Sorting out which puppy goes to which home is a complete nightmare. It is by far the most stressful part of breeding. You are producing family members, something that will be so loved and so treasured. Getting it right is therefore a massive challenge.
this is love
I haven’t advertised my litters for years. These days, my litters are such a closely guarded secret, even my existing puppy owners don’t know they are coming until they have arrived. Which means if they forget to tell me they want another one – tough! They will have to wait another year or two.
precious moments
What makes a good owner?
Someone recently asked me what I look for in a good owner. I think the main thing I want is commitment. Ideally, I want a home that taken the trouble to do lots of research and think hard about what they want. They should have a clear idea of what a Border Collie will look like in their home and know exactly why this is the right dog for them.
so much excitement
I don’t really have many other specific requirements, other than wanting a ‘pet’ rather than a ‘working’ home. I want people to care about the dog they get and to expect the healthiest possible dog, with the best temperament. Please read the FAQs on the Breeder info page for more details
What do I NOT want in a puppy home?
Frustratingly for many people, rescue centres have very strict criteria for their homes. No children under 12, for example. Not working full time. No other pets. A good-sized garden, with over 6ft fences.
hello there
I am able to be much more flexible about criteria and really consider each potential home individually. It is lovely sending pups off to family homes, often as their first dog. Border Collies are definitely NOT recommended as a first dog.
some children are very dog savvy
I would always say ‘start with a Labrador‘. But many people have grown up with a collie and although this is very different from owning one as an adult, at least you will have more realistic expectations. :p Having said that, very young children are a real challenge alongside a puppy and you need to be pretty dog savvy to manage this.
Which puppy goes where?
“We chose the one that came to us.” If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard someone say that… It’s not really that simple. As I have become more and more experienced as a breeder, so my confidence in sorting out homes has improved.
First choice
Naturally, I take into account whether people want a boy or a girl, as this is pretty fundamental. If a home wants a particular colour, I will try to consider that, although the homes wanting black and whites are disappointed this time! Ultimately, though, I take account of the hundreds of hours I spend around the puppies to decide who will cope with a busy household and who will prefer a one-to-one relationship.
Waiting lists for puppy homes
It would be great if I just had to wait for nice people to come along and then offer them a puppy. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of amazing homes and I receive an enquiry MOST DAYS. 🙁 It’s so hard, because I don’t really know what to say to all these lovely people.
it’s a bit bright outside
I always recommend people look at the list of Assured Breeders on the KC website and also contact the breeders on the Champdogs website. There are more thoughts on finding the right homes on the blog from the last litter. I currently have homes for the next litter…
heading out
NB: THESE PUPPIES ALL HAVE HOMES
Remember..
Please CONTACT ME if you want to know more about me and my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think. If you want to know more, why not FOLLOW ME, by filling in your email address below? Then you will receive an email when there is a new post.
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
NB: I am not a dog trainer, or a dog behaviourist, just a dog breeder and owner. I can only offer my opinion, based on my experience.
Finally, I gave Ounce a break and started feeding the puppies real food! They got on really well, eating enthusiastically. Initially, I am quite cautious, giving them a bit of soaked puppy kibble, only after Ounce has already fed them. I start off feeding them once or twice a day. This quickly increased though, so that within a week they are eating four or five times a day.
Yum yum
I feed my dogs Royal Canin, because it suits them. Border Collies can have quite sensitive digestive systems and can be a bit fussy. There are a wide range of views of on what is the right way to feed our dogs, just as we all eat different foods. I’m not joining that argument. I feed what works for my dogs. They like it and they have the right levels of energy for the life they live.
Is this right?
Table manners!
I start off the puppies eating from a shallow dish, that is big enough for them all to eat from. Unfortunately it is also big enough for them to climb into! They do soon get the hang of it and soon the puppies are eating efficiently, without making too much mess.
You taste good
Toileting
Once I start feeding them, Ounce stops clearing up after them. I have to do it all now! Fortunately, their poos are still small and are now a bit firmer (too much information, I know!) They try to poo as far away from their beds as possible. Once the weather improves they will start to go outside. Then they will only poo out there, if they can.
Eating is exhausting
After each meal, they start playing for a few minutes, but they soon go back to sleep. It’s such hard work!
Playing with toys
What’s this?
As they are now up and about a bit more, I start to introduce toys. These are smaller than normal dog toys and designed to be safe for puppies. There are toys that move, toys to chew, toys that make a noise and toys to snuggle up to.
playing
I put a crate into their run, so that they have different spaces to explore. They can also get used to being in a crate, which will be great when they go off to their new homes.
Uncle Quin
hello matey
For the first time ever, I have a young male dog in the house alongside the puppies. Quin has been interested in them from day one. Ounce has now allowed him into the run to start engaging with them. Hopefully this will ensure that they are super friendly with other dogs, once they start going out into the world.
Can I tell you a secret?
NB: THESE PUPPIES ALL HAVE HOMES
Remember..
Please CONTACT ME if you want to know more about me and my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think. If you want to know more, why not FOLLOW ME, by filling in your email address below? Then you will receive an email when there is a new post.
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
NB: I am not a dog trainer, or a dog behaviourist, just a dog breeder and owner. I can only offer my opinion, based on my experience.
This is quite a small litter for Border Collies, who average around six puppies per litter. So I haven’t felt in any rush to introduce solid food this time, as Ounce has managed perfectly well feeding them. They are such fatties! Now their eyes are open though, the puppies can get moving.
fatties feeding
Puppies moving rooms – again!
As you know, I moved them out of my bedroom into another bedroom, where I thought they would stay for a couple of weeks. I forgot we had family coming, so they had to move again. It’s great having them in the kitchen anyway, as then they become part of family life!
fatty bum bums
Family fun!
Having my nephews here was lovely, because they are expert cuddlers! They have grown up seeing my puppies and are always really fantastic at just hanging out with them. Aura absolutely adores them.
Expert puppy cuddlers
Child-friendly cuddles
Normally I restrict children coming to visit until the puppies are over three weeks of age, but Ned and Will are the perfect introduction to children! Dogs and children are great fun together, but it is important to manage their interactions.
Family life
Stop moving!
I try taking photos and videos every day, so that we have a record of their development. Taking ‘proper’ photos like this one is really hard, even when they are still so small. They just don’t stop moving!
I can see you
NB: These puppies all have homes.
Buy the Workbook
The Workbook – A Year With Your Puppy is available to buy. It was written and designed to be a hands-on, interactive book for you. It will help you survive the first year with your puppy, but also act as a memento of that time and the journey you have been on. You can write notes and stick in pictures of your puppy throughout the year. Lovely!
During their second week of life, things in the puppy palace are still quite quiet. Feeding settles down and there are longer gaps between feeds. But they’re still not moving around much and there’s not much to see. Which doesn’t stop me from spending pretty much all my time sitting beside the box, watching the puppies growing.
pink toes
I usually do move them out of my bedroom at some point during their second week – it’s quite hard to sleep. Poor Ounce is still stuck with them, but she’s good at sleeping and feeding. A great multi-tasker!
fatties
It’s nice to have a few visitors during this time, but I’ve learnt that people can’t really be bothered to come at this time as they are boring. (Not sure if I mean the people or the puppies :p) Actually, the puppies aren’t that good at being cuddled, as they can wriggle and squeak when picked up at this age.
It’s a hard life
Fortunately, Adam and Maggie are on hand to help them practise being handled and cuddled. And my sister came to see them (well she told us she wanted to see us, but we know the real reason she came)! We love having visitors – friends and family are always welcome.
cuddling is essential
Moving around
They do start to get up onto their feet by the end of the second week. What is absolutely amazing is that the puppies start to move off the vetbed and onto the newspaper to wee. I find this incredible, considering they cannot yet see or hear. They stagger about, often falling over. Clever puppies!
Eyes opening
Towards the end of the second week, they begin to open their eyes. They start with little openings in the corners of the their eyes. Then gradually, over the course of a few days, they all open their eyes fully. I think it takes a while for them to start to use their eyesight to navigate, but they manage so well without vision, it’s hard to tell.
peeping out
NB: ALL THESE PUPPIES HAVE HOMES.
Remember..
Please CONTACT ME if you want to know more about me and my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think. If you want to know more, why not FOLLOW ME, by filling in your email address below? Then you will receive an email when there is a new post.
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
NB: I am not a dog trainer, or a dog behaviourist, just a dog breeder and owner. I can only offer my opinion, based on my experience.
The first week is pretty quiet, all they do is DOUBLE in weight! And the rest – that was by Sunday, just 5 days after they arrived. They spend all their time just eating and sleeping, but they do that very efficiently!
cuddles
Ounce is a fantastically efficient mum – she feeds them and toilets them at the same time, clearing up after them so their bedding only needs changing once or twice a day.
you can’t escape from me
I sleep in the same room as them for at least a week, so that I know they are robust enough not to get squashed. Actually these pups have been tough from birth, so have never even been slightly in trouble. If the mother has had a difficult birth, she may be too exhausted to mind out of their way, but Ounce is young, fit and healthy, so that has never been an issue.
pink noses
When they are born, their noses are pink. They gain their colour over the first few weeks, although they can take a bit longer. These puppies will have grey, or ‘slate’ noses. Their toes are also pink – so sweet!
Care required
During the first few weeks of a puppy’s life, they do not need much from the breeder. Dogs bred on farms are often left to get on with it, being kept in runs or barns outside. Not me.
brothers
First of all, I take a great deal of care of my mums. I make sure they are fed regularly, around six or seven times a day. I feed them a good quality food, with a mix of dry and wet food. They have goat’s milk and/or natural yogurt, to ensure good milk supply and bone growth. My mummy dogs do not generally lose weight while nursing.
cuddling
I keep my dogs company. They aren’t left alone much and am generally around. I sit and watch the puppies, sleeping and squeaking (well you would, wouldn’t you?)
Giving cuddles
I think being handled regularly right from birth ensures that my puppies are monitored and assessed. They are used to the feel and smell of people and this makes them super friendly towards people as adult dogs. A good breeder cares how their dogs turn out as adults and wants the best for the dog and its family.
crashed out
NB: THESE PUPPIES ALL HAVE HOMES
Remember..
Please CONTACT ME if you want to know more about me and my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think. If you want to know more, why not FOLLOW ME, by filling in your email address below? Then you will receive an email when there is a new post.
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
NB: I am not a dog trainer, or a dog behaviourist, just a dog breeder and owner. I can only offer my opinion, based on my experience.
I am delighted to announce the safe arrival of Ounce’s second litter – the Punk Litter! A bit of a contrast to the Lovely Litter; I think we are in a different place now. On Tuesday 8th February, between 8.30 and midday, Ounce gave birth to 4 beautiful puppies! The dad is Mikared Vega Thorium at Leberkind (Bodie), who is a beautiful boy with a sweet nature.
Bodie
Labouring away
Whelping, or giving birth to puppies, is an exciting time! But it can be quite a challenge. It takes just 63 days to make puppies, although the dates are not exact, as there is usually more than one mating and delivery can be a few days early or late.
Ounce almost ready to give birth
Dogs start by being restless and fidgety, but also reluctant to leave your side. They can just lie beside you all day, or take themselves off into a corner. Then they start panting. This may last all day and night and can be a testing time. I usually set aside the time to sit quietly with my girl, being with her without demands.
It can be hard to see your dog uncomfortable and it’s easy to panic that things are not moving quickly enough. It’s very tempting to ring the vet and jump in the car, but patience is required. In the end, things start moving and after around forty minutes of contractions, the first puppy arrived. I find it so exhilarating! It is thrilling to have the puppy in your hands when it takes its first breath. To be the first person to see that dog, hoping it will go on to live such a long and happy life.
Choosing colours
For Ounce’s last litter, many different colours were possible. This time I wanted something a bit different. I really, really wanted a girl I could keep and have puppies from in the future. The Lovely Litter girls have become fabulous dogs, but they are just not quite me. You know how much I love purple!
I have talked often about the reason for having a pedigree dog – it should mean you have the same as every other dog of that pedigree. The fact that you know what you are getting and can plan for it. You know the temperament fits your lifestyle and the health of the dog is what you want.
At the same time, it is interesting to have something a bit different, isn’t it? There is nothing wrong with that, as long as health is not compromised. Border Collies should NOT be bred merle to merle as this is almost guaranteed to cause birth defects, including deafness and blindness. This is true of other breeds as well.
Ounce and I are VERY happy!
I always check colour combinations likely to appear in my litters, using the brilliant Anadune Border Collie Database. This helps me ensure that I am breeding the healthiest dogs with sensible amounts of family lines in common.
What did we get?
With this mating, I was guaranteed to get only lilacs and blues, with a supposed 75% chance of blues. Ounce produced five puppies last time, so that was the likely number of puppies. Bodie produced seven boys and one girl in his first litter, so I knew I would get mainly boys.
We have three lilacs and one blue. Three boys and one lilac girl. Lucky me! And they are all absolutely perfectly marked, just like their mum. Very exciting!
Beautiful
At birth, the puppies weigh 200-300g. They gained 10% of their birth weight within 24 hours. I weigh them every day to start with, to check they are all feeding well. Once they are well established I don’t tend to worry too much.
NB: All have homes
It’s a handful
I do have homes for ALL of these puppies, subject to confirmation. I look for a loving homes, suitable for a Border Collie. Read more about the breed if you are interested. Or read about what it is like to own one.
snuggled up
Visitors required
If you have known me a while, you will know that I like to have lots of visitors to see my puppies! I invite close friends and family (no children) for the first three weeks. After that, I like to see a wide variety of people I know, including children.
Tiny toes
The last couple of weeks are often quite busy, so don’t leave it too late. They will be gone all too soon.
NB: Visits are by appointment only. There is someone here at all times.
Remember..
Please CONTACT ME if you want to know more about me and my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think. If you want to know more, why not FOLLOW ME, by filling in your email address below? Then you will receive an email when there is a new post.
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
NB: I am not a dog trainer, or a dog behaviourist, just a dog breeder and owner. I can only offer my opinion, based on my experience.
I was delighted this week to have been contacted by Jackie, who was kind enough to provide some feedback on the website. She has owned Pugs over the years and has worked in welfare for PDWRA (Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association).
I am delighted to share with you an honest view of owning dogs of this very popular breed. Jackie owned Dorothy and Wobbie. She occasionally fostered, but many of the Pug dogs coming in had ‘issues’, and weren’t for the novice dog owner.
Jackie said she was looking for a portable companion with low energy levels once mature. She wanted dogs that were loving and friendly toward people. Unfortunately the boy, Wobbie grew to dislike people and her new puppy after he was about 4 years old. She says “I have no idea what triggered him as he seemed to ‘grow into’ his dislike of some people/situations around this age.” Sadly, this has led to her re-homing him, although she still covers the full cost of his huge healthcare bills (see below).
Pugs
What are the health issues with a Pug?
Jackie says the health issues have been a huge minus and were far above what she had researched. She says “Being a brachycephalic breed, they have a multitude of health issues and I felt I spent the whole of their lives going to the vet. The health issues I experienced were:-
In between this, the Pug’s eye being very vulnerable to injury, we had multiple eye ulcers to deal with.“
Suitable for a less active home?
People generally choose toy dogs because they want a dog that requires less exercise. Jackie says that Pugs are low energy like her “I’m not wanting to walk 2 hours morning and night.” Hmm, sorry Jackie, but I’m not wanting to do that either! I want a dog that will run around and have fun for an hour, then be chilled for the rest of the day. Dogs love a routine and prefer company to endless exercise. Ironically, Jackie says she walks her dogs “Twice daily; 30-45 mins per walk. Training is daily, throughout the dogs’ lives as it should be with any dog.” That’s more than I do Jackie!
Pug dogs Dorothy and Wobbie
Jackie says she devised a lifestyle to fit around having a Pug. She bought her own business so that she could take the dogs to work if necessary. Happily this is the case for many people these days – let’s hope that post-Lockdown people continue to manage their lives around their dogs and don’t just dump them into rescue.
Pug temperament
Pug dogs are placid and generally sweet-natured, with a low energy level. They are described by Jackie as happy and great companions. She feels their best feature is their comical face, friendly disposition and the daily walks and companionship. Like most dogs in fact! My dogs certainly make me laugh every day.
Dorothy Buggy Stroller
Pug challenges
Jackie has quite a list here: “The health issues; the greed (we didn’t have a waste paper on the ground for 10 years); the constant shedding (365 days a year).
“From a training perspective, I’d say it’s physically harder to train a smaller dog as you are not on their eye level most of the time. Resisting ‘babying’ them; this alone was one of the commonest problems with behaviour issues in welfare; the dogs were humanised and mollycoddled and not given boundaries. Also when a Pug is crossed with another breed (ie terrier), you are entering into a total unknown regarding personality; again this problem was quite evident during my stint in welfare and they were often NOT low energy in this scenario.“
Best Pug home?
Jackie says “Absolutely anyone who wants a low energy dog; but who also has the finances to provide for them which needs research. Their health issues are a constant bind and expensive. Insurance is also expensive, and becoming more so. I’d say insurance is absolutely vital for a Pug, as not many get through life without needing treatment (often surgery), from a vet.
“An MRI scan, as I write in 2022, comes in at about £2000; that’s just to FIND OUT what the problem could be, before the expense of treatment (often lasting a lifetime) starts. My monthly insurance payments are around £50 per month Dorothy’s was nearer £100 pcm by the time she went to Rainbow Bridge.”
By way of contrast, Aura is 9 years old, with no surgery, no illnesses, no operations (apart from being spayed). She is not insured and has no vet visits apart from an annual booster.
Jackie
Purchase challenges
I feel that perhaps the biggest challenge with a very ‘popular’ breed is that people jump on the breeding bandwagon and either breed carelessly, or criminally. Jackie says “I eventually learned choosing from a Kennel Club registered litter each time was no guarantee of a healthy dog.” This is because the Kennel Club will register any old dog onto the ACTIVITY REGISTER, which people often don’t realise is no guarantee of health checks or quality.
Jackie’s final word of advice? “Do not visit the breeder unless they health test both mum and dad; be prepared to walk away from a litter of VERY cute puppies (not as cute as mine ;p). Make sure the breeder will take the dog back if your circumstances change.” Thank you so much for your input Jackie!
Choose carefully – my thoughts
I get it, Pugs are cute. But they are not real dogs! They are artificially constructed by humans to meet ridiculous demands, at the expense of their health and quality of life. If they’re perfect, why are they dumped into rescue? Please don’t choose a Pug? Choose one of the other hundreds of healthy, happy breeds of dog available to us?
Remember..
Please CONTACT ME if you want to know more about me and my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think. If you want to know more, why not FOLLOW ME, by filling in your email address below? Then you will receive an email when there is a new post.
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
NB: I am not a dog trainer, or a dog behaviourist, just a dog breeder and owner. I can only offer my opinion, based on my experience.
What should you think about when you decide to get a dog? There is lots of information on this website about Finding a Dog. I’ve given you things to think about before you start, such as what kind of dog you should have and where to get it from.
Me and my dogs
I’ve written posts several times about puppy farmers and how to spot them. I regularly refer to the links on the Kennel Club website about puppy farmers, or commercial breeders. I think the KC website is a great resource when looking for a dog and it makes me sad that people think of the Kennel Club as snobbish and only caring about the showing of dogs, because welfare is at the heart of what they do.
Rescue or breeder
This post is a response to the ongoing social media battle that people have around the view that buying a dog from a breeder is automatically wrong and immoral. “There are thousands of dogs in rescues that will otherwise be put to sleep if they are not re-homed.” That’s not true.
“We never put a healthy dog to sleep. If we can’t find a dog a new home, or there are reasons why they can’t be rehomed, they will always have a home with us. Dogs who need very specific home environments that may take a long time to find, like some of our sponsor dogs, are very happy staying with us.”
Our policy states that we will not euthanase a healthy, rehomeable animal. We will euthanase an animal only if this is in the best interest of their welfare. This means preventing further suffering, whether that’s physical or mental, if they can’t be rehabilitated with a view to either release (if wild) or rehome (if domestic).
One post I have seen from a vet included the comment “Around 800,000 puppies are bought in the UK each year. The rescue population stands at around 80,000. It is far more common to shop and not adopt.
It is absolutely true that since the start of the pandemic demand for dogs has massively increased. I am sure you know plenty of people who have been working from home and have decided to get a dog. Sadly, many people don’t do the research and think long-term, so these dogs are now being dumped into rescues.
the right kind of breeder?
There is no reason you cannot buy a puppy from a breeder, if you want to. Except how do you know what kind of breeder you are buying from? How do you judge the breeder? How do you make sure you are not perpetrating horrible, cruel breeding practice?
Making a judgement
One social media group criticised me for mentioning that I was a breeder. I was told: “it’s impossible for us to judge breeders, I feel sure you are a good one – but, you will know, many who seem good, are not. And how can we tell? We can’t.
“It’s not a question that we cant accept it, it’s that, if we let you post about your kennel, there are many others who would post as well and use us as a place to advertise.”
I disagree entirely with this. It is easy to judge!
Judge me
Start with health tests
Someone contacted me this week to ask what hip scores should be as a friend was thinking of getting a puppy. I said it depends on the breed and found the list of breed scores on the KC website.
I said that if the health tests required for the breed are carried out, the breeder is invested in producing healthy puppies. So you can judge them to be responsible. Here’s a link to the list of health tests required for a Border Collie. You can search by breed to see others.
Is the breeder registered?
If the breeder has registered with the Kennel Club as an Assured Breeder, they have gone to a great deal of trouble. You don’t just pay the fee, you have to apply and go through a rigorous inspection every three years. They look at everything! It’s a very detailed process and you can be sure that only a breeder who really wants the best for their dogs will put themself through it.
Different types of breeder
There are different breeders and not all of these are KC Assured Breeders. Nor are they puppy farmers. Many people have a litter of puppies from their dog because they love their dog and want another one the same. That’s fine. These people are what are often referred to as ‘hobby breeders‘.
Unfortunately, hobby breeders don’t know much about breeding and are often clueless when they advertise their puppies or look at the people coming to buy. You learn from experience and if you only have one litter, you may be unable to judge the quality of home you are sending your puppy off to.
for the love of dogs
So if you want to make sure you are the best home for your puppy, go to an experienced breeder. Not least because they will give you ongoing support and advice, if you need it. They will also guarantee to take the puppy back from you if your circumstances change.
Look at the adverts
Here’s an advert:
“working Labrador puppies. They have been reared in a home environment and have been well socialised. They are used to dogs, cats, chickens and children. Both Dam and Sire are working dogs and also much loved family pets. Both parents are available for viewing with the puppies. We also have extended family that can be seen as the Dam has been home bred, all from working lines. The Dam is a 4 year old black bitch and the Sire is 2 year old red dog. Both have been health tested. The puppies will be Kennel club registered and have been Microchipped and vet checked. We have 3 puppies available currently.”
What do you think? Lots of details about the parents. Home environment, much loved family pets. Health tested, KC registered and microchipped. I would look at these puppies.
Here’s another advert:
“Ready to go new home! Chow Chow beautiful puppies! Very nice colour, puppy trained, very funny, playful, good around kids around another dog! Mum beautiful, she is family members.”
What about that one? Not much information. Not KC registered, despite being a pedigree breed. I would NOT trust this person.
One more:
“Cockapoo female pup ready 12 Nov will be microchipped and have 1st injection… She is very mischievous and loving 1st to see will buy”
There are no pictures of the mum with the puppies, feeding. It is just a photo of a puppy being held up and a picture of an adult dog. ‘1st to see will buy’ encourages you to rush into it. Er, no.
Not recommended
I found another cockapoo advert says ‘Both parents are fully health tested’. So you could start by asking what health tests they have had? Make sure you know what health tests they should have had?
Be critical
Look at lots of breeders and adverts. Ask lots of questions. Challenge the breeder! I have nothing to hide, so I am happy to answer any questions thrown at me. As you can see from my website!
PS: I don’t advertise. I don’t need to. My previous puppy owners keep coming back for more! 😀
Buy the Workbook
The Workbook – A Year With Your Puppy is available to buy. I have written and designed this to be a hands-on, interactive book for you. It will help you survive the first year with your puppy, but also act as a memento of that time and the journey you have been on. You can write notes and stick in pictures of your puppy throughout the year. Lovely!
Please CONTACT ME if you want to know more about me and my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think. If you want to know more, why not FOLLOW ME, by filling in your email address below? Then you will receive an email when there is a new post.
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
NB: I am not a dog trainer, or a dog behaviourist, just a dog breeder and
It’s been a journey with this litter. Honestly, I thought by now, after 11 litters and 60 pups, that I would be used to it. That I had gone through the challenges and was now an expert. Wrong! We’ve had quite a few hiccups along the way, but it’s week 9 and the mystical litter are now home.
Arla and her family
Three puppies went off to their new homes on schedule, as they reached 8 weeks of age. They are settling in well, sometimes sleeping most of the night, sometimes toileting in the right place.
Ziggy with his mum and dad
Of course these puppies are ALL lucky enough to be living with older dogs – four of the homes have Dentbros Dogs in them! Plus Sam, who is an honorary Dentbros Dog.
Grace with her family
I’ve been getting pupdates since they went and the older dogs are not thrilled about having them – yet!
Extra time needed
One puppy, Winter was always staying a few days extra. Her mum, Amber also stayed with us, as she was on a course in MK. Well I couldn’t let her stay in a hotel 3 miles away while I played with her puppy, could I? It was helpful having Amber here and we all had a good time.
Winter and Amber
Sadly, Tilos was not able to go off as planned, due to family circumstances. Before you get excited that a puppy is now available, she went home yesterday, to a very special and loving family. So by week 9 the mystical litter are all home.
Tilos with her mum and big brother Symi (actually her uncle)
My new Mystical litter puppy
Keeping a puppy from a litter is a bit weird. Sometimes I know before they’re born that I’m keeping one – Luna, Aura and Ounce. Both Luna and Aura were one of five chocolate and white girls, so I had to choose one, which took a little while. Ounce was mine immediately. My purple puppy.
Dentbros Dogs – June 2021
Busy was not meant to stay, but she just decided to. Thank goodness. What a dog she turned out to be. This time, I had not meant to keep a puppy, but circumstances changed, meaning Quin had to stay.
What’s in a name?
I have strict criteria when choosing a name for my dogs. The 8 dogs I have had have been called: Rue, Buzz, Sunny, Luna, Aura, Busy, Ounce and Quin. When we got to Aura, we realised they all had ‘u’ as the second letter of their name. We also realised that the three I had at the time – Sunny, Luna and Aura – all sounded different. So that became the game.
Quin
Quin. Sounds different. Has a ‘u’ as the second letter. He’s also the 5th puppy I have bred and kept at home. Quintus – five.
Quin is also a ‘quintessential’ Border Collie, even though he is chocolate/red and white, rather than black and white. ‘Quince’ might be a fun nickname, alongside Ounce? I reckon he’ll mostly be called ‘Buoy’ (it has a ‘u’ as the second letter :p)
The legacy lives on
It’s rather poignant that today is my first day with just him, as it is Sunny’s 15th birthday. I can’t believe it’s over 3 months since she went, so suddenly. Missing her today, but very proud of what she left behind. My Midsummer Sunshine.
Sunny
Next year I hope to breed a girl to go with my boy (not a sibling!) It’s exciting to be looking ahead at my journey as a breeder. Meanwhile, I now have a puppy to train!
The boy
Buy the Workbook
The Workbook – A Year With Your Puppy is available to buy. It was written and designed to be a hands-on, interactive book for you. It will help you survive the first year with your puppy, but also act as a memento of that time and the journey you have been on. You can write notes and stick in pictures of your puppy throughout the year. Lovely!
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No more nagging or lecturing, just lots of pictures this week, by way of introducing you to them all, officially. As they get to 8 weeks I spend lots of time printing out paperwork to put into their puppy packs. There is a great deal of information to share! I finally received confirmation of their Kennel Club registration, so I can introduce you to:
Dentbros Moondance**. Arla is going to live with Uncle Dexter, just down the road.
Dentbros Spirit in the Sky**. Winter is going to live with her full brother Mowgli, in Hampshire.
Dentbros It’s a Kind of Magic**. Grace is going to live in Essex, with an older Labrador.
Dentbros Starman**. Ziggy is going to live with his ‘big brother’ Sam, just down the road from where he was born.
Dentbros Magical Mystery**. Tilos is going to live with big brother Symi, in East Sussex.
Dentbros Man on the Moon**. Quin is going to live with his family and have a very exciting life!
Dentbros – how to say it
I’ve written in the past about my Breeder Affix – how I chose it and what it means. Just a reminder that’s it’s pronounced ‘bross’ not ‘brose’. Like Moss Bros, or Bros, the group (in the 80’s!)
Why the stars?
Their Kennel Club names are followed by two asterisks, because Busy (Dentbros Busy the Imp***) was transferred onto the KC Breed Register, even though her sire was not pedigree registered. Every subsequent generation has one less asterisk, meaning if Ounce has grandchildren, they will have no asterisks. Hurray.
Buy the Workbook
The Workbook – A Year With Your Puppy is available to buy. It was written and designed to be a hands-on, interactive book for you. It will help you survive the first year with your puppy, but also act as a memento of that time and the journey you have been on. You can write notes and stick in pictures of your puppy throughout the year. Lovely!
