LizT

Understandably upsetting. When I had to PTS our little boy at three days I teared up and was surprised at how much the loss was felt! A life has passed and needs to be aknowledged, however short.

So sorry Rosered. It sounded like this puppy may have had a small cleft palate. Milk from her nose is an indication of this. She may have been able to keep some milk down depending on whether the teat pressed against the small hole and made a seal. But often infection will set in and the puppy will get ill and die. So sorry to hear of her passing. Run free little one. We lost our only boy from a cleft palate on day 3 with my first litter. He left 5 sisters behind.

Liz there was seven boys and one girl, totally enough for me and especially for a first time mummy! :) We hope to keep the girl, but time will tell. :laugh: You will be having fun.

As stated above. :) Remember milk production is about "supply and demand". If you supplement the pups you are taking away mums oportunity to produce enough milk to happily feed the seven pups. Feed mum "the good stuff" and give her the puppy milk. The more good quality food she gets the better her ability to produce enough milk. You will then cut her feed back gradually at about 6 weeks as she naturally weans her brood. Supervise and rotate pups if you are concerned someone is missing out.

Sorry, maybe I havent't explained myself well...I was thinking of getting a pup from a pure-bred border collie and pure-bred labrador retriever...in that case, I meant it would be 50/50... A Registerd Breeder is actually not permitted to breed it's purebred dog with any other Purebred dog, other than of the same breed. Therefore you are unlikely to get any health testing from such a combination. And to use the Labrador X Poodle (Labradoodle) as an example of a 50/50 split. It was found the variations in coat, temperament and size too great for this breed combination to be of any real use as a guide dog. Unfortunately the Spin Doctors had made it a popular "designer Dog" and the rest is history. Not to say a cross breed dog isn't going to be a wonderful, clever individual. The smartest loveliest dog I have ever owned was a Border Collie X Aust Cattle Dog. But I couldn't replicate her in size, temperament or personality even if I wanted to.

Lovely bubs rajacadoo. Congratulations and welcome to all the new arrivals.

I'd be inclined to give mum the extra feed and have them on her more often.

Do you know her history? Perhaps she was "moved on" because a new baby made life difficult with an unruly dog? Newborn infants would not be the trigger but a more animated baby of 4 1/2 month could be, this can be a trigger despite your efforts to not leave her out. Vet check is a very good idea in case she is feeling unwell and wanting to go to ground.

:laugh: Sounds like there is something very "Zen" about Charlie....perhaps he uses the Force! :D

Rule of thumb is to approx. double the birth weight in the first week. But any steady gain is good. A loss after the first 24 hours is of concern if not explainable (ie. not getting a regular turn at the teat). a pup weighing 212gms at birth weighed 403 on day 6. a pup weighing 292gms at birth weighed 537 on day 6. a pup weighing 240gms at birth weighed 397 on day 6. Daily gains varied widely from 10gms to 50 gms.

Lovely bubs!

My Cavaliers do that but I've never seen a GSD do it!

Kate Will Harry Eugenie Beatrice Zara Oops not "officially a Royal as her mummy did not want her tobe a "Little Princess". I always admired Anne for that. Just kidding about those names btw. ;) Glad to see you posted a similar thread in the General Dog Discussions. I think it's sad we forget that there are many clever creative people who are not breeders and can't post in the Breeders Community. The more brainstorming the better when stumped. :)

I'll check - I think I might have a spare scoop from a jar of the plaque-off that I have used up but not trashed. If I do, would you like me to post it to you? ETA: I presume the scoops are all the same size. Mine have been bigger than the size of the "O" that Boronia put up. I think how that size looks depends on your monitor screen? That would be great Erny, thanks. I'll PM you my address. :) Oh Boronia, you are a true Forum Buddy!!! :)

Lovely! How many are there? I do like that girl. :)

Pictures?

It's a very, very long list. Saradale, did this pups extremities remaining darker while it's litter mates "pinked up'? Did the vet make any comment about a diagnosis of your pups condition/ i.e. it foot, circulation? Yes, that is correct. Both pups were born with the same extreme redness. after 12hrs, the blue pup had gone from redness to more of a healthy pink colour, while the black pup took longer to start looking "normal", but by this time, the damage had already been done in one paw. The vet only commented that because they were born premature, the blood was not circulating to their extremities efficiently. The only advice that she could give at the time was to keep them extra warm and well fed so their little bodies could focus on growing stronger. Poor baby. So, I'm wondering then if the "reddness" is normal and that it pinks up naturally, but your poor little one had an additional complication due to it's prematurity? Maybe this "phenonomen" should join the "wives tales" thread. The extreme redness displayed by this litter is by no means the norm for what I have experienced with past litters. All of my past litters have been a nice healthy pinky colour from birth. It really is amazing the number of things that can go wrong during pregnancy/whelping!!

Okay just seen it's an old thread but it obviouly has come up again for a reason? It's interesting to see the "boot on the other foot". :laugh: My puppy buyers tell me they felt like they were going for a job interview and passing every stage was exciting and scary...but that they were glad I did this as that is the kind of breeder they were looking for! Try to begin with general questions and see what information is forthcoming from that. Eg. Ask about Health Testing as see what transpires in that conversation topic. You list reads like an inquisition and quite frankly many people would be a bit put out about a "How many dogs they have" question, as some would label them a "Puppy Miller" purely based on what they personally consider too many dogs. That really isn't any business of the puppy buyer IMHO. Most of what you need to know should flow on in a conversation (or several) with the breeder. Sure, use you 'list' as a personal 'checklist' but don't subject a person to all this in one hit. We (youself included) are all very busy in our day to day lives and no-one has time to sit down and do a "survey" or "interview", but most would be happy to talk about any concerns you have. I would be happy to see a buyer who is that interested in what they are about to invest a great deal of emotion into.

When going round in a circle I find if the dog in front isn't going at a decent pace I just make my cirle wider. It's something I learned while showing horses, you don't run up anyones bum. It's not that hard.

Saradale, did this pups extremities remaining darker while it's litter mates "pinked up'? Did the vet make any comment about a diagnosis of your pups condition/ i.e. it foot, circulation? Yes, that is correct. Both pups were born with the same extreme redness. after 12hrs, the blue pup had gone from redness to more of a healthy pink colour, while the black pup took longer to start looking "normal", but by this time, the damage had already been done in one paw. The vet only commented that because they were born premature, the blood was not circulating to their extremities efficiently. The only advice that she could give at the time was to keep them extra warm and well fed so their little bodies could focus on growing stronger. Poor baby. So, I'm wondering then if the "reddness" is normal and that it pinks up naturally, but your poor little one had an additional complication due to it's prematurity? Maybe this "phenonomen" should join the "wives tales" thread.

Yeah I did . It's only a 40g (can't hide much in that :laugh: )tub so I'm assuming not much is needed? So a pinch would do then?

It was in the United Kingdom 29th November 2004.

I got a small tub which I will try on the eldest girl. She's not a big chewer but has just started to show an interest in Deer Antlers!!! Hopefully combined with the "Plaque Off" we might see an improvement in her dental hygene...otherwise a Vet dental late this year I think. Problem now is...How much to give??? The dosage says "scoop" but no "scoop" was provided???? Help Please. :)

Thank you LizT. My housemates have offered to look after him until I get back but I'd really prefer not. Only because I'm not sure what condition (physically & mentally) Tonka will be in when he arrives and I don't want any of the 3 boys (Tonka & my 2 housemates) to freak out when they first meet :) Yes, agree, hadn't read your post properly. Boarding would be best if you need to leave him. Although you ex holding on to him for a bit longer would be even better.

Glad to hear this litter is coming on well.