Wuffies

Actually Angelsun most breeders can tell which ones are long coat before or by the time pups are two weeks of age and some can tell while pups are still wet.

Okay, quick opinion here (it is MY opinion but you have to decide for yourself). A few years ago I went along and had the C5 on my puppy ... puppy NEVER stopped having sniffles (this was the up the nose one) and this went on for months and months, in fact just over a year. In the meantime I only had the C3 with my other pup's - no sniffles, no KC. That decided me to not have the C5 (there are so many variations of KC but the vaccine can only cover a couple of the most common variations). Having said that, I have now not used C5 for more than 7 years and even though we show regularly we have not (touch wood) had KC in our kennels at all. My vet respects my choice on what I vaccinate my "kids" with as he was the one who gave the C5 and saw the difference with MY kids, also as he has never had me there with KC with any of them either (to date). At the end of the day, what you do re vaccination is YOUR CHOICE and your vet should respect this (again IMO).

Sorry not to have posted piccies before, time just got away from me, so here is a selection from birth to 31 Jan just hope the piccies are not too big as not sure how to resize. Day one - 4 Jan 2010 Day five - about half the litter in this photo 2 1/2 weeks old 4 weeks old - one of the boys self stacking

Just a quick note to let you know our litter was born yesterday (4 Jan) we have 8 beautiful babies, 5 boys and 3 girls

Understand what you're saying Joley - I must have skimmed that bit. It was ironic (or maybe just timely) that just after posting my post I received an update from one of my puppy families, including photo's. The words are, to me, a great testimonial BUT the photo's made me go WOW!!!

I have read this thread, including the concern of the new pup owner. Please do not "hang out to dry" the person asking the question, they are as entitled to make their choices as we (breeders) are. The way I read the enquiry it was that they actually were asking if this was "normal" for breeders to request updates - resoundingly the answer is YES, does the new owner "have" to comply, well there are two answers to this, basically the response is no, however, having said that would it be nice or good manners or politeness to at least respond even briefly advising how puppy is progressing and if a photo is available at the time to attach this for the breeder. I am also a breeder and like Bilbo I phone the new puppy homes a few days after they have taken the puppy to live with them. At time of purchase I politely request they keep in touch with me, either a quick email or phone call every so often to let me know how the puppy is developing, if they have any problems please contact me asap so I can assist - I also advise them I will call them a few days after they take baby home to answer any questions they may have or if they are unsure if what baby is doing is "normal". If the puppy is going for show (and hopefully eventually breeding) then I do request that they send monthly update (if not local) so that I can guage how the puppy is developing, I also call from time to time. I must admit that I do endeavour to build a closer relationship with people who are wanting to show and/or breed with my "kids" and they are made fully aware of this prior to purchase. I do ask for an occasional update on "pet" puppies if I haven't heard from them, but generally only up until they are 12 months of age, allowing that many people don't like being asked continually for updates past this time. We still get annual updates (or as I prefer pupdates) from about 70% of our puppy families, I do feel sad that the other 30% don't let us know how their family member is progressing but that is their choice. I too have files/folders (both physical and electronic) on each of our litters/puppies and enjoy looking back over time and also seeing where things have gone right with my breeding program or where improvements could be made in subsequent breedings.

Thanks Bilbo & FS we're sure looking forward to Lina's first litter

We're expecting a litter of GSD's 5th January

Hi Archie, With GSD's if their ears aren't up by around 5 months you can use tape (elastoplast - must be very sticky). I wouldn't worry about it at the age your puppy is at the moment, don't forget he's probably teething too which, with GSD's, means their ears are up and down like yoyo's - also quite often floppy to one side or the other (very cute look actually). Leave his ears for a while, check with his breeder about what to expect as each breed has different timing of ears etc. Only if the breeder suggests tape would I use it and then not until around 4.5 to 5 months of age minimum . Cheers, Wuffies