While the following diagram might seem rather complicated and difficult to build, it is well worth the effort required. It was designed for a medium or large size bitch and has evolved gradually from a more humble beginning as the need became apparent. The following features are incorporated:

Puppy Exercise Room
This added room is the most useful feature of the design. From two weeks of age onward, puppies will learn to use this room to eliminate, keeping the larger area clean and free of waste. An added bonus is that it perfectly fits overlapped normal size newspaper sheets. Cleaning up becomes a breeze by simply rolling up the soiled newspaper, giving a quick mop with disinfectant and applying clean newspaper. This room should be closed off for the first two weeks to keep the puppies under the whelping lamp and prevent them from getting lost out of Mom's reach.

Raised Skirted Platform Base
The entire whelping box sits on a 2"x4" base, giving adequate support for a person to get inside the box if necessary during whelping and keeping the puppies up off of the floor to avoid dampness and drafts. By closing off the perimeter to floor level, you avoid hair and toys becoming stuck underneath the box.

Mom's Entrance with Removable Boards
This entrance can be left low to accommodate the mother when she is most cumbersome, and gradually raised to keep the puppies contained.

2"x4" Pig Rail
The rail keeps the mom from lying directly against the side of the box, and enables the puppies to move around the outside edge of the box even when Mom is in the way. By having a solid bar instead of the more common dowel, the rail also provides an area for puppies to escape the heat if they are too warm. You will also find that Mom enjoys this rail to rest her head while nursing.

Swing-Down End Wall
This is also one of the best features of this box. Constantly lifting puppies out of the box can be tedious and time consuming, never mind the unnecessary stress on forming joints. By hinging the end wall, you can swing the wall down to facilitate the removal of puppies for feeding and play time. The wall must be securely latched at the top of the box on the outside. Latches on the inside will eventually be operated by curious puppies and could be dangerous.

I have been using this box for several years and find it to be easy to work with and very comfortable and secure for both Mom and her pups. It has the added advantage of training the puppies to be neat at an early age. I feed my puppies outside of the box and find that all I have to do is put down a couple of pieces of paper and they are immediately trained to use it. If you like this design, please feel free to use it. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.