Well... we hoped to breed Gemma in late 2023 / early 2024 via AI..., but it turns out that while we were away most of July, the "mice" did play! And she kept her figure so well that we didn't have a clue until we discovered pups born the evening of Sept 17, 2023!!
4 boys & 2 girls.
Here are their intro pics as newborns:
We are delighted that Gemma is Embark DNA screened clear for all 245 conditions for which they test, and Hips OFA Excellent, elbows Normal.
We think that Copper is the most likely sire given the set up at the time, but have ordered parental DNA screening to confirm. He is Embark DNA screened clear for all 245 conditions for which they test. Copper's webpage is here.
We plan to OFA him as soon as possible after he turns 2 in Dec, 2023, Lord willing.
Copper is a home grown boy, his dam is Misty, sire is Laddie. That pairing creates really solid dogs, both in temperament and in build.
Laddie is OFA Excellent, elbows Normal
Misty is OFA Good, elbows Normal
We're very pleased with this sweet boy (shown Sept 18, the day after pups' birth)
So, while this litter wasn't planned, we're not unhappy with the outcome - provided he tests as sire! (We're about 99.9% sure...)
**with all videos, click on the underlined link, then click on the thumbnail to open fully**
Given this is likely a close linebreeding (Copper & Gemma share the same sire), we've been waiting and watching pups' development for the past couple of weeks before announcing publicly, but they're growing like weeds and developing well.
All pups now have eyes open, and they're starting to get more mobile in accordance to regularly expected timelines.
Hyacinth (Girl #1) was the first pup with peepers :)
Gemma is a wonderful, attentive mama, and the pups are always clean and well cared for. She's very intelligent. The day after she had them, I took her out to potty and asked her this question for the first time ever in her life, 'Do you want to go back inside to see your puppies?' and she woofed in affirmation! (I'm not one to anthropomorphize... but... didn't she?!)
I did supplement the smallest girl (Harmony; aka girl #2, aka Pinto) 3 times, but not because she was hungry, more as a precaution to make sure that she didn't fall too far from the rest in size that she would not be able to hold her own at the bar. She's now able to belly up with the rest of them without any concerns on my part. Here is a short clip of her final bottle feed (which she wasn't particularly interested in).
Every time I clean their nest or weigh them, all pups are placed into a crate. They have not yet squawked about that change in situation. I think that since there are only 6, they have full bellies & are just content to be placed together; they're very easy going pups.
Gemma is always interested in where they disappear to so likes to check on them.
Happy mama! Sept 22, 2023
All pups have experienced some Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Sensory Introduction (ESI). This wasn't a planned litter, so the first few days were spent on routine care, plus reorganizing our life for the next 8 or so weeks, and preparing the puppy room (which in the past 2 years had become a storage area...)
Pups at 6 days of age:
You'll see that in the first few notes, as in this picture, the pups had different names than they do now; they were basically differentiating descriptors for note taking.
However, this is our H litter, so all the pups now have names that start with that letter.
One of my favorite activities when I have a chance, is to snuggle with pups.
Here is 'Handsome' on Sept 27.
And 'Hawk' on Sept 28.
Gemma is starting to feed pups in a sitting position at times.
If you're interested in males from this litter (or want to be on a wait list for a future litter), please fill out our Application Form.
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