Sunday 2/12
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 10:39 am
It is Sunday and time for Rowan's puppy party. Jane's breeder, Cindy is driving down from Columbus and Bill and Lyn are coming up from Louisville, KY. I am picking up Subway sandwiches to order. Puppy evaluation parties are generally held within 1-2 days of a litter of puppies turning 8 weeks old. It is thought by breeders as one of the best points in a puppies growth to compare proportions and angles to what they might grow to be as adults. Some things like how their "bites" come in (when their adult teeth come in - for English Cockers the standard says scissor bite) at about 5-6 months and for the males that both testicles drop take more patience and time. In a litter each puppy is evaluated separately and given a score from 1-5 on different attributes that are specific to the breed standard and related to temperament, body proportions and angles. Then you evaluate all the strengths and maybe weaknesses and try to identify the best puppy....those that are best to keep or try to find show homes for and those that may be beautiful but will head to pet homes to become someone's heart dog. As you can imagine, becoming someone's heart dog is not a bad thing. Rowan seem pretty sure of herself that she will get the score for "Pick of the Litter" but it is always nice to get outside opinions and observations regarding what a puppy's strength and weaknesses might be. They all have them. And it is also amazing to watch how, regardless of what you saw in them as an 8 week old puppy, they continue to grow and change through sometimes awkward proportions of adolescence to become a mature dog. Sometimes those changes are smooth and all good. Occasionally the changes are not what you and hoped for. That is why breeders may initially keep a couple prospects out of a nice litter and then place a puppy later that just didn't turn out as nice as they had hoped...or simply not as nice as its sibling. At least Rowan won't have to worry about a sister elbowing her out.
Hope the day offers up good opportunities for all of you, whether that is Sue doing all her Sue activities or being able to curl up with a good book or gaze pensively out a window and ponder beautiful birds or life in general. Pondering is a wonderful talent and hobby.
Hope the day offers up good opportunities for all of you, whether that is Sue doing all her Sue activities or being able to curl up with a good book or gaze pensively out a window and ponder beautiful birds or life in general. Pondering is a wonderful talent and hobby.