ICB Dark Whelping Project
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THE PROBLEM
The perinatal mortality rate in dogs is extraordinarily high.
This has been attributed to "uterine inertia" (slow whelping), during which puppies are exposed to low oxygen or even run out of oxygen before birth. Puppies that survive despite inadequate oxygen face health challenges not only in their first days and weeks, but over their lifetime, because of long-term free radical damage to organs, tissues, and DNA.
Uterine inertia is caused by exposure to light during labor. Light suppresses secretion of melatonin, which is needed for maximum contraction strength. If the bitch is exposed to even very dim light, whelping is prolonged and difficult. The evidence of damage is in the high rates of stillborn and distressed puppies, and the long list of health disorders in dogs.
We can solve this problem by protecting the bitch from light before and during whelping. Here at ICB, we have been working to develop protocols that breeders can follow to set up their whelping environment and monitor whelping without exposing the bitch to light.
Every breeder's whelping setup is different, and every whelping event has its own unique challenges. We are trying to gain enough experience with real-world whelping to create a protocol document that will cover the logistics and challenges most breeders will face.
For this, we need your help!
You can participate in our Citizen Science Project by registering your own upcoming litter! We will help you with planning, logistics, and reassurance so things will go smoothly, plus we will collect the data we need for proof of concept and creation of a protocol that breeders can use in the future.
You can help! Become a Citizen Scientist and register your upcoming litter for the project now!
The perinatal mortality rate in dogs is extraordinarily high.
This has been attributed to "uterine inertia" (slow whelping), during which puppies are exposed to low oxygen or even run out of oxygen before birth. Puppies that survive despite inadequate oxygen face health challenges not only in their first days and weeks, but over their lifetime, because of long-term free radical damage to organs, tissues, and DNA.
Uterine inertia is caused by exposure to light during labor. Light suppresses secretion of melatonin, which is needed for maximum contraction strength. If the bitch is exposed to even very dim light, whelping is prolonged and difficult. The evidence of damage is in the high rates of stillborn and distressed puppies, and the long list of health disorders in dogs.
We can solve this problem by protecting the bitch from light before and during whelping. Here at ICB, we have been working to develop protocols that breeders can follow to set up their whelping environment and monitor whelping without exposing the bitch to light.
Every breeder's whelping setup is different, and every whelping event has its own unique challenges. We are trying to gain enough experience with real-world whelping to create a protocol document that will cover the logistics and challenges most breeders will face.
For this, we need your help!
You can participate in our Citizen Science Project by registering your own upcoming litter! We will help you with planning, logistics, and reassurance so things will go smoothly, plus we will collect the data we need for proof of concept and creation of a protocol that breeders can use in the future.
You can help! Become a Citizen Scientist and register your upcoming litter for the project now!
THE DARK WHELPING PROJECT
ICB is conducting a breeder-funded reserach project to determine if we can prevent uterine inertia by controlling light in the whelping room.
After you register your litter to participate in the project, you will receive personal guidance about setting up your whelping room suitable for Dark Whelping about a week before whelping. The whelping process will be monitored from video feed from first signs of labor until all puppies are born, and guidance provided to the breeder as appropriate and necessary to minimize the risk of uterine inertia. We will collect data on the timing of births and the condition of the puppies at birth and over the next few days.
There is a $550 fee to register your litter (includes a $50 non-refundable deposit), and you will get our course about light and reproduction in dogs for FREE! (see below)
COURSE ABOUT LIGHT AND CANINE REPRODUCTION
ICB's new course, "From Breeding to Weaning: The Critical Importance Of Light" is included in the litter registration.
There are seven live, 90 minute lectures, held weekly on Wednesdays via Zoom. All lectures video taped and available on the course website. Course starts Wednesday 6 May 2026. All lectures at 8-9:30 PM EST (5-6:30 pm PST). Overseas students welcome!
Students can access all course materials online 24/7.
ICB is conducting a breeder-funded reserach project to determine if we can prevent uterine inertia by controlling light in the whelping room.
After you register your litter to participate in the project, you will receive personal guidance about setting up your whelping room suitable for Dark Whelping about a week before whelping. The whelping process will be monitored from video feed from first signs of labor until all puppies are born, and guidance provided to the breeder as appropriate and necessary to minimize the risk of uterine inertia. We will collect data on the timing of births and the condition of the puppies at birth and over the next few days.
There is a $550 fee to register your litter (includes a $50 non-refundable deposit), and you will get our course about light and reproduction in dogs for FREE! (see below)
COURSE ABOUT LIGHT AND CANINE REPRODUCTION
ICB's new course, "From Breeding to Weaning: The Critical Importance Of Light" is included in the litter registration.
There are seven live, 90 minute lectures, held weekly on Wednesdays via Zoom. All lectures video taped and available on the course website. Course starts Wednesday 6 May 2026. All lectures at 8-9:30 PM EST (5-6:30 pm PST). Overseas students welcome!
Students can access all course materials online 24/7.
|
Register your litter for the project...
get the "Light" course FREE! $550.00 per litter (includes $50 non-refundable deposit) |
You can learn more about the genetics of dogs in
ICB's Online Courses.
Visit our Facebook Groups
ICB Institute of Canine Biology
...the latest canine news and research
ICB Breeding for the Future
...the science of animal breeding
ICB's Online Courses.
Visit our Facebook Groups
ICB Institute of Canine Biology
...the latest canine news and research
ICB Breeding for the Future
...the science of animal breeding
