mini girl

I breed miniature poodles and dad of my current litter is only a touch over 13" at the shoulder but the mum is top height 15" at shoulder we have a litter of 5 all going well - have a request from a lovely new owner to be for a big one - one that will grow as big as mum - so far only one pup is bigger than the rest but he is not the one he has ordered - he would like the darkest boy who so far looks beautiful. Pups are 3 weeks next tuesday -he asked if there is any way you can tell how big the pup will be as an adult - have had litters before from the same mating and they do vary a bit in size as adults some bigger like mum some smaller like dad and some inbetween. Also not always the biggest pup ends up the biggest adult - some say look at the size of the paws but they all seem to have pretty similar size paws - seem to remember someone saying once to measure some part of the leg but can't remember what part. Does anyone have any idea just how to judge at this age what they will be like size wise as adults or am I asking too much?

Fly at 9 weeks - but believe 8 weeks is ok too.

She seems fine in every way really no temp eating and happy - just let them together again and she now seems a lot more interested in getting some of my grandsons sandwich that the male - my male shows no interest would rather cuddle up next to me than go even near her - think it must have finally come to the end but will definitely keep a close eye on her she had her pups in April and has been good ever since - no discharge or mopey behavior temp fine and eating - is it possible she is attention seeking as my other girl has pups - but surely that is along shot - maybe she just wants more pups or her cycle is just different to my other girls. Anyway the are keeping their distance now.

One of my girls the one wh had the 10 pups last time seems to have been in season for an eternity we separated them two weeks ago yesterday as there is no way I want to breed her again for a couple of seasons but even though my male does not seem that interested in her any more she is still flirting like mad and flicking the tail in the past my other girls went out of this behavior in about 5 days but not this one it's hard to know exactly when her season starts as don't see any bleeding . She did have back to back litters so for the previous two seasons so she was allowed to be satisfied so to speak but don't remember it going on so long . This morning they just played together but then she started her mad flirting and my male in a somewhat uninterested manner did try to mount her so back to the other side of the gate for him the time of him going crazy for love is gone but certainly don't want to risk pups. Any one had something similar could get a progesterone test I guess but think I will just wait it out it must end sometime.

An ultrasound is the only true way to know early - but they do as you say get a bit tired and sooky - some seem to have a sort of morning sickness - after 4 weeks the nipples get bigger and pinker - sometimes you also see a bit of a sort of slime when they pee - but by 5 weeks you should know by the tummy and 6 or 7 you should definitely know. Although one of my girls had a litter I was not expecting - had thought nothing happened at all during her season but did have a night away and a friend watched them for me - anyway just over a week before the pups were due I found she was in pup - had had a suspicion a week or two before that but thought I was imagining it - but not so a week before they were born could feel the movements - and yes she delivered 5 healthy pups - luckily all able to be registered was not the greatest timing wise but what the heck they are beautiful - now 5 days old.

I start with farex and divetalact just a little a day to get used to it then start them on Advance rehydratable soaked puppy food with divetalact - mostly start about 3.5 weeks old but last litter was so many started at just 3 weeks. As they grow older introduce some mince and a little tinned puppy food but mostly the Advance - by letting them have the 3 types of food - mince, dry and tinned they seem to be able to cope with most foods - then not a problem when they leave - even though you give the pups new owners details of what is being fed they sometimes try their own foods and less chance of pup getting upset if used to a few different things.

This post so interesting - pity no dna for statues available !!! but it is a lovely piece of art no wonder you love it so much - but to me he did look like the ones in the you tube but as already been said maybe the lad who did it didn't really copy it from a real live dog maybe just put it together. I now wish you could ask him just what it was - but guess it would be such a long shot to find him now.

Guess it all depends on the dog - my boy that lives with us is such a little gentleman at present one of my girls is in season and don't want a mating and they are separated by baby gates in the house and he just sits and waits and hopes I guess - when they are all together keep a belly band on him which works well with supervision but then he is not a big dog. Have let them "run" together in the past without problems and they are not at it all the time by any stretch of the imagination but thats just my dogs which are mini poodles - have heard all sorts of horror stories about some males who go crazy at this time - mind you the girls get pretty full on at that time too. These days I usually let them have two or three supervised matings and the rest of the time keep them separated either way no problems to be honest.

Will let the pups owner know these things - she is a pretty calm dog overall - I bred her and she went to a home but the person returned her to me - all a bit traumatic to be honest but we took the dog back and then best friends of ours fell in love with her and took her - she has settled in so well and now has a wonderful home - I remember her father used to get a bit of carsickness until he was older so not sure if it is really stress related - she is a happy and lively dog and her new owners love her to bits - she stays with us when they go away and shows no signs of any stress - I do have a crate big enough for her may lend it to them to see if it helps - they would like to take her for about an hour and a half drive away for a couple of days but they get so sorry for her when she does throw up. The first owner told me no matter what she was car sick no matter where she sat etc. but maybe some of the medications suggested may be worth a try especially the ginger or Blackmores travel calm. She shows no anxiety about getting into a car at all.

Any suggestions on how to get a dog over getting car sick. She is over a year old now and still gets car sick. Have suggested to owner not to feed several hours before a drive but not always possible - have googled it and find some medications reccomended but mostly from USA. Any suggestions - I know pups are quite often car sick but this one turned one in July and it is still happening.

Years ago my breeder mentor told me after I had my girl mated not to bath her so followed her advice and never have done this but is there a reason Didn't think to ask her - I wonder if the actual submerging her in water may cause some infection but what about a shower bath surely that wouldn't be a problem. Also is it safe to worm just after mating . I always worm before but know a girl who missed doing this and wonder how long after is ok.

Your girl sooooo beautiful - you sound like you do it all.

You sound like you have a pretty good one there - I put my paperwork into one of the folders with the plastic sleeves approx $2 - my vet also supplies a pet passport for all information to be added to as the pup grows up. I have also included a disc at times when time does permit with photos of the pups from birth till he or she goes to the new home. All the other things you mention as well - information on feeding, and all general things - usually get an advance puppy sample bag as well for each pup but for the ones flying can't send them that. Give them a toy and towel or similar with the litter scent on it. One thing I do which seems to be quite enjoyed by the new owner is to do a photo family tree - I start with a photo of the pup under photos of mum and dad and under the four grand parents - I do it on publisher and then laminate it - if you have publisher I am happy to send you the format - contact me on messages if you like. Also include a thank you for choosing one of my puppy's letter and state that if for whatever reason unable to keep their pup to please contact me to help find a new home. Include in the notes safety issues, and in bold red not to take their pup anywhere other dogs could have been till fully immunised. It takes a bit of time but nice for the pup to have all this when they go to their new owners.

Get all sort of enquiries - some send to all breeder of the breed of dog they are after - reply telling they can see up to date photos on the website - but to give you a ring and discuss what they are after - some people do send an email that is in a partners name or something similar - you weed them out with a little correspondence - its a time consuming thing I know but I do appreciate the ones that do take the time to ring and tell you about themselves and what they are hoping to be able to get. When you open DOL members section you can read through a great long list of possible scammers - must admit occasionally something "funny" does pop up but on the whole most are ok and just looking for a good pet - there are so many stories about selling puppies and the things people do - bet we could fill a whole forum with the ones that stick in your memory. Good luck with finding the best possible homes for your babies.

Mine too - they have to be taken out for a wee and they just bolt straight back - but in a few days things will change - our girls generally stay with the pups nearly the whole time for the first three days then in the middle of the night they may come up to us in bed - jump up say hello and then straight back to the pups - they get into a routine after a little while though and don't spend as much time with the pups. Also congratulations on your first litter - well done.

Breeder friend rang to ask if I had heard of renal dysplasia DNA test for miniature poodles have searched the net not a real lot on it to tell the truth this friend has been breeding for nearly 40 years and has not come across it in any of her pups produced. Nor have I with around 75 pups out there and no report on any of them with this the reason she was enquiring was she had been approached for use of one of her stud boys and was asked if he was clear of this she was also given email for ASAP labs who do the test have not heard great things about them to tell the truth but does anyone have any knowledge of this test especially for miniature poodles. Found some mention of it on line for standard poodles.

One of my bitches had a huge litter for a mini poodle 10 - we were worried and became even more so when one of my other girls decided to lend a helping paw - but she was wonderful - she would hop in and clean the pups and stay with them all night and then after a while she even got milk to help out - at first we tried to keep her away but she ended up being a real Godsend. If she is as motherly as you say it may help especially if the other girl does have a large litter. You could probably find the thread had so many helpful replies and it was only about 6 weeks or so ago.

I know how you feel its just so sad when you try so hard to keep them going I lost two out of a litter about 3 years ago one little girl was small and I tried for two weeks to save her but in the end she was just too weak - but it sure tears your heart out - I don't know how many times I have thought never again but we still do it - perhaps its because of all the love we can give to others by letting them have a beautiful puppy reared with love and care to give them years of happiness. Your post has brought tears to my eyes so hope your little ones that you still have grow to be beautiful pups that give you and others much joy.

But on the other hand, it may not BE the mucous plug...I've had girls who have had a "slimy" discharge (like egg white) for some days prior to whelping. My girl had the slimy discharge for a few days before as well.

Do the temperature in the bottom - hold thermometer against the wall though - do it a few times a day and watch for a fall to 37 or less - I asked my repro vet about the panting and he said the pressure of pups on lungs can cause this - I have sat up all night with a panting girl and then not pups till a day or so later. Always stand with her if she goes outside to relieve herself - have had two girls squat to do a pee - and a pup pops out. I always look for a slimy discharge too that seems to tell you they are on the way - be prepared for a few sleepless nights though - goes with the territory., Hope all goes to plan for you and your girl.

In Brisbane your could try ringing Furkids - Greenbank - they are dog breeders and vets - not had an ultrasound with them but an assisted mating - excellent!!! Have been to Phil Thomas at Chermside for ultrasound but he is quite close to where I live - but worth a phone call to Furkids - they would be closer to you probably. http://www.yellowpages.com.au/qld/greenbank/furkids-veterinary-surgery-12659846-listing.html if this link doesn't work you wil find them if you Google

In the past I have always given my pups drontal worming puppy liquid till they left me at around 8 or 9 weeks - remember seeing a post on tablets being better especially when they are ready to go - my pups are now 7 weeks and want to give them the right worming product at 8 weeks before I let them go - do you think a tablet is better and if so which one - the pups all weigh between 1.6 klo smallest and 2.1 klo largest pup.

Still all good at 7 weeks - my mother dog is back to her old self and her milk is practically gone completely. The Nanny still gives them about a 20 second go - but they don't need it. some will start going in just over a week. Here is another couple of photos. Its been fun but 10 has been one big litter.

Six weeks on Friday - all going well - they are really good pups and eating well and all have homes to go to - one will be staying with me. Did this little collarge of them.

Just an update - the pups are 5 weeks today and doing really well - have made the pen big for them and they are so good - the two mums are giving them a bit of milk each and the pups are eating well too. Have not let them have the run of any rooms yet - but climb into their pen for cuddles - its that big. All look to have homes to go to except one little boy and I am keeping a girl for myself. Mum is great and the Nanny is as well. Must get a photo of the 10 of them to put here.