Kings

Some buyers had waited up to 18 months. I think she has plenty of choice and if not, then she'll keep pups beyond the typical rehousing age of 8-12 weeks, as I'm sure all breeders should do anyway. Also, I know that not all 25 all puppies are being homed at 8 weeks - some are being kept back and not for breeding, but for aptitude tests for therapy/diabetes detection/epilepsy work. I believe 3 or 4. Obviously not with the same bitch. My understanding is she only breeds a bitch once, ideally at 3 years of age - the two unplanned litters are from bitches both 2.5 years, who were planned to breed in their next few seasons (and now they won't). The sire of three litters, she mentioned she was probably going to move him on/rehome as it does no good to the breed if he has any more progeny. And she, quite correctly, doesn't feel she can handle him. I'm not a breeder so I don't know all the ins and outs of how this works, but my understanding is the bitches are often on 'loan'. Also, I reiterate, one of the bitches didn't show she was in heat, so originally the breeder thought she only had one extra litter (and the possibility that any of the 3 could fail) until it was too late to abort. Also should mention, these are obviously bigger than average litters. I know breeders should be prepared for the chance that they'll get a big litter, but hey, she probably hedged her bets that it was going to average out to two large litters, which she - and other breeders here - can manage. Maybe if she was only used to small litters it'd be more of an issue.

In answer to some questions raised Looking at her records, this is the only time this has happened to the breeder, there's always only been a litter every 4-6months. This is not a puppy mill. My understanding is that the dog responsible ???? Is a bit of a 'man whore' and while there are measures to keep him away from females in heat, this one day he got lucky. Also one of the bitches wasn't 'showing' that she was in heat at the time, but obviously was still fertile. I'm not suspicious at all as to how this happened, and the breeder hasn't tried to excuse it. Accidents happen. I'd much rather this kind of accident happens with an experienced breeder than with your average backyard mistake litter. When I visited, it was clear she'd delegated some of the duties to her teens, although I imagine like most mums she'll end up directing and doing most of the work! The four litters were born within less than a week. All parents are tested for TNS, CEA, CL and hip and elbow scored. I think I only raised the position of the whelping box to ease my own unease. I think all the puppies will receive as equal attention as possible. I'm not worried about the puppy's welfare. To be honest I'm more worried *for* the breeder, especially as the pups get more mobile and momma dog withdraws, I can just imagine the lack of sleep, the mess, trying to keep track of buyers, etc. And a tiny bit jealous, soon it'll be like a ball pit of puppies!

This question is aimed at breeders, but all opinions are welcome. I'm awaiting the arrival of my purebred BC pup, from a breeder who ticks all the boxes for me. She has 19 years experience, great dam and sire, tested for everything (hips, eyes, etc) and great personalities. I visited the breeder a month ago and was very impressed with everything I saw. Good, family run kennel bringing up well socialised, healthy puppies. Testimonials from other buyers are glowing. Except. The breeder had planned for two litters, yet one of her dogs had jumped a 6ft fence to get to the rest of the bitches in heat, so she in fact had four litters born within one weekend, I think a total of some 25 puppies. My pup is from one of the planned litters, and while I have every confidence the breeder (and her family, including 3 teenagers and husband who are all involved in rearing) will do her best, I can't help but wonder how hard it is to raise that many puppies at once. Is this normal for breeders? How many puppies is considered 'too many to handle'? Out of all those puppies, there was only one runt (different litter to mine), no still births, and none that needed to be hand reared or otherwise need special attention, so hopefully they all get treated equally. I think my main worry is that time and attention given to each individual puppy will be divided between so many, and so I might have a puppy that's less socialised than is ideal. (Although, as one of the planned litters and from the breeder's favourite dog, the whelping box for my litter is in the breeders own bedroom and so this litter is likely to get the best attention). Our pup will also be an only dog and I'm worried he'll get terribly lonely if he's used to having so many other dogs and puppies! Am I worried over nothing?

Only a month to go! Got an updated pic of him 25 days old.

First post. My family's little border collie boy was born on July 11th. The past two weeks since I met/chose him has been agonising, and there's still another 6 weeks to go! Tossing up the idea that if I can organise us all to have the time, to meet him again before he comes home, maybe when he's four or six weeks. It's a three hour journey each way so it would mean taking a whole day off ... I'd rather save leave for when he gets home, but my puppy clucky head is telling me that I need to seem him now! Argh :love: