy, and it is more prevalent than many think.

    Dog Evolution         

Mating between dogs almost guarantees a pregnancy, especially if the pair concerned have either had pups, or sired pups previously. After the dogs have joined and locked, sperm will be held in the female's genital tract, and can live for up to seven days. The sperm will seek out eggs, and every egg available will be fertilized. Dogs have evolved this way almost by accident.

Puppies, who gained this propensity, produced a greater chance of reproduction, and the trait flourished within their gene-pool, so much so that it now influences all dog pregnancies.

However, due to an evolutionary accident, a further trait has emerged that is looked upon as almost a malady. After oestrus a unique sequence has evolved which further differentiates dogs from other mammals.

After Oestrus - the Heat Cycle, a unique sequence has evolved which makes the dog even more different from all other mammals.

In a lot of cases, through hormones, the female dog takes on behavior as if she is pregnant, sometimes every time, twice a year, regardless of whether she has mated or not, or has even seen a male. A good thing is that this can pass, virtually unnoticed, but then an almost full blown 'pregnancy' can ensue, along with an eventual false-labor.

Even, if a mating is unsuccessful, the dog can have symptoms of pregnancy, going through physical and mental changes; this includes producing milk and even having a mild but puppy-less labor after 60 days. This will confuse any dog owner, to say the least.

This peculiarity evolved within the tightly connected pack, for several reasons. The main reason is that it happened, and like all traits that evolve they either prosper or die off. But this mutation helped the pack  flourish, because the extra milk helped more puppies survive, and gave the motherless dog more status in the pack, and thus a greater chance for her to have a real litter herself. This carried on the genes that produced this attribute.

So as an owner of a female dog, be prepared to expect that your dog may show all the signs of being pregnant. This could be a desire to be alone, sulking behind the sofa. But also a desire to be closer than normal. Collecting up toys, and making a nest. Whining and begging for no reason, becoming more fussy with her food.

The mammary glands will swell and may even produce milk. The stomach may become larger as if carrying puppies, but will, for the most time, she will not be pregnant. 

Treatment

Treatment in most cases will not be necessary. But if you are a confused owner or in any doubt about what is happening to your animal, go to a Vet. A Vet can treat severe cases, but possibly the best course of action, assuming the dog will not be bred, is to have her spayed.

    Dog Evolution         

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