lappiemum

Oh, they are just precious! Love girl 4

Its an interesting question. In our breed, PRA is the main problem, which can be tested for. If your dog was from a carrier litter, and is intended for breeding, in Vic the law (under the Code for Inheritable diseases) requires that you test for PRA status prior to breeding.

Why do you need to keep her at home???????? Exercise her, she needs to be fit to have an easy labour, but don't take her to places dogs frequent - dog parks and beaches, vet clinics and the like. She will need to maintain her fitness for the birth - there are a lot of physical stresses that a bitch will go through as part of pregnancy and delivery, and fitness levels are important in how well these are handled. I wouldn't do any rigourous exercise - just regular and gentle, and keep an eye on her - if it appears that she is uncomfortable then leave it at that. As she gets bigger you will see her probably tone down her activity anyway. my staffords go as flat out for as long as they want, there's no point in trying to slow them down, you just let them do as they please and if you're lucky they might take it easy in the last week. There's nothing wrong with rigourous exercise, the only concern would be them doing it in the heat of the day, other than that, they can run, swim and play as much as they like. Thats ok RSG - we take it a bit easier, maybe it a case of different breeds, different needs. Just regular walks for us, and esp towards the end I keep a close on on whats comfortable for the bitch.

That is so cool SBT! So glad you are over the moon with it all and that mum and bubs are doing so well!! Was it 5 or 6 in the litter?

Why do you need to keep her at home???????? Exercise her, she needs to be fit to have an easy labour, but don't take her to places dogs frequent - dog parks and beaches, vet clinics and the like. She will need to maintain her fitness for the birth - there are a lot of physical stresses that a bitch will go through as part of pregnancy and delivery, and fitness levels are important in how well these are handled. I wouldn't do any rigourous exercise - just regular and gentle, and keep an eye on her - if it appears that she is uncomfortable then leave it at that. As she gets bigger you will see her probably tone down her activity anyway.

Xraying is very useful to give you an relatively good idea of numbers. I've just had my bitch xrayed, she is due on Sunday.

Its quite normal for a bitch to have clear to milky white discharge from her vulva through her pregnancy. Coloured discharge, however, should be investigated immediately. It is best to keep your bitch away from high dog areas, or places where unknown dogs frequent, to try to minimise the risks of disease during the pregnancy. At different stages the foetuses will have varying protection from their environment and be either less or more susceptable to external factors - but having said that, lots of things can happen that you could not predict, so its best to always play it safe. What support is your breeder giving you? These are questions that a good mentor should be able to give you guidence on.

Hi SBT - that's great to hear- hopefully she'll have milk soon.

If it was in Finland - or Sweden - then its stud days in those countries would be done. However, thats not to say they don't get sent elsewhere, and the progeny registered in that country. There is also a base recommendation on COI but that is more of a domestic issue I would argue.

She had some milk today and them kids are partying on her insides LOL OH has turned on the aircon for her and she thinks thats just fine thanks. At the moment she's got a comfy bed, the aircon and is being handfed chook mince - she might decide this is all fine as is and not go for a while!! LOL Actually, its Miss 11's music concert program tomorrow night - which is tempting fate I have to say!! :D

Whoo-hooo- what cuties!! Glad it all went ok and you have safe and healthy bubbas!!! When you get a moment you will need to fill us in!! I see 6 bubbas? How many of us are left now??

I'd give it 24 hrs. Tasha is not far off herself I think - a few more days at most.

In Finland there is a restriction on how many puppies a sire can produce - limit is 20.

I would hope not. I had thought that was the whole point in the first place.

SP - there was another one issued - see below: Compulsory Micro-chipping from 2012 At the October 2010 ANKC Conference it was resolved that micro-chipping prior to registration be compulsory across all states by 1st January 2012. Further information on the implementation of this decision will be forwarded from the ANKC in due course. The notice will appear in the DOGS Victoria gazette (February edition) and on the DOGS Victoria website (from yesterday).

My understanding is that a number of states already have limitations per bitch - to have another litter you require vet certificate.

This has come through to me today and I thought it may be of interest - please note, this is UK only (not here). However, its definately worth noting. It is cross posted with the source from the Kennel Club's website (webpage at end of post). The Kennel Club Kennel Club Takes The Lead On Litter Limits For Bitches The Kennel Club has announced that from 2012 it will normally register no more than four litters from any one bitch because of concerns that the current legal limit of six litters can potentially be detrimental to a bitch’s welfare. The decision was made by the Kennel Club General Committee after receiving a recommendation from its Dog Health Group and will be effective for litters born on or after 1st January 2012. Six litters per bitch is the current legal limit enshrined in the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999. Bill Lambert, the Kennel Club’s Health and Breeder Services Manager, said: “The Kennel Club wants to ensure that all breeders put the health and welfare of their puppies and breeding bitches first and foremost, and this decision underlines our commitment to this issue. “Whilst the law allows bitches to have six litters in a lifetime and our registration system has previously fallen in line with this, the vast majority of responsible breeders feel that this is too high and that there is potential for this to have a negative impact on the welfare of the bitch. “Very serious consideration has to be given to the matter if a breeder wishes a bitch to have more than four litters but the Kennel Club may grant permission for this to happen if it believes that there is good and justifiable reason for doing so on a case by case basis.” The Kennel Club has also urged the government to follow suit and to tighten up the law in order to help clamp down on puppy farmers. Mr Lambert added: “Of course, this decision will sadly not impact on those people who do not register their litters with the Kennel Club, in particular puppy farmers who breed purely for profit and tend to show little consideration for an animal’s welfare. Legislation needs to be tightened so that these people can be brought to account.” The Kennel Club has called for the principles and standards of the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme to be made mandatory for all dog breeders. This means that breeders would have to put the health and welfare of their puppies first, for example by giving their dogs the required health tests for their breed and ensuring that potential buyers see the puppies with their mothers and in their home environment. A petition with 15,000 signatures supporting this objective was handed in to Number Ten Downing Street just a year ago by Ian Cawsey MP. ENDS 22nd November 2010 [430.10] Article Information Publisher: The Kennel Club Published Date: Categories: Responsible Dog Breeding, Accredited Breeder Scheme (ABS) Sections: This page was printed from The Kennel Club. Please visit http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk

Excellent news MissyMoo. We shall need pics again soon! Keep us in the loop SBT!!!

Bear does take a while to dry naturally - I usually blow dry him. The girls have less coat so they dry relatively quickly. Also depends on if its a nice warm day or a cold wet one!! LOL

I spend closer to an hour a week on mine and I definitely do not find them wash and wear if they happen to like jumping in the swamp, rolling in the burrs and pine needles and annointing themselves with dead rat! Let's not mention what happens when he gets the runs. The dirt does tend to fall off when it dries, but then you get a dirt pile in the house. I love him like life itself, but they are not a breed for someone looking for easy coat care IMO. I'm never having more than one long-coated dog. I do the 20min brush - never have had a problem, but my guys are def couch potatos a lot! I usually brush for hair when they are moulting, and just to keep them nice for shows - only bath them when they need it.

My understanding is that it can go up and down a fair bit in the lead up, its when it stays down for an extended period and then comes up that you are on your way - but it needs to also be taken with other signs too. But if in doubt, def vet check! (eta - but ofcourse this is all stuff you know anyway LOL )

Hey SBT - Its when it stays down for an extended period, and then comes back up that you are potentially getting ready. Is it at the 36? Any other signs of nesting etc? Tasha has been happy hovering around the 37 - 38 mark so no action here, which is fine by me - we've got a few more days before she's officially due anyway, and the longer those babies can be in the oven the better! LOL (esp since my week doesn't clear up before Thursday!!). She's def got a reduced appetite but she is going well - she's had her prenatal check up and the vets were very pleased with her. Tasha liked that they were pleased because it meant liver treats - can't eat a meal but there is ALWAYS room for liver treats LOL!!

Aren't they quite small though? I don't think I've ever seen one in the flesh, only pictures They are roughly boarder collie size - some a bit smaller, some a bit larger but in the ball park

Would have said a Lappie too. They have a longer coat but its not a lot of care (at least, my lot aren't!).

Hopefully it won't be long now for either of our girls!