Firelight Bird Dogs

Firelight Bird Dogs

Monday, January 28, 2013

101 spotted dogs

Well, maybe not 101, but next week this little cabin is going to be pretty full of spotted-dog puppies. More formally known as English Setters. And actually, they are born snow white and their spots don't come in for several weeks and until they are adults. But we will be busy with a bunch of little cuties.

We had bred Tweed back in December, doing a repeat of a breeding that produced some awfully nice pups. We had planned to keep 1 or 2 for ourselves for possible breeding in the future but also to make sure we have enough dogs in the fall to be able to rotate dogs and keep everyone in top shape. From the beginning we thought that Tweed looked and acted like the breeding did take. But about 3 - 4 weeks into the pregnancy her appetite died back and her 'waist' looked small and trim. After a week or so Mike and I admitted to one another that we each felt that she was not pregnant after all. Perhaps she had resorbed the litter or perhaps had not been pregnant in the first place.

We were so disappointed but decided that this would be an ideal time to bring in that fresh blood via a female from another breeder, to later be bred to one of the nice males I have out there. So for the first time in over 20 years I bought a puppy. She is a tri-color belton and her pedigree is a lovely blend of old and new. She is about 7 weeks old now and will arrive next Monday as a carry-on passenger with friends as they fly back to NH after visiting with their son.

But meanwhile, Tweed has pleasantly surprised us by ballooning out and leaving no doubt now that she is indeed pregnant. I guess we fell for the ole mid-semester doubting, we are both experienced with breeding but she fooled us. So a day or 2 after the new puppy arrives Tweed will be having her own puppies! Momma meets all of their needs for the first month or so anyway so we will be able to focus on the new puppy to help her settle in.

So, our little pack sure is going to grow quickly next week! This is the pic that made us decide on the new pup. She is the one on the left. Do you think she looks like a Roxie?



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1 comment:

  1. Congratulations, guys! Great puppy story.
    Lots of puppy breath coming your way soon!

    ReplyDelete