mini girl

What age do you think is best - not in any great hurry just want to do what is best for the pups - so much written on it its a bit confusing.

Know what you mean - its a real pain - I tried to Google it and find out more but couldn't find anything - I'll ask my husband he is better with computers than I am - I now try not to hover my mouse near one of these words but it does happen and not only on this forum its in a lot of things - there must be a way to stop it. If I find out I'll let you know.

Picked out a lovely female from my present litter was going to keep her and hopefully breed her down the track - but just last night I picked her up for a cuddle and found she has a small umbilical hernia - I didn't notice it before - she is a 6 week puppy and will be taking the litter to the vet tomorrow for their first needle and check so will have a talk to him about it. Her mother actually has a small hernia only found it after I had picked her out to keep - she is now just 4 years old - the vet said it was not a problem its only a little fat come through so I have bred her and never a problem at all in fact she is just a wonderful mum and delivers her pups so easily. Her hernia is no bigger than a small green seedless grape - the puppy's at present is about the size of a small pea - she is 6 weeks and around 2 klo. Never had a pup with a large hernia - very occasionally had one with a small one - like this pup so told the new owner to have it looked at and corrected when the pup was desexed - told them if the vet charged more than a normal desexing I would pay the difference. I am now trying to make up my mind as to keep her for a few months and see how it goes or let her go as a pet and have it fixed when she is desexed. Why did it have to be this pup!!! I'll ask my vet if need be can it be surgically corrected and they still able to breed - Any thoughts on it.

My girls come in 4 months after the pups are born usually - but not sure if it is different with labs - a very old breeder friend told me this and its always happened that way. - Your girl should be soon if it follows - ten puppies a lovely litter.

Thanks for the gr4eat advice will look into the books and links reccomended etc and have taken on board all of this - do we ever stop learning!! In the meantime I have spoken to my vet who advised if a pup has the first immunisation at 6 weeks the second can be given at 10 weeks - think they feel happy enough with this so it may have resolved itsself for me at least I hope so - meanwhile I will open some of those links and do appreciate the advice- I must say I do feel around 8 or 9 weeks they are well and truely ready for the one on one that comes from their new owners. And also a good point - no my dogs are not to be housebound until a twelve week old pup does go.

Thank you for that - will look at that article - yes I have googled very, very extensively and always try very much to be aware of what is right for raising a litter of pups - have a very good relationship with my vet and he has always been happy for me to home my pups at around 9 weeks - even 8 -remember a lass wanted her pup at 7 weeks and he said no that last weeks or so with mum and the litter is very important - I have not had any problems with any of my pups by them leaving at around 9 weeks. As you say I don't want to be seen as a breeder who is too hard and comes on as my way or the highway and only in it for the dollars which couldn't be further from the truth - or even more so one that who does not know the facts - from quite a few years experience I know that my pups are ready to leave home by 9 weeks and I have never found this presented any problems to either the pup or the new owners - occasionally I have kept pups longer if circumstances were that it was difficult for the new owner at that time - I do try to be accomodating in this area. But I feel these people are a little over cautious or don't want to have to go to the trouble of keeping the puppy isolated for the needed time - granted its not the easiest situation - at all costs want my reputaion as a good breeder to continue but don't want to be taken advantage of either. Will send her an email letting her know the facts and advise that her parents seek vetinary advice re isolation from the other family members dogs when they visit till the vaccination is complete. Guess at the end of the day its not the end of the world and if it makes them happier and more at ease - now all I have to do is convice my husband!!! But they are quite a bit of extra responsibility and work from 9 to 12 weeks.

I have now just opened another email from this lady and she is now asking for us to keep the pup to 12 weeks - as her parents are very worried about the time between the vaccinations and not being able to have contact with other dogs - till after its 12 week vaccination - apparently the girl takes her poodle to the parents house quite regularly and the son takes his dog there too - while I want to be helpful - I just feel its a bit of an impersition to expect me to keep this puppy for 3 extra weeks when I don't do this except under very special circumstances. I am not a big breeder with runs outdoors my 4 dogs live in the house and I am hoping to have another litter early October and will be minding one of my boys that does not live with us most of September while his owners are away. My husband says just say no its not what we do - God knows if they back out I can always find another home for him - but its got me all uptight and worried - some puppy owners and just wonderful but some can be such a headache. Do you think she is asking a bit much of us?? and has anyone encounted similar customers and what do you do?

I have always let my pups go at 8 weeks to their new homes - have kept them longer in some circumstances though when necessary for the new owner mostly - I keep them to 9 weeks if flying. A very nice young woman is arranging a puppy for her parents - they all visited us and were totally happy with the pup they choose and have had a poodle before. But had an email from the daughter this evening saying she had been advised its best to leave puppies with their mother to 10 or 12 weeks. I can't see that this is such a good idea - I've always thought 8 weeks was the best age for bonding etc. my pups are miniature poodles and not tiny minis usually an 8 week old pup is around 2 klo and well and truly weaned from its mother. Any thoughts on this.

Thanks Christina - when you do think of some of the absolutley dreadful situations full terms pups are still born in it does seem somewhat overthetop that a bit of dominence from another female would or could cause this - also my vet (not a reproduction vet) did say if it was a low level virus and she seems just fine now - that she would have built up antibodies to it for the next litter - anyway I'll check this out before she comes into season just in case and see if antibiotics are worth giving her. Will also do the blood tests to watch progesterone levels and may let my other girl have a 10 or so day holiday - just to be on the safe side - also I said to my husband over the last 10 or so days we would not leave her alone - one of us always with her - think we can forgo a social life for a couple of weeks!!! If all this does not help well she can just retire as my beautiful pet - but doesn't it pull on your heartstrings when you remember it - the very short time she had her puppies she showed what a lovely mother she will be - I was so worried when the dominant girl had a litter this month that she may have heard the pups and started fretting again - but not so she was a little curious but thats all - the dominent girl got out of the box and gave her a serve once only. Hope my poodles don't have too much wolf left in them - but the article is as you all say so interesting.

Something I've been meaning to put out for a little while now - had the very upsetting loss of my litter by a girl on her first litter - she only carried them 50 days so lost them all. It was so distressing and was very comforted by all the kind replies from breeders on this forum. This happened in April and my girl recovered after about 3 weeks and is now her wonderful bouncy self again and I am so hoping that I may get a litter from her when she next comes into season. Took her to very good dog breeding vets and one of the questions was did she have any stress- well one of my other girls was very dominent to her - she had had pups but all left home about 2 weeks prior to the other girls pups being aborted but she sometimes became very aggresive to the pregnant girl and the pregnant girl was very afraid of her - this has improved a lot now but here (finally) is the question - do you think that fear and perhaps an attack could bring on the early birth - we were out the evening the pups were aborted came home about 9-30pm and the pups started coming at 11 pm - so we will never know if anything happend between the dogs while we were out. We are going down the road of progesterone blood tests next time and have managed to get the dominent dog to improve her ways - she is just beautiful in every other way just wants to be dominent over the one who lost her pups - but am thinking maybe we should let the dominent girl stay with friends if all goes to plan and my other girl does get pregnant again for at least the last 3 weeks of the pregnancy. Has anyone every had a case like this - we only have 4 dogs at home so they are all inside pets. The little girl who lost her pups has a very sweet and gentle disposition but is a bit of a sooky mummy's girl and loves attention.

I used webs for mine you pay a small amount for the adds to be removed - been really happy with it and user friendly. I can send you my web site if you like to have a look at it hasn't been updated in a little while but still does all I want. http://www.webs.com/

And I thought I had it hard with my mini poodles on my boys first go - he was keen but no direction - so I took the two to a dog breeding vet in Brisbane Furkids - they had them tied in seconds for me - what a relief - maybe some one near where you live may know of a helper. The vision of your BIG girl gave me such a smile though I do hope all goes to plan - boy what some breeders go through.

Fellow dog lovers may be interested in this service – being a breeder I had a lovely dvd made up of my pups from when born to when they left to go to their forever homes – it was a lovely keepsake for the new owners - but it is also lovely just to have of your beloved pet - The dvd was just beautifully done with all sorts of extras – was set to the music of my choice, the photos were displayed with really unique interchanges between each photo and lots of words and a title screen - in all beautifully done – the dvds come printed with photos of your choice and very nicely packaged – her prices are really reasonable too – will be getting one made for my current litter. The lass who does it has offered a discounted price to dog breeders and owners being an animal lover herself. The feedback from the new owners was so nice and a nice way for me to to remember each litter. Its not even difficult to get organized you just post her either a dvd of your photos or a stick which she returns promptly – and write the words you would like to appear – she is also very willing to help with this too. She also has a scanning service if you don’t have your photos on your computer. She can even arrange it to go on Youtube for you. No I haven’t got shares in the company – just like to share nice ideas when they come along. Check it out http://www.bumblebee.net.au/

Just thought fellow breeders may be interested in this service – had a lovely dvd made up of my pups from when born to when they left to go to their forever homes – it was a lovely keepsake for the new owners and was just beautifully done with all sorts of extras – was set to the music of my choice, the photos were displayed with really unique interchanges between each photo and lots of words and a title screen - in all beautifully done – the dvds come printed with photos of your choice and very nicely packaged – her prices are really reasonable to – will be getting one made for my current litter. The lass who does it has offered a discounted price to dog breeders and owners being an animal lover herself. The feedback from the new owners was so nice and a nice way for me to to remember each litter. Its not even difficult to get organized you just post her either a dvd of your photos or a stick which she returns promptly – and write the words you would like to appear – she is also very willing to help with this too. She also has a scanning service if you don’t have your photos on your computer. She can even arrange it to go on Youtube for you. No I haven’t got shares in the company – just like to share nice ideas when they come along. Check it out http://www.bumblebee.net.au/

Just wondering what others think about worming during and after whelping - I used to worm during pregnancy but have been told not to do this now - I wormed just before she was mated - my pups are just a day old and mum looks wonderful and all pups good - I'll start the pups on drontal syrup at 2 weeks but have different views on when to worm mum - some say straight away others say wait what is best .

I am always happy to meet my puppy owners and they can see the mother - father also if he is my stud dog - also I send photos weekly of the puppies progress - especially to people who have not been able to see their puppy due to distance - I also start to paper train my pups from 3 weeks so when they leave they at least are paper trained - I also give pedigree copies of mum and dad and with our last litter we put them on youtube so interstate buyers could see their puppy - our pups are reared in the home and given a lot of attention from day one - look for a breeder who does it for the love of the breed not just the dollars - who is willing to answer any questions has certificates on any health checks that are available for the breed - and one who asks you some questions -before I let one of my puppies go I like to feel assured they are going to a good home where they will receive all that is needed to give them a good and happy life - I tell them it is a 16 year commitment so do your homework and try and be as sure as possible - I also I include in my paperwork that if for any reason they cannot keep their dog to contact me to help find a new suitable home. I get lots and lots of emails from my puppies and photos that I put on my website - I also try as best as I can to work out the temperament of any pup so as to suit the family or person - puppies also go with a family tree photo page showing photos of mum and dad and the 4 grandparents. Raising a litter of pups for me is a real commitment as I feel it should be to turn out pups that a healthy and well socialised also starting to get used to some grooming and on a good diet. These are just a few things you could try and find out before you buy your new baby. Good luck hope it all goes well.

If a small hernia was the only fault and going to a pet home I tell them that at desexing it can be fixed and if the cost is higher than a normal desexing I will happily pay the difference. I did have a lovely little girl who had a hernia and a bad mouth the bottom teeth over the top slightly -first one ever to have this so I let her go to a lovely home at half price - I hear back from the new owners all the time and she is happy and healthy - I also put this in writing to the new owners.

I should have added that if you need to contact Dogs Qld - CCCQ they are very helpful over the phone with enquiries - they have a wevsite that has lots of information on - also worth looking up the website of the council you will be living in and checking their rules on a breeders permits.

Hello - firstly welcome to Queensland when you get here - arriving with 4 week old pups will be a challenge but sure you will cope. I have a prefix in Brisbane but the number of dogs you can keep is ruled by the councils - and I live in the Moreton Bay Shire and on an ordinary surburban block I am allowed to keep 4 dogs with a breeders permit which must be applied for through the council - its a bit of a rigmarole really with a spot check to your home - if you live on acerage it is a different matter - you can keep more but you must still must apply for the breeders permit. Getting the permit from the Council involves all neighbours on any of your borders signing that it is not a problem with them that you have 4 dogs on the property. The Council also contacted all of these people - there are 4 of them - to see if they had actually been asked by me and signed the form. The day of the spot check was a bit of a worry though as I was minding my son's two poodles when an inspector arrived completely unannounced at my front door - luckily the two extras were registered with another Council - Brisbane City Council but she took note of their registration numbers and did a follow up!! It seemed ok that I was minding the dogs for a short period though. This was a few years back now and have never had another spot check - oh you are also allowed to keep as many pups as you need to but not sure how old they consider still a pup but I did keep an extra pup for nearly a year and heard nothing from them - my dogs don't upset our neighbours in any way so I would feel unless a complaint comes their way they are happy to leave you to it. At least I hope so. Good luck with the move.

Good luck with the little guy hope all comes good.

My computer is behaving again - I took my boy who does not live with us for his first mating to Fur Kids (vets) in Greenbank Brisbane - wanted him to mate with my experienced girl but no luck after over 4 hours - so decided to use Fur Kids for help - I was totally amazed the way they handled the natural mating - two lovely ladies that had them tied in no time flat - I used them on the recommendation of another breeder friend - it was well worth the $60 charge - now just waiting to see if all is well and we get puppies. It took all the stress out of it and would totally recommend them if its near where you live - we had to drive nearly an hour from home but was only 20 minutes from where my boy lives - but would do the drive again without a moments hesitation.

Have had some trouble putting a reply on so this is a test

Thanks for that - better put my order in.

With a litter of mini poodles hopefully expected in July just wondering what others think of a cat tunnel for the pups to play in - seem to remember seeing someone recommend one in an earlier post - I noticed today Deals Direct have them on sale for #14.99 with free postage - always found they are very good to deal with - this offer runs out tomorrow so do you think its worth buying - put a cardboard box - long thin one - in for them last time and they loved playing in it. Here is the Deals Direct Link http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/cat-play-tunnel-25cm-130cm/

This one will make you cry - its a real thing with me too - some very sad stories - I have put this link on my own website to let people know what the background of some pet shop puppies could be - it just breaks my heart to think those poor little things have come into this world in such circumstances just to give the breeders the dollars - how can anyone just hand over a litter of puppies to a petshop without any knowledge of where they will go - I hope one day there will be a law in place to sop it. Also the poor mothers what a terrible life - and the worst of it is the pet shops often charge such a high price for these pups - which are often bought on a whim to find they are a lot of work and end up on death row. Here is the link by RSPCA http://www.closepuppyfactories.org/