Jane's puppies

[BirdbyBird]

Janes' puppies were born Christmas Eve. They now have finally opened their eyes and the behavior is just beginning to add new moves beyond sleeping, twitching, pooping and nursing.

I used newspapers during the messy birthing process. And if the puppies come at reasonable intervals we try to let the puppies nurse. The last four puppies came between 13 and 15 minutes apart. That doesn't give much time to cut and tie off the umbilical cord much make sure the pups lungs are clear of mucus and the pup is breathing, dry them off and weight them. Getting the babes to nurse came afterwards when Jane was at last calm and resting.


Jane started with seven. that is a large litter for an English Cocker. The small 4 oz pup is the one you see hanging out his rear end in the centre of the seven.


You can see the wee one in the front of the stack. The rest of the puppies weighed twice what he did at birth. Day two all still have their tails and dew claws.


They went to the vet on that Saturday and the six healthy pups lost their long tails and dew claws. The smallest one gave up his fight later that same day. When tube feeding is not enough along with saline rehydration there is generally something going on like a liver shunt or reason that he was so undersized to begin with. Still sad because he was a cutie.


As the days go on the remaining six settle in and Jane does her very best to maintain her milk supply and keep them all growing. About the time she lost the small puppy, she also started having diarrhea. It took two vet visit to get pointed in the right direction. Since the labs on Jane's stool sample came back negative the first vet first just started her on probiotics and sub Q fluids for support. The med that we all have at home for occasional diarrhea is not one that can be given to a nursing bitch. The older vet that I saw the second time said that there was a medication that I could give but I would have to order it from Amazon because they didn't have it in house. It finally arrived this past Saturday evening and I could immediately note an improvement in Jane and within the next day the stools on the puppies were much better also. Sigh of relief.


And this week we began to see eyes opening and their bodies begin to look more like puppies and not just Black and white blobs.


Today with their eyes open they are beginning to demonstrate new skills like learning to wrestle with a sibling.


If I manage to post more pictures in the coming weeks you should begin to notice their bellies and legs and back beginning to gray in. Some may be a lighter roan like Jane but their father is a darker roan so they may get those genes instead. Audrey is a dark blue roan. Watching Blue Roans grow and change colors is like a gift that keeps surprising you every time you turn around. Two of the puppies have tan marks like Jane's Rowan did/does. Again the tan points start out faint and barely noticeable but shade in as the puppy continues to grow sometimes covering their muzzles and showing up on the legs and chest. (Similar to the markings of a Gordon Setter or Doberman.)

[SoCalGalcas]

Absolutely Precious! Thanks Tina.
Lyn

[OregonLuvr]

Tina oh what a difference in them since the last pile of pups pic LOL They actually look more like puppies now. They sure do look healthy tho. Happy that Jane is such a good Mama. And hats off to the midwife too. I have delivered lots of Hooman babies and many foals but never puppies or kittens. I would be totally out of my element doing that. Keep those pics coming they are fantastic.

[Bethers]

They are so adorable. Thanks for this wonderful post with pictures.

[Colliemom]

Thanks for the pictures Tina. Such a cute bunch and you answered the question I was going to ask about fur color. Fascinating to watch the changes.

[monik7]

WOW!!! They sure are cute!
Sandi

[Redetotry]

They are really growing fast! I had no idea there was so much work involved!

[BirdbyBird]

Friends that are responsible breeders sometimes post on Facebook the responses they are ready to share with interested pet purchasers as to why the purebred puppy they are interested is priced like it is. They start at the beginning: the price of purchasing a well bred Foundation stock, perhaps even proving the quality against the breed standard through showing the dogs through to their championships and/or Grand Championships, Completing genetic testing that is available for each breed that rules out many of the known genetic health issues and completing hip x ray (hip dysplasia) and x-rays of elbows and knees. The National Breed clubs sometimes will also recommend cardiac evaluation of breeding stock (Goldens for one) Temperament testing, Stud dog fees. For English Cockers those can run from $1000 to $2000, depending upon the breeder and sometimes the accomplishments of the stud dog and the breeding line. Quality dog food and vet checks and supports for the momma or momma to be. If whelping does not go smoothly sometimes there is the cost of a C-section. Sometimes breeders lose whole litters to the things that can (and do) go wrong in the birthing process. Sometime breeders lose the mother to birthing complications. Then there are the stories of sleepless night that first week or so until the puppies are better able to move themselves around for safety and their bodies begin to regulate their own temperatures better.

BJ, you at least know enough about researching and finding responsible breeders and I am figure you have spent valuable money to purchase specific dogs over the years. Karen can ask her Tibbie friends about the expenses of time, heartbreak, tests and costs that go into their litters of well bred Tibbies, and I imagine that she well get similar responses. So yes, if it is done responsibly, there is a lot of responsibility and work involved. And yes, when it goes well, there is a lot of wonderful magic to be witnessed and joy to watch them grow.

And I have also grown up with and as an adult have found rescued dogs. Adopting a rescue is a good choice but it isn't the only choice. And it doesn't stop the irresponsible BYB and puppy mills from producing more. Most all breeders I know have a guarantee in their puppy contracts that the dog will be turned back to the breeder for any reason and at any time. They take back puppies and they will rehome elderly dogs that they have bred. They will protect the breed and not knowing sell to any individuals that have the intention of using the dog in a commercial manner. That said went we do sell a puppy to another serious dog show person that individual generally gets rights to breed. Often even those contracts even have clause that indicate that the dog is to finish their championship. Sorry, to much information but there is 10 inches of snow on the ground from earlier in the week and we are currently getting another 4-6 inches, and I mostly only have dogs to converse with here.

[OregonLuvr]

Tina you are so right about all the health testing that goes on before they even breed a dog. My contract stated I bought a pet vs a show prospect, so it would be necessary to spay her. Which I would have anyway. And if for whatever reason I could not take care of her she would go back to the breeder. I do have an agreement with Christy tho that my friend Laura can take her in the event I can no longer take care of her. She came with all the health evaluations and testing and first shots which is pretty common. Also in my contract was that she could not live outside ha ha like that would ever happen. I contacted our breeder here in Oregon to ask about Christy Collins and if she was legit. I was assured she was good people. So I felt the need to check out the breeder as well as the breed. She is very prominent in the dog show arena. She had a great show year with Glitter and now her son Scorch. She is a handler also and shows many varieties of dogs. We still even keep in touch. My other friend locally that breeds Tibbies (in fact a litter is due any day) her dog had to have a C Section and she lost 2 of the 4 pups. Her aunt in Alaska breeds and shows also they are co-owners. So there is cost and heartbreak involved. Tina I remember you met Christy at one of the shows, I loved that.

[Cougarfan]

Oh Tina, those puppies are adorable. Sorry about Little but like you said, sometimes nature just takes over and any further intervention would've been futile.

I have had one purebred dog, a Tibetan Spaniel. I did a lot of research on breeds before I found the Tibbie. Then, I went to a LOT of dog shows so I could meet the breeders. I interviewed them, just like they interviewed me. It took me about a year of research but I found a great breeder and found the perfect puppy. My Mom bred and showed cats for many years so I know how much work goes into breeding and showing of cats so I thought the price I paid for the puppy was very reasonable and the breeder was a valuable resource throughout Harley's life. My Mom had one or two litters that were difficult and several kittens that died shortly after birth. It was always heartbreaking.

I now have a rescue dog and she has been great. She settled into my life very easily and has been a fabulous companion. She has some aggression issues but I've been working on that for the 3 years I've had her. She is better, but still has a few issues. She loves people but only a few of the dogs here in my park. I believe she was a street dog in Mexico for the majority of her early life but the rescue organization did a great job getting her ready for adoption. I also have a purebred American Shorthair cat. She came to me at not quite 2 years old after she had her litter (the breeder only breeds her cats once, then they are placed in pet homes). She was such a good momma that after a different momma in the cattery couldn't produce milk, this one stepped in and provided the nursing for the 2nd litter (which delayed my picking her up by a month LOL). She also came with a contract, health guarantee for 2 years, and a lovely personality. The breeder has been available for any question I have about her or the breed and loves the videos and photos I send to her. I thought the price for her was reasonable as well considering all that Tina mentioned in her post. I did search the local rescue facilities for a cat but most of them had clipped ears signaling that they were formerly feral. I wanted an inside-only cat and not one that would jet out the door at each opportunity or one that might spray instead of using the litter box. I also couldn't do a kitten because, well, my curtains are just fine the way they are and I wasn't interested in replacing shredded ones and I like to sleep through the night

It is each person's decision to purchase from a reputable breeder or peruse the rescue organizations for the right companion. I have done both and not been disappointed.

Please keep sending puppy pics! I can't wait to watch them grow up!

[snowball]

how precious they are .... never thought of all that goes into choosing a breeder or breed
Jane looks like she is a great mama I agree to the request to keep the puppy pictures coming
sheila

[BirdbyBird]

I decided to just update with a few new pictures but if I keep it all here is is easy to go back and compare to the tiny babies of December.

I drive up to northern Ohio next Tuesday to meet with Virginia. She has a friend that "maybe' interested in the Blue Roan and Tan boy. I currently have four names waiting to hear after the meeting if I still have four male puppies to offer. I have already contacted families regarding the two female pups. One will be going to MN but not until early April. The family is going on a three week vacation and while the mother and the three teenagers fly directly back home the husband is flying into Cincinnati airport to pick up the pup and catch the next flight out. Luckily he travels frequently in his job so he has the pass to go through security quickly. As his wife said, He has not luggage to worry about. His only job is to bring the AIrline approved carrier. They have already reserved one of the "pet" reservations with the airline, since the airlines limit how many carry on pets are allowed to ride on each flight. This girl is definitely going to have an adventure. And three teenager. Ana I list of soccers fields and athletic fields to make friends as she hangs out.

This is a picture of their daddy. He is a handsome guy. I think all the puppies have nice heads but Virginia offered to give them their first haircut next Tuesday. It is like opening a birthday present that you think you know what is inside but can't be sure. When you remove the extra hair around their ears and nose you get to see how the planes of the face some together and how close they are to the breed standard.

t

The other girl is going to Louisville to my friend Lyn who rehomed my Izzy and then helped breed my Audrey and her Daisy. Audrey and Daisy will be twelve this summer. They are of an age that they could make it another 3 years or develop some issues next week. Lyn knows how hard it is to find English Cocker puppies.

and I have been trying to use the photo transfer site and though it transferred Viddy's picture above it is not picking up on the pictures that I just sent over to my computer from my phone. I am giving up for now.

Tina

[snowball]

from FB I already know how cute they are
sounds like the one little girl is going to have a fun trip and a good home
sheila