Rose/Chase litter whelped 7-6-2009 & Fern/Chase litter whelped 7-7-2009.
Update #1 - (1 week old) We are happy to report that all 15 pups are doing wonderfully as are their mothers. Rose's pups have doubled in weight and Fern's are growing at close to the same rate. Everyone appears healthy and they are all very active, lively and hungry. Their tails and dew claws came off on Thursday with no problems and at this point we are starting to see some color develop in many of the pups. We should have some nicely ticked one as well as a few white ones. Right now all they do is eat, sleep and poop. Eyes and ears are still closed and the weight is about 1 - 1 1/2 lbs.
Update #2 (10 days old) All still thriving and gaining strength. When they want to they can move around the box pretty well like little turtles. Color still popping out daily. Micro chips have been ordered. Moms are starting to spend some time out of the box and are eating double their normal rations. Both Rose and first time Mom Fern are doing great jobs.
Update #3 (2 1/2 weeks old) Lots of changes the last few days. Eyes are open, ears are starting to open, the pups are up on their feet and moving around. They had their first worming vet visit for first shots and health check is scheduled for next month. They are starting to act like pups. Rose's pups are about 3.5 lbs and Ferns 2.5. The difference is only due to more milk supply with a litter of 5 compared to a litter of 10, but all are doing great.
Update #4 (3 weeks old) Pups are coming along just perfectly. Today they had their nails trimmed. That's 4 tiny toenails x 60 little paws. Ferns pups have started on solid food. Puppy kibble soaked in water and some canned puppy milk mixed in. They took to it very well and are now eating two meals per day along with Fern nursing throughout the day and night. 10 pups put a large demand on a moms body so I am helping her out some. Rose's pups will start to eat this weekend. As you can see in the pictures, they have no shortage in nutrition. While they are much bigger then Ferns pups at this point, they will probably be smaller as adults then Ferns. This weekend Ferns pups should be big enough for their collars. Right now only the girls are wearing pink.
Update # 5 (4 weeks old) The pups are now turning into little dogs. Staying awake for longer periods of time with some playing, biting and barking. They had their second worming and are eating three meals a day of softened Purina Pro Plan puppy with some canned goats milk on top. Now that they are eating so well, they can start the weaning process and spend more time without Mom. They will still nurse during the night hours and sleep with their Moms. Rose's pups are about 4 lbs and Ferns close behind at about 3 1/2 lbs. In the long run I think Fern's pups will be the larger of the two litters. Picking should start next week as long as I get a chance to get the pictures taken. I will send out an e-mail announcing the start of the picking process.
Update # 6 (One month old) Pups are doing great, Moms are having a hard week. Weaning is much harder on them then it is on the pups. All 15 are now mixed together in the big 4x8 box. They are really playing with toys now and each other as well. They are so much fun to watch, I could stare at them all day. Vet visit is scheduled for August 21, They will have a complete health check, (heart, lungs, eyes, ears and males will be checked for dropped testicles. Micro chips will be inserted, final worming and paper work filled out for those that are flying home. I have the outside pen set up and they will probably try spending some time out doors this weekend. Now that Rose and Fern are about done with their jobs, it's time for Mike & me to take over. Our puppies truly are a labor of love for us.
Update # 7 (Five weeks old) The pups are fully weaned now and all are perfect. They spend a few hours each day outside in a fenced in pen on a cement slab. They really seem to enjoy the fresh air. They still spend the evenings and nights inside in their big box. They love their toys and wrestling with each other. The picking process has now started. Each pick is in order of deposits received.
ROSE-FERN/CHASE JULY 2009 LITTERS
Raising two litters whelped 24 hours apart has been a wonderful experience, one we will not soon forget. I don't think we will ever try to pull that off again. Because of the way we raise our pups in our home, not a kennel it is a ton of work, but work that we enjoy more then I can express. People often say to us it must be so hard handing over the pups. Actually that is one of the best parts about breeding dogs. It is a wonderful feeling being able to hand someone a new Braque Francais puppy, in most cases one that they have waited for for a year or more. Seeing the joy and thinking about what the future holds for them is a great feeling. Mike and I hope that everyone of you 15 new Braque Francais owners will be as happy with your dog as the past 56 puppy buyers that have joined the Jersey Sporting Dog family. You will soon see just how special they are.
All 2009 pups have been sold
