Sorry to say I missed the week six updates – it was a hectic weekend, with visitors and home checks, and there was just no time to get any decent photos, so saved it all up to week seven.
Its been a busy time, the pups have been trying new things, different floor textures, and trying different food, though cannot say they were too impressed by the rib bones. Much preferring to gnaw on carrots! They certainly were not taken with scrambled eggs either, so Huntu benefited.
It has been lovely visiting their new families at home, why do I do home check I hear you ask? Well two reasons:
1. Many many years ago when I was still living with my parents we bred Pyrenean Mtn dogs, and a couple with kids came to buy a bitch puppy. They seemed genuine and sensible etc, but to cut a long story short, it was a facade and they were buying the pup for breeding farm – so since then I have been ultra careful. These days I have waiting lists for puppies – so most of my buyers are known to me over a long period, so I get to know them well, or we have mutual friends, and It would be a truly complex scam if they could hold out the pretense or fake a home address etc.
2. Its nice to get a feel of the family home, and to advise of any danger spots, or risks that may affect the safety of the pup and/or their favourite possessions or plants! Things that are obvious to the experienced owner/breeder may not be so for new owners and a short visit can help make sure everything is well thought through.
The pups are great travelers, first they had short trip to my vets for micro chipping, I split them into two boxes – the two heaviest ones in one box and the three slightly lighter ones in the bigger box. There wasn’t a peep out of them on 15 min drive there or back, no dribbling and no mess/pee. Everyone was happy at vets and no one squeaked when chips were inserted.
The next day, the pups had a longer drive to Mandeville Veterinary Hospital in Northolt – to See Sally Turner – one of the BVA ophthalmologists approved to examine under the KC/ISDS/BVA eye scheme – it was about 1 hour each way and again, not a whine or anything from pups and lovely clean boxes. As ever they were very popular at the vets – with all the busy nurses suddenly dropping everything, to offer Sally a hand with the examinations. All pups were given clear test results. In UK puppy eye screening is not mandated for the breed, but most responsible breeders do try to get litters screened as it can give early indication of some conditions, though these are generally ones seen infrequently in the breed.
It was interesting to go back to Mandeville, as this is where I use to work when aspiring to be a vet and in fact was Sally’s parents, Trevor & Jean Turner who taught me so much and gave me so many opportunities. Trevor and Jean retired many years ago – and the practice is now run by Goddard group, they featured in a special story of the UK’s first Pet Passport litter, 23 years ago – if you haven’t read that one yet.
Puppies are getting pretty good with house training, obviously at this age they pee for England, and with five its nigh on impossible to get them all outside every time there is a clue they need to pee. But for the more serious “business” we are doing pretty well, and the pups will ask to go outside – result!
Puppies and families now paired up – and names selected, just the registrations to sort out with the Kennel Club.
The latest road trip was a fun outing to see Pia and Ian for a photo shoot, the weather wasn’t quite what we had hoped for – but am sure you will agree we got some super shots, plus was great seeing Kaisa looking so well – she will be 16 in August! There are three photos per pup = and as ever click on the photos to get bigger versions.
Only one more week to go and the cute fluffies will be traveling to their next big adventures.
